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 something meaningful and not finding it,” Dan said. “I came upon BCArc by chance. I tried it out, and here I am, three years later, working at the best house ever.”
Dan was recently named assistant manager of his Lanesboro program, overseeing the care of three individuals with brain injuries.
“I took one of the guys overnight camping at Fish Pond. We set up camp, drank coffee, and just talked. It was such a fun, peaceful experience.”
“These guys make it the best job. Their personalities and all the teamwork between them and the staff make our house the way it is.”
Along with the makings of a game room in the basement—pool and foosball for starters—they all spend a lot of time outdoors walking the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, sitting by a lake, or enjoying the long view of the Berkshires from their deck.
“I took one of the guys overnight camping at Fish Pond,” he said. “We set up camp, drank coffee, and just talked. It was such a fun, peaceful experience. I’m lucky to have a job where I can enjoy and share my outdoor interests with the members of this house.”
“I learned a lot in the Air Force and felt like it was important work,” he said. “Feels exactly the same way here at BCArc. I never expected this job to be so rewarding.”
By Morgan Banta-Ryan
