 As 1998 comes to close, we can reflect back on many memorable and exciting happenings at Berkshire County Arc. November saw the closing of Berkshire Unlimited, our sheltered workshop, which after operating for more than eighteen years, had reached a point where it was no longer necessary. The majority of the individuals served by our workshop are now working successfully in supported-employment jobs throughout Berkshire County. Others are involved in activities of their choice, such as our Visions Volunteer Program, our Zip n’ Sort bulk mailing business, or our new social development drop-in center. Some individuals are involved in a number of these activities. The opportunity to offer a selection of meaningful community activities to those we serve is very exciting. So, though we bid a |
fond farewell to our workshop at 10 Lyman Street, we are able to celebrate
new integrated community activities. Our residential department initiated a new Community Mapping Plan which allowed each individual who lives in a Berkshire County Arc home to develop his/her own specific goals to obtain better community membership and to access specific community activities. Realizing our 1998 goal of all individuals completing a Community Mapping Plan program is a great tribute to all who helped accomplish it. These Community Mapping Plans will be continuously reviewed to help individuals improve their quality of life. Within the agency’s administration, a number of interesting projects were undertaken. An assessment of our training needs by a task force resulted in a new orientation training process which will be implemented on January 1st. We hope to be more effective in training staff by offering an orientation with both strong values and a sensitivity base that will augment the required information necessary to all employees. To better assist the deaf individuals we serve, we have undertaken a study to review the needs of those individuals. Specific recommendations have been made which will be implemented in the coming year. Our participation in the Berkshire Family Toy Library |
continued, and, we are happy to report, that as we entered our second
year, there are more than 200 members becoming very involved with its services.
Undertaken in conjunction with United Cerebral Palsy and Girls Inc., the
Toy Library has been a very exciting community project. On June 13th, Berkshire County Arc co-sponsored the first Berkshire County Disability Pride Day at the Berkshire Mall. This was a very successful event, involving nine human-service agencies as well as numerous vendors and community leaders. As a result of its initiative, a project of purchasing a handicapped lift for Berkshire County was undertaken, raising more than $7000.00 from the Berkshire community. The lift is now available to all residents of Berkshire County. We look forward to next year’s Disability Pride Day, scheduled for June 12, 1999. On a statewide level, we have been very involved with numerous committees and provider groups. Our administrative staff have taken active roles in helping to develop state initiatives and to influence important issues that lead to delivering quality services. The agency is actively involved in the Mass Council of Human Service Providers, The Association for Developmental Disabilities Providers, executive director, cont page 9 |
