Summer - Northern Berkshire Community Coalition

Northern Berkshire Community Coalition
Inside the Summer Issue
Job Opportunities @ nbCC........................................2
Welcome, Bret!..........................................................3
UNITY/nBn News...................................................4
The Family Place/Mass in Motion.............................5
New nbCC Website Unveiled....................................6
Coalition Calendar/Friends.......................................7
Coalition Musings.....................................................8
Coalition
news
An update from
Summer 2015, Volume XXIX, Number 10
Teen Center in North Adams to Become a Reality!
Over 60 community members gathered for
the nbCC May forum to talk about the creation of a teen center in North Adams.
There has been a lot of talk about creating
a safe-space for teens to grow and flourish for
many years and now, it’s closer to becoming
a reality. With a generous grant from the
United Methodist Church in Great Barrington, the project is moving from a grass
roots task force to a full fledged nonprofit
with a 14 member youth board and a 14
member board of directors. It has been
temporarily named the “North Adams Teen
Center” with the hopes that the creative
youth will come up with a name that represents their vision for the center.
The Youth Task Force, headed by Courtney Randall, has gleaned from data that has
been collected from the Youth Task Force,
MASS MoCA and direct outreach to youth
to determine what the teens want from their
community. What they are saying over and
over again is that they want their own safe
space, a judgement free place where they can
be themselves, where they can be encouraged and empowered and a place where they
can share their skills and passions with each
other.
The teen center, for teens 14-22 years of
age, is about connection. It will allow the
teens voices to be heard and it will acknowledge them as part of the community.
Although the center will be designed and
empowered by the youth, the center will
need partnerships, volunteers to advocate
for the teens, and people to join the board
to support the vision. The board will walk
along side the teens, making sure that the
teens are leading the way.
“There are a lot of good models out
there and we are taking advise from the best
Youth Task Force Leader, Courtney Randall
already out there,” explained Randall. They
are partnering with the Adams Youth Center
and Railroad Street Youth Project in Great
Barrington to seek their advise in finding
out what works and what doesn’t.
Adam Tobin explained how nbCC’s
youth development model will be used in
the creation of a teen center. The model
builds on assets that already exist. “We teach
leadership skills, give them their own platform,” explained Tobin. The model builds
upon the teen strengths, encourages them
to flourish, and engage with people in the
community.
There are many challenges that the center
faces as it moves forward, for example, how
to engage the greater community, convincing
youth that this effort will pay off, finding
sustainable funding, how to include home
schoolers, transportation and finding adult
volunteers.
Forum attendees had the opportunity to
present ideas and there were plenty of ideas
to draw youth in, such as an arcade room,
café, music area, field trips to other teen
nbCC thanks our Summer
newsletter sponsor:
Berkshire
Medical Center
www.berkshirehealthsystems.org
centers, and movie nights.
After the creation of the boards, the next
steps are to determine the criteria for the
physical space.
Since the May forum, things have moved
forward. See article on page 3 for an update.
Special thanks to our panel, nbCC’s
Adam Tobin, Abby Reifsnyder from E3
Academy, Amber Lafogg from The Adams
Youth Center, Sean Charette, Director of
the Art Museum Partnership for Education,
Robert Foster, Youth Board member and
Courtney Randall of the Youth Center Task
Force.
-Bert Lamb
Al Bashevkin Receives Citation
At the May forum, State Senator Ben
Downing presented a citation from the
Massachusetts Senate to Al Bashevkin
for his 29 years of visionary leadership as
Executive Director of nbCC.
“There is language on this citation,
none of which captures what Al means to
this region. We are so incredibly lucky to
have had Al in this role, devoted to this
region,” said Downing.
Nationally recognized care provided by
an award winning team of healthcare
professionals…right here in the Berkshires.
Coalition News
Summer 2015
Improving the quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community.
Preventing Youth Substance Use - Looking
Back and Forward
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
•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.
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Since 2006, nb21 strategy teams in North
Adams, Adams/Cheshire, and Williamstown
have worked to reduce youth substance use
through a variety of strategies including informational resources and presentations, school
and parent partnerships, community dialogue
and engagement, and working with municipal
partners to decrease illegal youth access to
alcohol and other substances.
