LOCAL RESIDENT RECOGNIZED AS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
At the Legislative Breakfast event Senator Ryan Fattman, award winner Megan Petty, South Valley Community Advisory Board Member Becky Annis; who presented Ms. Petty???s nomination, and Representative Brian Murray pause after the award ceremony
MENDON – At the Center of Hope Foundation/South Valley MA Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Legislative Breakfast held on June 12, 2018 Megan Petty was recognized as the outstanding volunteer of the year.?? This recognition came about because of the work Megan has done since 2015 to provide support to people with special needs as well as their families.?????? The annual event was held at the Hogan Center at the College of the Holy Cross.?? It was well attended by legislators, providers, and family members from the South Valley Area of DDS.?? The South Valley includes most of Central Massachusetts, down to the Connecticut boarder, including Milford, Mendon, Franklin, Worcester, and Southbridge.????
During the Legislative Breakfast Megan and other award recipients were brought to the stage and details of why each was deserving of recognition was explained in detail to the gathered crowd.?? In addition to the award certificate Megan received a citation from both the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives.?? These were presented to Megan by her state Senator and Representative, Senator Ryan Fattman, and Representative Brian Murray.??
Megan Petty is a Class of 2008 graduate of Bethany Christian Academy.?? She went on to Westfield State University where she earned her BS in Special Education.?? She grew up in Uxbridge and now lives in Mendon, MA where she is an active member of Bethany Community Church.
Here you see a picture of the inviting Work Center located at the Blessing Barn in Milford.?? Megan Petty supervises students and adults with special needs who are working on vocational skills in this space.??
In January 2015 members of her congregation, Bethany Community Church recognized a need for more support for family members with children with special needs.?? In response to this recognized need the concept of The Happy Place and the Clubhouse was created.?? The Happy Place is a support program of Compassion New England, which is the community support arm of the church.?? The Happy Place started out offering volunteer opportunities to students and adults with special needs to provide job readiness experiences.?? This meant volunteers worked at the Milford Blessing Barn sorting donations, cleaning, or other tasks necessary to run the store.???? This was done by coordinating efforts with many local high schools, under Megan???s supervision.??
In July of 2015 with Megan???s enthusiastic commitment they began hosting club houses at their Blessing Barn site in Milford a few times a week.?? These Club Houses, offered for both children and adults with special needs provide a safe and accommodating space to hangout, be themselves, and have fun while parents get a much needed break.?? The program expanded to offering 24 hour overnight camp for children on a quarterly basis when they moved to their current location in Whitinsville.??
The program has been under the direction of Megan Petty since its inception.?? It is clear to see she has a passion for the work she does.?? Her responsibilities include interviewing each parent before a new child or adult is brought into the program, planning the activities and outings for each clubhouse, and coordinating the needed volunteers.?? Under her direction a small, enthusiastic group of volunteers make friends and have fun with the people they serve.??
Megan is creative, kind, humble, and thoughtful in her efforts.?? She is an enthusiastic fund raiser for The Happy Place program and a terrific manager, handling all of the communication with family members as well as her volunteer staff.
At the Adult Clubhouse participants enjoy a meal together
Megan and the church recognize they are filling an unmet need in the community with these programs, as finding qualified people to care for special needs children and adults can be challenging for individual families.?? As special needs children become adults, remaining at home with their parents it becomes even harder, as the adult can also become resistant to a ???babysitter???.?? The Club House offers a welcoming, friendly hangout they look forward to attending.??
In order to staff the programs The Happy Place relies on volunteers to be buddies to the participants.?? The church hopes to soon be able to offer adult 24 hour camps as well.?? They recognize that parents living with an adult with special needs also need regular and reliable breaks.?? The biggest challenge to this next goal is getting enough volunteers.??
Megan and Bethany Church believe God created every person for a purpose and it is their desire to serve children and family in their supportive and Happy environment.?????? Megan exemplifies compassion in her every effort with this exceptional program.??
If you would like to volunteer or donate in the efforts at The Happy Place please contact Megan at Meganp@compassionne.com?? Volunteers do not have to have experience with special needs individuals, but do need to be ready to make friends and connect.?? All donations are tax exempt to the full extent of the law.??