Our mission is to empower children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their potential based on personal choices, abilities and interests...

Westchester Arc
The Gleeson-Israel Gateway Center
265 Saw Mill River Road
Hawthorne, NY 10532
914.949.9300
info@westchesterarc.org

24-hour
Crisis Intervention:
914.949.8200

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Westchester Arc Staff Cited for Best Practices

The agency’s Best Practices Awards, presented twice a year, recognize outstanding delivery on our promise to be “caring, innovative and professional.”

The latest winners are:

First prize

Bernadette Carroll, life planner, for initiating Westchester Arc’s first family networking group to educate and support families interested in pursuing shared residential opportunities. Bernadette currently reaches out to 12 families, who learn how to apply for housing, share experiences and visit group homes.

“As a mother of a young adult with developmental disabilities, I know how hard it can be to let go,” comments Bernadette. “Talking about your feelings with peers helps ease the tension. I don’t think I would have encouraged my daughter, Ruthie, to live in a group home if it hadn’t been for one of these groups.”

To reach out to more families, Bernadette and Ruthie recently embarked on a county-wide tour, visiting high schools and arranging tours of Ruthie’s residence. The sessions quenched fears and helped students choose the right residential option. “Meeting Ruthie took the fear out of that transition,” adds Bernadette. “Students learned that life in a group home meant making friends, participating in community activities and leading a full, independent life. I thank Westchester Arc for this award, which I happily share with my daughter.”

Bernadette Carroll, life planner, and daughter, Ruthie, help high schoolers plan for the future. From left, Ric Swierat, executive director; Anne Majsak, president, and Bernadette Carroll at the awards breakfast.

Second prize

Lynn Minzloff, treatment coordinator and senior social worker; Alan Pugielli, habilitation instructor; Timothy Rix, community program specialist; Christopher Sterling, community program specialist; Chavewan Kwanmuang, habilitation instructor, and Marlene Johnson, community instructor, for launching a new business venture that provides an outlet for individuals with developmental disabilities to be creative, while learning about teamwork and money management. “Crafty Creations” was launched in January 2006 to help raise funds for group activities. The project is all-inclusive—everyone works together to create and sell handmade gifts, which have included greeting cards, ornaments, silk roses and lapel pins.

Executive Director Ric Swierat congratulates staff for their efforts in helping individuals attending a day habilitation program launch a creative business.

Third prize

Mark Williams, staff writer, for creating a documentary film featuring individuals with developmental disabilities. Crossing Borders depicts their experiences on a Westchester Arc-sponsored trip to Montreal. It dispels stereotypes by focusing on “distinct abilities,” rather than disabilities. Travelers are seen speaking French, riding the Metro and touring Notre Dame, Vieux Port and other historical sites. In addition to using personal time-off for the trip, Mark spent many hours at home editing the footage. “With this DVD, Mark created a new and innovative way to tell our consumers’ story,” comments Annabel Bayon, recreation specialist. “In addition to providing travelers with a valuable keepsake, the recreation department plans on showing the video at agency meetings and state conferences.”

Lights, camera ... action! Mark Williams (standing center back) and fellow travelers in a scene from his documentary film about their Montreal experience.

Fourth prize

Linton Todd, maintenance assistant, for his clever solution to flooding at Westchester Arc residences. After recent heavy rains, Linton encountered a basement filled with several inches of water. With supply houses sold out of water pumps, Linton had to think “outside the box.” He removed the toilet in the basement bathroom, which exposed a waste line in the floor and allowed water to drain. This method was adopted by two other residences, helping to avoid damage to furnaces, water heaters, washers and dryers.

Ric Swierat, executive director and Anne Majsak, president, praise Linton Todd for his quick thinking about a flooded basement.

Fifth prize

Alan Pugielli, habilitation instructor, and Timothy Rix, community program specialist, for establishing a percussion group that helped individuals with developmental disabilities drum up musical talents and social skills. The group was launched last winter at the request of Alan, who is a professional drummer. Every week, eight participants form a rhythm circle at the United Methodist Church in Mount Kisco, where they learn how to count beats, feel vibrations and bang the snare drum, tambourine and other instruments. They have truly banded together, supporting one other through group and solo performances. They have gained a sense of community and strengthened their coordination and memory retention..

Members of the percussion group jam every week at the United Methodist Church in Mount Kisco. From left, Alan Pugielli and Timothy Rix receive award from Ric Swierat and Anne Majsak.