September - Northern Berkshire Community Coalition

Northern Berkshire Community Coalition
Inside the September Issue
nbCC’s Needs Assessment Forum...............................2
Welcome, Adam Hinds!..............................................3
UNITY/nBn News...................................................4
The Family Place/Mass in Motion.............................5
Thanks, nbCC Friends!............................................6
Coalition Calendar...................................................7
Coalition Musings.....................................................8
Coalition
news
An update from
September 2015, Volume XXX, Number 1
nbCC Celebrated Heroes and 29 Years of Community!
On Tuesday, June 4th, the nbCC held its
Annual Meeting with about 200 friends of
the Coalition gathering to celebrate its 29th
year and to honor Dr. Thomas Hyde, this
year’s recipient of the Northern Berkshire
Hero Award.
After welcoming remarks and the
introduction of nbCC staff and Board of
Directors, Executive Director Al Bashevkin
explained that nbCC is there when residents need to connect and will continue the
tradition with the exciting opening of the
UNO Community Center, the refunding of
The Family Place, the continuation of our
substance abuse prevention efforts and with
new nbCC efforts such as the Federal Rural
Health Planning Grant, which will help the
region plan for collaborative health care
efforts in light of a changing health care marketplace, and The Prevention and Wellness
Trust Fund, a county-wide effort that aims to
reduce health costs.
The tradition of sharing Coalition stories
to celebrate the successes and highlights of
the past year continued this year. Amber
Besaw, Program Director of The Family
Place, introduced Brittany, a teen mom who
participated in The Family Place’s Parenting Journey. Brittany explained how this
workshop impacted her, teaching her that
she must be honest with herself. She shared
her determination to be the best mom she
can be for her son.
Adam Tobin, Program Associate for
nbCC’s UNITY program reflected on his
first year with the teens of Teen Writing
Workshop and how inspired he continues to
be by them.
“What do they need from us to succeed?”
he said. “All they need is an ear to listen and
a space to express themselves creatively. They
possess the rest; creativeness, thoughtfulness,
wisdom, strength, humor, love, vision, all
the things that make our youth powerful.”
Bashevkin, along with Lauren Stevens
of Hoosic River Watershed Association
(HooWRA) and North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright presented the Northern
Berkshire Hero Award to Dr. Thomas Hyde
for his volunteer efforts at the Friendship
Center Food Pantry and for being a dedicated
environmental advocate, especially through
his work with HooWRA. Mayor Alcombright
praised Tom for his work with nbCC’s Rx/
Heroin Group where he led the charge to
develop and disburse substance abuse resource materials into prescriber’s offices and
ultimately into the hands of patients.
nbCC thanks our September
newsletter sponsor:
Berkshire
Medical Center
www.berkshirehealthsystems.org
nbCC was honored to welcome our
keynote speaker, Mary Lou Sudders, Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and
Human Services. Ms. Sudders shared the
priorities and goals she has for her office,
including engaging more with communities,
making sustainable changes in the way we
approach the current opioid epidemic, and
making state collected data more readily
available to communities.
This year’s annual meeting was bittersweet
as it was the last meeting for Al Bashevkin
as Executive Director of nbCC. In his final
remarks, Al reflected on his beginnings at
the Coalition and the process of developing
an organization that would help the community to identify and address local issues
for 29 years. He thanked all of the friends of
nbCC for their support throughout his 29
years. They have made the Coalition what it
is today and will continue to be for the next
29 years.
-Bert Lamb
p l to r: Mary Lou Sudders talks with
forum attendees; Al Bashevkin presents
the Northern Berkshire Hero Award to
Dr. Tom Hyde; Coalition friends honor Al
for 29 years of community organizing.
Nationally recognized care provided by
an award winning team of healthcare
professionals…right here in the Berkshires.
Coalition News
September 2015
Improving the quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community.
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition
Our Mission
“Dedicated to improving the
quality of life for people in Northern
Berkshire by organizing, supporting,
and empowering the community.”
In pursuit of this mission, we place
particular emphasis on the following:
• Strengthening neighborhoods and community life
• Preventing alcohol/substance abuse
• Fostering economic development
• Mitigating poverty
• Supporting positive youth development
• Building bridges between residents and
service agencies
Coalition Supporters
Public Sources
• MA Dept. of Children & Families/EOHHS
• MA Cultural Council
• MA Department of Public Health
• MA Department of Public Health,
Bureau of Substance Abuse Services
• Mass Service Alliance
Foundation Supporters
•Fund for North Adams
Local Support
•Contributions from our many
individual supporters
The Coalition is a
member agency of the
Northern Berkshire
United Way and the
Williamstown Community Chest.
