Staff Stories - BCArc

Staff StoriesBCArc Admin2025-04-11T11:13:56-04:00

Finding Home in the Homes of Others

Bernard’s Journey Back to BCArc

Flexibility, Family, and Fulfillment: How Working Mom Rachael Finds Balance at BCArc

From Pastor to Habilitation Specialist: How Chris Found Purpose in the Little Victories

Finding Her Way Back to the Berkshires & Discovering Her Calling

Colleen Goes the Extra Mile for the People She Serves

Ed and Ken’s Excellent Adventures

Why I Took Steven to Washington, D.C.

Helping Individuals Regain Confidence After Brain Injury

Explore What Is Possible As A BCArc Intern

The Job That Doesn’t Feel Like Work

Why Keysa “Likes It All” At BCArc

Working Through Difficult Times & Experiencing Happier Days

Finding Solace — and Inspiration — in Photos and BCArc

Why Rocio Loves Her Mix of Office Work & Quality Time with Individuals

Combining Advocacy, Event Planning, and Human Rights

Moving From China, Finding Stability at a BCArc Program

Forming Connections and Spending Quality Time Together: Why Outreach is Jason’s Dream Career

Hollow Road Manager Credits Success to Staff’s Dedication

Self-Described “Weekend Warrior” Balances Nursing School, Motherhood, and Overnight Shifts

Unexpected but Rewarding: Amanda Found Her Calling as an Employment Trainer

Berkshire Mountain Lodge Hires 8 Individuals — “It’s Been Great”

My Continuous Journey from Immigrant to College to Career

Nicholson Hill Reflects on Winning Brain Injury Program of the Year

Persistence and Patience Helped Elvis Get Employee of the Quarter

Employee of the Quarter Jessica Strives to Spread Positivity

5 Languages, A Black Belt, World Traveler: Adam Feels Inspired at BCArc

Danielle’s Passion for Advocacy and Helping Others Earns Her Employee of the Quarter

Jennifer’s Love for BCArc Shown Through New Supervisor Role

Full-Time at BCArc, Pursuing a Degree, and Providing Residential Relief

Working in Both HR and Direct Care: “The Purpose This Job Gives Me is Beyond Any Paycheck or Award”

Support Staff of the Year Award Winner Chantal Shares Why She Loves Her Job at BCArc

Inspired to Walk at 70

Military Mechanic, Vet Clinician, now at BCArc: Brooke Has a Penchant to Learn

Michelle Calls BCArc Flexible and Supportive as She Pursues Degree

Dylan, Describing His Site Director Experience: “Knowledge You Can’t Buy, Experiences You Can’t Be Taught”

After Captain’s Career, Rob Finds Fulfillment Helping Others, More Time with Family

Team From Co-Op Apartments Give City’s Utility Box a Colorful Makeover

Colleen Calls Site Manager Position Challenging, but “I Wouldn’t Change a Thing”

Bianca Passionate About Her Work Despite Initial Fears of Advancing to Site Manager

Kaitlyn Takes Advantage of BCArc’s Free Tuition Benefit, Encourages Others to do the Same

Individuals and Staff Recognized at Annual Meeting

From Employment Services to Full Independence: John Manages Himself Strategically

20 Years at BCArc, 12 Years Owning and Running Berkshire International Market

From Lenox to The Congo, Pauline Helps People to Reach New Horizons

When She Closed the Doors of Angelina’s Subs, Another Door Opened

Marissa, BCArc’s Resident Hairdresser, Welcomes the Work

Brandi Chooses “Relief” Position to Control Her Schedule and Shifts

Mail Carrier, Realtor, BCArc Manager, Mail Carrier, now Back as BCArc Manager

Air Force Veteran Seeks Fulfilling Work, Finds it at BCArc

Pursuing a Degree in Human Services, Paola Finds Family in the Day Program

Meet Matt: Real Estate Agent, LGBTQ Activist, and Committed BCArc Employee

From Ivory Coast to BCArc: Joachim’s Family Journey

Initially In Search of Flexible Hours, Now Managing Staff and a Program

Julie’s Dedication Shines Through: “I’m Not Happy Unless I’m Helping Someone”

From Direct Support to Administrative Help: Amanda Wants to Contribute

From H.S. Scholarship Recipient to Assistant Manager Today: A Career Path She Didn’t See Before

Part-time Staff Finds Instant Connection: “This Job Has Brought More to My Life”

From Football Injury to the Special Ed Room: “I Would Have Found My Way Here Anyway”

Part-time Employee Carves Her Own Path At Berkshire County Arc

Deb Sets a Calm Tone in the Home, Makes Space for Healthy Living and Learning

Northview Program Looks Forward to Joining the Community Once Again

Dissolving Tension with Understanding Comes Natural to Christina Brown

Taking the Job on a Whim, Turns Out “I Feel Grateful to Be Here”

