GRADUATE & WORKER

Cate Alix, 26, of Avon, who has Down syndrome, works as an office assistant at Mintz & Hoke. “Shredding is my jam,” she said.

“I would say out of Cate’s entire educational experience, both academic and work-related… her year at Project SEARCH brought her so far,” said Alix’s mother, Noelle. “In that one year, there’s nothing that compares to it.”

Cate Alix likes to break rules, her mother said, and Favarh's Project SEARCH manager Sandy Finnimore was strict with her about proper behavior. “I credit Sandy and that program to teaching Kate work skills, employment skills, appropriate social interaction and communication at work, like how to communicate by email, what’s appropriate for … clothing, etiquette, the job itself,” Noelle Alix said.

“A lot of teachers just really liked her, and she’s got an infectious personality, so I think she got away with a lot from people and Sandy held her 100% accountable and to a professional standard every day, all day,” Alix said.

Cate Alix worked in a pizza shop and at her mother’s coffee shop, BeanZ & Co., which employs people with intellectual disabilities, before landing at Mintz & Hoke.

“They wanted to be part of the inclusive-employment mission, so they created a job working with Favarh and Project SEARCH. And one of the people they put up for the job was Cate,” Alix said. “She interviewed like everybody else and got the job, and she’s been working there for three years now.”

Interview Except Source: Hartford Courant article published May 1, 2023

Headshot by Connecticut Headshots (Thank you Seshu!)

RESIDENT - A FATHER'S STORY

My daughter Kimmy is a Favarh resident.  She is 51 years old, single, and was born with an intellectual disability. Kimmy lives in a brand-new apartment building built by Favarh for people with and without disabilities. She has a roommate, who is also a Favarh resident. Together, Kimmy and her roommate enjoy a life independent from their families, with 24/7 on-site support from Favarh staff.

As her only living parent, I’ve always been there for my daughter. But as we both age, I often think about her life after I’m gone. And I worry, how will she get along? Recently, it became clear to me.

We were waiting in line at the neighborhood drugstore. Finally, it was Kimmy’s turn for her booster shot. The attendant brought us into a private room where she asked Kimmy to roll up her sleeve.

Kimmy refused.

Nothing I said would change her mind. I started to panic. I worried if we left, we’d only have to come back yet again, perhaps with the same result. Losing our place in line seemed like the only option.

Desperate, I decided to call Kimmy’s Favarh staff back at her apartment. Alonzia answered the phone.

“Don’t leave, I’ll be right there,” she said.

It wasn’t long before Alonzia appeared. She asked Kimmy to step outside the room with her. Within a minute, they were back. And just like that, Kimmy sat down and calmly rolled up her sleeve. The attendant administered the shot. The crisis was over.

Once outside, I turned to Alonzia and asked what she told Kimmy when they left the room.

 “I told her that I love her and to do it for me,” she said.

And that’s the first time I knew. Kimmy will get along just fine, with people who care for her as I do.

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Headshot by James Seddon (Thanks Jim!)

The right place at the right time – A story about our adult son leaving the family home

After years of advocacy and mounds of paperwork, the time had come. And a decision needed to be made. The window of opportunity was upon us. Our family had to choose. Were we ready for our son Glenn to live apart from the only home he had known for his 21 years?

We had mixed emotions when in March of 2016, Glenn’s DDS caseworker phoned and informed us that Glenn qualified for residential and day program services, and shortly thereafter we learned that there was an opening at one of Favarh’s group homes in Avon.

Admittedly, we weren’t really ready for the change. We were nervous, anxious, and mentally unprepared. Glenn has a lot of needs. He doesn’t talk. He doesn’t understand that you cannot touch a hot stove, or that shorts and a T-shirt are inappropriate for winter. Basically, he has no self-preservation skills. Also, Glenn is known for “wandering off” given the chance.

After 21 years, we knew everything about Glenn’s needs. We had a lifetime to learn about them. We were concerned about him surviving the “Glenn learning curve.”

