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DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN AWARD
EARNED BY WEST STOCKBRIDGE RESIDENT EUNICE ROSS
Stockbridge, MA - Eunice Ross of West Stockbridge, the Residential Manager at Riverbrook Residence for more than 18 years, has earned The Arc of Massachusetts' Distinguished Citizen Award. She is one of twelve people in the State who received the award May 17 at special ceremonies inside the Great Hall of the State House in Boston.
The Arc of Massachusetts is part of the nation's largest grass-roots organization dedicated to individuals with specific developmental disabilities. In Massachusetts, Arc represents 120,000 people with developmental disabilities with 21 affiliated local chapters.
Since 1957, Riverbrook has been part of the Berkshire community, providing a wide range of women with developmental disabilities the opportunity for learning growth, work and friendship. The residence, at 4 Ice Glen Road in Stockbridge, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Riverbrook Executive Director Joan Burkhard, when nominating Ross for the award, noted that "Her love and dedication to the women we serve is unequalled and unwavering. She is the first one they turn to in crisis or jubilation. She is simply the best and provides the industry standard of what a caring, professional direct care worker should strive to be."
Riverbrook recently named three new Berkshire residents to its Board of Directors: Susan D'Allesandro, a retired social workers; Dr. Roberta Erena, a cardiologist with Berkshire Health Systems and Dennis Barquinero, General Manager at Blantyre.