The Former Teacher Hopes the Vaccine will Change Everything at Work

Sheltering in for Six Weeks – 3 Times, 3 Houses, 2 Weeks Each

Awaiting the Vaccine, Staff Stay at It, Taking Positive Houses off Quarantine

Pushing Against the Virus Surge, BCArc Staff Steer Homes Safely Off Quarantine

Ebenezer Arhinful: BCArc Employee of the Year

Helping Individuals Achieve Job — and Living — Independence, Susanne “Can’t Get Enough”

BCArc Names Lisa Hopsicker Director of Staff Development & Training

Vet Tech Finds Her Niche at BCarc

Determined Entrepreneur and Photographer, Dylan Also Serves as Down Syndrome Ambassador

She Helps Families Gain R & R through the Adult Family Care Program

Nearly 4 Years at BCArc, A Voice Tells Sonya: I Want to Do This For Good

Ivy League Grad to Medical School Teacher to BCArc Case Worker

Choosing to Care for a Brother without Flinching

Rho Higgins Retires, Defines “Caring for Individuals” for Three Decades

Shamika’s Role: Promoting Community Engagement and Helping to Reach Personal Goals

With 14 Years at BCArc, Jessica’s Favorite Team Is this Team

Staff Reaching 5 Years at BCArc, Plus a Pandemic

Farewell to Rick Hawes

Staff Appreciation Awards 2020

After 30 Years at BCArc, Dennis Radford Says Thank You to His Co-Workers

Heather and Jason Get Engaged!

Regan, Grateful for her Position, Looks Forward to Employers Rehiring the Individuals

Norma Tried Her Hand as 911 Dispatcher, But the Work at BCArc Pulled Her Back

Steady and Trusted, Albert Armah Speaks Softly and Co-Workers Listen

Recognizing Employees of the Quarter

BCArc Crew Keeps 40-Plus Properties in Ship-Shape, and Go the Extra Mile

Adopting a Non-Verbal Teen, Changing Hospital Rules: The McHugh’s Endless Road to Help Others

Training Staff: The Work Continues to Keep Homes Safe

Changing on the Fly, BCArc Nurses Adapt — Thrive — in the New Normal

Blue Q’s Resident Artist Andrew LaPatin Sees a Long Career in Painting

Writing Poems to Cope, Explore, and Inspire Others

With 3 Positives in 1 Home, BCArc Staff Cleared by BOH After 3 Weeks of Diligent Care

After Caring for a COVID-19 Positive Person, All Are Healthy and Cleared

Living and Working with Individuals Who Test Positive

Job Perk 11: Fly to Pittsburgh to Watch Steelers Play the Ravens

After Raising Two Girls, the Empty Nester Stumbles on a “Second Family” at BCArc

Romero, a Biologist, Sees Her BCArc Work Adding Value to the Pre-Med Experience

It Takes a Committed, Passionate Team to Manage a Group Home

Employee Persuades Brother to Join Workplace: “So Much Better Here”

“I Put My Whole Heart Into this Place,” Says Employee of the Year

Larrow, Defying Her Skeptics, Says She “Fights for Them Like they Are Family”

Berklee Grad Uses Music to Teach Life Skills

Julianna and Yev: One of Several Married BCArc Employees who Make BCArc Work for Them

In Gene Foisy’s 1.5 Mile Walk to City Hall Every Morning, He Tells Drivers: Respect Rights of Pedestrians, and those with Disabilities

Dreaming of Cities, Erwin Left the Guatemalan Coffee Fields for Massachusetts, Finding Success for Him and His Daughter

For Years She Resisted her Friend’s Request to Work at the Berkshire County Arc

Congratulations to our Employees of the Quarter

Demanding Hard Work and Honesty, Cliff Love Expects Results, Mistakes, and No Excuses

A Professional Web Developer and Videographer, Bernard Prefers to Stay with his BCArc “Family”

Validictorian Defies All Odds Against her Past as Teen Mom, Addict, Victim

Recognizing Our Employees of the Quarter

BCArc Nurses Get Unique Opportunity to Build Patient Relationships, Says Eldred

From Nursing Home to BCArc: She Never Looked Back

Raised in the Jungle, Enuol Gained Asylum, Learned English, Attended College, Now Manages a Brain Injury Site

Case Manager Sets Goals and Expectations for Individuals and Families

Kelly’s Package Store Turns to BCArc Individuals for Staff: “It’s Been Good for Business”

Together for 25 years, their Teamwork Surpasses Work-Crew Norms

Manager’s Son Likes Mom’s Workplace as Much as Mom

Calling the Berkshires Home, Brice Says Job Offers Significant Personal Growth

From Uneasy to Confident, Site Manager Describes Transition, Discovers Her Future

From Part-time Relief Work to a Lifelong Career Path