By Lisa Chen
D’Juana is a Berkshire County Arc Employee of the Quarter. She was recognized for her kindness, hard work, and willingness to help.
For 50 years— ever since her first summer job at the Hilton Inn in the 1970s— D’Juana has worked in hotels. But this changed after her former workplace closed, and one of her friends introduced her to Berkshire County Arc (BCArc) as a relief worker — those who support individuals with disabilities with daily and community living part-time.
At the time of the offer, this role had seemed unimaginable for her, but when she started, “I was surprised at how much I liked it.”
Now, as a residential relief worker at BCArc’s Co-Op—an apartment style home on First Street for semi-independent individuals— D’Juana provides support in almost all areas from cooking to attending doctor appointments, shopping, and a variety of recreational activities.
“There’s so many different things that I’ve never done before, that I’m now learning because of my time here.”
When asked about her favorite part of Berkshire County Arc, she names the people. She comments, “There’s a very supportive environment here, and a multitude of people here that are always willing to be by my side…They make me better.”
She fondly recalls her experiences with the people she supports: from bonding over games like ‘Trouble’ and sharing laughter while watching old game shows to dancing up a sweat as Mario last Halloween; she shares that, “I had a really great time.”
“The individuals make it special… Just one little thing they say, or do, has the power to connect me to them.”
“While there are still a lot of things to learn, I know that slowly but surely, I got it.”
For D’Juana, her work at Berkshire County Arc means more than just a paycheck — because of the people there, but also because of the learning experience it provides. She states, “There’s so many different things that I’ve never done before, that I’m now learning because of my time here.”
Now going into her second year here at BCArc, D’Juana is hoping to transition from part-time relief to a full-time role and spend more time with the people she supports.
She finishes, “While there are still a lot of things to learn, I know that slowly but surely, I got it.”
“The individuals make it special…Just one little thing they say, or do, has the power to connect me to them.”