To submit announcements
to the Coalition E-zine:
The Coalition E-zine is a weekly e-blast
published every Thursday and contains
announcements from Northern Berkshire
agencies and organizations. Submissions
must be received by 9:00 a.m. Tuesday
morning to be considered for inclusion
in that week’s issue. All submissions are
subject to editing and should be 50 words
or less. All events related to Northern
Berkshire community public health will be
considered for publication. Banner ads are
available for your fundraising events. For
more information, please call 663-7588, or
to submit an announcement, please email
phzine@nbccoalition.org.
2
Emerging Issues In Our Community: Setting
Our Agenda For The Year Ahead
Please join us on Friday, September 11 as we
continue the tradition of beginning our Coalition year with a kick-off Needs Assessment Forum. This is your chance to talk about which
aspects of life in our region we might focus
our attention on in the year ahead. Join us to
discuss what has been happening, and what
you think needs to happen, in your Northern
Berkshire community. You may want to report
emerging issues in your neighborhood, or
about concerns you have developed in your
professional environment, or your school or
service agency. We want to hear from you, as
you are the experts within our community.
With your input, we will get a better idea of
how to focus our agenda for the year ahead.
We will begin, as always, with a round of
introductions, followed by brief announcements of your upcoming events or projects.
Please do not forget to bring flyers about your
announcements also, as there will be a table
available for display at the forum. We hope
to see you on Friday, September 11, 10 a.m.
to noon, at the First Baptist Church in North
Adams. Please note: The organizers of the Friendship Center Food Pantry ask friends who attend the
nbCC forums throughout the year to please bring a
healthy non-perishable food item for donation.
Northern Berkshire Youth Collaborative
NBYC will gather together again on Thursday, September 10th at 11am and will continue to meet regularly on the second Thursday
of the month in the conference room of
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition.
In September we will be doing our annual
needs assessment which will serve to outline
the topics of discussion for each month.
Some topics that have already been brought
to our attention include: information fair,
teen pregnancy prevention, LGBTQAI+
awareness, bringing parents into partnerships
for improving young people’s lives, study of
collaborative projects and grants applied for
by other communities (as source of inspiration for NBYC), and job and career readiness.
NBCC will be providing lunch from Lickety
Split. Please RSVP to Adam Tobin, atobin@
nbccoalition.org with your lunch preference.
We look forward to reconnecting with youth
serving groups and agencies!
-Jess Sweeney
A Strategic Plan to Improve Health Care Delivery
The Rural Health Network Development
Planning Grant for the northern Berkshire
region is well underway. Partners for this
project include representatives of the Berkshire Health Systems, Community Health
Programs of Great Barrington, the Brien
Center and the Statewide Office of Rural
Health within the Department of Public
Health. The Northern Berkshire Community
Coalition is the grantee and Project Director
for this grant.
Polly Macpherson has been hired to be
the facilitator for this process. Polly was the
Director of REACH Community Health
Foundation at the former North Adams
Regional Hospital. Her previous experiences
in health care make her well qualified to lead
this process.
Larger quarterly meetings of community
stakeholders and two large community-forum
meetings will augment monthly meetings of
the core partners. The October Coalition
forum is scheduled to be the first community
forum and will be an opportunity for the
community to hear about the planning process as well as interact with the recent Community Health Needs Assessment for north
Berkshire County. These discussions should
ultimately result in a document outlining
ideas and hopes for north County health.
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, 61 Main Street Suite 218, North Adams MA 01247 • (413) 663-7588 • www.nbccoalition.org
Coalition News
September 2015
Improving the quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community.
Welcome, Adam!
September 1st was the starting date for our
new Executive Director, Adam Hinds. Adam
is replacing founding Executive Director, Al
Bashevkin, who left the Coalition in early
July to seek new opportunities.
Adam comes to this position from his
experiences as the Director of the Pittsfield
Community Connection, overseeing the
Pittsfield Shannon Grant that addressed
youth and gang violence in Pittsfield. He was
the founding director of that initiative and
helped to create a circle of support around
targeted youth that now includes a team of
Outreach Workers and Community Mentors
for the youth and their families. Adam is a
Western Massachusetts native.
The experiences that Adam had at Pittsfield
Community Connections are very translatable to the new experiences he will have as the
Executive Director of the Northern Berkshire
Community Coalition. As the Director of
the nbCC, Adam will be overseeing programs
that promote positive youth development,
Northern Berkshire
Community Coalition
Board of Directors
2015-2016
p nbCC’s Newest Executive Director,
Adam Hinds.
provide substance abuse prevention services,
encourage healthy eating and active living,
and engage residents as they interact within
their living environments. Adam will have
the capacity to bring fresh eyes to the work of
the nbCC, while maintaining the core community initiatives that include the monthly
forums, newsletter, zine, and events intended
to promote positive community life.