In this time we have seen the number of
10th graders who report using alcohol in the
last 30 days decrease from 47% in 2006 to
27% in 2015. We saw a significant increase
in youth reporting their parents disapprove
of teen alcohol use (82% of 10th graders in
2006, 95.8% in 2015). We also saw a marked
increase in youth reporting peer disapproval of alcohol use (50.3% of 10th graders
reported peer disapproval in 2006, increasing
to 68.2% in 2015). Not all our goals were
reached- for example the age of onset of
alcohol use (12 years old) is unchanged since
2006. More work remains to be done. (Numbers taken from North Berkshire Prevention
Needs Assessment survey).
The nbCC is grateful to Corinne Case,
Ed Sedarbaum, and Jess Dennis, our strategy
team leaders for the last several years, for
their valuable work in our communities.
As a new round of funding begins, a new
“assessment” of the needs and resources
around preventing youth substance use will
begin. All sectors of the community will be
included in this process. Look for ways to
support and engage in this effort in the coming months!
A part-time Youth Prevention Associate
will be hired to help guide this work. See
below for details.
-Wendy Penner
Senior Family Support Worker for The Family Place
nbCC seeks a full-time Senior Family Support Worker for
The Family Place. This person is responsible for providing support to the staff and parents who have engaged with The Family
Place program at nbCC. The Senior Family Support Worker will
provide services at The Family Place site, in the community, and
in the homes of families, along with supervisory responsibilities
on-site for the staff of The Family Place.
Visit http://bit.ly/seniorsupportwork for a complete job description.
Please send resume and cover letter to Amber Besaw at nbCC, 61 Main Street, Suite
218, North Adams, MA 01247 (no e-mails). nbCC is an equal opportunity employer.
nbCC Youth Prevention Associate
nbCC seeks a part-time Prevention Associate to support youth substance abuse
prevention initiatives (10-12 hours/week). The Prevention Associate will work with the
Director of Prevention programs to:
• co-facilitate a regional strategy team to implement environmental prevention strategies in
northern Berkshire County
• submit information for reporting to Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS)
• provide information for nbCC publications
• support Director in coordinating Safe Homes program
• support director in biennial administration of the Prevention Needs Assessment Survey
in northern Berkshire County schools and reporting results
• weekly supervision with the Director of Prevention Programs and participation in Staff
Meetings; supporting preparation of the Annual Program Review.
This position may expand to 19-21 hours/week pending future funding.
Please send resume and cover letter to Liz Boland at nbCC, 61 Main Street, Suite
218, North Adams, MA 01247 or lboland@nbccoalition.org. nbCC is an equal opportunity employer.
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, 61 Main Street Suite 218, North Adams MA 01247 • (413) 663-7588 • www.nbccoalition.org
Coalition News
Summer 2015
Improving the quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community.
Join Us in Welcoming Bret Beattie, nbCC’s
newest Community Health Worker!
I’m excited to be joining nbCC as a Community Health Worker. Having grown up in
Clarksburg, and graduated from high school
in North Adams, it’s a great opportunity for
me to work directly with the community in
which I grew up in.
Many people have asked me what is a
community health worker? The role requires
a person to wear many different hats, here
are some words to describe what I’ll be doing; bridging people to resources especially
community members to health and human
services; providing health education and outreach in a community setting; and supporting, advocating, and capacity building in the
communities of Northern Berkshire county.
I will be focusing on four interventions, which are tobacco cessation, hypertension,
diabetes and pre-diabetes, and falls prevention. So much of our population faces these
health challenges daily, some unsupported, some unaware of the risks and consequences.
The potential for improving community member’s health through addressing these particular health risk interventions has the possibility to create change in our community’s
overall health and well-being. Over the last few weeks when I haven’t been in trainings, I
have been able to get out into the community, which has emphasized to me the need for
outreach, support and education in North County. Along with this need, I have witnessed
how many individuals and organizations are working towards improving the well being of
their own communities. Being introduced to all of these great people and resources, this
is an inspiring team to belong to. I look forward to the experiences, both challenging and
rewarding. Thank you for the opportunity.
-Bret Beattie
Please stop by the Coalition office and introduce yourself to Bret, an all around great guy! Chances
are that if you don’t, he’ll find you!
