This edition of Visions has
wonderful highlights of many of the accomplishments of indi- viduals we
serve every day. We are very proud to share the positive things happening
within our agency. We are also saddened by the recent loss of Martin
Weinberg and John Archey who were a part of Berkshire
County Arc for many, many years. Their passing is a great loss for
friends, familites, and for all of us that knew each of them well.
During the past few months,
the Administration of Berkshire County Arc has been spending much time
analyzing and planning necessary changes within our Residential Department.
With indviduals aging
As a result, we have evolved a master plan focusing on developing the size of our residences so indiv- iduals will live in less populated settings. We will open two new ac- cessible, single-level, ranch-style residential home, and directing our energies toward meeting our indi- viduals' desires, we are developing a number of two-person apartments.
At the same time, our Zip n' Sort mailing business is moving full stream ahead. With more than fifty local companies currently using our service, Zip n' Sort mailing business is moving full stream ahead. With more than fifty local companies currently using our service, Zip n' Sort has become a very busy integrated business, meeting many large and small companies' mailing needs. Part of the business is a shrink-wrap department which provides easel pads for all Staples stores nationwide. Employing individuals both with and without disabilities, Zip n' Sort is designed to meet
Our Advocacy Department, while spending much energy on family support activities, ran a Diversity Workshop in conjunction with the Department of Mental Retardation. Members of local community agencies attended this extremely enlightening and exciting event.
Statewide, Berkshire County Arc continued to work hard with our local legislators and state providers' groups to advocate for budget increases to support our programs as well as our employees. While we have had some success during the past few years, it is an ongoing effort. Berkshire County Arc will be proudly hosting the Association for Developmental Disability Providers' Board Retreat here in the Berkshire in November.
As you can see, all of us at Berkshire County Arc are involved in ongoing, exciting projects. We hope you give us feedback and share new ideas that you feel will have a positive impact on our agency and on the individuals we serve.
