Loomis Communities employees honored

Date: 4/28/2014

HOLYOKE – The Citizen Advisory Board of the Holyoke/Chicopee Area Department of Developmental Services recently recognized four employees of The Loomis Communities for “Rewarding Resilient Relationships,” which celebrates people who have developed and sustained relationships that have encouraged, supported and improved the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The four recipients were Lisa Velazquez, a laundry aide at the Loomis House Nursing Center, along with those who have supported her development: Barry Waite, director of Human Resources for The Loomis Communities; Norman Grandbois, director of Environmental Services for Loomis House; and Maribel Molina, laundry aide.

Velazquez, Waite, Grandbois and Molina were recently recognized at the Moose Family Center in Chicopee at the Area Department of Developmental Disabilities’ 12th annual celebration.

According to David Scruggs, CEO of The Loomis Communities, “I am proud that our employees’ abilities are being recognized by such an important organization in our community. Their compassion and commitment is the foundation of who we are and the basis of how we support everyone in our communities.”

Waite, Grandbois and Molina were instrumental in helping Velazquez develop the skills needed for her work. Waite played a key part in hiring Velazquez and provides an environment of inclusion for Velazquez and others with intellectual and developmental disabilities; Grandbois helped support Velazquez in fulfilling her work responsibilities; and Molina helped Velazquez acclimate to her new work environment.