Folks get “on Board” for the Teen Center
In June, fifteen or so community members of
all ages gathered for the first Board meeting
for the North Adams Teen Center. There was
incredible energy and passion in the air to get
moving on something that has been wanted
in the community for so long. Many of the
minds at the table were eager and willing
to share ideas and strategies to get the ball
rolling. All the members gathered for a meal
at the new UNO Community Center where
Robert Foster, former Youth Leadership Program member prepared some hot dogs and
hamburgers for the group.
The hope is to have two boards, one being
the Youth Board which will consist of 12-14
young minds between the ages of 14 to 22
who together represent different schools
and community groups in the Northern
Berkshires. The other board will be the
Teen Center’s Board of Directors, which is
comprised of community members who are
passionate and will share skills to bring the
Teen Center to non-profit status and hire
an executive director. Both boards will work
closely together as they move forward. Each
member of the Board of Directors will be
required to attend one Youth Board meeting
per year and vice versa.
There are still spots open for both boards
and anyone interested is encouraged to contact
Jessica Sweeney at jsweeney@nbccoalition.org
or 413-663-7588, or they can contact Courtney Randall at pastorc@new-hopeumc.org.
-Jess Sweeney
Northern Berkshire
Community Coalition
Board of Directors
2015-2016
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
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Community Outreach Trainees: A
Dedicated and Passionate Group
Since mid-February, participants of the Community Outreach Training have been gathering weekly to learn about the different social
service agencies, aspects of civic engagement, conduct a community
assessment and plan community projects. Time has flown by and
at the end of June we stopped meeting together so participants can
focus on completing their community projects before their August
6th graduation.
Since the very beginning of this training, we have continued to
be impressed and inspired by this dedicated and passionate group of
community members. Their selfless efforts are and will [no doubt]
continue to make a positive difference in our community.
YLP Enjoys a Strong Finish
The teens from the Youth Leadership Project finished out strong
with a successful fundraiser that raised close to $700 for the new
Teen Center. The event was a fun one, including delicious food,
good music, games, art activities and raffles, all organized and run
by the teens themselves. The group had its last meeting on June 16th
and closed out with some touching words about what they appreciated about each other. After a productive year, the group has walked
away with a new sense of accomplishment, some new friends, and
some skills to continue to get things done. The group will reconvene
in October and will be accepting new participants for anyone who is
interested. For more information please contact Program Associates, Adam Tobin, or Jessica Sweeney, at 413-663-7588, or email
atobin@nbccoalition.org or jsweeney@nbccoalition.org.
Teens get “ArtDoor-sy”
This summer, UNiTY kicks off a new program: ArtDoors. This
month long summer art intensive will bring teens into the woods
to explore nature and their creativity while building their skills in
expression. Participants will also learn about creative opportunities that they can take advantage of around the Berkshires. Teens
will visit MASS MoCA, Maker’s Mill, WordxWord Festival, Mt.
Greylock, The Cascades, and many other hotspots in the county.
The program will be meeting at Common Place Gallery on Main
Street where they will be showing the creative work produced for the
final month of the DownStreet Art Celebration. You can see their
work on display starting August 27th! The program will be held on
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1pm-4pm from July 28th
through August 27th. Transportation will be provided if needed.
There are a few spots left in the program. If anyone is interested
in signing up please call the Coalition at 413-663-7588 or contact
Jess Sweeney, jsweeney@nbccoalition.org or Adam Tobin, atobin@
nbccoalition.org.
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UNO Community Center Plans
for this Fall
As many of you know, the UNO Community Center officially
opened its doors for business on Monday, June 1st. Intentionally, we
are off to a slow start. During the summer months, the Community
Center will only be open Monday mornings (9AM-noon), Wednesday afternoons (noon-5PM) and all day Fridays (9AM-4PM). Any
and all are welcome to stop in for a cup of coffee and conversation.
Programming at the Community Center is off to a slow start intentionally as well. Although some events and programs are already
scheduled during the summer months, it is important that residents
are engaged in the decision-making process for what programming
will occur and to be given the opportunity and support to help
make programming happen. A small planning committee made up
of neighborhood residents has been meeting for a few months now,
and will be expanded to help determine how to be strategic and
mindful in these engagement efforts.
