Berkshire United Way

The Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market is underway and you can be a part of it!

Berkshire Bounty is hiring Market Ambassadors for these market sites:
• North Adams – North Adams Armory, 206 Ashland Street, Thursdays, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
• Adams – CHP Internists Office, 19 Depot Street, Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Pittsfield – 2nd Street Second Chances, 264 Second Street, Thursdays, 3:00-5:30 p.m.

If you love local food and community building, learn more and apply » https://www.berkshirebounty.org/job-openings

Berkshire United Way's Karrie Buratto is an official graduate 🎓 of the Berkshire Leadership Program, a 2-month course facilitated by 1Berkshire.

Commencement was held Thursday evening at the Norman Rockwell Museum, where she was joined by colleagues Pam Knisley, Gretchen Weber (steering committee member and 2023 BLP graduate), Emily Daunis, and Tom Bernard (BLP alum).

The Class of 2024 has grown its network to not only include nearly 700 BLP alumni, but also everyone along the bus tour, the panelists, and the 1Berkshire team.

🎉 Congrats Karrie and the Class of 2024!

Learn more about the Berkshire Leadership Program » https://1berkshire.com/berkshire-leadership-program-blp/

Berkshire United Way's Tom Bernard, Emily Daunis, and Brenda Petell attended the Southern Berkshire Chamber "Networking Before 9'" event on Wednesday at Fairview Hospital BHS in Great Barrington.

The Chamber recognized our 100th anniversary milestone during a program that also focused on workforce development in the Berkshires. Tom spoke briefly about our work and BUW's connection with the business community, the shared mission to build a thriving community, and the strong network of friends and partners with whom we work.

Tom is pictured with Sierra King Watson of The Pittsfield Cooperative Bank and board president for the Southern Berkshire Chamber.

How's your internet? Participate in the Broadband Equity Access & Deployment (BEAD) Challenge Process anytime through July 20 to help provide a precise picture of broadband needs in Massachusetts.

Learn more and test your speed » https://broadband.masstech.org/bead-challenge-process

Mark your calendars! From June 20th to July 20th, Massachusetts is running a BEAD Challenge to make sure poor internet service is properly documented. Watch this space for more info!

Learn more at https://broadband.masstech.org/bead-challenge-process

The Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market hits the road this week, starting tomorrow, June 25, in Monterey, followed by Pittsfield, North Adams, Pittsfield (again), Adams and Becket. See schedule below. 👇 The mobile market will run through October 18. 🚐🥬🥛

Plus, the FairShare payment system makes shopping at the mobile market accessible for everyone. Shoppers with and can ask the Market Ambassador for more information about how to use their benefits at the market. YOU choose YOUR level – no questions asked. More pricing information here: https://buff.ly/4bBVSir



Berkshire Bounty Berkshire Grown

Habitat’s AmeriCorps program is now accepting applications through August 16 for the Build & Repair Corps program, which will run September 2024 through August 2025.

Members receive hands-on training on real-life build sites, interact with contractors and other construction industry professionals, and receive valuable OSHA training and first aid/CPR certifications.

Berkshire United Way supports Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity and programs like this that provide skills training and employment opportunities.

Apply today » https://berkshirehabitat.org/build-corps-application-2/

In 1955, Pittsfield United Community Chest and Pittsfield Council of Social Agencies – operating together but independently since 1933 – merged to become United Community Services of Pittsfield.

The merge was the result of two things:
» A 1954 survey recommended improvement in social services, including agency integration, elimination of duplication, and operating efficiency to provide services at a price the community can afford and is willing to pay.
» The growing United Fund movement across the nation.

The organization didn't change its name again until 1972.

Exciting news indeed! The program has started. Happy Summer ☀️🥪

Juneteenth marks the country's second independence day. Its historical legacy shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times.

The Berkshire United Way office is closed today and the team is observing the federal holiday. Normal hours resume on Thursday.

Berkshire United Way President and CEO Tom Bernard joined colleagues from the Council of Massachusetts United Ways at United Way of Central Massachusetts' community celebration on Monday, which featured United Way Worldwide President and CEO Angela Williams as guest speaker. She shared an update on the state of United Way Worldwide and the upcoming global brand refresh, and also made time to hear from the United Ways across the Commonwealth.

The Josh Billings RunAground has a new website » https://joshbillings.com/ – and it looks great.

