Hi, my name is Jocelyn Monaco

I live in a home in Jamestown that is operated by The Resource Center. Friday night has been called “Girls’ Night Out” at our home ever since it became a TRC home in 2005. We always have fun with whatever we do on Fridays, whether it is to go out to eat, to the movies, shopping, or by attending a community event. However, Friday, March 15, was a super special Girls’ Night Out for myself and my housemate, Maria Jacobson, and two of our friends, Jennifer Felice and Heather Potter, as well as two staff, Mary DiDomenico and Midge Peterson.

When my house manager, Linda Knight, told Maria and me the week before this about what we may be doing, we both got very excited. She told us that she had heard there was an offer for dinner at the Ironstone and tickets to see the Jamestown High School musical, “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, if we were interested. We were both happy about it, and when we were told that Jen and Heather could go too, we were very glad about that, too!

Linda came in on her day off to do Maria’s and my hair and put on our makeup and give a last-minute check of our dress-up outfits that staff helped us with. All this attention made us feel very special and like princesses. When Jen and Heather arrived, we were off to the Ironstone, and we each ordered what we wanted off the menu and enjoyed the delicious meal that we were served. To our amazement, the waiter told us that the chef was giving us each free desserts. That was so nice of him to do, and it was delicious. We felt very special because we also had our pictures taken there. Midge and Mary, our staff, had never been to the Ironstone, so they were very happy that they got to be part of this big event with us.

After the wonderful meal, we went to the Reg Lenna Civic Center and enjoyed the high school musical and saw many people there that we knew. The play was great, and the music was cool.

Friday, March 15, was one very, very special Girls’ Night Out that we will remember for a long, long time. “Thank you” to Craig Colburn of the Chautauqua Suites for making this evening possible and so special for all of us!
When people are mad at me, it makes me angry. Having friends helps calm me down. I like myself because I am nice and a good friend to others. I am quiet and shy, but if you say “hi” to me, I will be sure to say “hi” softly and smile back.

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Chautauqua Suites has generously offered to provide one activity per month for persons with disabilities, to give them an opportunity to do something they may not otherwise get to do. Read this “Community Partners” section each month to learn about our latest activities. And if your business would like to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities by making it possible for them to engage in an entertaining activity, contact Victoria Trass Bardo, TRC’s Special Projects and Events Coordinator, trcvickyb@windstream.net.