Ed (right) and Ken (left) together at the residential picnic.
By Nicole Lemire
A day in the life for Ed is always something different since he and Ken, the individual he works with one-on-one, are constantly going on new adventures together. Every week, Ken and Ed volunteer at an animal shelter in Westfield, making and delivering treats for the cats. They also volunteer at the food pantry and regularly bake brownies for their local police officers. In addition to their volunteer work, Ed takes Ken on many fun outings such as going to the gym, bowling, concerts, movies, and much more.
“We like to be active in the community,” said Ed. “All the other men in the home go to day programs besides Ken, so while they’re gone Ken and I go on outings.”
Ed started working at BCArc in 2013 as a relief staff, and quickly bonded with Ken. After Ken’s previous one-on-one staff left the agency, Ed saw the opportunity and went full-time as Ken’s new one-on-one.
“Working one-on-one, you form such a close relationship with the individuals,” said Ed. “You learn a lot about their ways, and they become dependent on you.”
Before BCArc, Ed worked in a school as a paraprofessional for children with disabilities. However, budget cuts in the district caused the school to cut the program, and Ed lost his job. At a job fair, he saw BCArc tabling and was immediately interested.
“At the schools, often the para programs are the first thing to get cut. I was attracted to BCArc because there was a greater sense of job security while still being able to stay in the field that I love working in.”
Ken recently at the cat shelter that he and Ed volunteer at.
Since becoming Ken’s one-on-one, Ed says that he has seen Ken grow as a person, something that he finds to be very rewarding.
“Ken tends to get nervous in crowds, and when I first started he was dealing with some big adjustments and challenges in his life,” said Ed. “But he has made so much progress. Now when we go to the store to get the ingredients for the cat treats and brownies that we make, all of the workers know him by name, and he shakes all of their hands. He is much better with people now.”
Recently, Ed was named one of BCArc’s employees of the quarter, and he says that finding out that he won is one of his favorite memories of his time working at BCArc. Erin Manson, Director of DDS Residential, had nothing but praise for Ed.
“Ed is an amazing staff. He goes above and beyond on a daily basis,” said Erin. “He is patient and calm and always has every individual’s best interests in mind. He is truly deserving of this recognition.”
