By the time you read this latest issue of the Vantage Voice, my time as Executive Director of Vantage will be coming to a close. It has been a challenging, exciting three and one half years here at Vantage, and a total of thirteen years since my beginnings at Orange Residential Services. In 1997 when these two family-oriented agencies drew together in merger, a new chapter was initiated for all those connected to the two organizations: residents, their families, and staff.
If there is a keyword for these past few years, I think I would call it transition. The dictionary defines transition as "the passage of one state or place to another." In many ways this passage of time at Vantage has been about the blending and adjustment of different styles and ideas, and a movement to blend two smaller organizations with strong values to a single body with a unifying mission.
I have heard it said that organizations draw in different kinds of leaders at different stages of their growth and development. I am grateful to have served Vantage in this "in-between" time as an agent for these changes. I am honored to have worked with talented colleagues and committed, passionate Board members. I’ve been graced to witness the triumphs and struggles of loving families and advocates. And I am thankful to have known residents who have enriched my life…some from a distance, and others as treasured friends.
I am confident that the Vantage Board will appoint a leader who will continue to steer the course for making its mark as an innovative, quality service provider in the greater New Haven area. My thanks to everyone for allowing me to share in this journey.
Editor’s Note
Anne Beaulieu
It was through learning how to better listen to what others were communicating about the quality of their lives and advocating and assisting in life-planning that I have gained deeper insight into my own needs. In a few days, I leave Vantage Group, Inc. to follow my own "north star".
It all began two years ago with a two-day staff training to learn tools that could be utilized to support program participants in self-directed life planning: MAPS and PATH. The training started with a celebration of our individual "gifts"; I sang a song, acapella, and showed a recently completed painting.
During this training, I took a look at my past– music and art have always been important to me. I examined my present– I was under stress as the Director of Supported Living, and there was not nearly enough time for art and music. I dreamed about a future (no holds barred) that included music, art, language travel and a supportive network of friends and family.
The PATH process honed my dreams down to goals that were "positive and possible" with defined steps to get me there. Unrolling the large scrolls of butcher-paper, I recently examined these brightly colored life-plans; I was awestruck. I actually had achieved these goals! I hadn’t used these tools as a direct reference, yet they were essential in getting organized and staying focused. Here is one of those goals that had been accomplished: I had surrounded myself with a network of people who supported me in following my bliss. Thank you.
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The Vantage Voice is in its fourth publication, of what is a semi-annual project to promote communication about Vantage Group to our friends and families.
It is published by
Vantage Group, Inc.
PO Box 15
142 State Street
North Haven, CT
06473
(203)239-4930
Fax: (203)239-3475
www.vantagegroupinc.org
Anne Beaulieu, Editor
Community Connections Coordinator
Patricia Heavren
Executive Director
Board of Directors
Roy K. Jetter
President
Francis Giffin
Vice President
Anna H. Deming
Secretary
Michael Simeone
Treasurer
Edwin V.Seldon
Immediate Past President
Emily Cosenza
Emma Cuzzocreo
Stephanie Cuzzocreo
Robert LaCamera,MD
Kevin McNamara
Sheryl Maltagliati
Ruth Teitelman
Samuel Teitelman
Irmgard Wessel
Nan Wheeler
Elaine Yudkin
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