Josh Reynolds started at Berkshire County Arc nearly four years ago, because his aunt urged him to give it a try. “She worked here and insisted I would like it,” he said of Heidi Lockman. “I never saw myself doing anything like this. But honestly, it’s the best job I’ve ever had.”
While he started in a different spot at the Agency, and has tried other positions, he thinks he found his niche. “BCArc is a large Agency, so you get to see a lot of different roles, and there is room for everyone to advance if you want that,” he said.
He has spent the past few years working at Transitions, a program that serves people with disabilities looking to gain a higher level of independence.
“The work we do is less about providing care,” he said, “more about positioning them to lead their own lives, make decisions, take control of their own future.”
Asked about success stories, he rattled off a few, but noted, “There are so many, but the great thing about this job are the small stories, the things that happen everyday that make you feel great about the day. That’s what I love about being here.”
A guitarist with a recently-released record to his credit, Josh teaches a weekly guitar course. “They work hard here, and some of them work hard at home, so when they come in, you can hear the difference. And you can see the pride on their faces.”
Areas the program works on include managing money, cooking, employment skills, transportation options, and social skills. A graduate of MCLA with a degree in environmental studies, Josh integrates his environmental interests with the program, including community work.
“I worked at a solar company after college,” he said, “but I feel grateful to be here now.”
Josh’s band, Cemetery Weather, just released its first album. He looks forward to playing live when the clubs open again. Click the album image to learn more on Josh’s band.
