About Us

OUR HISTORY 

Sunshine Village originated in greater Chicopee, Massachusetts when a group of concerned parents and friends of children with disabilities and supportive civic groups all pooled their efforts and resources to improve and expand previously inadequate facilities for the recreation, care and training of children with developmental and intellectual disabilities.  Under the guidance of its founder, P. Joseph Casey, the organization was officially established in 1967 as a private, non-profit, charitable corporation.  Appropriately, Mr. Casey was the first president, with a board of directors comprised of leading citizens of the community.  After several name changes in its earlier years, in 2004 the agency fully embraced its founding name and officially became Sunshine Village, Inc.

HOW WE SERVE TODAY

Sunshine Village is presently serving over 400 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders who live and work throughout the Pioneer Valley through a variety of innovative day supports.  Programmatic sites are located at the agency’s main campus in Chicopee, as well as in Agawam and Three Rivers.   The agency’s commercial cleaning company – Westover Maintenance Systems – successfully employs an integrated workforce while the organization supports individuals in their own jobs and within group settings at local businesses. 

At present, the organization provides a host of life, work and community engagement services and designs supports that continue to meet the needs of people with intellectual disabilities as well as people on the autism spectrum.  With a theme of “work and earn, live and learn and work and grow”, SSV offers: 

  • LIFE ENGAGEMENT SERVICES (Therapeutic Day Habilitation Services)
  • COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SERVICES (Community Based Day Services – CBDS)
  • WORK / EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

 With a strong financial position, quality programming, experienced professionals and a reputable history, Sunshine Village continues to deliver on its promise of a GREAT day…where everyone SHINES!

MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT/CEO

Sunshine Village was founded in 1967 by a small group of parents who came together to create an organization to improve the lives of their children who had developmental disabilities.   With the commitment of the local business community and civic groups, their dream was realized and has been sustained through good times and through times of crisis. Their dream was to create a warm and welcoming organization that would improve the lives of their children – and other people’s children.  Their dream was to found an organization that would be around for more years than them – and continue in their tradition of caring. Their dream was, and is, Sunshine Village. Throughout the years since 1967, Sunshine Village has achieved their dream in many ways.  The agency has offered a variety of innovative programs designed to meet the ever-changing demands of our clients and their families – and our community.  The organization provides a host of unique life, work and community engagement supports for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders – while also having the capacity to successfully serve people with significant challenges – cognitively, physically and behaviorally – and complicated medical conditions. Nearly six decades after that group of parents came together, Sunshine Village is an award-winning agency, staffed by more than 250 caring, creative, steadfast, inventive, passionate and compassionate professionals – all working hard to deliver on the agency’s promise of a great day. We believe that great lives are made up of great days, and a great day is a collection of small, proud moments. For some, it’s learning to write their name or to use a spoon. For others, it can be going to a job and taking home a paycheck. Whether it’s riding a bike, using a computer mouse, practicing yoga, or learning to shake hands, it all counts. We are dedicated to providing those opportunities, creating possibilities and celebrating victories, every single day. Thank you for visiting our website – and please call us to learn more and visit our sites. AND thank you for supporting Sunshine Village – where everyone SHINES!

Board of Directors

Peter Benton, CPA, Chairperson

Stephen Melnyck, Jr., Vice Chairperson

Michael Siddall, Esq., Treasurer

Teri Szlosek, Clerk

Marie Laflamme

Debra Schneeweis

 

Ernest Laflamme, Jr., Chair Emeritus

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT TEAM

Gina Kos, President and CEO

Derek Scott, Vice President of Administration and Finance

Christine Pollender, Vice President of Human Resources

Colleen Brosnan, Vice President of Day Services

Franklin Siana, Vice President of Information Technology

Jacquelyn Collins, RN, Director of Clinical Services

 