Please stop by to welcome Adam into
the Coalition family as he begins the next
chapter in the leadership of the Northern
Berkshire Community Coalition!
September is Recovery Month
September 12 Voices for Recovery Rally/Walk/Vigil:
Josh Bressette Commit to Save A Life and
nbCC’s Rx-Heroin Group are joining with
the City of North Adams to raise awareness
about addiction, substance abuse, and
recovery resources in our region. The Voices
for Recovery Rally, Walk and Vigil will be
held September 12 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. The
rally and vigil will be centered at Noel Field,
with a Recovery Walk through downtown
North Adams taking place at 5:30.
The rally will include live music, food, and
family friendly activities as well as informational tables and resources. Those attending
the rally will have the opportunity to make
signs to carry during the walk, and to create a
square for a “recovery quilt” to both celebrate
stories of people in recovery and to remember those lost to addiction. The event will
include a recovery/memory wall for which
people are invited to submit pictures of those
lost to addiction and stories of recovery and
hope.
A variety of speakers will address the opioid epidemic in our region including: Chris
and Kathy Sullivan, Dr. Jennifer Michaels
from the Brien Center, State Senator Ben
Downing and Mayor Richard Alcombright.
The theme of the walk, “Visible Vocal,
Valuable” responds to the stigma associated
with addiction by celebrating the successes
of those in recovery, and demonstrating that
recovery from addiction is possible.
“By putting faces and stories to substance
abuse and addiction, we make it real. Making
it real will cause people to notice, making
people notice will create an impact! This
impact will spark changes to help those suffering with addiction and looking for help.”
says Kenna Waterman of Josh Bressette Commit to Save a Life.
The event will include the 3rd annual
Vigil of Recovery and Remembrance sponsored by the nbCC’s Rx/Heroin Group. The
vigil will be led by members of the clergy
including Pastor Dave Anderson from the
First Baptist Church of North Adams, and
Williams College Chaplain Rick Spalding.
For more information or to share pictures
or stories for the remembrance and recovery
wall, contact Wendy Penner at wpenner@
nbccoalition.org or Kenna Waterman at
commit2save@gmail.com. - Wendy Penner
COURTNEY SHAPIRO-Van Dusen,
President
Adams Community Bank
KRIS MALONEY, Vice President
Human Resources, Williams College
Deb Kushnet, Treasurer
Greylock Federal Credit Union
SUZY HELME, Clerk
Business Owner, Shima
North Adams Chamber of Commerce
CRAIG BARD, Executive Committee
Community Resident
STEVE GREEN, Executive Committee
Community Resident
AL NELSON, Executive Committee
Community Resident
DEB ROSSELLI, Executive Committee
Director of Special Education
North Berkshire School Union
PAUL HOPKINS, Finance Committee
Community Resident
Sara LaLumia, Finance Committee
Professor of Economics, Williams College
JEN CIVELLO
Marketing Director, BFAIR
LYNDA FIELD
Community Resident
ERICA GIRGENTI
Adams Council on Aging
BEN LAMB
Asst. Director for Student Organizations
and Involvement, Williams College
CHRISTINE NAUGHTON
Director of Alumni Relations and
Development, MCLA
GAIL OBERST
Social Worker, BFAIR
DAN RANDALL
Pastor, New Hope United Methodist Church
RICH TASKIN
Attorney at Law
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, 61 Main Street, Suite 218, North Adams MA 01247 • (413) 663-7588 • www.nbccoalition.org
3
Exploring the ArtDoors
What a fun summer we’ve all had!
The ArtDoors team has been hard
at work in their final weeks of the
program and are excited to share
what they’ve created with the community, although participants have
expressed the need for this summer
to be longer.
Participants are currently using
all the inspiration from various
natural surroundings and art workshops to finalize works of their own.
This summer’s theme has focused
heavily on identity. Who are we as
individuals? Who are we as a group?
How does the world around us shape who we are? How do we shape
the world around us? And how can creativity be a tool to express our
identity?
The exhibit is currently located at Common Place Gallery at
87 Main Street in North Adams. Please stop by and check out the
AMAZING pieces that the group has created. The exhibit has work
from Gabriel Barry, Jasmine Pizarro-Gomez, Shannon Gwozdz,
Christina Briggs, Kristin Schnieder, Emily Sroka, Sapphire Holland,
and ArtDoors Mentors Adam Tobin, Jessica Sweeney, and Caitlin
Mayes. The exhibit includes a large group mural, individual paintings, handmade jewelry and crafts, and other installation pieces.