We spoke at length with Steve Morris, Favarh’s executive director. We asked a lot of questions. We shared our nervousness and concerns about the level of support Glenn required.

Steve was very reassuring. He told us that Glenn would grow, mature, and become more independent. And with time, he did.

Now we look back and chuckle. We were the ones that were afraid and needed convincing.

Glenn is loved in his Favarh home. We think very highly of all of Glenn’s support staff and management. Glenn also loves Day program. He likes going out into the community. They call him Mr. Mayor because he likes to greet everyone with hugs. He really enjoys his friends there too. Glenn also participates in Favarh Recreation classes like yoga and Zumba. And just as promised, Glenn has grown and continues to grow in his Favarh home.

Glenn loves living apart from us. It’s his home. It’s truly a blessing.

Photograph by Jim Seddon (Thanks Jim!)

ANSWERING THE CALL – A FAVARH STORY ABOUT MEL RENO

Some call it fate.
 

It was 1984, and Mel Reno had just moved from Acton, Massachusetts to Canton, Connecticut with her husband Bill and her two daughters Allis (10) and Marie (3).

Marie was born with Down syndrome and had been in an early intervention program with the local Arc in Massachusetts. Mel was a member of a parent group there and was excited when she happened upon an article in the local newspaper about a program named COPE – Parents of Exceptional Children. Mel missed having a support system and thought it would be a good way to meet other parents with children who had disabilities.

“So I picked up the phone and called Favarh. And they answered,” she recalls.

It was the beginning of a long and beautiful relationship between Mel, her family, and the people of Favarh – The Arc of the Farmington Valley.

After connecting with families through COPE, Mel dove right into the program. She found mentors, counseling, and friendship among the other COPE parents. Mel grew into a passionate IDD advocate for not only Marie, but all the Favarh families.
 

Fast forward to today, and Marie is a Favarh resident at Bear Woods Apartments and a participant in Favarh Day Services. And Mel is currently in her sixth term as a director on the Favarh board. She's been on the board for 18 years. “I do believe I’ve served every position– President, Treasurer, and Secretary.”

She reflects on the many changes she’s seen at Favarh over the years.

“There was the Favarh restaurant in Avon North Park. The Thrift Shop moved four times. Our headquarters migrated from Avon to Canton. I’ve seen the expansion in our residential program to include group homes as well as apartments. I was involved with the purchase of four of our group homes. I’ve served through the transition of three executive directors from Ruth Gatti, Tom Thompson to Stephen Morris. I’ve been part of so many changes over the years.”

Mel has had her hands in many aspects of Favarh’s growth. She’s a long-time volunteer for Favarh’s Thrift Shop. She’s been on the planning committee of annual fundraising events and recalls auctions at The Hartford, Duck Races in Canton and Simsbury, Favarh’s Mercedes Raffle, galas at The Riverview in Simsbury, and all along the way, soliciting support from many individuals and community businesses.

Mel has been here for Favarh all these many years. But Mel sees it differently. Favarh, she insists, has been here for Mel. When she lost her husband Bill of twenty-seven years, Mel says her Favarh family was here for her and her daughters. “Favarh became my family.”

Mel recalls that local newspaper article she read nearly forty years ago, and marvels at its impact on her life and family. “It all started with a small mention in a local paper,” she says, shaking her head at the thought. “I’m so thankful that Favarh was there when I called.” ❤

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Headshot by Connecticut Headshots (Thank you Seshu!)

#volunteer #makingadifference #itswhatwedo #wearefavarh

"I wake up every morning, excited to start my day. To be honest, it doesn't even feel like a job," says Joseph Russell with a smile. He's been serving as a direct support professional (DSP) at Favarh for just over a year now, and the experience has been nothing short of inspiring.
 
Joseph has found working at Favarh's Avon Day Program to be a truly engaging environment. He shares, "I work closely with James; he's my 1-to-1. Sure, he can be a bit of a challenge sometimes, like a 'sour patch kid,' but he's also incredibly lovable."
 
