Greetings!
Please enjoy a sampling of articles from our April 2022 newsletter. To read the entire issue, download the PDF here.
Our April Community Forum Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Join us at 85 Main Street, in the Terra Nova space, for a continuation of our community discussion on Housing & Homelessness. This forum will be focused on housing in the northern Berkshire area. Join us for a group discussion with local real estate and housing experts about the current housing market, trends, and challenges affecting the nation, as well as, our region.  
In line with current CDC guidelines and regional masking recommendations, this event will be masking optional. Free masks will be available for those who are more comfortable wearing one.
Can’t attend in person? Email your questions to info@nbccoalition.org or join us via Zoom at https://bit.ly/April_Forum
Free and open to the public. We look to community members from all walks of life for this important Coalition meeting. The first half of the forum will be devoted to introductions and announcements and please bring your flyers for distribution.
For more information about this forum, contact the nbCC office, 413-663-7588 

March Forum Premiers Documentary on Local Youth 
On Tuesday, March 8th, nbCC held its youth-led forum. For years, nbCC has set aside one of our annual forums to be planned and facilitated by youth from our youth development programs. In years past, this has fallen to the Youth Leadership Program group. This year’s forum was facilitated by a newcomer to the youth programming slate, the Youth Health Collaborative. 

This group is composed of nine young people from around Northern Berkshire County. For several weeks, the group has been exploring and analyzing the most recent round of Prevention Needs Assessment Survey data. They have worked as a group to pick out the most relevant and interesting pieces of information, and to paint a picture of their community and their experiences from the data. With this information, they created a presentation of their findings, which five group members presented to those in attendance at the forum. 

The Prevention Needs Assessment Survey, which is administered to all 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in Berkshire County every other year, offers a sort of report card on the community from young people’s perspectives. It measures certain “risk behavior”, such as substance use and “antisocial behavior”, as well as measuring the risk and protective factors that have been proven to contribute to, or reduce the likelihood of these behaviors occurring. The Health Collaborative group shared their unique perspectives as young people with a diverse group of community members, school staff, parents, and their peers. 

In addition to the Prevention Needs Assessment Survey presentation, those in attendance were given the opportunity to see another youth-led project. Last year’s Youth Health Collaborative group spent two months together, working to identify relevant issues and challenges that they felt impacted their lives, and the lives of their peers in meaningful ways. They identified Mental Health, Bigotry, and Substance use as some of the more impactful topics. From there, the group worked with local videographer Joe Aidonidis to create a short documentary style film, featuring interviews with community members with lived experience and expertise in those areas. March’s Youth-Led Forum marked the premier of this film, and audience members were able to ask questions of two of the group’s members who were in attendance. 

Overall, the forum was an opportunity for the community members gathered to hear directly from youth about what is important and relevant to them. It is our belief that a community cannot truly thrive without seeking and valuing genuine input and contribution from all its members. This forum was part of an effort to create more formal structures for young people to engage with their communities, and to make an impact. The Youth Health Collaborative will continue to meet throughout the school year, identifying areas of need, and working to make their communities a more supportive and healthy place for their peers. 
~ Tim Shiebler, Youth Development Coordinator

Above: Youth Health Collaborative members, Kenja Harley and Meghan Schrade, present to the attendees
Update: Next Steps for Northern Berkshire SPIRIT Council
In recent years, our nation has experienced more conscientious efforts, from the federal level down to grassroots community groups, to bring to light, discuss, and look for solutions to the systemic racism, discrimination, and marginalization that continues to plague our communities. Almost a year ago our Northern Berkshire community announced a working group to discuss our collective vision for creating communities that embodied equality and inclusivity. We aspired to hold an event that would result in a framework for envisioning a better community through collective action.

The groundwork for the Northern Berkshire SPIRIT Conference began in February 2019 through collaboration with the US Dept. of Justice (DOJ) Community Relations Service (CRS). Their City-SPIRIT program brings together diverse community stakeholders, city and county officials, law enforcement, ministerial leaders, and other community leadership to identify and analyze issues impacting the community, as well as, to develop solutions to address these issues. The program applies principles of collaborative problem solving, community empowerment, and engagement to help improve community relations. 