During the opening on Thursday, August 27th, the group hosted
an open mic that was open to the community. Individuals from the
group performed original spoken word that was inspired by their
ArtDoors experience.
Let the Programs Begin!
The UNITY youth programs including, the Youth Leadership
Program and the Teen Writing Workshop will start up again in
October for another exciting year. The Youth Leadership Program
offers teens a platform to create original service projects that will
positively impact the community. Teens craft their leadership skills
in this group and learn to truly value service in the community. The
Teen Writing Workshop is an after school writing program for teens
of all writing experiences. Members of the workshop get to hone
in on their skill with professional local writers and with peers. This
program also includes performing work at public readings and publishing work in our own literary publication, “Somewhere Between”.
The Youth Leadership Program will begin Wednesday, October 7th
at 5pm and will run every Wednesday (Excluding School Vacations)
until June 8th. The Teen Writing Workshop will begin Tuesday,
October 6th at 5pm and will run every Tuesday (Excluding School
Vacations) until April for the final performance. All teens between
the ages of 14 and 19 are welcome to join these programs. For more
information, please contact Adam Tobin, Program Associate at
Atobin@nbccoalition.org or call (413) 663-7588.
4
Full Speed Ahead for UNO Center!
For the past three months, the UNO Community Center has been
operational. We’ve met a lot of neighborhood residents, held a
few programs and events and learned a great deal about running a
community center. It was always our intention to start slow- easing
into a full program schedule, so we could take the time to build up
the community center’s steering committee, understand our role as
the building’s manager(s), and take the time to form relationships
within the neighborhood.
The steering committee has grown in membership and their
dedication to the success of the center and the neighborhood is aweinspiring. Beginning in September, members of the steering committee and Northern Berkshire Neighbors will embark on a month-long
neighborhood-wide survey assessing residents perception of the
community center, and what programming they’d like to participate
in and help make happen. This survey will help nBn plan future
programming and gather a wider volunteer base. A visioning and action planning session will be held Saturday, October 17th to engage
residents in developing a shared vision for the community center
and 3 action items to achieve that vision. All UNO residents are
encouraged and welcome to attend.
So, what is on the docket for September at the UNO Community
Center?
Mondays & Tuesdays (beginning 9/14) 12:30-2:30pm: Matter of
Balance, an 8-class series on falls prevention for older adults.
Registration required, please call 664-5057.
Tuesdays 3:30-5:00pm: 4H has a photography program for children
ages 8-12. Still accepting participants. Please call Annie 663-7588
or (801) 663-7123 for more information.
Thursdays 3:30-5:30pm: WIC’s Cooking Matters Class
Saturday, Sept. 26th Noon-2pm: UNO’s Annual Block Party at the
Community Bake Oven on River Street. Bring a blanket or a lawn
chair and enjoy fresh brick oven pizza and great company!
Come visit during our regular open hours: Mondays 9-Noon,
Wednesdays Noon-5pm, Fridays 9-4.
Let someone know you appreciate them. . .
Thank someone for their support. . .
A Semi-annual Community Recognition Ceremony
Celebrate someone who has made a
positive impact in your life or community!
Wednesday, October 21 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Congregation Beth Israel - 53 Lois St., North Adams.
Nominate someone now! To nominate someone
online, visit www.nbccoalition.org.
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, 61 Main Street Suite 218, North Adams MA 01247 • (413) 663-7588 • www.nbccoalition.org
“Back-Packed” For Success 2014 North Berkshire
Mass in Motion
Meet Katie, MiM Summer Intern!
Hi everyone!
I’m Katie Aguila, a
student at Williams College, and I
We hsuccessful
ad another ebackpack
xciting and sevent
uccessful his year! t is always so to intern with
We had another exciting and
thisbackpack year! event thad
the Iopportunity
much fun to get ready for this event and then watch as the kids come and put their It is always so much fun tobackpacks get readytogether. for thisThis event
watch
Mass
inand Motion
this summer. If any
year, and
with then
our partnerships with BCAC the donations as the kids come and put their
This year,
with
from Sbackpacks
t. Elizabeth otogether.
f Hungry Church, we were able to provide backpacks to ________ of you
have swung
by the nbCC
children who aable
ttend to
school in northern Berkshire. our partnership with BCAC,
we were
provide
backpacks
office in the past couple of months
We also want to say a special thank you to all those who came out to help with this “Back-Packed” For Success 2014 to 207 children who attend school in northern Berkshire.
and wondered who that girl is at the
event. T HANK YOU! … Heidi Dugal, Principal of Gabriel Abbott Elementary, front desk,
that’s
me!
