President & CEO
Hello and welcome to Riverside!
I’m so glad that you have taken the time to learn more about this organization and our community here at One Cottage Street. As you will discover, Riverside is more than the programs we provide or the historic building at One Cottage Street. We are a community of caregivers, teachers, parents, siblings, Direct Support Professionals, van drivers, support staff, therapists, clinical professionals, volunteers, and donors. We are a community of people working passionately towards one goal – empowering people – and guided by our shared values. It is truly a privilege to work with and become part of the lives of the people we serve.
Riverside’s dedicated team of Direct Support Professionals works diligently to ensure our programs are delivered safely and compassionately; this is where the real magic happens. Our Leadership Team fosters a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative environment for that work to take place – all making Riverside a wonderful place to work. I am very proud of Riverside’s strong reputation as an employer which attracts people who share in our passion for this work. We are committed to nurturing that culture as we strive to be an employer of choice regionally and among our peer organizations.
As you continue to explore our programs and this organization’s rich history at One Cottage Street, please be in touch with your questions or to learn more about Riverside’s strategic direction. We also welcome you to visit and tour our programs; I promise you will feel inspired. To schedule a visit, call our main office at 413.527.2711.
We are on a mission to change the world, starting with Riverside. We invite you to join us!
Warm regards,
Lynn Ireland, PhD
Sr. Director of Development & Strategic Operations
Markus joined the Riverside team in 2022 as Sr. Director of Development and Strategic Operations. In this role, he manages the fundraising operation and other strategic initiatives meant to advance Riverside’s mission. He was first introduced to the transformative power of philanthropy in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It was his experience managing Alternative Spring Break programs that revealed the true meaning of philanthropy and sparked his passion for nonprofit development.
Markus relocated to Northampton from his home state of Mississippi in 2013. His career as a professional fundraiser now spans 20 years in support of various nonprofit missions throughout the country. He has worked as a senior front-line fundraiser in the areas of higher education, Greek Life at his college fraternity’s national headquarters (Sigma Nu Fraternity), healthcare, and private secondary education. Markus holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising from The University of Southern Mississippi. He is also a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) since 2017.
Director of Human Resources
Vernon spent most of his 20-year professional career supporting children and adults through various life experiences and with all levels of ability in meeting their personal goals. He joined the Riverside team during the summer of 2023, bringing valuable experience as a Human Resource leader in the field to the role. Vernon has a personal passion and natural talent for supporting employees in their own professional development and personal growth. He is equally passionate about Riverside’s mission and seeks opportunities to empower Riverside’s workforce – enabling them to provide top tier services, creating the greatest impact for the people we serve.
Vernon previously served as a Diversity and Inclusion professional in the health and human service industry. He is originally from Pittsburgh where he excelled as a high school and collegiate basketball player. He remains actively involved in local youth athletics programs. Vernon earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hampshire College.
Director of Finance
Laurie’s journey to Riverside began while searching for a day-habilitation program for her son, Shaun. Several years later, she now finds herself working as a member of the team that continues to have such a powerful and positive impact on the lives of others like Shaun.
Laurie joined the Riverside leadership team in 2023 as the Director of Finance. In this role, she oversees the accounting team, internal controls, and financial reporting. She brings with her vast professional experience from previous supervisory roles at several of the world’s largest companies. Most recently, she served as the Director of Religious Education at St. Mary’s Church in Longmeadow.
Laurie holds an MBA after graduating with high honors from the University of Hartford. She also earned a bachelor’s degree with distinction from Babson College, where she was named Scholar Athlete of the Year and inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame as a multi-sport athlete. Laurie and her husband, Paul, live in Longmeadow where she enjoys tennis, swimming, and spending time with her family.
Director of Contracts, Employment & Transportation Services
Jana was born in Syracuse and moved to Pittsfield in the mid-sixties. Unfortunately, she was only nine years old when Woodstock took place and deeply regrets missing that cultural milestone. Jana’s professional career began in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Department of Disability Services as a typist and later a Direct Service Professional. After relocating from the Berkshires, she began her tenure at Riverside in a direct service role assisting an individual in the Production department. Early in her career, she experienced an epiphany: She flipped the traditional power dynamic, giving more agency and personal responsibility to an individual in her care. This experience had a profound impact on both her professional and personal life. Jana has been a member of the Riverside team for 32 years and remains deeply committed to her work. She serves as the Director of Contracts, Employment and Transportation Services where she oversees all agency contracts, group and individual employment sites, and all transportation services.