Months of collaboration, interrupted by the COVID pandemic, resulted in the inaugural convening of the Northern Berkshire SPIRIT program which took place in North Adams on August 11 and 12, 2021. MASS MoCA hosted the event where a group of approximately 40 people representing North Adams, Adams, Williamstown, Cheshire, Clarksburg, and Lanesborough attended the two-day program. Just as other communities across the country are gathering to have difficult conversations with open and honest dialogue in hopes that those conversations will result in actionable solutions to improve the quality of life for the residents of our community, especially those marginalized by such discrimination, our Northern Berkshire region showed we are no exception.

The working groups spent the first day identifying both the strengths and issues of their communities, prioritizing concerns. Resistance to change, systemic racism, isolation and siloed thinking, transportation, and lack of affordable housing were among the most important issues identified by the group. At the second meeting, participants worked to create actionable solutions, specific to the twelve areas of concern identified by the group. 

 The event culminated in the presentation of a newly formed Northern Berkshire SPIRIT Council, composed of community members who agreed to carry the work done during the program and move it forward. SPIRIT Council members have been tasked with digesting the report created and sharing the information out to the community by amplifying the work that is currently underway in each of our communities and identifying where there are gaps that still need to be addressed. While the region continues to adjust and respond to the ongoing and ever-changing pandemic environment, the NB SPIRIT Council is preparing to take its first action steps tackling the most pressing local issues, identified by our convening in August 2021. 

We appreciate the community’s patience and continued interest in this work as we take the time to carefully and responsibly review the feedback from the community. The Council’s next steps are to identify the key points and unanswered questions and ask thoughtful questions before we bring stakeholders back together to celebrate the work that has been done and agree, collectively, on how to make sure that our friends and neighbors in north Berkshire experience a community where they are welcomed, seen, valued and appreciated for the gifts and talents they bring to the area.
~ Northern Berkshire SPIRIT Council
Two New Weekly Groups Just in Time for Spring

Drop-in After School Art Club!
Are your school age kids looking for something fun to do after school? Are they independent and enjoy being creative? Then your kids will love this new, drop-in, art club! It’s free to attend, snacks and supplies are provided, and you couldn’t ask for more welcoming and enthusiastic facilitators. For ages 8 years to 18 years.

Your kids are welcome to join us, every Tuesday, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm, at the UNO Community Center, at 157 River Street. 
Parents do not have to attend, as there will be adult supervision in the space, but these facilitators will not be responsible for child care.
Please do not send children younger than 8, and only send your children unaccompanied if they are independent and have your permission to come and go from the space as they want. 

If you have any questions or want more information, please reach out to us at 413-663-7588 or bhantman@nbccoalition.org.

Parent to Parent: Peer Support Group
Are you a parent looking to interact with other parents? nbCC’s Family Resource Center is hosting a peer parent support group at the UNO Community Center on River Street in North Adams.

The group will meet weekly, Thursday mornings, from 9:30 to 10:30am. 
The group will be led by a parent within the community. This support group is designated to be peer led in a non-judgement space ensuring parents make social connections with other parents. It is also a space for parents to share their experience/stories of the challenges of child-rearing. Feel free to bring your children as there will be activities set up for them. Snacks will also be provided. 

If you have any questions or want more information, please reach out to Stephanie Puc at 413-663-7588 or spuc@nbccoalition.org.

