For the past four years, June Racicot has spent time volunteering with Zack’s Place working to help empower people with special needs to express themselves while developing bonds of friendship. Due to her dedication to giving back and willingness to serve others, Woodstock Terrace Assisted Living presented Racicot with the annual Woodstock Terrace Assisted Living Senior Service Award. The senior service award acknowledges the important work seniors do to give back to their local community and is presented by Woodstock Terrace to a deserving senior volunteer who dedicates his or her time to benefit others. Additionally, Woodstock Terrace also recognized Zack’s Place for the organization’s commitment to providing special-needs individuals with resources to seek fellowship and creative outlets to express themselves.
“I was quite surprised and humbled by this recognition when I heard,” said Racicot. “You never imagine receiving recognition for something that you truly enjoy and find fulfillment in doing. Zack’s Place emphasizes the importance of believing in yourself and caring for each other, and that is what attracted me to the organization in the first place. Everyone has a real passion for helping others, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
Racicot found herself at Zack’s Place shortly after moving to Woodstock in 2013. According to Racicot, she enjoys seeing the program’s participants grow and come to believe in themselves and their abilities.
Zack’s Place serves more than 60 participants of varying ages with special needs resulting from physical, cognitive and developmental challenges such as cerebral palsy, autism and Down syndrome. The organization serves the special education community in a unique way, offering programming that complements the public school system by augmenting and reinforcing the educational and social bonds offered through those programs. As a result of fundraising efforts and generous donations, Zack’s Place provides participants with a wide variety of quality enrichment opportunities every day.
“We are honored to receive this recognition from Woodstock Terrace,” said Dail Frates, executive director of Zack’s Place. “Our goal every day is for those who come to Zack’s Place to feel this is a home-away-from-home where they have real friends who share in their accomplishments, sorrows, fears and joys. It’s thanks to the commitment of others that we are able to make what we do possible, and we’re grateful for organizations like Woodstock Terrace who stand alongside us.”
“It’s a privilege to recognize local volunteers and organizations in our community who are working for the betterment of others,” said Eric Fritz, executive director of Woodstock Terrace. “Individuals like June Racicot and the volunteers at Zack’s Place are perfect examples of what it means to live and serve others selflessly. At Woodstock Terrace, we aim to provide our residents with enriching activities and programs which enhance their lives and benefit their overall well-being, and we are honored to pay tribute to others with similar values and opportunities in the local community.”
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June Racicot, pictured above, has volunteered with Zack’s Place for the past four years.