Only 3 months until the race. 🚵‍♂️🚣‍♀️🏃
Register today » https://joshbillings.com/registration/

Proceeds will benefit Berkshire United Way 🙌

Registration | Josh Billings Register online for the Josh Billings RunAground Triathlon. Find race categories, fees, and waivers. Join us for an unforgettable event!

𝘜𝘯𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦, based on Dan Palotta’s book of the same name, will begin streaming tomorrow, June 15, but as a community partner working to share the message of the film – to dream big and take risks – Berkshire United Way can offer you access to view the film using this link » https://gathr.com/vod/9756106b

The nonprofit sector is an essential partner in creating sustainable and equitable solutions to challenges many in our community face, and we all need to look beyond how we’ve always done things.

We started the conversation with 100 nonprofit leaders and community members on May 29, following a free screening of the Uncharitable Movie. The film, which challenges the conventional wisdom about charitable giving, generated a rich discussion that we hope to continue with other nonprofits and the community, and to build more partnerships to share the message.

Chloe Rychcik and Tom Bernard are representing Berkshire United Way at the Let's Get Real conference presented by Berkshire County Head Start.

We're proud to be a sponsor of this important event and look forward to having Chloe and Tom come back to the team equipped with knowledge and tools to help BUW enhance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging best practices in our work.

How can our community partners use demographic data to understand the populations they serve or to get funding? What are the challenges of collecting and using demographic data? What can Berkshire United Way learn from our partners? These were just a few of the questions posed during a recent convening for program staff (and a few executive directors) from our partner agencies.

Chloe Rychcik, our Data Analytics and Training Manager, led a robust session (with fun visual aids) on demographics, which led to some really great takeaways for both the program staff and BUW, including successes and struggles.

Chloe was excited to see a lot of new faces in the room (thank you to Berkshire Innovation Center for the space) and can't wait to work with our partners to better understand and use the demographic data.

Pride Parade and Festival 2024 🌈 What a great day for Berkshire Pride - and we were there, joined by BUW board member Teri Billington and community partner Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, Inc.

We champion efforts that support college-bound students in Berkshire County and applaud Adams Community Bank for helping students and families navigate the FAFSA application.

In partnership with the financial aid departments of Berkshire Community College, MCLA, and Williams College, the bank is offering three sessions with financial aid experts to help area students complete their FAFSA applications. See graphic for details.

To register, visit https://brev.is/E0C67 or call (413) 662-5575.

Are you a college-bound student who struggled with this year’s changes to the FAFSA application? If you answered yes, sign up for one of these sessions.

In partnership with the financial aid departments of Berkshire Community College, MCLA, and Williams College, the Bank is offering three sessions with financial aid experts to help area students complete their FAFSA applications.

Sessions will be held on:
Monday, June 10, 5:30-6:30 pm, BIC Works at Mass MoCA, North Adams
Wednesday, June 12, 5:30-6:30 pm, Family YMCA, Pittsfield Branch
Thursday, June 13, 6:30-7:30 pm, South Community Center, Great Barrington.

To register, visit https://brev.is/E0C67, or call (413) 662-5575.

Participants are encouraged to bring their 2022 taxes and FAFSA login information.

Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness presented on "Housing Ends Homelessness: The Opportunity is Now" during a regional gathering last week. Berkshire County was well-represented, with Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Pittsfield Mayor Peter Marchetti, Councilor At-Large Alisa Costa, and Berkshire United Way's Katherine von Haefen in attendance.

To quote Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier from the presentation: "The Western Mass delegation, we come together, and that's how we're going to make a difference. … Hold us, your delegation, accountable to make the changes we need and please … continue to teach us what you need in your community." 🙌

You can watch a video of the presentation below.

See more from the gathering and learn about the network » https://www.westernmasshousingfirst.org/

WMNEH 8th Annual Gathering Housing Ends Homelessness—State legislators, local officials and partners from across our four western counties joined on May 31, 2024 to celebrate the extra...

We can never say it too many times: We ❤️ our volunteers!

Our 4th annual Volunteer Month engaged 𝟐𝟔𝟗 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 who served 𝟖𝟒𝟎 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 to support organizations and the overall community.

Here are the highlights:

🖌️ Lee Bank and Berkshire Bank employees helped paint the space that will serve as the new home for Focus is Our Children.

🍴 More than 100 volunteers packed 40,000 meals to be distributed to pantries throughout the county during our Meals For Good event. The Boys & Girls Club Of The Berkshires was a terrific host.