~ Stephanie Puc, Family Support & Neighborhood Coordinator
Thanks Friends! You’ve Made a Positive Impact Right in Your Own Community!
Since its inception, nbCC has been a crucial link between those in need and those who can help. With your assistance, we can continue to provide Northern Berkshire residents the tools needed to improve their lives and their neighborhoods. We understand that not everyone is able to make a financial contribution, but we also want you to know that no amount is too small to be helpful. Thanks for all you do to support nbCC!
The 2021-22 Friends of the Coalition (as of March 20, 2022)
Champion
Ellen Bernstein
Gene & Justyna Carlson
Jack & Susy Wadsworth

Leader
Steve Green & Sue Walker

Guardian
Robert & Carolyn Behr
Daniel & Sally Connerton
Sara LaLumia
John & Kristine Maloney
Kathleen Morris
Douglas O’Neill
Reija Rawle

Benefactor
Beck’s Printing 
Amber & Gabe Besaw
Susan Bohl
Jennifer Civello
Juliet Flynt 
Kevin & Lisa Lamb
The Mendel Family 
Dorothy Ransford
Robert & Darlene Rodowicz
Anthony & Maggie Siracusa
Charles & Katherine Swabey
John Thoman & Lee Venolia

Booster
Susan Abrams
Jerome & Maureen Baran
Berkshires Tomorrow, Inc.
BFAIR
Daniel Bird & Christina Kaczmarczyk
Lynette Bond
Daniel & Laura Bosley
Ronald & Cynthia Bosley
Ralph Bradburd & Zelda Stern
Mary Jo Carpenter
Craig & Heather Clemow
Robert Dean
Frances Edwards
David & Martha Elpern 
Shirley Finkelstein
Anna Flynn & Scott Doerle
H.A. George & Sons Fuel Corp.
Carrie Greene
Marion Grillon
Robert Hertzig
Kevin Kennefick & Susan Killam 
Roberta Lamb
Fred & Cyndi Langworthy
Brian Miksic & Suzy Helme
Robert & Stephanie Mister
Spencer Moser
Thomas & Fern Murtagh
Peter Murphy & Audrey Thier
Congressman & Mrs. Richard Neal
Tom & Karen Poponak
Ann Scott
Bernice Shainman
Paul & Karen Shiebler
Samuel & Elizabeth Smith
Susan Smith
Stephen & Elizabeth St. Clair
James Stakenas & Paula Cardinal
Jane & Win Stuebner
Herb Wilkinson
Bill & Adrienne Wootters

Associate
Anthony & Maryann Abuisi
Susan Birns
Lisa Blackmer
Liz Boland
Stanley & Maralyn Brown
Dean Bullett
George & Nancy Canales
Laura Clune
Anne Crider
Andrew & Andrea Danyluk
Richard Davis
Holly Edwards
Robert Fachini
Nancy Fiorentino
Martin Greenstein & Natalie    Jacobson
Myra Hirschhorn
Russell & Chris Howard
James & June Howe
Howard Itzkowitz
Sander & Marybeth Kelman
Barbara Kittler
James & Alison Kolesar
Ben Lamb & Emily Schiavoni
John & Kathleen Lanoue
Paul & Sharon LeSage
Barbara Mahony
Linda Maloney
Mark & Susan Merullo
Nancy Nylen
Bo & Katherine Peabody
Bruce & Kathleen Randall
Franklin Risatti
Cindy Sault 
Donald & Anne Singleton
Judith Summers
Jonathan Swartz
Richard Taskin
Gary & Sandra Tatro
Judith Weber
Bodil Wilson
Marcia Wright 

Supporter
John & Jane Allen
Jane Battersby
Jane Bernard
James & Sue Biros
Steve Blazejewski
Fred & Margaret Bozek
Ann Cain
Mark & Karen Daigle
Keith Davis
Marilyn DeRosa
Annette Duprat
Sarah Henry
Carl & Jane Jenkins
Paul Jennings
William & Marianne Judge
Bryan & Wendy Lamberton
Dan & Kathi Lampron
Doris Lewis
Debbie Linton
Marilynn Martin
Sandy McNay & Lucy Green
Raymond & Jeanne Moulthrop
Richard Netherwood
Michael & Patricia Nuvallie
Dianne Olsen
Carolyn Ouimet
Roberta Patten  
Joseph & Janet Rogge
Veronica Silvia
Kurt Tauber
James Wolfe
Susan Zoltek
Save the Date! nbCC's 2022 Annual Meeting is Friday, June 17th from 11:30AM - 1:30PM
Click here to see what's going on at nbCC in April!