She holds an associate’s degree from Berkshire Community College and a bachelor’s degree in human service administration from the University Without Walls at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Director of Facilities
Sergio serves as the Director of Facilities for Riverside. He brings with him over 20 years of experience in facilities maintenance at commercial properties throughout Western Massachusetts. In this role, he manages over 180,000 square feet within a 150+ year-old renovated mill building at One Cottage Street– including Riverside’s program spaces, over 100 rental studios, and the surrounding property. Sergio and his team take great pride in using their wide-ranging skills and experience to meticulously care for such an iconic property in downtown Easthampton. Sergio’s passion for Riverside’s mission is evident in his eagerness to support its clients, tenants, and staff every day. His goal is to ensure the facility operates in a smooth and safe manner.
Sergio is a graduate of the Porter and Chester Institute in Chicopee, MA, where he lives with his wife and their three sons. He enjoys spending his spare time with family, watching football, and playing his guitar.
Director of Production & Employment
Nick began his tenure at Riverside as a Direct Support Professional over 17 years ago. He was initially drawn to the nonprofit sector, and especially working at Riverside, because the work aligns so closely with his own personal values. In his own words, Nick describes his first introduction to the agency, “I fell in love with Riverside and the energy in the building as soon as I walked in the door...”
As the Director of Riverside’s Production and Employment Departments, Nick oversees a wide variety of projects that leverage the unique skills and talents of Riverside program participants to create customized packaging and order fulfilment solutions for commercial businesses. Nick also manages Individual Job Placements and the Next Steps program, which supports High School students navigating the transition from High School to life’s next steps towards educational or employment opportunities. Notably, Nick also spearheaded the Riverside Farm Program and the creation of the Greenhouse which has now grown into a widely used therapeutic resource for Riverside participants.
Nick is originally from Eastern Massachusetts and moved to the area while studying at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In his spare time, Nick enjoys hiking, biking, spending time with family, relaxing at the beach, and coaching youth sports.
Director of Life Enrichment
Amy serves as the Director of Life Enrichment, with 32 years of service to Riverside. Her passion in the health and human service industry began at The University of Massachusetts as a teaching assistant for a class that educated students on the unique talents of adults with disabilities in the food service industry. That experience changed the course of her career, leading her to Riverside where she began as a Vocational Instructor in Riverside’s Cafe (Tucson and Savannah’s). It was truly the perfect opportunity to leverage her knowledge of food service in direct support of Riverside’s core mission. To this day, Amy receives incredible joy in seeing an individual’s increased self-confidence as they become more independent.
Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Maine and a master’s degree in hotel, restaurant, and travel administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Director of Community Based Day Services
Kyle’s introduction to supporting people with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities was through a summer job at a sheltered workshop in her hometown outside of Boston. Her passion for the work resulted in her pursuing a Psychology degree at Connecticut College. After graduation, Kyle worked at Spring Lake Ranch in Vermont, a work-based therapeutic community for people struggling with mental health. Kyle sought out Riverside Industries when she moved to Western Massachusetts.
Kyle has been part of the Riverside team for over 30 years. She began as a Vocational Instructor in its Sheltered Workshop in 1992, later shifting to supervisor of the Work-Related Social Skills Program. Kyle also supervised the first work crew in the dining halls at UMass. Beginning in 2013, Kyle led the team that thoughtfully closed Riverside’s Sheltered Workshop and began the agency’s official Community-Based Day Services Program (CBDS). Kyle now serves as Director of CBDS, which engages Riverside participants in a range of community experiences, programs, and training. Kyle also holds a master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers University.
For over 50 years, Riverside has provided individualized services combining life skill development, day habilitation, and employment options for adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the tri-county region of Western Massachusetts.
Empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to maximize their opportunities for acceptance, independence, personal growth, and employment throughout their lives.
