No images? Click here
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
LifeStream Day Program Quarterly
Welcome to the second issue of our Day Program Quarterly newsletter, designed to keep you up to date on the many events, activities and happenings at LifeStream’s Day Programs
A R T S H O W
New Bedford Art Museum Annual Art Show
We are happy to announce that our third annual Art Show will open on October 10th, 2024. Please join us for the opening, where you will get a firsthand look at perhaps our next Picasso as well as meet some of our creative individuals and the staff from day programs.
“The participants enjoy working on self-expression through their artwork during the year,” said Loren Gastall, Assistant Director of Day Program
Services. “The pieces that will be on display are truly a depiction of their feelings, emotions, and desires. They take great pride in being requested to have their creations showcased at the New Bedford Art Museum.”
Horticulture Club
The Day Program has started a Horticultural Club under the supervision of Doug Hughes, VP of Clinical Services, and assisted by Laurie Grace, activities coordinator, and Norma Brun, personal advocate for our LifeSkills group.
The club began in early March with seeding vegetables indoors using grow lights. When the frost alerts have passed, we will transplant our veggies to our raised bed gardens at the Mill Road site in Acushnet. The club members will be responsible for caring for the vegetables throughout the growing season. The club has also focused on indoor ornamental house plants so that the club could continue activities year-round. The club members have learned how to propagate plants by division and by taking cuttings and rooting in water. We now have dozens of specimens across ten varieties of ornamentals taking root which will soon be ready for a welcoming window.
“The club has two main goals,” said Doug Hughes. “The first is to have a plant in every window within LifeStream and the second is to teach our individuals how to take a project from start to finish.”
Individual Spotlight – William F.
William is part of our Community Based Day (CBDS) and Supported Employment (SE) Program at LifeStream.William obtained employment with Wendy's in the summer of 2022 on his own. His job duties include cleaning the dining area, removing trash, refilling soda machines, restocking items, cleaning and maintaining restrooms, and prepping/cooking food. “William enjoys working at Wendy’s and is very proud of the fact that he earns his own money,” said Vanessa Machado, Welby Program Manager. “William is learning vital skills to help make himself more marketable in the future.”
In his spare time William likes to walk at Fort Phoenix, Fort Tabor, and the trail on the cranberry bog. He also enjoys visits to the Whaling Museum, Battleship Cove, the zoo, arcade, shopping at the mall, dining at restaurants. William is an inaugural member of our Horticultural Club that started in March.
Meet Loren Gastall, Assistant Director of Day Support Services/Mill Road Program Manager
Loren joined LifeStream in August 1988 as a supervisor for the Day Program. After more than 35 years she still loves her job and all the individuals in the program. “It is so rewarding to see participants learn, grow and excel,” said Loren. “Every day is something different, due in large part to our talented and creative activities director.” Loren noted that there are 48 individuals in the program which is considerably larger than when she joined in 1988. “It’s an honor to play a role in their success and to see them live a better life.” Loren is also spearheading the Day Program training for our new relief staff. Loren holds a BA in Psychology from UMass Dartmouth and resides in Dartmouth. She loves to cook, hike and enjoys walks to the beach with her dog. Loren can be reached at lgastall@lifestreaminc.com or at 508-993-1991, ext. 4123 or on her cell at 508-742-8793.
Upcoming Day Program Closures:
Monday, May 27th, 2024, Memorial Day Observation
Wednesday, June 19th, 2024, June Sixteenth Day
Meet the Rest of Our Team!
Den DeMarinis,
Director of Day Support Services
508-993-1991, ext. 2111
508-951-2847
Loren Gastall,
Assistant Director of Day Support Services/Mill Road Program Manager
508-993-1991, ext. 4123
508-742-8793 (cell)
Morgan Fraccalossi,
Mill Road DH Service Manager
508-993-1991, ext. 2207
Desdemona Lomax Smalls,
Mill Road DH Service Manager
508-993-1991, ext. 4112
Jennifer Claudino,
Beacon Program Manager
508-991-1991, ext. 4100
774-366-5688 (cell)
Hannah Novo,
Clinical Case Manager
508-993-1991, ext. 4115
Christine Fonseca,
Psych Assistant
508-993-1991, ext. 4106
Vanessa Machado,
Welby Program Manager
508-993-1991, ext. 1026
508-402-1943 (cell)
Jennifer Pereira,
Supported Employment & Community Based Day Services Case Manager
508-993-1991, ext. 2303