Management and Case Management Team

ADMINISTRATION

Corinne (Dumont) Jackson, Community Relations Manager

Jen Guzman, Client Relations Manager

Erik Houle, Transportation and Operations Manager

AGAWAM CBDS and DAY HABILITATION

Lisa Montero, Program Manager

Jessica Smola, Assistant Manager, Day Habilitation

Erin Gonyer, Case Manager, Day Habilitation

Allison Green, Case Manager, Day Habilitation

Dawn Mattoon, Assistant Manager, CBDS

Jim Hitchcock, Case Manager, CBDS

CASEY CBDS

Brandee Baker, Program Manager

TerriLee Lavallee, Case Manager

Chris MacLeod, Case Manager

DAVIS / KNIGHTS DAY HABILITATION

Bruce Wood, Program Manager

Suzanne Wegrzyn, Assistant Manager, Davis Program

Iris Sabater, Assistant Manager, Knights Program

Romyr Martinez, Case Manager

Saleen Guyette, Case Manager

THREE RIVERS CBDS and DAY HABILITATION

Joyce Cormier, Program Manager

Cara Sullivan, Assistant Manager

Heather Emerson, Case Manager, CBDS/Day Habilitation

Jasmyn Quinones, Case Manager, CBDS/Day Habilitation

WESTOVER MAINTENANCE SYSTEMS

Joe Hudyka, Program Manager

Nicole Phaneuf-Hunt, Assistant Manager

STRATEGIC PLANNING INFORMATION

MISSION STATEMENT (approved April 6, 2023): Sunshine Village delivers on a GREAT day for individuals with developmental disabilities and those on the autism spectrum by helping them to live and learn, work and earn and give and grow. 

VISION STATEMENT (approved June 1, 2023): Sunshine Village maintains a clear vision to continue building upon its solid foundation as a premier provider of services and an employer of choice, within the greater Pioneer Valley, by identifying and leveraging the unique abilities of the individuals it supports and employs. 

This multidimensional vision will be accomplished by continually (i) assessing, enhancing and offering innovative services, inclusive of day and community-based services and workforce development programs; (ii) providing a safe and nurturing environment that is welcoming and inclusive for all; (iii) assisting individuals to achieve independence to their greatest ability; (iv) investing in technology and infrastructure; and (v) investing in our workforce through a competitive and comprehensive total rewards plan and professional development program, while emphasizing wellness and valuing work-life balance.

ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS and STRATEGIES (approved June 5, 2025 as part of the FY24/25/26 Strategic Plan) 

  • Advance SSV as a “Premier Provider of Choice” by assessing, enhancing and offering innovative services that assist individuals to achieve greater independence.
  • Ensure the financial stability of SSV with sound governance and strong leadership that strives for excellence while adhering to thoughtful policies, transparent practices, proactive planning and continuous improvement.  
  • Enhance service provision by investing in technology and infrastructure while ensuring that all environments are safe, welcoming and inclusive for all.
  • Continue to be an “Employer of Choice” investing in our workforce through a competitive and comprehensive total rewards plan and professional development program, while emphasizing wellness and valuing work-life balance.

With a strong financial position, quality programming, experienced professionals and a reputable history, Sunshine Village’s future is sure to be BRIGHT! 

Accreditation

We are a non-profit organization operating with a budget that exceeds 16 million dollars, comprised of state, federal and private funding. All programs operated by Sunshine Village have received the highest level of accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), a national non-profit accrediting body, since 1986. Sunshine Village has been commended by state licensing as well as the national accreditation agency for our many strengths—most recently in the areas of financial accountability, employee relations, risk management, human rights and innovative service provision.

Awards

Over the years, Sunshine Village has been honored by numerous business and human service organizations for its success.

  • “Employer of Choice” Award by the Employers Association of the Northeast
  • “Humanitarian Award” by Jericho The Bureau for Exceptional Children and Adults
  • “Nonprofit of the Year” Award by the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce. 

Affiliations

Sunshine Village maintains memberships and members of the management team promote the organization and its mission through participation in business, non-profit, civic and trade organizations, including:

  • Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
  • West of the River Chamber of Commerce
  • Providers’ Council
  • Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers
  • Human Service Forum
  • Employers Association of the Northeast
  • Human Resource Management Association of Western Massachusetts
  • MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board