For information on existing programming at the UNO Community Center, please visit www.nbccoalition.org to view our event
calendar. You can also ‘like’ the UNO Community Center on Facebook at facebook.com/UNOCommCenter.
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, 61 Main Street Suite 218, North Adams MA 01247 • (413) 663-7588 • www.nbccoalition.org
North Berkshire
Mass in Motion
Hello Summer!
This summer marks an exciting time for The Family Place, as we are
growing and changing. Here are some of the great things that are
happening:
•The Family Place will have extended hours beginning August 1,
2015. Our site will be open, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and
Friday 9am-4pm and Tuesdays 9am-6pm. We will also have hours
on the 2nd Saturday of the month, 9am-12pm.
•The Family Place can once again be found at the Farmer’s Market,
the 2nd Saturday of the month, June through October this year.
•The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren group is taking a brief
break over the summer and reconvening August 4th at a new location, The Family Place site on Main Street.
•Our Café Time, weekly support group continues throughout the
summer on Thursdays from 10:30-12:00. Keep a look out for
something new starting in September for this group.
FYI…
The Family Place just received notification
that WIC’s Farmer’s Market checks will be
available for pick up on Tuesday, July 21st 124pm at the North Adams office. Clients must
bring their WIC card and be an active client.
Welcome, Jazmyne!
The Family Place welcomes new staff to the
team! Jazmyne Joy has joined our team as our
administrative assistant. We are so excited to
have her on board and love seeing her smiling
face at the front desk each morning. We have
also joined with the Brien Center to hire Lisa
Tessier and Donna Senecal as the new Clinician and Family Partner staff on our team.
These two are a wonderful addition of expertise and knowledge as
we move ahead with our expanded services to youth and families
with CRA related issues. Stop in over the summer and say “Hello”,
we would love to introduce you!
Join Us for Café Time!
The Family Place invites you to join our
weekly conversations about parenting in an informal, warm and friendly environment. Enjoy
a craft and refreshments as we discuss the joy and stress
of being a parent. Refreshments will be served. Call (413)
663-7588 for more info.
Thursdays throughout the summer.
10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Mayor Fitness Challenge Update!
The Berkshire Mayor’s Fitness Challenge (MFC) is in full swing.
We had a very successful kick-off, hosted at the northern Berkshire
YMCA, where the gym was packed with local health and wellness
practitioners as well as participants. This was an opportunity for
Challenge participants to learn of the many health and wellness
resources in our community, as well as get a little active and receive
their calendars, trackers and resource guides. As the Fitness Challenge continues, participants utilize their Challenge trackers to keep
track of daily accumulated points, participate in events listed in
their calendars, come together for a midway event, earn unlimited
bonus points through a variety of opportunities and stay connected
through Facebook.
This year the Mayor’s Fitness Challenge has increased the numbers of partners that are offering health and wellness opportunities
to participants. There is also the opportunity to earn unlimited bonus points and mega bonus points by attending events in Pittsfield.
A fun and healthy initiative to bring two cities together.
This Challenge will come to an end on July 16th. There will be
a celebration on July 18 at the NA Farmers Market to recognize all
participants and those that partnered with the Berkshire Mayor’s
Fitness Challenge that will include prizes for the top team and
individual that accumulated the most points throughout the Challenge. The winning City, Pittsfield or North Adams, will also be
announced. Please stay tuned on the Fitness Challenge Facebook
page and the nbCC website for more details and information about
the final celebration.
More MiM Highlights
School Wellness at Clarksburg!
Clarksburg Elementary School has also officially adopted its first
School Wellness Policy, a living document for students, teachers,
staff and parents to utilize to keep the health and wellness of the
community in the forefront.
Mass in Motion will have an intern for this summer, a student
from Williams College, to help continue much of the MiM work
that is underway.
The North Adams Farmers Market kicked off in June! The market
accepts, SNAP (as well as doubles any SNAP money spent at market
through SNAPx2), WIC and Senior Coupons. The WIC Farmer’s
Market checks will be distributed on Tuesday, July 21 at the WIC
office in North Adams. There will also be a mini farmers market outside of the building for people to spend their checks on right away.
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, 61 Main Street, Suite 218, North Adams MA 01247 • (413) 663-7588 • www.nbccoalition.org
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Coalition News
Summer 2015
Improving the quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community.
