Where in Connecticut is Marrakech?

Did you know that Marrakech currently provides services and supports in 46 towns and cities across the state of Connecticut?  Well, we do! And that list changes and grows on a regular basis.  So as of today, this is where we are in Connecticut:

Ansonia

Beacon Falls

Bethany

Branford

Bridgeport

Bristol

Cheshire

Clinton

Deep River

Derby

Durham

East Haven

Fairfield

Guilford

Hamden

Hartford

Hebron

Meriden

Middlebury

Middletown

Milford

Montville

Morris

Naugatuck

New Britain

New Haven

New Milford

North Haven

Norwalk

Oakdale

Orange

Plainville

Rocky Hill

Seymour

Sharon

Southington

Stamford

Stratford

Torrington

Waterbury

West Haven

Westport

Winchester Center

Windsor

Wolcott

Woodbridge

Looking at the map below, that is a lot of ground we are covering!  In fact, we provide services in every county in the state except for one!

Meet our new Chief Compliance Officer - Denise Canady!

Marrakech is proud to announce the appointment of Denise Canady to the position of Chief Compliance Officer.  Denise began her career here at Marrakech 18 years ago as a part-time program counselor.  Her new responsibilities include oversight of agency-wide Program Support Services including quality of life activities, building and vehicle maintenance, scheduling, overtime control, health and safety, developmental and behavioral services, nursing and other special services, licensing inspection preparation, and capital development.

Denise chairs Marrakech's Safety Committee and participates on several others in the organization. She is also the secretary/treasurer of the Elephant in the Room Boxing Club, a non-profit gym that encourages sportsmanship, health, and wellness for area youth.

Because Denise has been at Marrakech for nearly 20 years, many of us think we know her pretty well.  But, here are six things you may not know about Denise Canady.

1. I have 10 sisters and 9 brothers. I am the 5th oldest girl.
2. My best childhood memory is of me playing games outside with the neighborhood kids. We played kick ball, double dutch, red light/green light, hide and seek, and a host of other games. I can still double dutch jump rope!
3. My first car was a Hyundai. When I went car shopping I saw a red Hyundai and a tan Hyundai in the lot. The red Hyundai had a price tag in the window for $750.00 and the tan Hyundai did not have a price tag on it. The salesmen sold me the tan Hyundai for $750.00. The next day I got a knock on my door from the general manager saying that they made a mistake and that the tan Hyundai was worth a lot more. He asked if I would take the red Hyundai instead. Of course I said no and kept the tan Hyundai. Their loss…
4. Recently, I spent 10 days in Dubai. Dubai is very beautiful and rich with culture. It's also one of the wealthiest counties in the world. I was surprised to learn that the US dollar was worth a lot there. Our 1 US dollar was equivalent to $3.50 Dubai dollars. Needless to say our money went far. 
5. Although I will be only 43 this November, I am looking forward to my retirement. I have been working since I was 14 years old so I've already put almost 30 years into the workforce. I can't wait until I can relax and travel the world.
6. There are so many things that I love about working at Marrakech. I love that there is an opportunity for growth here. I love that we make positive impacts on the lives of the people we serve. I love that there are many employees that have worked at Marrakech for double digit years. I love that our President & CEO worked her way up the ranks and is now running the organization. 

Congratulations, Denise!

DDS’ Living the Mission Mentorship Program Celebrates Its First Anniversary

On August 18, 2014, the eight private organizations selected to be part of the Living the Mission Mentorship program, including Marrakech, gathered with our Department of Developmental Services (DDS) State partners at Middlesex Community College, where the original kick off took place one year ago.

Lead by Patrica Dillon of DDS, the organizations shared the small and large steps taken towards the State's transformation to Person-Centered Thinking, including individual success stories, learning achievements and our collective hopes for the future.

Because of this project, it is becoming a more common occurrence that we are able to spend time with our colleagues not to discuss rules, regulations and policies, but to discuss what matters most to all of us collectively; the State of Connecticut providing the greatest person-centered supports for individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities. Many of the problem solving, brain storming, outcomes and action items developed at this meeting, along with past work groups for this purpose, have already been implemented at Marrakech. 

The “map” above was created during Marrakech’s internal kick off meeting with facilitators Michael Smull and Patti Scott on February 18, 2014.  This hangs in the office of Marrakech President & CEO, Heather LaTorra, as a constant reminder to stay focused on our priorities and to always be Living the Mission.

Direct Support Professional's Week - Featuring Our Young Adult Services Staff!

When the Young Adult Services (YAS) management team were told about Direct Support Professional's Recognition Week, they, along with their consumers, had quite a bit to say! And we love that.  Four staff were identified by consumers and management.

Shahiba Baptiste has worked for Marrakech since 2010 and is a Program Instructor in our YAS program. She traveled all the way to Florida to help ensure a young adult got to his new placement safely. The young man chose her to join him and she gladly accepted, traveling in a small medical jet all the way down.  The YAS Team appreciates Shahiba's willingness to go that extra mile!

Jofrey Beauduy has been a Marrakech employee since 2005 and is now the Lead Case Manager at YAS. When asked, one consumer said the following: "What he has done is more than any staff..., everything from helping me grow in my hygiene (he and I used to shave together) skills, but more importantly, GROW as a person and come out of my proverbial shell with both his humor and vast knowledge. Plus he cares about all the residents and wants them to succeed."

Jessica Staton is a Program Instructor at YAS and has worked for Marrakech since 2009. A YAS consumer wanted to recognize Jessica because of "her energy, zest for happiness, knowledge and humor [that] make super/deep cleaning time more fun and I learned a lot. The fact that she calls when I mop the floor in the apartment "Aruba Rumba" makes me think she cares about tailoring teaching strategies to my interests/passions not just giving me the Mop and expecting me to do it."

Ray Davitt started as an intern with Marrakech's YAS program in 2013 and was hired this past July as a Peer Program Instructor. He was chosen by a YAS consumer to be recognized for Direct Support Professional's Wekk because, "he gives me the courage to do my very best both with YAS stuff and stuff for B.A.S.S., my business. He also really gets working with someone with Asperger's like me, not to mention a DEVOUT New York Yankees and New York Rangers fan for sports as am I. Though he likes the Cowboys and I am a Giants fan (for football) we still get along great, and I love the fact that he likes sushi as much as I do too!"

Thank you, Shahiba, Jofrey, Jessica, Ray and the rest of the YAS team for making a difference in the lives of our residents.  Your efforts to be truly person-centered really do make an impact.