Central American cheeses. Mexican cooking bases. West African, Jamaican, and Caribbean ingredients. “People come here for specific items native to their food cultures,” said Goundo Behanzin, who owns Berkshire International Market in Pittsfield for the past 12 years, and has worked at BCArc for the p [...]
Pauline has worked at a BCArc home in Lenox for the past 10 years. During this time she helped build an elementary school in her home village of Bikie, Congo Brazzaville. She has helped some 15 students from her country to study in the United States, many of them attending Berkshire Community College [...]
After Sarah’s family sold their Angelina’s Sub Shops in Pittsfield and Dalton, she walked in cold to BCArc’s Pittsfield office and asked for a job. “There was a group of adults with special needs who regularly came to Angelina's,” Sarah explained. “I was always happy to see them. I felt lifted every [...]
As a relief staff worker, Marissa Messana-Banks cut the hair of a few individuals while on her shift, at no cost. “I’m a professional hairdresser. I like cutting people’s hair, it helps them feel good about themselves, so that was my approach with the individuals," she explained. When COVID hit, word [...]
Brandi Labelle plans to take the next step at Berkshire County Arc. But for now, her role as a relief employee – a substitute in the residential programs – serves her well. “I plan to grow with the company. I work like 60 hours a week, but I remain at the relief level because I get to choose my own s [...]
Guyana native. U.S. postal worker. Atlanta, Ga., realtor. Chef. Today, manager of a BCArc residential program. Call him Carlton Gump. “Home is everywhere, the Berkshires is where I rest my head,” said Carlton Deen Sr. about his ongoing adventures. He travels at least twice a month to Queens or Brookl [...]
Dan was awarded the "Diamond Award for Being Multifaceted" at the Staff Appreciation Event yesterday. After serving for six years in the Air Force—stationed in Japan and California—Dan Mazzacco returned to the Berkshires working at a series of jobs outside human services. “I was looking for somethi [...]
By Morgan Banta-Ryan At only 21, Paola has already found her niche within BCArc. She has now worked at the Crossroads Enrichment Center for seven months, working with numerous individuals with disabilities. Calling her experience “amazing,” she sees her co-workers and individuals she serves as family [...]
By Morgan Banta-Ryan Matthew Pennell has a very busy schedule. First, he arrives at his overnight sleep-in position at around 11 p.m. In the morning, he wakes the individual in that house, prepares him for his day, and drives him to his program 9 a.m. For most of us, the day would be over after that. [...]
By Morgan Banta-Ryan Joachim immigrated from the Ivory Coast in 2004 with his wife and son in search of better opportunities for his family. They landed in New York, then moved to Florida where their son graduated high school. When their son chose to attend college in the northeast, Joachim and his w [...]