Charles River AR 2021 Printer Singles - Flipbook - Page 2
Dear Friends,
Charles River Center
Board of Directors
Alice Taylor, Chair
Rick Zimbone, Vice Chair
Gilbert Cox, Jr., Treasurer
Cynthia Chaston, Clerk
Anne-Marie Bajwa
Raymond Brassard
Joseph Breitfelder
William Day
Clare Dunsford
Jill Fadule
Nicole Gowe
Richard Lawless
Leslie Lockhart
Gerald McTernan
Richard Neckes
Phil Robey
John Timmerman
Walter Tobin
We continue to be amazed at our resilient staff, residents, and day program
participants. They are our warriors! There are many instances, large and small, of
rising to the occasion, rolling with a disappointment, adjusting, and taking pride
in progress made. Some of the things we have faced over the past two years:
How to adapt our programs so that we observe safe Covid protocols, which
change with the severity of the pandemic? How to best support our individuals
who may have difficulty wearing a mask or maintaining social distance? How to
participate in an activity which is over Zoom instead of being in-person? How to
cope when your housemate has Covid-19? How to adjust when your staff must
quarantine at home, and you can’t see someone you rely on? The pandemic
has been hard on everyone, but particularly on people with intellectual/
developmental disabilities and autism, and our front-line, direct care workers.
As we emerge from our homes, we marvel at what we have learned. Perhaps we
discovered a nearby park or reservation where we can safely get in some walking.
Maybe we spent some extra time enjoying holiday lights. Or a house staffer said,
“Let’s call your mom and dad on video.” These extra steps, from the mundane
to the highly creative, are what make a house a Charles River home.
Charles River developed new skill sets as well. We demonstrated readiness and
the ability to flex. We continued to provide leadership and demonstrate best
practices in a time when compliance is especially important. Recruitment and
staffing efforts continued. The board of directors continued its work, including
development of a strategic plan to carry us forward. Board and other committees
continue to meet, oftentimes remotely, to work on the goals identified in that
planning effort. We acquired new properties and built new residences. We
achieved top marks in quality assessments. We cautiously emerged to socialize
in person, at the Ellie Bloom Olympics and the 5K Run/1 Mile Walk for all abilities.
Your gifts of time, money, and energy to the Charles River Center illuminate our
possibilities, enabling us to focus on moving forward! Thank you for your support.
With deepest gratitude,
Alice Taylor
Board, Chair
Anne-Marie Bajwa
President and CEO
Mission Statement:
To empower and support people with developmental disabilities
by offering high-quality, individualized opportunities that foster
independence and community inclusion.