What Joseph cherishes most is the opportunity to connect with the individuals in the program, learning about their sources of joy and what makes them tick. "And it's not just the individuals," he adds, "I genuinely enjoy the company of my colleagues. It's an incredibly positive place, and that's what I love most about it."
 
This job at Favarh is only the third in Joseph's career since graduating. He previously worked for another provider and even spent some time at his dad's office. However, it's only at Favarh that he's discovered a true passion for his work. "My dad always told me to pursue what I have a passion for, and that's exactly what I found here."
 
Interestingly, Joseph's father shares his enthusiasm for Favarh. In fact, it was his dad who encouraged him to apply for the DSP position. Joseph's father has been deeply involved with Favarh as a volunteer, board member, and officer since Joseph was a child.
 
Joseph acknowledges that the field of supporting individuals with disabilities isn't for everyone, requiring diligence and patience. Nevertheless, he encourages others to give it a try. "Don't hesitate to ask a lot of questions; there's no such thing as a stupid question. Always remain open to learning, no matter the challenges you face. And most importantly, go for it and have fun!"

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Headshot by Connecticut Headshots (Thank you Seshu!)

#directsupportprofessional #makingadifference #itswhatwedo #wearefavarh

DAY PROGRAM PARTICIPANT

At eighty years old, Marge is a long-time Favarh resident.

Since retiring from her job with Favarh, Marge spends her days at Favarh Day Program with friends. With the help of Favarh staff, Marge found excitement and happiness in a brand new activity --  baking homemade treats for the dogs at the local dog park. She and her staff visit her furry friends and their owners regularly. She even made a scrapbook of the dogs she befriended there. Marge's daily visits to the park bring joy not only to her but also to all who meet her. 

Headshot by Connecticut Headshots (Thank you Seshu!)

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Kelley lives at home with her mom and dad. On weekdays, she attends Favarh's Life Enrichment Program in Canton. When she arrives, she looks forward to seeing her friends and participating in various activities offered throughout the day. Her favorite activities are listening to music, reading books, and Favarh's various outings. She's recently made great strides by increasing her socialization with others, verbalizing phrases to interact with staff and peers, trying new foods that she hasn't enjoyed at home, and feeding herself independently. People think she’s quiet and shy but we know she’s energetic, fun, and likes to be silly.  She can often be heard, walking with staff, chanting “I’m so silly!” Kelley enjoys shopping, pushing the shopping cart, and volunteering with her Day Program friends and staff.  She also enjoys spending time on the nearby walking trail.  Kelley has a great sense of determination and is working diligently on effective communication, verbalizing what she wants or needs throughout the day, and adding new words to her daily routine, with repetition. We're so proud of her accomplishments at Favarh!

Philip lives in a Favarh Group Home and attends Favarh's Canton Life Enrichment Program five days a week. 

When he arrives, he looks forward to seeing his friends and participating in various activities offered throughout the day.

His favorite things are Math and spelling books.  He loves reading books, exercising on the stationary bike, and socializing with staff and peers.  He enjoys anything he participates in, but especially likes to participate in Horticultural Therapy once a month, Bead Therapy twice a month, and Music Therapy three times a month, while at Day Program.

His group home was damaged during a recent storm, and Phil and his housemates were relocated to other living arrangements temporarily.  Philip adjusted very well. He always has positive things to say to and about others, despite the many changes.  His smile and positivity is contagious!

Phil enjoys outings to do program shopping, returning recyclable cans and bottles, playing Bingo at the Senior Center, visiting the library to get new books, and volunteering with Starbucks donation pick-up.  He also enjoys walking the nearby walking trail (weather permitting.)

Phil is energetic and likes being out in the community. Anywhere Phil goes, he always greets others with a smile and a “How-do-you-do?”  He loves to socialize and meet new people.  Phil maintains a positive attitude and often tells others how much he cares, as well as sharing his “Faith in God.”  His sense of humor is wonderful and can often be heard laughing and joking with staff and peers throughout the day. 
 

Photograph by Jim Seddon (Thanks Jim!)