nbCC March Newsletter: Coalition News

Dear Northern Berkshire,

Please enjoy a sampling of articles from our March 2023 newsletter. To read the entire issue and see lots of photos of what the Coalition was up to last month, download the PDF here.

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Residents Share Their Stories of Homelessness at the February Forum

The February forum welcomed roughly 50 residents to the Terra Nova community space to discuss the growing issue of housing in our region. The focus of this housing forum was to educate attendees to common terminology and acronyms used in the housing industry and to familiarize the group with available resources and organizations.

Coalition board vice president and Berkshire Housing Director of Community Engagement, Jennifer Meehan, presented the information in the form of a Jeopardy game. Everyone received a print out of information containing definitions of common housing terms and summaries of housing agencies and housing related organizations. Mrs. Meehan then gave answers and called on the forum attendees to respond with the correct questions to them.

Throughout the game, Brad Gordon of Berkshire County Regional Housing Authority (BCRHA), peppered in additional information and statistics about housing as it related to the questions, illuminating the complexity and multi-layered issues that add to the frustration and difficulty for those seeking stable , safe, affordable housing. While some of the resources discussed during the forum were unique to our area, the overarching housing issues exist beyond the borders of our Berkshire home.

Kathy Keeser, Executive Director of the Louison House, was among the facilitators of the forum. The Louison House provides transitional housing and permanent supportive housing. Additionally, they offer support services such as, a representative payee program, preventative outreach supports and emergency services. Kathy welcomed several recent clients to share their stories of homelessness and the struggles they faced securing housing for themselves.

A young lady named “Bri” talked about the difficulty of securing housing with no credit and no references. She also expressed what she felt was the unique difficulty of seeking housing in a small town where she felt her reputation as a recovering addict created prejudices within the system. She is now clean, living in recovery and expecting a child soon with her partner. They finally secured housing and were able to move into a safe, two bedroom apartment.

Overall, great news for the couple, however, expecting a child meant that they needed to find an apartment that was de-leaded. This is another big challenge in a community where over 60% of the housing stock was built before 1970, and a significant portion of that stock was built long before that.

The aging housing stock is another persistent problem. Many landlords and homeowners have deferred maintenance on their properties, failing to perform the upkeep needed to keep their buildings in good shape. Many of these buildings have been allowed to deteriorate to the point of being hazardous and unsafe for habitation. Not that this necessarily means that such dwellings aren’t currently being lived in.

The second former client of the Louison House was a gentleman who introduced himself as “Ed”. Ed recently found himself homeless after being evicted from the apartment he had lived in for 43 years. Ed had lived, in good standing, with the five different landlords that had owned the property since he had lived there. The fifth landlord raised the rent, promising to have needed renovations performed to the building, and while renovation did begin on the property, it turned out the work being done was neither permitted or safe. The building inspector for his town condemned the building and Ed was given just a few hours to collect the belongings he wanted to bring with him and leave his home.

Ed was then shuffled between motels and uninhabited buildings by the landlord. One of the properties had no running water or electricity. Portions of the ceiling were missing from rooms and the front door didn’t latch and couldn’t be securely locked. Luckily, shortly after this Ed was introduced to the Louison House and with their help began the process of finding a new stable home.

Ed expressed that prior to this crisis he had lived a solitary hermitted life. He lives alone, doesn’t have a vehicle, and had no real connections to the community. He ended his story with gratitude to all the Louison House staff and fellow residents for helping him come out of his shell. A silver lining in an otherwise harrowing journey.

The topic of housing and homelessness is a complex one, as anyone in attendance at the forum can attest to. But it is important to remember that there are real people on the other side of the numbers, statistics, terms, and legislation that we are often made aware of. Ed, Bri, and the folks from the Louison House reminded those in attendance of this vital fact. February’s forum was an opportunity for the community to not only learn about the resources available to our region and familiarize themselves with some of the terminology that comes up frequently in these discussions, but it was also a chance for our community to be reminded of the human side of this issue.

We hope you can join us this month for our annual Youth Led Forum, coming up on Thursday, March 16th from 4-6pm at the Terra Nova space located at 85 Main Street, North Adams.

The Youth Health Collaborative will provide their answers to the question “What is it like being a young person in Northern Berkshire County?”. The group will explore what is unique about growing up and being young here, from the experience of attending a northern Berkshire school, to the activities and opportunities that are available to them.

Community members will be invited to explore solutions to unique challenges within the community, and to learn what it is that youth experience on a day-to-day basis in our communities.

~Suzy Helme, Communications Coordinator

Food Access Collaborative Updates

Extra COVID Food Funds for Families Ending March 2

Extra COVID Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, known as SNAP Emergency Allotments, were created during the pandemic to help individuals and families buy food. These extra COVID benefits are the difference between a household’s normal benefit amount and the maximum amount for their household size, with a minimum amount of $95 a month. The benefits have been put on EBT cards at the beginning of each month. Since March 2020, Massachusetts has elected to utilize this temporary benefit program that was made available under the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act.

