Berkshire County Arc Recognizes Accomplishments, Plans for Future
Board members of Berkshire County Arc and guest David Burke at the head table.
As the organization reflects on another year of accomplishments, it is drawing inspiration from its founders' legacy to address the challenges ahead.
"In the early history of our chapters, this event brought members and founders together to reflect on all they've accomplished," said speaker Dan Burke, president and CEO of Lifeworks in South Norfolk, a state Arc chapter.
"Families are the true heroes because the founders of each Arc chapter had the courage, the vision, and the determination to want something different … from an institution, from isolation, from being home alone. That vision continues to inspire us all day and every day."
More than 190 people attended Berkshire County Arc's annual meeting dinner at Country Club of Pittsfield on Tuesday, where the nonprofit celebrated its accomplishments over the past year and recognized those who have played an integral role in advancing its mission.
According to its annual report, BC Arc supported 1,165 individuals, hired 215 employees and redeemed 250,000 cans through its Green Redeem program over the past year. Among the year's milestones, the nonprofit helped more than 20 individuals move into permanent homes and built a new residence for four others.
The organization's services include its residential day programs, employment services, family support, in-home adult family care, brain injury services, and more.
Over the years, the Arc, as a statewide organization, "has achieved many wonderful advocacy victories," Burke said.
Among those victories are the closure of institutions for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Belchertown State School and Monson State Hospital; the establishment of the state's special education law, Chapter 766; and landmark lawsuits such as Boulet v. Cellucci, Rolland v. Cellucci and Hutchinson v. Patrick, which expanded access to services and community-based care for people with disabilities
"I am sure you all know that we are facing a potentially challenging time…the successes of our predecessors and those leaders have to inspire us now for what we all have faced coming," Burke said.
"Those challenges may be greater. In my 43 years in this field, I don't recall challenges at the federal level directly presenting challenges to us as service providers as now."
Burke warned that changes to federally funded programs, including Medicaid, Social Security, SNAP and heating assistance, could pose significant challenges for individuals with disabilities and the organizations that support them. He added that, depending on decisions made by Congress, the organization could also face reductions in federal matching funds that help finance many of its services.
"Now is the time that we fall back on the 72 years of history. Now is the time, as we did through Proposition 2 1/2 and other funding cuts, that we show the energy, the strength, the courage, and commitment of our members to protect our services like we did in the 2000s," he said.
"I say this because the spirit and enthusiasm of the annual meeting are an opportunity for all of us to identify how we can look forward together. How can BC Arc bring together its families, the people it serves, our staff and supporters, with their counterparts at LifeWorks or the other chapters to support the people we serve. I can tell you that the spirit of our predecessors and the commitment of all of us can make that happen."
Building on its legacy, Berkshire County Arc has developed a strategic plan led by Chief Operating Officer Sonya Hecker to help guide the organization's future.
"This plan, like all good plans, required a lot of work from a lot of different people …We feel good about where we are today and where we expect to go in the future," said Maryann Hyatt, Berkshire County Arc president and CEO.
The plan establishes a framework for BC Arc managers to develop and track program goals, outlines what families can expect from its services, and identifies methods for collecting and analyzing data to measure the organization's success.
Awards
- Employer of the Year: Dr. Sally Umlauf and the Lenox Cat Hospital
- Business Agency Partner Award: Mutual of America
- Work Achievement Award: Andy Kelly
- Personal Achievement Award: Patrick H., Thomas Coutherut, and Benedicta Bonsu
- Community Achievement Award: Kenneth Gordon, Joseph Sbrega, and Aidan Barnes
- Carol Craighead Mission Award: Maureen Phillips and Toni Mille,
- Debra Jarck Advocacy Award: Elizabeth Buratto
- Outstanding Administration Department Employee Award: Nicole Lemire
- Champion of BC Arc's Social Enterprises Award: J.G. Ivy
- Outstanding Day & Employment Services Employee Award: Joshua Reynolds
- Outstanding Brain Injury Services Employee Award: Isaac Bamba
- Outstanding Residential Services Employee Award: Anoh Kouanzan
- Employee of the Year: Chantal Dago
- 20 Years of Service: Emmanuel Addo Yankey, Kotiti Behanzin, Cybele Kilby, James Martin, and Yaremi Ramirez
- 25 Years of Service: Mary Myrick, Jennifer Norton, Michelle Reagan, and Sandra Williams
- 30 Years of Service: Sharon Menard and Deb Mercauto
- 35 Years of Service: Theresa White, Ed Lewis, and Laverne Robinson-Peters
- 40 Years of Service: Chris Melski
Tags: annual meeting, BC Arc,
