COMMUNICATION:

We are continuing monthly communication with you – and encourage you to visit us at www.sunshine.us – our website – which includes organizational information and virtual tours! “Like” us on Facebook – to stay up to date on all the engaging ways we deliver on our promise of a great day. If you need more information about our programs or a specific client, please call one of our Program Managers or Case Managers.

GOODWILL: 

Please join us!

Three Rivers Fall Festival: Three Rivers will host a recognition event on Friday, September 30, 2022, from 10:30 to 12 noon. We will be celebrating the personal accomplishments of all clients during this festive occasion. All are welcome!

COVID UPDATE:

Since my last update on COVID on August 19, 2022:  

Positive Cases: There have been eight positive cases at Sunshine Village that I reported to the local Boards of Health. This has brought a total of positive cases since March 17, 2020, to 249

(150 clients and 99 employees.) 

REGULATORY REVIEW: 

Congratulations! 

Westover Maintenance Systems received satisfactory ratings in all compliance areas and no recommendations for improvement during the Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) in September 2022. Areas reviewed were: Quality, Schedule, Cost Control, Management, Small Business Subcontracting, and Regulatory Compliance.

HUMAN RESOURCES:

Behavioral Clinician Recruitment: We have hired a second Behavioral Clinician who will be starting at the end of the month – in anticipation of more clients – and more clients with challenging behaviors – coming back to our day hab programs in the next few months and years.

SAFETY / RISK MANAGEMENT:

 We have contracted with a local security company to provide a comprehensive Security Risk Assessment that will be completed on our sites in Chicopee, Agawam, and Three Rivers. They will be performing on-site evaluations of the physical security of all properties. This evaluation will assess the vulnerability to threats of violence both external and internal as well as property crimes and safety concerns. 

SERVICES:

Community Inclusion / Site Based: Based upon client feedback for STEM and science-related sessions within the “Bringing the Community to Us” Inclusion Program, we have ordered STEM crates from KiwiCo. We are now working to bring more sessions from different partners, including chair yoga from VegaYoga, wellness classes from Special Olympics, and Dance from Ohana Dance Studio.   

Community Inclusion Activities: Activities for clients and partnerships with civic, business, charitable and municipal groups in all three CBDS programs continue to increase – and provide new learning experiences and opportunities for building relationships.

AGAWAM CBDS: Currently we have 39 partnerships focused on community engagement and/or career exploration, including Agawam Library, Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge, Kil’n Pottery, Next Fitness, Quail Run Estates, Safe Harbor, Shaker Bowl, Suit Up Springfield, Village Closet, Westfield Homeless Cat Shelter, Westfield Library, Whip City Farm and YMCA of Springfield.

CASEY CBDS: Currently we have 25 partnerships focusing on community engagement, career exploration, and entrepreneurial opportunities, including AMF Bowling, Boys and Girls Club of Ludlow, Chicopee Farmers Market, Holyoke Merry Go Round, Indian Orchard Library, Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen, Ludlow Library, River Park Community Garden, Pet Smart, Indian Orchards Mill, South Congregational Church and Springfield Museum.

THREE RIVERS CBDS: Currently we have 23 partnerships focusing on community engagement and/or career exploration, including Belchertown Library, Belchertown Senior Center, Edelson Park, Lake Wickaboag, Ludlow Senior Center, Palmer Library, Palmer Senior Center, Quaboag Book Shop, Second Times a Charm, Three Rivers Fire Department and YMCA.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAYS / INDIVIDUAL TOURS!

If you would like us to host a “Professional Development Day” (or half day) – at one of our program sites OR at your school – OR if you would like to book a “field day” type visit for your students, please e-mail Colleen Brosnan at cbrosnan@sunshine.us 

We also give individual tours to potential clients and their families – as well as funding source representatives, including Service Coordinators and Special Education personnel.    

THANK YOU for helping Sunshine Village achieve our mission – and helping people SHINE!