SPRINGFIELD—Ruth Banta, executive director of The Association for Community Living, announced today that the organization has changed its name to Pathlight to underscore the breadth and scope of the high-quality services it has offered to people with intellectual disabilities in the community since 1952.

Banta also announced that, in continuing the organization’s longstanding innovative spirit, Pathlight has partnered with Valley Venture Mentors to offer the Pathlight Challenge. The two organizations have put out a national call to start-up entrepreneurs to develop technology aimed at increasing independence for people with intellectual disabilities.

It’s expected that at least two proposals from start-ups will be accepted by Pathlight. Those entrepreneurs will be enrolled in Valley Venture Mentor’s four-month, intensive Accelerator Program in January.

“It’s a great partnership,” Banta said. “We’re tying our history of innovation and our passion for the people that we serve to entrepreneurs’ passion for innovation and breaking barriers.”

Paul Silva, chief innovation officer at Valley Venture Mentors, said what’s key in the Pathlight Challenge is that start-ups will have access to people in the populations they are hoping to serve as they produce their innovations.

“Interfacing with stakeholders is normally hard to do,” he said. “We have created a way in which companies that are worthy can get the access they need. If they want to develop something for parents, Pathlight can connect them to parents. If they want to gain access to staff, we can connect them to staff. This will allow them to troubleshoot problems as early as possible and allow their ideas to evolve more quickly.

“Pathlight is giving these start-ups a chance to be more competitive and, thus, more likely to survive,” Silva added.

Formerly vice president of administration and chief financial officer at the organization that serves people with disabilities across Western Massachusetts from infancy through end of life, Banta said the name change to Pathlight was part of a rebranding that began last fall as a means of solidifying the agency’s persona and outlining its key values.

“Our mission is to help people on their own unique journey to experience the life they want to live,” Banta said. “We weren’t being literal when we chose the new name, but we hope that it conveys that we shine a light on those journeys.”

Banta added, “What we’re hoping with the new name is that people will associate it with the breadth of the services that we offer. When people hear that a service is a Pathlight program, we want them to know that that means it is a caring, high-quality service backed by high-level expertise.”

Banta is excited about the partnership with Valley Venture Mentors as it highlights the organization’s longstanding history of innovation. She noted that Pathlight’s history of advances dates back to its roots. “We were the first to open a community residence for people with disabilities and the first to create a shared living model for families,” she said.

“We’re looking at how we serve the millennial population of people with developmental disabilities and autism and looking at how technology can give these young adults the independence that they and their families want for them,” Banta said.

The Pathlight Challenge is especially seeking solutions to issues regarding health, safety and transportation. “Transportation is often a big hindrance to the people we serve in terms of getting to jobs and recreational opportunities,” Banta said. “We’re looking to see how technology can offer assistance there.”

Silva said he is excited about the national call for proposals that will now be launched via both organizations’ databases and online connections. The selection process will continue through October.

The Accelerator Program is a four-month, intensive program held over one long weekend a month, offering start-ups connections to subject matter experts, investors and highly engaged and collaborative peers. Those competing in the program can win up to $50,000 in grants to develop their business or product.

The Pathlight Fellows will graduate from the Accelerator Program in May, when they will also unveil their new technology, Silva said.

“To our knowledge this challenge is the first of its kind,” Silva said. “There are hundreds of accelerator programs in this country running every year, but I haven’t run across any that are focused on assistive technology. Assistive technology is a new focus.”

About Pathlight:

Pathlight was founded in 1952 by five mothers of young children with developmental disabilities. It was the first organization in Hampden County dedicated to serving individuals with an intellectual disability. Pathlight currently serves children, teens and adults throughout western Massachusetts with residential and employment supports, recreation classes, autism services, social skills training and performing arts programs.

Pathlight programs include Residential Supports, Shared Living, Adult Family Care, Community Resources for People with Autism, Whole Children, Milestones, Valley Tees and Family Empowerment.

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Before an audience of roughly 300 individuals served, their families, staff, board members, volunteers and donors, Executive Director Barbara Pilarcik proudly offered up multiple awards for individuals served in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. Achievements noted ranged from dedication in tackling volunteer work to accepting new challenges and life transitions with courage.

Pilarcik also presented achievement and anniversary awards to agency programs at the June 16 event at the Log Cabin in Holyoke, and she highlighted outstanding staff contributions and overall agency successes in the past year.

In addition to other accomplishments, Pilarcik highlighted that the agency:

• Held its first-ever Leadership Institute, providing high-quality management training to 20 emerging leaders at the agency.
• Partnered with Baystate Health to present “Crash Reel” to over 200 community members.  “Crash Reel” is a documentary that tells the story of a New England family and their son, an Olympic ski boarder who is recovering from a horrific head injury.
• Produced an original play, “Once Upon a Bog,” involving more than 30 teens and adults from the Whole Children and Milestones programs to a sold-out audience.
• Opened a new, fully accessible Residential Services home on Meadow Street in Agawam.

“These are just some of the highlights we have experienced,” Pilarcik said. “They don’t begin to capture the many acts of kindness that occur daily at The Association for Community Living.”

Pilarcik also held a moment of silence for 14 friends of The Association who died in the past year.

“They say that you meet the people you are supposed to meet on the path of your life,” Pilarcik said. “We are indeed fortunate that we were able to have the benefit of traveling with each one of these dearly beloved ones.”

