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April 29, 2017

Jericho 2017 Recognition Awards held in Holyoke

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Julie Beaulieu

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Recipients of the 2017 Jericho Family of the Year Award

HOLYOKE — More than 150 families, volunteers, and past and present board members gather at Summit View Banquet House in Holyoke on April 27 for The Bureau for Exceptional Children and Adults at Jericho’s 2017 Recognition Awards.

Nicole Wilkinson and her sister, Anne DeForge, were selected for the Family of the Year Award.

Both sisters broke into tears as the recent passing of their mother was mentioned during the ceremony.

“I’ve been so busy caring for Anne, that I haven’t really grieved for our mom, who passed away last year,” said Wilkinson.

The Wilkinsons, having two biological daughters, decided to adopt Anne and her biological sister, Jane, 27 years ago, knowing that Anne had special needs. When Anne aged out of the school system in Syracuse, New York, Mrs. Wilkinson continued to care for Anne at home, without any support services.

Upon the passing of Mrs. Wilkinson, the family was unsure how to best care for Anne, who’s emotional maturity is that of a 13 year-old. Nicole decided to have her live with her and her boyfriend in Springfield.

Nicole went through, and continues to go through, a very arduous process of having Anne’s services, care plan and insurance activated in Massachusetts. Jericho was there to help.

“I don’t know what I would’ve done without their help,” she said.

Currently, Anne does swimming, track and bowling with the Special Olympics. She also takes classes at the Jewish Community Center in Springfield, while Nicole continues to search for a day program that can meet Anne’s needs and has space available.

“I don’t think that I’ve done anything special. It’s what a family is supposed to do,” added Nicole.

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Recipients of the 2017 Jericho Humanitarian Award

Creating a comfortable family environment is the goal of the Theresa Dooley-Smith (TDS) Centers for Communication and Social Learning. Its mentors received a Humanitarian Award.

“As a company of dedicated professionals, our ongoing mission is to help each client achieve greater quality in everyday life by improving his or her communication skills. By sharing our process with families and caregivers, we are able to build on existing strengths and provide ready instruction and focused support for each client. In this way, we address specific areas of need and work to create feelings of success for each individual,” said Teresa Dooley-Smith, executive director.

Peer mentors currently range from ages 14-24.

“They (clients with special needs) love the mentors. They feel very supported and view them as companions and their peers,” said Dooley-Smith.

Mentor Kaitlyn Barrick is receiving her master of science degree this May in speech and language pathology from the University of New Hampshire.

“Mentoring for me has been an incredible experience and it helped me to choose what I want to do with my life,” said Barrick.

Other recipients were Luz Eneida Garcia, Deb Sherburned and Sunshine Village for the Humanitarian Award. Shari Phelps received the Achievement Award and Nicholas Perkins and Isabella Sacharczyk received the Father Robert Wagner Scholarships. Ray Hershel, of Western Mass News, volunteered as master of ceremonies.

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