Riverbrook Residence

Esther and Franny volunteered at Kimball Farms Life Care & PineHill Assisted Living. Esther sang and both women spent time with residents playing games and hanging out. Here they are with Milo the therapy dog.

The Riverbrook Art Show was a success! We celebrated the work of four artists: Kathy, Franny, Susan and Katie. Thanks to all who stopped by to say hello or bought a treasure. We are grateful to Paula Messana & Scott Graves of Inspired Creations in Lanesborough for graciously hosting. The exhibit will be on display through this week. The gift shop is filled with something for everyone!

Tomorrow at Inspired Creations in Lanesborough!

What a day for Josephine! She was celebrated for her 20 years of service at St. Paul's Children's Center in Stockbridge where she is a valued employee. Director Lisa Kane presented her with a plaque of appreciation at a ceremony attended by the St. Paul’s children and staff as well as Riverbrook staff, Father Sam, and special guests. The children cheered for their sweet caregiver and the crowd enjoyed cupcakes.

Later that day … State Representative Smitty Pignatelli arrived at Riverbrook to present Josephine with a citation signed by the Speaker of the House for her relentless commitment to her community for twenty years. Smitty has been a tried-and-true friend to Riverbrook and will never be forgotten for his unwavering support during the pandemic. Having a local celebrity here was the icing on the cake. Josephine wants everyone to know that she will be reporting for work on Monday!

Congratulations, Josephine! We are so proud of you!

Members of the Kiwanis Aktion Club delivered personal care kits and hand-decorated pillowcases to the Elizabeth Freeman Center. Aktion Club is the only service club for adults with disabilities, with more than 10,000 members worldwide. Club members become competent, capable, caring leaders through the vehicle of service. Thanks for your good work!

Opening the pool marks the unofficial start of summer at Riverbrook!

Thanks to our nurses for their stellar work!

Six Riverbrook athletes competed in the Special Olympics this week, coming home with a combined 18 medals. The event was held at Monument Mountain High School where the air was buzzing with excitement. Teams cheered on other teams and there was kindness and camaraderie everywhere.

Mark your calendar! The Riverbrook Art Show is back. Own a piece of original art that will make your heart happy.

Why fit in when you were born to stand out?

World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated today, March 21 (3/21). That's significant because people with Down Syndrome have 3 copies of the 21st chromosome. Chromosomes look like socks. You can show your support by wearing mismatched socks today.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we remember Harriet Tubman. As a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad, Harriet made several trips into slave-holding states, leading approximately 70 people to freedom in the North. She is credited with employing a variety of escape and evasion methods to help aid fleeing slaves. Disguise was among her favorites. If it was announced that a group of male slaves had escaped from a plantation, she dressed the group as women. With a bounty of $40,000 on her head, she came close to being identified at a train station, throwing her pursuers off by purchasing a ticket on a southbound train. Harriet was proud to say that she "never lost a passenger.”

Assisting “passengers” in the move north helped familiarize Harriet with different towns and transportation routes. Once the Civil War began in 1861, this information proved invaluable to the Union war effort. At the close of the war, she was the first African American woman to receive a military pension -- $20 per month.

Harriet Tubman eventually settled with family on the outskirts of Auburn, New York, caring for her parents and becoming a valued resident of the community. She was buried with military honors in 1913. Today, you can tour her home. Details, www.harriettubmanhome.com

March is Developmental Disabilities Month. Welcome to a place where uniqueness is not just accepted but celebrated.

Happy Valentine's Day from Riverbrook!

Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.
- Maya Angelou

The staff at the Lee Library hold a special place in our hearts. Their many acts of kindness to Riverbrook's exceptional women include seeking Braille books from Perkins School for the Blind, knowing the women's interests and finding books for them, and even surprising resident Mary with a gift today. It's not often that Mary is speechless. Thank you for making us feel welcome at every visit!

Riverbrook employees were proud to sponsor a mom with two kids for the holidays through the Elizabeth Freeman Center. The center offers hope, help, and healing to all experiencing or affected by domestic and sexual violence through free, accessible, and confidential services in Berkshire County.

It's World Braille Day. Here's resident Tanny with her Brailler. She's been keeping busy creating signs for Canyon Ranch's sight-impaired guests. Look at us grow!

Thank you to Santa, Claire's Carolers and the Earth Angels who brightened our holidays with gifts and music! May you have a joyful new year!

Consider a year-end tax-deductible gift to Riverbrook Residence!

Look at us grow! The exceptional women of Riverbrook work, volunteer, advocate for themselves, perform, and demonstrate every day that they are active, caring community members. Blind since infancy, Tanny translates Canyon Ranch’s signage to Braille for their sight-impaired guests. Josephine works with preschoolers at a local childcare center. During the pandemic, Ali honed her kitchen skills and is a valued employee at The Red Lion Inn. Louisa completed an internship at Lee Bank. Kelsey is president of the local branch of a service club for adults with disabilities and operates a vending business. Kaylin keeps track of kitchen inventory at Austen Riggs. Esther co-authored a book and performed in a Shakespearean play.

Riverbrook offers dynamic day services, supported employment, and a robust residential life. Your gift supports our mission to help residents lead productive lives that enrich the lives of those around them. There are many reasons for supporting Riverbrook, whether it’s the care a family member has received, an act of neighborly love, or respect for our programs. We encourage you to join our community of giving.

https://riverbrookresidence.networkforgood.com/projects/208190-look-at-us-grow

Finish the year with a dose of playful happiness by visiting the art of Riverbrook's founder, Joan Burkhard, at The Stockbridge Library in a show entitled Joan Burkhard: Paintings from Life and Beyond.
https://joanburkhardartist.com/

Take a break from the hustle and bustle to check out the art of Riverbrook's founder, Joan Burkhard, at The Stockbridge Library in a show entitled Joan Burkhard: Paintings from Life and Beyond.
https://joanburkhardartist.com/

We welcomed a special visitor to Riverbrook today. Brendan Ronayne from Crane NXT delivered a grant from the Crane Charitable Funds for the purchase of picnic tables and seating that are ADA-accessible. These will enable all residents to enjoy time together outside, engaging in crafts and meals. Thank you, Crane Charitable Funds, for your incredible generosity!

If you haven't stopped by yet, check out the art of Riverbrook's founder, Joan Burkhard, at The Stockbridge Library in a show entitled Joan Burkhard: Paintings from Life and Beyond.
https://joanburkhardartist.com/