Chairperson: Melissa Pike; Partner, A-Z Storage & Properties
1st Vice Chairperson: Roger Anderson; Retired, Behavioral Health Network
2nd Vice Chairperson: Liz Paquette; Owner/President, Rock Valley Tool
Treasurer: Betsy Schabacker; Branch Manager, bankESB
Secretary: Becky Demling; Outreach Director, Amherst Recreation Department
President & CEO
Sr. Director of Development & Strategic Operations
Director of Human Resources
Director of Finance
Director of Contracts, Employment & Transportation Services
Director of Facilities
Director of Production & Employment
Director of Life Enrichment
Director of Community Based Day Services
1968
Riverside Industries, Inc. is founded in 1968 by a progressive and bold move on the part of local parents with the help of Father Robert Wagner. It is originally named The Occupational and Vocational Development Center for the Handicapped (OVDCH). Courage, commitment, generosity, and volunteerism are the driving forces of the Board of Directors and parents.
Feb 1968
The city of Northampton donates the old Leeds School building for 50¢ each to OVDCH.
Nov 1968
Jan 1969
Feb 1969
The workshop resumes temporary operations at 2 Pleasant Street, Northampton. Fundraising efforts being to raise money for a new center.
Apr 1971
OVDCH purchases land on Nonotuck Street for $18,000 and builds a new workshop where 32 people are served. Some of the original building still exists as the Florence Medical Center.
Jul 1971
Aug 1971
In addition, 35 participants are served in a satellite vocational program on Sanderson Street in Greenfield.
Nov 1972
A small second fire guts the Nonotuck facility and results in $75,000 in damages.
Feb 1973
The building is sold and the workshop moves to the Brassworks in Haydenville.
Jun 1974
The name is changed to Riverside Industries, Inc. The first logo.
Apr 1976
The One Cottage Street building is donated to Riverside Industries, Inc. by J.P Stevens. Income from rent, from the building's tenants, gives us a unique opportunity to support Riverside's mission.
Sep 1977
A policy of normalization is officially adopted by the organization.
Apr 1977
Commercial and residential clients hire the landscaping crew to care for their lawns. Today there are over 60 customers.
Jul 1977
Leeds Design Workshop, a woodworking school, becomes a significant tenant in the building. Graduates of the program continue to rent One Cottage Street space. Since 1986, they and others fill the building to capacity.
Aug 1978
A Small Business Administration loan aids Riverside in renovating rental space to increase income for services.
Sep 1979
Riverside receives first CARF accreditation in September 1979. Over the past 24 years we have been evaluated every 3 years by CARF and have been consistently commended with high marks for the quality of services we deliver.
May 1980
Jobs are secured in local businesses. People with disabilities are integrated into their working communities.
Jun 1981
Changing community attitudes towards people with disabilities continues into the 80's. Riverside attempts to open another home on Golden Drive in Florence for 3 women with developmental disabilities. It meets with opposition and never opens. At a later date, the women move to a home into their native town of Northampton.
Nov 1981
The need for day community programs for people with developmental disabilities is met by the opening of the Day Habilitation Program. The program provides occupational, physical, and speech therapies, as well as medical, academic, and pre-vocational services to 36 clients. Today the program provides a broader spectrum of services to over 75 people including services to people in nursing homes.
Dec 1981
Riverside's Board of Directors makes the difficult decision to end residential services due to insufficient state funding.
Jan 1983
Riverside's first employment enclave is created under a Bay State Skills Corporation grant with Northampton Hilton Inn. The Skills Corporation is established in 1981 with public and private funds by then Governor Edward J. King. It aims to create an opportunity for on-the-job training with the goal of gainful employment. The grant pays some of the trainee's hourly wages while the Hilton picks up the remainder. Workers are paid minimum wage, which at that time was $3.35.
Jun 1983
Tucson and Savannah's Restaurant starts as a vending cart in 1978. It expands its quarters to the center of the building creating a dining room, a place for everyone at One Cottage Street to mingle. The camaraderie of the restaurant is later portrayed in a mural painted by Elizabeth Solomon, an artist in the building.