Colvin, rincipal of CT y
Plunkett, Executive of er exciting and successful bMichelle ackpack ePvent this ear! ISt tacy is Paarson, lways so Director During
my timeBarb here, I worked
Berkshire County Headstart, John Franzoni, Principal of Brayton Elementary, t ready for this event and tCooper hen awnd atch as Atustin he k
ids come aMnd put taheir her boys, and Brodie, Jackie cKeon, Caleb and Sdifferent
eth Besaw, projects in the
on
few
Bailey, Aleta nd Kim from BCAC, ell ad
s onations the wonderful staff of the ether. This year, with our pMatthew artnerships waith BCAC and as twhe community. I helped wrap up this
Coalition. eth of Hungry Church, we w
_______ Mayor’s Fitness Challenge, in ere able to provide backpacks to _year’s
cluding the celebration at the NA Farmers Market. I also worked to
ttend school in northern B erkshire. expand
MiM’s Healthy Dining Initiative into more local restaurants,
o say a special thank you t o all those who came out to help with this which gives the community greater access to healthy eating choices
when eating out. Another project I took on is preparing towns in
… Heidi Dugal, Principal of Gabriel Abbott Elementary, n, Principal of CT Plunkett, Stacy Parson, Executive Director of the area to apply for the Complete Streets grant. This grant would
provide funds to help the north Berkshires become more walking,
nty Headstart, John Franzoni, Pnrincipal of BPrayton Etlementary, arb What’s ext … The Family lace is ready o move forward wB
ith a nand
ew and exciting biking,
exercise
friendly.
of programming. We Caaleb re hopeful to continue to esaw, provide our community with r boys, Austin and Brodie, year Jprograms ackie M
cKeon, a
nd S
eth B
One
big
focus
of
mine
this summer was how to make fresh and
that we have in the past, as well as introduce new programs to help y, Aleta and Kim from BCAC, as awnd ell as Otur he wTonderful staff goroup f thealthy
he parents youth. Café ime, weekly support continues on Taccessible
hursdays to as many people in the community as
food
from 10:30 to 12:00 at our office, Parenting Journey will possible.
be starting Ifor a Fall local farmers markets, food pantries, and food
visited
session in September, and 24-­‐7 Dad will be back for a Fall session as well. Look for to atalk
We are excited to announceus some
great
changes
have
made
at your school’s Open Hwe
ouse events… if yat
ou can’t find assistance
us there, we agencies
can be found t with people about their experiences using
The Fthis
amily Place office from onday thru 61 Main Street, North assistance
at farmers markets and any problems or concerns
The Family Place. Moving into
coming
year,
we9-­‐4, areMexcited
to Friday at food
Adams or give us a call at 413-­‐663-­‐7588! they had. One of the biggest things I heard from people is the potenannounce that we have additional staffing positions that are now
tial differences and unknowns in prices between a farmers market
full and ready to go. Sarah Kline will be leading us in the growth
and grocery store, so I created a flyer for the North Adams Farmers
of our relationships with our local schools, as well as providing
Market that compares prices and addresses some of those concerns. I
support to families within the district in her new part time position
plan on continuing my work with farmers markets and finding ways
as our School Liaison. Jasmine Joy has been doing an amazing job
to make them more accessible.
as our administrative assistant, we have seen such great work and
Thank you to everyone who made this internship such a wonderimprovements to our program because of her. We were very excited
ful experience, especially the incredible staff at nbCC, local organito have her accept the full time position of the Program Manager.
zations I visited, and people I met around town! I’ve had so much
And finally, we are happy to announce that Adam Tobin will also be
fun and learned a ton, and I owe so much of that to the help and
The Fjoining
amily the
Place s rThe
eady to m
ove asforward ith aSupport
new and exciting staffiof
Family
Place
a part timewYouth
Worker
for
our
community.
These
additions
will
truly
help
us
to
mming. We are hopeful to continue to provide our community insight
with you all offered.
meet
the
needs
of
the
youth
and
families
that
we
are
serving,
and
we have in the past, as well as introduce new programs to help hope to serve, in our community.
NK YOU!
