On Friday June 12th, twenty eight people from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care volunteered their time at one of HMEA’s group residences in Swansea Massachusetts. This wonderful team of volunteers worked all day in the heat – staining the handicap ramps, weeding and planting gardens, putting down stone for staff to park on, and painting the staff office and hallway. Not only did they volunteer their time, they also purchased all of the plants, mulch and gravel for the project. Our landscaping crew from Plainville Employment worked alongside them in the garden beds. Everyone enjoyed a cookout together to top off a great day.

Although we believe their time and effort is immeasurable, we cannot dismiss the value of their volunteer time. The total man hours equaled 204 hours which, by national standards, is worth $5,508. This was their second year volunteering at Oak Street.

2000 Walkers and Runners and 200 Volunteers Help Raise $200k

Franklin, MA – On Sunday May 17^th, 2015, Fox 25 Morning News anchor Gene Lavanchy hosted the 14th Annual HMEA Independence 5K Walk Run Roll & Stroll at EMC, 50 Constitution Blvd, in the Franklin Industrial Park. Funds raised at this one day family fun-filled fundraiser support nearly 4,000 children and adults ages 1 to 101 with disabilities such as Autism, Down syndrome, Cerebral palsy and other intellectual and physical challenges in 110 Massachusetts communities.

Tremendous support came from the all-volunteer committee who worked tirelessly since January to make the event a resounding success. In addition, talented volunteers came from Home Depot Bellingham, Sodexo Foods at Dean College, King Philip High School Student Council, King Philip High School KP Cares, Out of Control All Stars Cheerleading Team, EMC, Franklin High School, and HMEA’s Board of Directors. Many HMEA staff, families and individuals kept the Kids Corner and activity tents vibrant with games, interactive experiences, and referral information. Tokens were given to the appreciative participants. Toward the cause, these 271 volunteers tallied up 1262 volunteer hours equaling a value of $31,482. Dressed in bright fluorescent orange volunteer shirts generously donated by EMC, their hard work was most visible and appreciated.

Distinguishing this event apart from many others, is the thousands of dollars in items such as raffle prizes, food, water, and equipment plus nearly $80,000 in sponsorships generously contributed by business leaders:  Cardi’s Furniture, Garelick Farms, DCU for Kids, Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation, Starkweather & Shepley, EMC, WB Mason, Walmart, Fidelity Bank, Bowditch & Dewey, Autobahn East, ACT Leasing, Law Office of Roche & Roche, AAA of Southern New England, Medway Oil and Propane, Fox 25 News, Sodexo Foods, CBIZ Tofias, and Spencer Bank, among others.

EMC’s Disability Employee Resource Group, spearheaded by President Kristine Biagotti, had a booth at the event. Adjacent to them, EMC’s Latino Leadership Interest Team had four members on the Committee and several who participated by walking and running at the event.

The event was a family oriented fun day with many kids’ activities and fun games. The festivities included free food at a superb giant cookout, parking, tee shirts and entertainment. A live performance was given by Studio Two – a Beatles Tribute Band. Other highlights included a dog obedience show from Sit Means Sit by GoTeam21.org and an appearance by Bubble Music Man.  Face painting, raffles, caricature artists, and raffle prizes were big favorites. Special guests included mascots Slyde from the New England Revolution, Cardi Bros NiRoPe, Wally the Green Giant, Nibbles Woodaway, and Snoopy. In addition, the Pawtuxet Rangers participated in the opening ceremonies by shooting a musket to mark the official start of both the race and the walk.

A special Dreams Come True raffle was held with over 75 prizes including a Bose® Wave® SoundTouch® Music System, 2 Red Sox Tickets to the Twins vs. Sox game on June 2nd, an RCI time share anywhere in the world, two Spirit Airlines tickets, four complimentary 1-day Park Hopper passes to Disney Worlds Theme Parks, two $500 Cardi Furniture gift certificates and so many more.

Proceeds from the event are used for direct programs like occupational and physical therapy equipment, home adaptations, and community outings. They also support new business ventures providing valuable employment experience such as our landscaping services and our new Helping Hands Florist shop. Funds are also used for resources to sustain our horticultural program, as well as for adaptive equipment or eyeglasses not otherwise covered by Medicare or Medicaid.

HMEA is a non-profit agency whose 700 dedicated, caring and competent staff support nearly 4,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families in 110 communities in central and southeastern MA.  Headquartered in Franklin, this organization provides a wide variety of services including educational, vocational, and residential supports. For more information please call 508-298-1105.

At one time, 7,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities lived in Massachusetts institutions.

From Burton Blatt’s pictorial “Christmas in Purgatory” describing the conditions in those institutions – “There is a hell on earth, and in America there is a special inferno. Abandon All Hope, you who enter here. I sometimes wish that God were back. Suffer the little children.”

I started my career in 1974.  I personally witnessed the filth, stench and  nakedness that was the Fernald State School.  I was working with men who had been tied down, kept in solitary confinement and given lobotomies.

To this day, the moment I decided to forever to do this work is very clear in my head. At that time, my job along with another attendant, was to “herd” 30 shabbily dressed men down some stairs and into, what was referred as, “the pit.” It was a dusty fenced in outdoor area with two broken swings. As we sat above the “playground” on a concrete slab, our primary assignment was to make sure no one got hurt, while holding onto the wrought iron fencing.