Pilarcik presented the following achievement awards to individuals throughout western Mass. who are served by the agency:

In Hampden County:

Ellen Auchter of Westfield, for courage in beginning a new day program last September while also battling a medical condition.  “Since starting the new program, Ellen enjoys many more activities, such as listening to music, joining in an arts and crafts class and reading magazines,” Pilarcik said. “She continues to maintain her positive spirit and is working hard to get back to activities with her friends.”

Mary Jane Cleveland of Westfield, for facing with a positive attitude a very serious health challenge that required surgery and extended treatments and for triumphing over a move to a supported living environment at the same time. “Her energy at times seemed never-ending, no matter what her day had been like,” Pilarcik said. “Her physicians said this had much to do with her subsequent successful recovery.”

Linda Hardick of Westfield, for volunteering in the garden at her home and assisting staff in washing, peeling and preparing vegetables in healthy meals such as eggplant parmesan, tossed salads and tomato basil salad.  “Linda is waiting eagerly for the first ripe vegetables to be ready to pick and eat this year,” Pilarcik said.

Darlene Kalich of Westfield, for accepting a move from her home with a care provider back into a residential setting. “Darlene surprised everyone, most of all herself,” Pilarcik said, noting that Kalich began to work on walking independently, lost weight and took part in several day trips. “With continued determination, we know that Darlene will reach her goal of walking on her own, with just her walker to assist her,” Pilarcik said.

Nancy Rich of Monson, for courage and strength in accepting her new home and family at McCray Circle. “Nancy has blossomed.  Now we see her wonderful sense of humor, and she loves to laugh,” Pilarcik said. “She now says, ‘I’m at home.’ ” 

Carmelina “Lina” Durocher, 11, of Springfield, for acting on her passion for creating art, producing beautiful paintings for her family and selling her work at fairs, conferences and other community events.  “Lina is learning money management, customer service and using socially appropriate behavior,” Pilarcik said. “She has also learned that hard work pays off.”

Elizabeth “Betsy” Sullivan of Westfield, for battling a serious medical condition and following “doctors’ orders.” “Elizabeth, you are a strong woman, and we congratulate you on your determination to be healthy,” Pilarcik said.

Charis Barrett of Springfield, for managing her emotions and her impulses.  “Charis has learned to maintain her composure and can verbalize her disappointments,” Pilarcik said. “In addition to this emotional growth, she was also able to lose 40 pounds.  She was able to achieve her dream and went on an overnight vacation to Disneyworld.”

In Hampshire County:

Gerry Theriault of Easthampton, for determination and self-improvement efforts that led to a move from Amherst, the lowering of his utility bills and getting a dog for company. “This move has shown how hard Gerry worked to become the person that he is today,” Pilarcik said.

In Franklin County:

Donald “Donny” Frederick of Buckland, for accepting new social challenges and taking part in a recreational program known as All Out Adventures.  “Donald thoroughly enjoys discovering new things, and he has found out that he loves the outdoors,” Pilarcik said.

William “Bill” Quigley of Buckland, for volunteering at the Salvation Army, cleaning up local parks and planting flowers at Buckland Town Hall. “We are very proud of you, Bill, and the dedication you have shown to making the Buckland community a better place to live,” Pilarcik said.

These other awards were also presented to community members, care providers and agency staff:

The Nancy Patridge Direct Support Professional Award to Suhaiylah Abdul-Hakim of Springfield, a direct support professional at the Agawam residence, for dedication to her work.

The Michel Reberkenny Supervisor Award to Kathleen Salois of Wilbraham, vice president of Human Resources, for embodying the characteristics of a good leader and creating a high-performing human resources team that has a lot of fun.

The Robert V. Agoglia Community Living Award to Peter McLean of Florence, The Association’s training coordinator, for optimism and exuberance in his work; and Halley Philips of Ashford, Conn., an artist, for her good work in directing the agency’s Saturday Expressive Art Classes. 

The Paul D’Amato Volunteer Award to Susan Hurt of Wilbraham, Chair of the Development Committee, a member of the Personnel Committee, the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and now, the first vice-president of the Board.  “Susan is an exceptional person. She has a genuine interest in our employees and in the individuals we serve,” Pilarcik said.

The Charles E. Veith Community Service Award, to Don Poulin of Smith Brothers Insurance in Easthampton for his thorough work with the agency’s Human Resources team; David Hastings, chief of the Gill Police Department, Gene Beaubien, Gill Fire Chief; Doug Edson, Chairman Gill Board of Health; and Ray Purdington, E-911 Coordinator, Town of Gill for all their help, above and beyond, with ensuring residents safety and their courtesy to residents and staff in two residential home programs in Gill.

The Care Provider Recognition Award, to Anne Marie Corrieri and John Perrin, both of Wilbraham, care providers for the agency’s Specialized Home Care division, for “truly exemplifying the spirit of shared living.”

Special Recognition Award to Crawford Lincoln of Enfield, Conn., and Marie Stebbins of Longmeadow, volunteers and corporators of the agency who helped raise a total of $4.24 million in unrestricted funds over 15 years; Stebbins was married to the late Richard Stebbins, a beloved civic leader and highly accomplished banking executive.   

The Sally Barnhart Award, presented to James Foard, Jr. of Longmeadow for his service as president of the Board of Directors for the past two years. Foard joined the board in 2007 and serves as first vice president of Keady Foard Montemagni Wealth Management Group. He led the agency’s Development Committee and consistently supports all the agency fundraising efforts, raising approximately $450,000 each year.

Pilarcik also recognized these agency programs celebrating milestone anniversaries this year: Whole Children, five years; Family Empowerment, 20 years; and Valley Tees, 20 years.

For more information about the services and programs of The Association for Community Living, visit www.theassociationinc.org.

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