Charles River AR 2021 Printer Singles - Flipbook - Page 8
Together We Illuminate
“
You are like family, and when
someone embraces your child,
you are forever grateful. Thank
you for being such a positive
influence in Andrea’s life.
Cheryl Begnal,
parent of Andrea
Mike Seeger
Peter Wright
Mike has been a volunteer for the annual
5K Run/1 Mile Walk for the last 5 years. In
addition to helping set up and clean up,
he has focused on getting more local
businesses to support the event. But the
thing that he enjoys most is being able to
donate and serve mac & cheese at the postrace party. “Nothing appeals more to kids
after a fun run than classic mac & cheese!”
Peter has been working at Charles River Center for the past nine
years. He started working as a job coach in the Opportunities to
Work program at Grugan, and gradually transitioned over the years
to his current position at our Natick program. Most rewarding part
of his job? Having worked in the same general area with the same
clients for a number of years. “I love seeing what they improved at.
Seeing how they’ve grown. What things they’re still dealing with.
They are now people that I’ve known for a significant chunk of
my life. That’s rewarding in and of itself.” Peter finds it especially
gratifying that he has had the opportunity to witness significant
personal growth among many of the individuals he has been working
with over the years. As an example, when Peter started working in
Natick, he was brought over, in part, to provide extra support to one
individual with severe behavioral issues. But over the past 8 years,
Peter has “watched this individual go from needing a lot of help to
learning how to cope, to trusting the staff to work with him to help
him manage a stressful situation… it’s been a relationship that I’ve
seen grow and it’s been very rewarding.”
Volunteer
Site Supervisor, Strathmore Road
“Every year I am renewed in my belief that
an individual can make a huge difference
in someone’s life through just a very
small investment of time and effort.
The support that Charles River provides
for developmentally disabled children and
adults is apparent all around the Center,
but the real joy I selfishly receive is in seeing
families of those children and adults
enjoying a very ‘normal’ Sunday
fun-day. I try to envision how
challenging the day-to-day must be
raising a child in this environment; and yet,
here we are running/walking a 5k without
a worry in the world – except will there be
enough mac & cheese?”
“
After being away from the CRC
Zoom for a while, I was struck anew
by how solid, professional, and
creative the curriculum is, and all
of your ways with the individuals.
You really give a voice to people
who might not usually have a
chance to show off what they know.
And you do it without patronizing.
It is a fantastic example of adult
continuing education. I’m so glad
Nat has the opportunity to keep
learning, and that you believe in him.
Susan Senator, parent of Nat
6
I wanted to send you a note to
say thank you to you and all
the people who have supported
Jonathan all the years he has
been at Charles River. And
thank you for your unwavering
support and encouragement
all the years I have known you.
Be well and a big thank you
to all, you are awesome!
Adele Halbreich,
parent of Jonathan
”