What’s Happening @ The Family Place…
North Adams Celebrates the 2nd
uth. Our Café Time, weekly support group continues on Thursdays Mayor’s Fitness Challenge
12:00 at our office, Parenting Journey ill be Place
starting t ThewFamily
is so for a Fall ember, and 24-­‐7 Dad will be back happy
for a to
Fall session as well. LThe
ook blue
for trackers participants used during the Challenge to track
celebrate
with
Bob
and Sue
Bean
they adopted
ool’s Open House events… if you can’t find us as
there, we can be their
found dailyat points, bonus points, mega bonus points and healthy
their
two
grandchildren,
lifestyle points, began coming through the Coalition doors on
ce office from 9-­‐4, Monday thru Friday at 61 Main Street, North Skylie and Camden, on
Thursday, July 16th. Each team or individual totaled and averaged
us a call at 413-­‐663-­‐7588! August 14th 2015. The Bean
family has really shown this
to be true.... “Being a family
means that you are part of
something very wonderful.
You will love and be loved
for the rest of your life, no
matter what.” - Anonymous.
all points and were then tallied to verify this year’s winners. The
winners were announced and celebrated at the North Adams Farmers Market on Saturday, July 19th, at which all participants were
invited to attend. Mass in Motion (MiM) set up a table in which
participants could share and display successes and challenges that
took place during the Challenge. There was also an opportunity to
learn of the other work and initiatives MiM is currently working on.
(continued on page 6)
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, 61 Main Street, Suite 218, North Adams MA 01247 • (413) 663-7588 • www.nbccoalition.org
5
Coalition News
September 2015
Improving the quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community.
Mayor’s Fitness Challenge. . .
(cont’d from page 5)
People stopped by the table throughout the morning, and participants gathered as winners were announced and Mayor Alcombright
offered final remarks, of another successful Challenge. The winning
team was Black Tank Mafia- Kristin Irace, Becky Miner, Raya Todd
Kirby, Aimee Bullett, and Carolyn Beaudreau. The winning individual was Carrie Diehl. This year was also a Challenge between the
cities of North Adams and Pittsfield, and of the two cities, Pittsfield
won, although it was close. Thank you to all participants and partners that made this Challenge fun and a huge success!
Mark your calendars and park your cars!
September 21st through September 27th is Clean Air Challenge Week. During this week we are encouraging people in north
Berkshire to park their cars and pedal their bikes, tie up their laces
or hop on the BRTA for transportation and recreation. There will
be events happening during the week in north Berkshire involving
biking, walking and public transportation. Visit nbCC facebook
page and the nbCC e’zine for more information or contact Amanda
Chilson with ideas and to learn more at achilson@nbccoalition.org
or 413-663-7588.
NBIAI: Interesting Meetings
Coming This Fall
The Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative and the Friendship Center Food Pantry are looking forward to a busy September
and October.
We have some interesting guests for our third-Friday public meetings. On Friday, September 18, we will welcome Paula Buxbaum
and Diane Robie of Berkshire Children and Families, who will talk
about two of their programs and the role volunteers can play in
them.
On Friday, October 16, we will welcome Diane Morris, the Youth
Mentoring Program Coordinator at Child Care of the Berkshires.
Both meetings will begin at 10 a.m. at the Eagle Street Room of
the First Baptist Church of North Adams. All are welcome. Call
Mark for more information at 413-664-0130.
Our August 21 public meeting featured Ida Patella, Family Mentor Coordinator for Berkshire Housing Development Services, Inc.
Some 10 people attended and had a lively discussion of their new
family mentoring program.
-Mark Rondeau
Thanks to all of our friends who have already supported nbCC
Your support is important to our continued programming and success as an organization.
Our 2015 Friends (as of Aug. 31)
Champion
Ellen Bernstein
Jack & Susy Wadsworth
Advocate
Gene & Justyna Carlson
Leaders
Steve Green & Sue Walker
James & Joan Hunter
Bill & Adrienne Wootters
Guardians
Berkshire Children and Families
Joyce Forth
Susan Gold
Mildred Shapiro
Benefactors
Al Bashevkin & Nancy Pearlman
Robert & Barbara Bashevkin
The Caleb Group
Excelsior Integrated, Inc.
Mark Gold & Ellen Kennedy
Jeffrey Goldwasser &
Jonquil Wolfson
Greylock Federal Credit Union
Sara LaLumia
Joseph Manning
Frances Roberts
Anthony & Maggie Siracusa
John Thoman & Lee Venolia
Boosters
Kate Annichiarico
Brenda Bahnson
Beck’s Printing
Angelo Berasi
BFAIR
Stephen & Polly Birrell
Kevin Boisjolie & Fran Berasi
6
brewhaha!
Duncan & Susan Brown
Paul & Kathleen Catelotti
Stuart & Susan Crampton
Jean Donati
Thomas & Ellen Ennis
Manuel & Shirley Finkelstein
Henry Flynt, Jr.
