Barrie Vogel Named Champion of Inclusion

A woman reads from an award, smiling. A younger man stands next to her, also smiling.

Barrie Vogel (left) receives the Champion of Inclusion Award from Chris Yarmesky.

The DDS Holyoke and Chicopee Citizens Advisory Board recognized a select group of community members as Champions of Inclusion at its 20th annual Community Celebration of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Month on March 25. Among the honorees was Barrie Vogel, a ServiceNet employee who works as a relief outreach counselor supporting individuals served by the organization’s Shared Living program.

Chris Yarmesky has been paired with Vogel since she first started in her role. Each week, she supports him with daily activities such as grocery shopping and going to the bank, as well as fun outings like movies or lunch. Their close bond inspired Chris to nominate Vogel for the award.

A woman speaks into a microphone, while her son stands next to her, smiling.

Peg Yarmesky (left) reads Chris Yarmesky’s nomination letter.

Chris and his mother, Peg Yarmesky—both members of the Citizens Advisory Board—presented the award together during the ceremony. Although Vogel could not attend the event, Chris requested to take the award home so he could personally hand it to her during their next outing.

During the presentation, Peg read Chris’s heartfelt nomination letter aloud to the crowd, while Chris stood beside her, nodding in agreement.

“Being out with Barrie’s guidance, I am more willing to use my voice. I usually stand back and let others relay my messages. I have more confidence—I do not get frustrated and shut down,” she read from his letter. “Barrie has genuinely become interested in me and treats me with respect. She knows what I like to do and what I don’t like to do. She can tell if I become frustrated and helps me cope.”

A man and a woman are linked in arms and smile widely. The woman holds up the Champion of Inclusion award.

Barrie Vogel (right) and Chris Yarmesky show off the Champion of Inclusion award.

As a relief counselor, Vogel supports several individuals in addition to Chris—offering each of them the same care and encouragement to help foster greater independence.

“Barrie treats them as she treats me—with respect as an individual,” Peg continued, reading Chris’s words.
“I see Barrie helping her clients become more active in social settings. I believe she has helped others as she has helped me… She is also my friend, and she deserves this honor—even though she would never expect to be nominated.”

Also honored as a Champion of Inclusion was ServiceNet’s Rooster Café, where every meal served supports hands-on training and helps participants build valuable skills while engaging more fully in the community.