Summer Basketball
Returns!
nbCC Community Bids Farewell to Al!
Provides Non-Competitive
Fun and Exercise for Kids
nbCC’s Neighborhood Summer Basketball Program is back this summer! This summer there will be an 8
– 12 year old division and a 13 – 16 year old division with teams representing four North Adams neighborhoods (Brayton Hill, Mohawk
Forest, UNO and Greylock Valley) but you do not have to live in one
of these neighborhoods to play. This month-long, non-competitive
summer basketball league will begin in July and run through August.
Volunteers from the neighborhoods will coach participants in basketball while teaching the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship.
The program is free and open to all. Transportation is provided.
The Summer Neighborhood Basketball League is supported by
funding from the Berkshire Bank Foundation; Greylock Federal
Credit Union; North Adams Police Association, Berkshire Juvenile
Court and the City of North Adams.
For more information or to register your child, contact Liz at
lboland@nbccoalition.org.
Kids (and Families)! Find
Something to Do this Summer!
Most Activities are Low or No Cost
nbCC has recently published the 2015 Northern Berkshire Summer Guide filled with activities, programs, events and fun things
for kids and families to do in Northern Berkshire. There’s lots to
do in Northern Berkshire this summer!
You can find this guide online only. Visit http://bit.ly/nbsummerguide2015 to view or download the guide.
New nbCC Website Unveiled!
We’re pleased to unveil our new website to the
community! The website features much more information
about our mission and programs, an nbCC calendar of
programs, resource guides and brochures and more!
Check it out at www.nbccoalition.org!
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After 29 years of dedicated service to the Northern Berkshire
Community, family, friends, and colleagues gathered in June
to say goodbye to nbCC’s longtime Executive Director, Al
Bashevkin as he moves on to newer opportunities. Thanks,
Al, for everything you’ve done to make the Northern
Berkshires a great place to work and live.
(Photos courtesy Angela Dimock Photography)
NBIAI Food Pantry Fundraising Drive
We at the Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative are looking
forward to a busy summer.
In particular, we will be conducting our annual letter fund-raising
campaign to support the Friendship Center Food Pantry.
In 2014, the Pantry served 1,191 individual households with a
total of 3,381 individuals served, and we distributed 280,000 pounds
of food. These numbers are about 9 percent higher than 2013.
Though the average weekly number of pantry visitors has leveled
off so far in 2015 after growing for four years, need remains great.
A survey earlier this year, conducted in collaboration with Mass in
Motion, of 233 food pantry members, some 28 percent of those
responding said they did not have enough access to food in any given
month; additionally, another 9 percent said they had access to much
less food than adequate.
Many reading this will be receiving donation requests by the U.S.
Mail. Those who do not may give by making a check out to the
Friendship Center Food Pantry and mailing it to: The Friendship
Center Food Pantry, 45 Eagle St., North Adams, MA 01247. All
monetary donations are tax deductible.
- Mark Rondeau
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, 61 Main Street Suite 218, North Adams MA 01247 • (413) 663-7588 • www.nbccoalition.org
Coalition Calendar
Summer 2015
Improving the quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community.
July through Aug.
Neighborhood
Basketball
The month-long, non-competitive
basketball league is back this summer for youth ages 8-16, in the
neighborhoods of Brayton Hill,
Mohawk Forest, UNO, Greylock
Valley and Adams. The program
is free and open to all. For more
information, to sign your child up
to play, please contact Liz Boland at
(413) 663-7588.
Saturday, July 18, 10:30 a.m.
N. Adams Farmer’s Market
MFC Celebration
Celebrate the culmination of the
2nd Mayor’s Fitness Challenge! At
10:30, at the Farmers Market, the
individual and team winners will be
announced and receive their prizes.
Visit North Adams Mayor’s Fitness
Challenge Facebook page for more
information.
Tuesday, August 4
Times and Locations vary
National Night Out
National Night Out is a crime
prevention event involving citizens,
law enforcement agencies, civic
groups, businesses and neighborhood organizations in North
Adams. Food and fun! For more
information, call Annie at (413)
663-7588. Watch for flyers in your
neighborhood and check local
media for locations and times.
Friday, July 17th, 6-10pm.
N. Adams American Legion
Fundraiser to
Support the N.