I don’t know what moved me, but I jumped down into the pit causing a small cloud of dirt. I began to brush a man’s hair with a community hairbrush. As I stroked through his thick matted graying hair; the next moment changed the course of my life. Ken looked up at me with such love, light, and compassion, that I knew that in this work I belonged.

Fast forward to today

Darkness Into Light

Isabelle is a beautiful four year old girl, and she and her mom are standing next to me on the field for Red Sox “Disability Awareness Day.” During the ceremonies, her mother turns to me and says, “When Isabelle was two, she didn’t speak at all, and I was devastated to find out that she had autism. HMEA therapists then came into our lives and home. Now, my problem is that “she doesn’t stop talking.” (she said with laughter).

On that same field several years earlier, Peter, who also has autism, had the courage to sing the National Anthem in front of 36,000 people. Distracted by the woman using sign language to sing the song, he immediately began a high pitched laugh. Twenty years ago, a rough Red Sox crowd may have booed him off the field. Instead, the ballplayers began to sing, the box seats, and then the entire Stadium joined in to sing with heart carrying Peter to the finish with loud applause. That inspiring moment now has over 3 million hits on YouTube.

From Darkness to Light

 By: Kor Amos (HMEA Staff Advocate)

The first time I ever attended a Caring Force rally I was invited to speak on the behalf of the many direct services workers like myself. It was my words that would possibly weigh on the hearts and minds of our elected officials, but I didn’t choose to talk about my story. Instead, I painted a picture of the day to day struggles my co-workers faced at HMEA. Such as, after a day of work and saying goodbyes to clients with a smile, many of our staff had to still go home and face the reality of not making enough income to make ends meet. Some were single parents; others had college degrees and struggled with loan repayments. Still others never had a day to themselves as they hastily left one job to be on time for their next job that was helping to supplement the high-cost of living. Then there was my friend and co-worker who had an incredible story of how she returned back to work in three weeks after undergoing a mastectomy. She  struggle through balancing cancer treatments and maintaining a 40 hour work week, all because she could not afford to stay home.

I also met supported individuals that were devastated by the revolving door of workers that left for better opportunities. Individuals that desired to build meaningful relationships but were affected by the lack of consistency because their staff couldn’t afford to stay.  They too needed their voices to be heard. That’s why it’s so important that every one of us continue to get involved in advocating for ourselves and our programs. We have all witnessed the power of 150,000 workers coming together and shutting down the State House.

OUR voices have been a united chord of not just struggles but of demands for resolutions. And OUR actions in working together brought about victorious change!  After The Caring Force rallied at the State House last April we received funding for better wages in the budget. There were raises for all direct-care staff positions at HMEA, but we can’t settle for a pacifier. I want you to know that last year was just a battle and I hope you know we all have to continue to advocate until we FINISH THE JOB of protecting our most vulnerable neighbors and creating a stronger economy with the pay, recognition, and respect human service workers deserve. There is more we can and must do, and with this year’s budget process under way, it’s critical we all do our part.

I hope you’ll join me this year at the Statehouse on April 7^th for this years’ rally.

– Kor

 Register

On Thursday March 19th, 2015, HMEA will open its doors in Franklin to the public to welcome job seekers to apply and interview for positions available company-wide. The agency is looking for people who are passionate about gaining experience and becoming an important factor in the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Whether you have an interest in working with children with Autism or joining a team of staff assisting adults with disabilities to earn gainful employment, there is an something for everyone.

Anyone who attends the career fair will automatically be entered into a drawing for a $100 gas card and two $25 gas cards. Interested candidates are asked to bring a copy of their resume and to be prepared to interview on the spot. Visit our “Career Fair” page for more information.

On Thursday, January 29th, HMEA’s Children’s Services Division which provides ABA home and school programs as well as school-to-work transition programs, was awarded a $5,000 grant by Foundation for Metrowest – Youth in Philanthropy program. The grant will be used for evaluation tool kits program supplies and materials to help better evaluate and assess youth on the spectrum in the preparation and design of individualized programs and services. In addition, some of the funds will be used to purchase a few iPads as tools for services and assessment as well.

Foundation for Metrowest – Youth in Philanthropy Program:

The Youth in Philanthropy program (YIP) helps MetroWest students develop the knowledge and skills to become community leaders. Throughout the program, students learn the importance of the nonprofit sector and giving back to their own community. Participants form their own Board of Trustees and have the opportunity to run for leadership positions, fundraise for the program, visit local organizations, and distribute grants. Learn more

Source: www.foundationformetrowest.org

• Arrangements range from $25.00-$49.99
• Custom arrangements welcome
• Accepting orders thru February 12th
• Delivery available

Whole Foods Market Bellingham is supporting HMEA for the month January by accepting donations at their registers.

Additionally, they have invited HMEA to set up a table in front of their store Friday January 23rd, Saturday January 24th and Sunday January 25th to provide information about HMEA’s services for community education.

If you shop at their Bellingham location, we welcome you to join Whole Foods in supporting HMEA this month.

~ Thank you for your consideration