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 stop us. That’s why I love this place.”
His “guys” specifically – the men who live in the house he manages — are growing more and more independent, some with eight hours of autonomous community time every day. He’s working closely with the families to build up their independent time.
“I always quietly drive around checking on all of them. I trust these guys, but I don’t always trust the people they might run into walking around the streets.”
Joel’s program is located near downtown Pittsfield, a more urban setting than most of BCArc’s residential homes. “It’s a great location for them. They’ll walk to town on their own, they do pretty good with their time.” He says this with great confidence, but then admits this:
“I always quietly drive around checking on all of them. I trust these guys, but I don’t always trust the people they might run into walking around the streets.”
More than trust, he says he admires the four individuals in his house.
“Some of them have been living in homes like this all their lives,” he said. “They have moved a lot in their lives. To understand them, you need to keep that in mind. They have been through a lot, yet they live with such positive attitudes.”
Three of the four individuals work at jobs during the day, and one attends BCArc’s Northview program.
“For home time, they generally hang out together, talk about work and money, like most people. They are very aware of money, they like having money on them, that’s a big thing. We work with their families to decide on how to budget their money.”
They don’t always spend time together. “They get along, but it’s four guys living in the same house. You are always going to run into some rough patches. But they are an awesome group, and make it a great house. I’m lucky to work with these guys.”