🌈 We helped Berkshire Pride recruit 34 new volunteers (it's June - Happy Pride Month!)

🧹Volunteers from 5 local businesses and the Taconic High School Horticulture Program helped clean up the grounds at Soldier On in Pittsfield.

🥫 Nearly 20,000 pounds of food was collected during the National Association of Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive and distributed to more than a dozen pantries. Way to go NALC Branch 286.

📃10,250 pounds of paper was shredded during Shred Day in partnership with Greylock Federal Credit Union and thanks to community and Boy Scout Troop 8 volunteers.

See the wrap up from our Volunteer Month » https://www.berkshireunitedway.org/volunteermonth2024

Our community faces significant challenges, and the nonprofit sector is an essential partner in creating sustainable and equitable solutions. To that, we need to look beyond the way we’ve always done things.

On Wednesday evening, close to 100 nonprofit leaders, staff, and community members attended a free screening of the documentary 𝘜𝘯𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦, hosted by Berkshire United Way (thank you Berkshire Athenaeum for allowing us use of the auditorium).

Our hope was to engage the audience in rich conversation, which it did, and it prompted many to ask, “What’s next?”

Among the possibilities could be convening stakeholders to continue the conversation and screening the film for a larger audience to help change the way we collectively talk about our work and our impact.

We have partnered with Uncharitable Movie to offer the film on demand as part of a global streaming release. You can watch for a small fee of $5. We encourage you to watch this thought-provoking film and join the conversation.

Access 𝘜𝘯𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 » https://gathr.com/vod/9756106b

You don't have to be a golfer to support the Red Tee Tournament and its beneficiaries. Join us for dinner, cocktails, raffles and DJ BFG at the Networking After Party 4:00-6:00 pm on Monday, June 10, at Berkshire Hills Country Club.

Get your tickets at https://www.berkshireunitedway.org/red-tee

Thank you to lead sponsor Berkshire Money Management.

Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, Inc.

What a privilege to be among the organizations B. Carter White supported after making the Berkshires his home nearly 50 years ago. He not only supported our work through his contributions, but also served on the Berkshire United Way Board from 2005 to 2011, and a term on the governance committee, for which his experience in finance, strategy, and planning was called upon. We offer our condolences to his family, friends, and fellow organizations for which he supported.

B. White Obituary (1933 - 2024) - West Stockbridge, MA - The Berkshire Eagle View B. Carter White's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

The Berkshire United Way office is closed today in observance of Memorial Day, a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country. 🇺🇸

We are grateful to General Dynamics Mission Systems for donating another collection of STEM-related books to Berkshire United Way. We're making sure to get these books into the hands of our youth through events, our Book Houses, schools, and early learning programs.

In fact, following a recent early learning convening at our office, we offered educators an opportunity to grab some books to take back to their programs.

In 1954, Pittsfield United Community Chest, along with the Pittsfield Council of Social Agencies, moved their offices from North Street to this house on Wendell Avenue. Additional space was offered to community partners.

The house was built by Thaddeus Clapp, a textile manufacturer, around 1850. It was lived in by James Hinsdale and his family, and later by his daughter and son-in-law, Mary and James Gregg, before it was sold to the General Electric Company and became the Stanley Club, a social club organized by GE employees. GE donated $30,000 to the Chest to help with the purchase of the building and other firms donated toward repairs.

The Hinsdale House currently houses clinical offices and Four One Three Salon.

Berkshire United Way is proud to be a sponsor of this conference presented by Berkshire County Head Start.

We hear tickets are going fast. Reserve yours today » https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lets-get-real-registration-796987449917?aff=oddtdtcreator

Congrats to Liana Toscanini and the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires board and volunteers on another successful Nonprofit Awards event (the 7th one). Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health was a wonderful host.

The entire Berkshire United Way team was there to support Brenda as an award recipient. We can't say it enough: Brenda is a ROCK STAR!

Also, BUW's Tom Bernard was a presenter and Katherine von Haefen was a judge.

Read more from iBerkshires.com » https://www.iberkshires.com/story/75423/Nonprofit-Center-Recognizes-Community-Leaders-and-Volunteers.html

Congratulations to our own Rock Star, Brenda Petell.

The Berkshire United Way team is celebrating this honor with Brenda at the Nonprofit Awards this morning.

Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires

Thank you for sharing your beautiful space with us. ❤️ – Liliana Atanacio Garcia, Latinas413 board member

We're always happy to offer our conference room as a meeting space for our partners and community organizations.