Press Release
Center of Hope Foundation, Inc.
On behalf of the Central Mass Providers
05/24/2022
“We have a ‘Social Crisis’, not just a work force crisis here in the Commonwealth”, stated Mike Hyland of Venture Community Services, a private provider of residential and day services for people with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities in Central Mass. He, along with 10 other Central Mass providers serving many thousands of people sponsored the 31st Annual Central Mass Provider Legislative Breakfast to an audience of legislators, families, state agencies, self-advocates and other stakeholders at the College of the Holy Cross last week.
Cindy Howard, moderator and CEO of the Arc-Center of Hope Foundation welcomed the group with a video about the crisis. Leo Sarkissian, Executive Director of the Arc of Massachusetts gave an overview of the issues to the 200 + people in the audience. Festina Julue of the Arc of Opportunity, based in Fitchburg, gave a perspective as a staff member about the difficulty for people to work in these private provider environments with the inadequate pay that is allocated to the agencies to pay them. Many staff have to work more than one job in order to make ends meet. Self-Advocate, Jeremiah Jezierski shared with the gathering how important the Center of Hope is to him and his ability to work.
Stephen Celuzza, parent of a young lady who cannot return to her program because the agencies cannot attract and retain the Direct Support Professionals, Nurses and other staff needed to allow her and 7,000 others who were going to programs before the pandemic and the several hundred more who are waiting for services as they age out of public school are affecting his family in a distressing way, too. One parent must be home at all times, so someone cannot go back to work. The implications are devastating for the person stuck at home for 2 ½ years along with the loss of income to the family.
State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means spoke to the audience about his understanding of the issues and how the House is working towards trying to find solutions to this crisis.
A favorite part of the event includes awarding some of the heroes of each agency. Louisa Boamah of HMEA was awarded the “Exemplary Staff Award”; Serah Mururi received the “Seven Hills Care Crusader Award”; Lisa Morgan received the Life-Skills “Building Better Futures Award”; Melissa Childs of Wendy’s in Sturbridge became the “Employer of the Year” by the Center of Hope Foundation; Engle Torres earned the Venture Community Services “Program Leadership Award”; the “Distinguished Program Leadership Award” went to Walter Ross of Advocates, Inc. Angela McKeon and staff of 17/18 Golden Heights received the “Making a Difference Award” from Linda Cournoyer, founder of this event; Ruth Montgomery received an “Excellence in Performance Award” from CoHF and Mass. Rehab. Commission; Merari Alvarado of Thrive earned the “Community Impact Award”; Open Sky Community Services awarded a group of employees from the Malden Street home with the “Creative Support Award”, Emmanuel Kudjoe from Arc of Opportunity was given the “Life-Saving Advocate Award” and Cindy Howard was surprised with the “Linda Cournoyer Excellence in Advocacy Award”.
This annual event’s mission is to allow a wide range of audience members from all walks of life, and especially the 35 legislators in Central Mass to learn what the issues are in human services each year. This has never been a more important time as so many industries cry for help. We are all talking about the work force crisis in every business, but as Mike said, we have a Social Crisis because the public does not understand what we do and how important our services are to human beings. The community understands and has sympathy for teachers, restaurants, hospitals, other health care environments and most other industries. The crucial work in the Intellectual and Developmental Disability field is not well understood and is not recognized and respected for the vital work we do for an undervalued population in our society.
It’s time for drastic change. We hope that this event helped, but more needs to be done. You can learn more by contacting any of these providers who participated in this event.
Submitted by:
Cindy Howard on behalf of
Center of Hope Foundation, Inc.