sophie beauvais

Bringing Joy and Happiness

“Do you feel the love? Good!” This is the witty catchphrase that Vinfen Program Specialist Helen Fantasia put on the invitation to the 8th annual Valentine’s Dance Party organized for individuals served last February in Weymouth, MA. The Valentine’s Dance is one of four parties put together every year since 1999 by Fantasia and her loyal group of volunteers for individuals served by Vinfen’s Mental Retardation (MR) Division.

As a gospel singer, Fantasia traveled for many years all around the country singing and volunteering in nursing homes, prisons, and hospitals before joining Vinfen. She even gave live performances on radio and local cable stations and recorded two CDs of original gospel music. “This experience enabled me to witness firsthand how music can help people from various backgrounds and with different abilities connect and grow,” says Helen.

“One day,” she recalls, “there was a magical moment when I volunteered at a nursing home and a resident who had not spoken for years started singing with me and all the while I could see a smile on her face from ear to ear.” Seeing the powerful effect that music could have, it was only natural that she came up with the idea of organizing dance parties for individuals served at Vinfen.

It started with cookouts at programs on the North Shore where Fantasia was a staff supervisor. Everyone from family members to local vendors was invited to join the festivities. Helen would put her kitchen to work, preparing salads and burgers, while Wayne Arraj - her husband – brought the sound equipment and music and officiated as DJ. “Folks from programs would put in musical requests weeks before the cookouts,” she fondly remembers.

With the blessing of Barry Schwartz, Vinfen’s former MR Senior Vice President, Fantasia began to organize the first ever division-wide Halloween party. But making her vision a reality was a daunting task. Despite support from across the organization, there were many hurdles to overcome: almost no budget, few volunteers, finding a convenient and affordable location, and convincing staff that it would be safe for individuals served who face behavioral challenges.

“The night of the party, few people were receptive and it was very hard to get people on the dance floor. But we kept on playing music,” remembers Helen. When some staff mentioned that they would not do it the following year, she insisted “No, come back! This is where the learning happens, where the people we serve can learn social skills in a safe environment.”

They came back and each subsequent dance party was an opportunity for improvement. First, Vinfen recognized the vocational and habilitation role of the dance parties and allocated an annual budget of $2,500 funded through a permanent endowed gift by the Rae and Aaron Alberts Foundation. Then, individuals began to open up. Some would come to Helen wondering how to invite someone to dance. “Let’s go and ask what her name is and if she would want to dance with you,” was her answer. Once on the dance floor, she would be their ‘ghost dancer’, standing behind them and leading them. People served began asking for their own soft drinks at the bar, choosing their sandwiches at the food buffet, and making friends. Each time, they took steps towards greater independence.

Almost 10 years and 30 parties later, volunteers and staff alike are amazed at the progress made. Each party now features an activity, may it be a costume contest, a Karaoke night, or a Yankee Swap. “The last Valentine’s Dance Party was so crowded! It was a great success. I’ve seen a lot of growth in the individuals served involved in the dances. We all seem to work better too!” says Vinfen Program Specialist and six-year volunteer Lori Finer. “Now we see people served ask each other onto the dance floor,” adds Helen.

Valentine’s Dance or not, Walter Phillips and Janice Littlefield never miss a party! They’ve been living together in a Vinfen apartment since 1995, and have known each other and been engaged for even longer. The dance parties have definitely enriched their routine which mostly consists of coffee at the local Dunkin Donuts, walks in the park, diners prepared by Walter, and visits to their family in Chelsea, MA, taking the bus and commuter rail once a month. “The parties mean happiness, joy, and music. We’ve made new friends and I invited friends from work to join us too. We’re very thankful for the good times,” says Janice.

Helen’s next objective is to create a “Social Activities Committee” where individuals served would organize the parties with staff. But before that, Janice and Walter, along with hundreds of other individuals served, staff, and volunteers, are ready to rock-and-roll at the Spring Fling Party set for June 2nd.