Suzy Helme
Robert & Beverly Hertzig
John Hyde
Lawrence & Hulda Jowett
Sander & Marybeth Kelman
James & Alison Kolesar
Allen & Debra Kushnet
Dick Lamb & Holly Taylor
Lever, Inc.
John & Kristine Maloney
Paul W. Marino
Peter Mehlin
Thomas & Fern Murtagh
Mr. & Mrs. John Notsley
Douglas O’Neill
Wendy Penner
Deb Rosselli
Scarafoni Associates
Maynard Seider
Samuel & Elizabeth Smith
Susan Smith
James Stakenas & Paula Cardinal
Else Steiner
Thomas Turner
Myles & Margaret Whitney
Herb Wilkinson
Howard & Deborah Wineberg
David Woods
Associates
John K. Akers
Robert & Carolyn Behr
Alma Benedetti
Roger & Julia Bolton
Sharon Boyd
Laura Brown
Stanley & Maralyn Brown
Andrew & Sue Budz
Nicholas & Jennifer Civello
Andrew & Andrea Danyluk
Shirley Davis
David & Martha Elpern
Carl & Marilyn Faulkner
Martin Greenstein &
Natalie Jacobson
Pamela Hawkins
Patrick Hernandez
Harry & Marjorie Horn
Nicholas Hruch
John & Kathleen Lanoue
Ira & Fran Lapidus
David & Linda Maloney
Peter Murphy & Audrey Thier
Nancy O’Brien
Dr. Len Radin
Marcia Sarrouf
Michael & Sally Sussman
Jonathan Swartz
Melvin & Marilyn Tierman
Joyce Wrend
Supporters
Kate Agin
Bernice Alcombright
Judith Alden
Robert & Dale Balawender
William Berkowitz
Richard & Cynthia Berti
Edward & Joanna Biros
Patrice Bolgen
Marilyn & Jacalyn Bourdon
Fred & Margaret Bozek
Frances Buckley
Frances Bulsa
Ann Cain
Christine Ciskowski
Edward & Anne Conroy
Mark & Karen Daigle
Evelyn Degen
Dale Fink
Bud Fisher & Barbara Kourajian
Bev Goodell
Larry & Marcia Gross
Marie Harpin
Paul & Doris Hutchinson
Bill & Marianne Judge
Janet Keep
Sylvia Kipp
Scott & Julie Krzanik
Roberta Lamb
Dan & Kathi Lampron
Thomas Leonesio
Richard Lescarbeau & Mary Sugden
Lorraine Maloney
Robert & Marilynn Martin
Ruth McBride
William & Ann McLaren
Joseph & Bessie Moran
Robert & Janice Moresi
Richard Netherwood
Michael & Patricia Nuvallie
Philip & Carolyn Ouimet
Roberta Patten
Daniel Perreault & Joyce O’Brien
Raymond Piaggi
Patricia Polumbo
Felix & Helen Puccio
Franklin Risatti
Lawrence & Theresa Roberts
Joseph & Janet Rogge
Barbara Rondeau
Mary Rosasco
Anthony Sarkis, Jr.
Patricia Socha
Richard & Gwen Steege
Gary & Sandra Tatro
Fred Thompson
Eugene Wein & Family
James Wolfe
Marcia Wright
Jeremy & Shannon Zoito
Susan Zoltek
In Honor of Al Bashevkin
Champion
Jack & Susy Wadsworth
Boosters
Robert & Barbara Bashevkin
Ruth Blodgett
Peter Elvin
Steve Green & Sue Walker
Maynard Seider
Bruce Shepley &
Patricia Conroy-Shepley
Lauren Stevens
Associate
Chris Meehan
Supporters
Michael Bashevkin
Sam & Marilyn Bittman
Ann Blocker
Richard & Sheila Dassatti
Erica Girgenti
Suzy Helme
Thomas & Susan Hyde
James & Alison Kolesar
Allen & Debra Kushnet
Roberta Lamb
John & Kristine Maloney
Kayte Miller
Aleta Moncecchi
Bernie Pinsonneault & Dianne
Cutillo
Stephen & Laura Rondeau
Wayne & Donna Senecal
Enid Shields
Donald & Anne Singleton
Thank you!
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, 61 Main Street Suite 218, North Adams MA 01247 • (413) 663-7588 • www.nbccoalition.org
Coalition Calendar
September 2015
Improving the quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community.
Thurs., Sept. 10, 11:00 a.m.
N. Berkshire Youth
Collaborative
This monthly meeting is held the
second Tuesday of each month at
the Coalition, 61 Main St., Suite
218, North Adams. We strongly
encourage any North County based
youth serving agencies or programs to
join us monthly to discuss solutions
to issues and problems facing our
youth. To get on the group’s e-mail
list, contact Jessica Sweeney at
jsweeney@nbccoalition.org.
