Charles River The Lamp Fall 2021 for Web - Flipbook - Page 3
n Charles River Center | The Lamp
n Charles River Center | The Lamp
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
E
ach day, I am in awe of the incredible
staff members of the Charles River
Center. The utmost compassion,
dedication, and creativity they have
exhibited caring for all our persons
served, during these
particularly challenging
and unprecedented
times is truly inspiring.
However, as we continue
to move forward
together, we must
grapple with the challenge presented
by the critical shortage of workforce
in the human services field.
Prior to COVID-19, there was a
shortage of workers for a variety of
reasons, including challenges related
to recruiting and retaining this
workforce, low wages, high turnover,
lack of access to benefits, and lack of
economic security. The workforce
shortage has been exacerbated
significantly since the pandemic.
To address some of these challenges,
Charles River Center increased its
starting wages for direct support
professionals (DSPs) from $14.50 per
hour to $16.00 per hour, a 10.35%
increase. One time sign-on bonuses
are being offered for most positions,
as well as the initiation of a referral
bonus program to improve quality
of hire and employee retention. In
September, we celebrated Direct
Support Professionals Recognition
Week and just recently held our Staff
Appreciation Week, which culminated
with our annual Awards Celebration.
In addition, we have assembled a
workgroup comprised of staff and
board members to develop other
recruitment and retention strategies
to bolster our efforts in workforce
development. Lastly, we continue to
work with our partners at the ARC and
ADDP (Association for Developmental
Disability Providers) to strengthen
advocacy efforts to help alleviate the
workforce crisis. It is a top priority
of ours to resume a robust schedule
programs and services for all Charles
River participants and their families,
but this will take time to mitigate
the state-wide workforce crisis.
As you read through this issue of
the LAMP, you will read about the
resumption of programs and activities,
albeit limited, which is a direct result
of the determination and dedication
of our staff. In addition, you will learn
about how our community has pulled
together to support Charles River.
Our supporter spotlights, successful
fundraising events and partnerships
demonstrate our commitment to
providing ongoing services for our
community. And while this may be
one of the greatest challenges our
organization has faced, our staff
continue to be committed to the
well-being of those we serve.
We remain optimistic that our larger
community of persons served, families,
staff and community partners can
work together, with a spirit of empathy
nd understanding to strengthen
services for people with disabilities.
Together We Can!
LAURIE ANASTOPOULOS JOINS CRC
L
aurie Anastopoulos has joined the
leadership team as the Senior Program
Director of Family and In-home Support
Services. She oversees the efficient
and effective daily operation of services
provided by the Charles River Center
Family Support, Individual Support,
and Adult Family Care programs.
She comes to the Charles River Center
with over 20 years of case management,
investigation and supervisory experience
working with diverse populations in
the field of child protection. Laurie has
extensive clinical experience focusing
on problem solving resolution.
2
Prior to joining the Charles River Center,
Laurie worked at the Department of
Children and Families (DCF) providing
clinical supervision to adoption social
workers, who were responsible for
identifying permanent homes for
children in the care of DCF. While at
DCF, Laurie was the recipient of several
Massachusetts Resource Exchange
Awards for Excellence in Adoption,
as well as Commissioner Awards and
a Commonwealth Citation. Laurie has
a Master of Social Work from Boston
University.
Director
Program Director
Program Director
In-Home Supports
Adult Family Care
Charlotte Ruskin
Shannon Tedesci
Community Support
Specialist
Community Support
Specialist
Community Support
Specialist
Connie Ferguson
Jade Diaz
Angela Edgeston
Family and In-home
Support Services
Meet the team:
Family and In-ho
me
Support Services
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD
A STRONGER COMMUNITY
Family and In-Home Support Services Focus on the Future
Virtual Open House
Guy Talk: A Social Luncheon
Adult Extended Day-Natick Returns
he Family Support and In-home
Support Services have been offering
monthly virtual Open Houses for
persons served and their families to
learn how the Family Support Center
can help. Discussion topics include social
recreational opportunities, support
groups, community resources, public
benefits, service navigation and
family events. Visit our website for
additional information or contact
familysupport@charlesrivercenter.org.
Guy Talk is a 6-week social
group comprised of young
adults 18-28, who want to
step out of their comfort
zone and meet new people.
The group will discuss
social topics, explore new and existing
relationships in their lives, meet new
people all while enjoying a delicious
meal. This program will begin in midOctober and is funded by the Clayton F.
and Ruth L. Hawkridge Foundation.
Adult Extended Day will be returning
at our Natick site, 4 Strathmore Road,
Natick, MA. The Adult Extended Day
Program is a social and skill building
program for individuals 18 and older.
The program will be offered TuesdayThursday and runs from 3:00-5:30 pm.
The primary goal of the program is to
encourage individuals to recognize and
strengthen their abilities, while having
fun in a recreational environment.
In-Person Programming
Halloween Fun
This once-a-month social recreational
program for children age 7 and up will
be held 9:00 am-3:00 pm at our Natick
site. Children will have the opportunity
to socialize and participate in recreational
activities, including art, music, and sports.
T
In collaboration with Massachusetts
Special Olympics, the Charles River
Center has established its own X-tra
Mile Walking Club, at Cushing Park
in Framingham, MA and DeFazio Field
in Needham, MA.
Two Halloween events will be taking
place in October for kids and adults with
disabilities at the Paul Merritt Center.
Events will include pumpkin painting,
scavenger hunt, picture station and
music (DJ).
Once a Month: Saturday Kids Break
For additional information about Adult
Extended Day-Natick and Saturday
Kids Back, please contact familysupport
@charlesrivercenter.org.
Community Outings
“We are thrilled to have Laurie join the
Charles River Center. She has already
contributed to the organization, as an
A
s we start to come out of the pandemic, persons served are enjoying getting
back out into the community. Day Program participants and residents took
full advantage of the “dog days of summer” taking mini “field trips” into Boston
and beyond.
incredible resource to our persons
served, families and the Charles River
Center team. I am confident she will
Kat Takita, Stephanie Mentor,
Connie Ferguson, Alisha Duncan,
Laurie Anastopoulos, Dee Curtin,
Jasmin Byrd, Blair Gulinello,
and Anne Nicolas
continue to work cooperatively with
our community partners to ensure
the team is supporting all aspects
”
of the family.
- Anne-Marie Bajwa, President and CEO
Laurie Anastopoulos
IFFS Coordinator MSW
Program Director NSN
Program Director MSW
Program Director AWC/DESE
Alisha Duncan
Dee Curtin
Blair Gulinello
Anne Nicolas
Navigator
Navigator
Navigator
Senior Navigator AWC/DESE
Kat Takita
Jasmin Byrd
Connie Ferguson
Stephanie Mentor
A leader in supporting people with disabilities
Heather and Stephen enjoyed Billy and Stephen enjoying
a visit to Revere Beach
a moment in Boston after
a visit to the New England
Aquarium
3
A leader in supporting people
with disabilities
Individuals from our
Day Program visited
Dave and Buster’s
3