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 [...]
An avid sports fan, Joel Barscz talks like an athlete, even sees BCArc as a team sport, where the team can defeat any challengers. “We’re all pulling in the same direction for our guys,” he says of the direct care staff. “With all of us pulling in one direction for each individual, how can anyone sto [...]
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 [...]
Stephany started working at BCArc so that she could enjoy a flexible work schedule that allowed her to care for her mother. Today, four years later, she now manages a program in Lanesboro, overseeing numerous staff, programs, and budgets. "The time I’ve spent working with individuals with development [...]
by Morgan Banta-Ryan “I’m proud of the way I’ve stuck around through both good and bad times.” Julie has faced many challenges since she started at BCArc six years ago. Working through the Pandemic, which brought its struggles, also created great memories with her coworkers and the individuals that l [...]