Friday, Sept. 11, 10:00 a.m.
Monthly Forum
Join us for this month’s forum
of the nbCC, our annual needs
assessment forum. See page 2 for
more details. The meeting will be
held at the 1st Baptist Church in N.
Adams, at the corner of Eagle and
Main streets. Please use the Eagle
Street entrance. Bring a non-perishable food to benefit The Friendship
Center Food Pantry.
Sat., Sept. 12 4-8:00pm
Noel Field
Voices for Recovery
Rally/Walk/Vigil
Join us for a vigil to increase awareness of the disease of addiction, get
resources for help for someone currently addicted, provide a place of
healing and remembrance for those
that have lost a loved one due to a
drug related incident and celebrate
the recovery of local residents. See
page 3 for more information.
Friday, Sept. 18, 10:00 a.m.
No. Berk. Interfaith
Action Initiative
The Northern Berkshire Interfaith
Action Initiative (NBIAI) meets the
third Friday of each month at 10
a.m. at the N. Adams First Baptist
Church. All people of goodwill are
welcome to participate. NBIAI is a
group of people of faith working together with others of goodwill to find
ways to serve our community. For
more info, contact Mark Rondeau at
markrondeau@earthlink.net.
Attention Teens! Starting in October!
UNITY Programs: Teen Writing Workshop and Youth Leadership Program.
See page 4 for more details!
UNITY. . . the opportunity to be powerful!
30
celebrating
Find
us, then like us!
F
Go to www.facebook.com and search for
Go to
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition
North
or enter http://on.fb.me/nBnbVo
o
in your browser.
community
See what we’re up to!
Thanks for having fun with us and our neighborhood families this summer!
National Night Out q
Summer Basketball q
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition
Nor
61 Main Street, Suite 218, North Adams, MA 01247
(413) 663-7588
61 M
Improving the quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire
by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community.
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, 61 Main Street, Suite 218, North Adams MA 01247 • (413) 663-7588 • www.nbccoalition.org
Im
by
7
Coalition Staff
Executive Director
Adam Hinds: ahinds@nbccoalition.org
Business & Administrative Staff
Liz Boland: lboland@nbccoalition.org
Northern Berkshire Neighbors
Annie Rodgers: arodgers@nbccoalition.org
UNITY Program Associate/The Family Place
Adam Tobin: atobin@nbccoalition.org
UNITY/nBn Program Associate
Jessica Sweeney: jsweeney@nbccoalition.org
Grants Manager, nb21
Wendy Penner: wpenner@nbccoalition.org
The Family Place
Amber Besaw: abesaw@nbccoalition.org
Chris Griffin: cgriffin@nbccoalition.org
Jazmyne Joy: jjoy@nbccoalition.org
Sarah Kline: skline@nbccoalition.org
Donna Senecal: dsenecal@nbccoalition.org
Mass In Motion
Project Coordinator
Amanda Chilson: achilson@nbccoalition.org
Communications Coordinator
Bert Lamb: blamb@nbccoalition.org
Coalition Musings. . .
I am writing this on my first day in the nbCC office—sitting in Al’s chair—and I am filled
with excitement to get to know each of you reading this newsletter. It is inspiring to join
an organization built around a vital vision: the region is strongest when the people are at
the center of key decisions and action.
Since the founding of our country it has been the case that the most meaningful and
lasting community movements are those that hold firm to our highest ideals and aspirations. It is up to us to decide who we want to be as a community and a region. And it is
up to us to take the consistent community action required to make change a reality.
To me, at the center of developing healthy children, resilient families, and strong
neighborhoods is the presence of a consistent and deliberate community. Absent the
feeling of support provided by social ties, we are all susceptible and vulnerable.
As a result, my vision includes ensuring the infrastructure is in place for each of us
to genuinely feel the benefit of community, for each of us to genuinely support fellow
youth, parents, and neighbors and to ensure each of us is linked with resources we may
need.
It is now up to all of us to exemplify the legacy established by Al Bashevkin that is
characterized by selfless service to community and putting community collaboration at
the center of all that we do. I look forward to the journey and I hope to see many of you
at the Annual Needs Assessment Forum!
-Adam Hinds
Community Health Worker
Bret Beattie: bbeattie@nbccoalition.org
Find this
newsletter
online at
www.nbccoalition.org
61 Main Street, Suite 218, North Adams, MA 01247
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition
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Non-Profit Org.
Permit #35
North Adams, MA
01247