West Bay Residential Services Celebrates Community Partnerships and Achievements

May 11, 2015 [Warwick] – There was a special energy in the air at West Bay’s “Celebrating Achievements” event, which took place at their main office at 158 Knight Street in Warwick on April 16, 2015. The three-hour event was an opportunity for the West Bay community to come together collectively, and recognize the significant achievements of the many people who have made great strides in building community partnerships through employment, entrepreneurship and volunteerism. Attendees included members of the local community, employment partners, individuals, family members, the West Bay team and friends of West Bay, as well as board members, and staff from Rhode Island’s Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals.”

The event featured four large rooms filled with presentation displays highlighting the community engagement and inclusive employment achievements of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities supported through West Bay. Despite a slim event budget, the West Bay team went out of their way to make the event a memorable one, creating an enchanting ambience using artfully arranged lighting, donated table linens, and flower arrangements created by Petals, a West Bay collaborative.

Reflecting on the event, BHDDH’s Consent Decree Deputy State Coordinator Brett Magellan noted, “The event was thoughtfully done. It was a pleasure to see community members, parents, and friends of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities all come together to share what they’re doing in the community.” He went on to add “what West Bay is achieving with employment is exciting. I met one man, Paul Scott, who had a very successful cookie-baking business, which he was looking to expand. It’s inspiring to see that sort of enthusiasm and the support to make it a reality.”

When I spoke to Paul, that excitement and energy was very apparent. He had shared all of the cookies he had baked for the three-hour event in the first hour. He noted, “It was a very good day for business. I had a fun time and enjoyed all the nice people who attended!”

The celebration provided an opportunity for West Bay to recognize the many wonderful volunteers who help elevate the quality of programs through active participation and community partnerships. Rhonda Lapham, Market President for Rhode Island with iHeartmedia, Inc. was impressed by “the comprehensive approach West Bay takes in achieving success to create inclusive community programs. When individuals visit our office, their joy and energy brings a much needed smile to everyone’s face. We all enjoy the opportunity to share a moment with the individuals, while attaining self-employment opportunities through their coffee delivery and flower bouquet services. It was a great event because we celebrated that and so many more achievements by people supported at West Bay.”

Indeed, if there was a theme for the evening it was astonishment, on the part of those in attendance, at the incredible quantity and quality of endeavors underway in the community for individuals in West Bay’s program. Another example being, Stacy Upham, who participates in supported community employment every week, working a paper route, and re-stocking vending machines. Her mother, Beth Upham, could not say enough kind words about West Bay’s program and giving much deserved credit to the exceptional team at West Bay.

Board Member Bill Friedman, who has been serving on West Bay’s board since its founding in 1981, noted one of his takeaways from the day’s event was how devoted many of West Bay’s staff has been to the organization and its mission of supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live happy and productive lives. “I’m blown away by the commitment of our staff. Many of them have been with us 20, 25, and even 30 years! I think it’s a testament to how awesome West Bay is that I’m still on the board all these years later. It’s a terrific agency, with some of the most dedicated staff I’ve ever seen.”

West Bay Residential Services, Inc. is a private, non-profit agency providing services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1981. West Bay promotes independence and community inclusion through residential, shared living, employment and day services across the state of Rhode Island.