Adams Teen Center
Join us to support a Youth Center
in North Adams! Raffles, Light
Fare, Live Music and More! Tickets:
$5 for children, $10 for Adults Tickets sold in advance and at the door.
Email cmayes.0122@gmail.com for
more info.
Thanks to all of our friends who have already supported nbCC
Recently, you received a fundraising letter in support of the 29 years of community building that the Coalition has facilitated. This campaign is important to our continued programming and success as an organization. We hope that by increasing our fundraising, we will be able to get through the
“lean years” without compromising our current programming for neighborhoods, for community organizing, for youth, and for an enhanced helping
network in the Northern Berkshire community. Your support helps us to keep it all going. Please join us! Thank you!
Our 2015 Friends (as of July 7)
Champion
Ellen Bernstein
Jack & Susy Wadsworth
Advocate
Gene & Justyna Carlson
Leaders
Steve Green & Sue Walker
James & Joan Hunter
Bill & Adrienne Wootters
Guardians
Joyce Forth
Susan Gold
Mildred Shapiro
Benefactors
Al Bashevkin & Nancy Pearlman
Robert & Barbara Bashevkin
Excelsior Integrated, Inc.
Mark Gold & Ellen Kennedy
Jeffrey Goldwasser & Jonquil Wolfson
Sara LaLumia
Joseph Manning
Frances Roberts
John Thoman & Lee Venolia
Boosters
Kate Annichiarico
Beck’s Printing
Angelo Berasi
BFAIR
Stephen & Polly Birrell
Kevin Boisjolie & Fran Berasi
brewhaha!
Paul & Kathleen Catelotti
Stuart & Susan Crampton
Jean Donati
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
John & Kristine Maloney
Paul W. Marino
Peter Mehlin
Thomas & Fern Murtagh
Mr. & Mrs. John Notsley
Douglas O’Neill
Wendy Penner
Deb Rosselli
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
Sharon Boyd
Laura Brown
Stanley & Maralyn Brown
Andrew & Sue Budz
Nicholas & Jennifer Civello
Andrew & Andrea Danyluk
Shirley Davis
David & Martha Elpern
Carl & Marilyn Faulkner
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
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
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, 61 Main Street, Suite 218, North Adams MA 01247 • (413) 663-7588 • www.nbccoalition.org
7
Coalition Staff
Interim Director
Liz Boland: lboland@nbccoalition.org
Northern Berkshire Neighbors
Annie Rodgers: arodgers@nbccoalition.org
UNITY Program Associate
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
Community Health Worker
Bret Beattie: bbeattie@nbccoalition.org
nbCC is
supported by:
Coalition Musings. . .
When you think about Northern Berkshire and its many assets, the list would certainly include Al Bashevkin and the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. For nearly 3 decades
Al has been at the helm, helping to steer us towards a healthier, more vibrant community. Al
is in the process of finding new challenges beyond his work at the Coalition, and his work at
the nbCC is coming to an end. The work of the Coalition will continue to be strong in this
transition, as the nbCC has a framework for community organizing that is unrivaled.
The Northern Berkshires have been hit hard by job loss (North Adams Regional Hospital),
and by the loss of many essential services and jobs moving out of our area. The Coalition
has been here through it all helping to find solutions, gathering key stakeholders together to
discuss local issues, fighting to keep resources here.
Through our youth programs, neighborhood organizing, substance prevention projects,
Mass in Motion programs and The Family Place, the Coalition has roots throughout Northern Berkshire. Our model that includes the monthly forums, strategic workgroups, and the
publication of informational resources will not miss a beat in this transition.
As the nbCC transitions to a new leader, we who work and lead the Coalition are confident that this organization will continue to be a catalyst for positive change here in Northern
Berkshire.
As we honor Al for his many years of unsurpassed service, rest assured that the transition
committee of the Coalition will find the right person to carry on Al’s legacy while creating
one of his or her own. In the meantime, I’m grateful to be appointed as the Interim Director
and thank Al for staying on in a limited basis to assist with this transition.
-Liz Boland
Find this
newsletter
online at
www.nbccoalition.org
61 Main Street, Suite 218, North Adams, MA 01247
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition
U.S. Postage Paid
Non-Profit Org.
Permit #35
North Adams, MA
01247