Apr 1985
Through advocacy and additional monies from the Department of Mental Health, more than 50% of the participants in the Day Habilitation program become employed for the first time in their lives.
Sep 1986
The 100th job is secured in the general community for people receiving services at Riverside. A partial list of employers at that time includes:
May 1988
An innovative community membership program for elders with disabilities is created, enhancing the lives of many as they enter their retirement years.
Jun 1988
The shift from the sheltered workshop to community-integrated employment continues with sustained support from local businesses. Riverside partners with Lord Jeffery Inn.
Nov 1989
With threatening budget cuts that would greatly hinder services for people with disabilities, many participants at Riverside arm themselves with self-made signs and rally at the Statehouse in Boston.
1990's
The 80's and early 90's represent a significant time in the history of supporting people with disabilities. Belchertown State School closes in December 1992 and the 285 people living there return to their communities to enjoy the rights, responsibilities, and privileges of all citizens. Riverside and other human service agencies welcome and applaud this historic moment.
Jan 1990
On January 2, 1990 Riverside is once again CARF accredited. This marks the 4th consecutive highest accreditation.
Jul 1990
Riverside is encouraged by the signing of The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): wide-ranging legislation intended to make our society more accessible to people.
Aug 1990
Riverside begins transportation services, allowing for more flexibility in employment schedules and civic activities. Today there are more than 20 vans providing transportation to over 150 people.
Dec 1990
The first Artisan Sale is held at One Cottage Street. This begins a tradition. which today has grown to include many members from Easthampton's thriving arts community.
Feb 1990
A partnership with Stan Home Products starts a new model. People with and without disabilities work alongside one another successfully meeting production demands. This prototype fosters further partnerships with local businesses.
Sep 1992
Riverside begins a joint venture with the Easthampton School System, helping to create a smooth school-to-work transition for individuals finishing high school.
Feb 1996
Riverside Rehabilitation is established and today provides Occupational, Physical, and Speech therapies to over 1000 children and adults in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
1990's
Throughout the 90's major building renovations include several new accessible restrooms, Day Habilitation expansion, and a 5-story passenger elevator.
Jan 2000
Riverside forms a committee to research new technology to enhance people's ability to communicate. This initiative is instrumental in securing over $30,000 in grants to purchase new communication devices for many people to use at Riverside.
Jun 2001
Riverside is acknowledged for meeting high standards.
Jun 2001
The first annual Human Service Scholarship is awarded to an Easthampton High School graduate.
Nov 2002
The Governor's Commission on Employment of People with Disabilities honors one of Riverside's working partnerships.
May 2003
Riverside Industries' continues its tradition of contributing to the community
Aug 2003
A Development Committee is formed seeking the support of philanthropic giving. This endeavor will enhance Riverside's mission of empowering people with disabilities in their quest for satisfying jobs, life direction, and meaningful community membership.
Feb 1968
Riverside Industries, Inc. is founded. By a progressive and bold move on the part of local parents with the help of Father Robert Wagner and named The Occupational And Vocational Developmental Center for the Handicapped (OVOCH). With the support from the Kennedy Foundation, OVDCH manufactures and produces Espere Perfume. Total participants served: 6.
Feb 1968
Riverside Industries, Inc. is founded. By a progressive and bold move on the part of local parents with the help of Father Robert Wagner and named The Occupational And Vocational Developmental Center for the Handicapped (OVOCH). With the support from the Kennedy Foundation, OVDCH manufactures and produces Espere Perfume. Total participants served: 6.
Feb 1968
Riverside Industries, Inc. is founded. By a progressive and bold move on the part of local parents with the help of Father Robert Wagner and named The Occupational And Vocational Developmental Center for the Handicapped (OVOCH). With the support from the Kennedy Foundation, OVDCH manufactures and produces Espere Perfume. Total participants served: 6.
Feb 1968
Riverside Industries, Inc. is founded. By a progressive and bold move on the part of local parents with the help of Father Robert Wagner and named The Occupational And Vocational Developmental Center for the Handicapped (OVOCH). With the support from the Kennedy Foundation, OVDCH manufactures and produces Espere Perfume. Total participants served: 6.