Recent action by the federal government (through the Congressional Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023) ends the extra COVID SNAP benefits as of February 2023. This means that Massachusetts households will receive their last extra COVID SNAP payment on March 2, 2023.

The state has launched a new website: Mass.gov/ExtraCOVIDSNAP to help residents plan for the end of these temporary federal benefits. Over the next several months, individuals and families should explore any optional expenses that may increase their normal SNAP benefits.

Help spread the word about the end of these extra COVID SNAP benefits:

Encourage households to visit Mass.gov/ExtraCOVIDSNAP to learn how they can get the most out of their SNAP benefits, save some of it to help after March 2, and be connected with other resources

SATURDAY MARCH. 4

9AM -1PM

North Adams Farmers Market

85 Main Street, North Adams

DOUBLE SNAP up to $30!

HIP Vendor: Full Well Farm

Contact: Tina Samson for more info. tina.samson@northadams-ma.gov

Teen Writing Workshop Youth Present Their First Showcase of the Season

The Teen Writing Workshop(TWW) program participants invited the public and their family and friends to the Terra Nova community space on the evening of February 15th to enjoy a sampling of the artwork, short stories and poetry they have been developing since the program season began in September.

This season’s group has eighteen participants attending the weekly meet-ups that happen every Wednesday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Of the group, thirteen youth presented at the showcase, reading excerpts from original works of sci-fi fantasy, poems, or displaying their original visual artworks. The works of art were often accompanying pieces to their creative writing projects.

The group received a great turnout for this mid-season showcase and the crowd was very enthusiastic. If you were unable to attend this showcase, fret not! The end of season showcase will be happening in May at the 3 West Event space in the Norad Mill. Finalized details to be announced soon. We hope you will be able to join us for the celebration as the group wraps up their year with another evening of sharing their original works.

TWW Performs at MASS MoCA After Hours!

MARCH 9

5-8PM

More info.

nbCC Events and Programming this Month

February DIY Craft: Rainbow

All month long

Open to kids of all ages and their families. Share your finished craft on our Facebook page for a chance to win a prize! Call our office to register for your FREE craft kit: 413-663-7588

W.o.W. Workshop Perfect Posture

Thursday, March 2, 12:00pm - 2:00pm,UNO Community Center, 157 River Street, North Adams

Do you work at a desk for most of your day? Do you find yourself with upper back and neck pain? Are you curious how to improve your posture? Join our Health and Wellness Coordinator, Jessi Byrne, at the UNO community center from 12-2pm. You will learn stretches and maneuvers to correct and strengthen your posture, help with spinal alignment, hip releases for an even stance, relieve sciatic pain and ease shoulder and neck tension. Please register with Jessi Byrne by email at jbyrne@nbccoalition.org or by phone at 413.663.7588

Common Sense Parenting

Starting Wednesday, March 8, 10:00am-12:00pm nbCC, 61 Main St., Suite 218, North Adams.

This parent education program is FREE, but space is limited. Common Sense Parenting is an 8 week program including 2 home visits (optional) with a FRC staff person. This program is to help parents develop stronger relationships with their children and prevent many of the behavior problems that lead to difficulties at home and at school. Snacks are provided. Transportation and child care available upon request.Contact us at 413-663-7588 or nkennedy@nbccoalition.org

Learn Through Play: Sensory Play

Saturday, March 11, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, UNO Community Center, 157 River Street, North Adams

In collaboration with Child Care of the Berkshires. Activities and circle time will focus on sensory play. Best for ages 0-5 years. Registration required. Space is limited. Contact us at 413-663-7588 or nkennedy@nbccoalition.org

W.o.W. Workshop:Celtic Fest

Wednesday, March 15, 4:00 - 6:00 pm, Terra Nova, 85 Main Street, North Adams

Join Barb Malkas and Jessi Byrne for a FREE two hour workshop with a Celtic twist. The workshop will begin with an hour long yoga class, modified with chairs and assists, provided for those comfortable. In the second half of the evening, we will share Celtic recipes, light refreshments and nutrition of traditional Celtic foods. Bonus points for wearing green! Please bring a mat as nbCC has a limited number to share.

To Register, contact: (413) 663-7588 or jbyrne@nbccoalition.org

Youth Led Forum: Growing up in North Berkshire

Thursday, March 16, 4:00-6:00 pm, Terra Nova, 85 Main Street, North Adams

All are welcome! Join us for this month’s special forum, facilitated by local youth members of the Youth Health Collaborative. The Youth Health Collaborative will provide their answers to the question “What is it like being a young person in Northern Berkshire County?”. The group will explore what is unique about growing up and being young here, from the experience of attending a northern Berkshire school, to the activities and opportunities that are available to them. Community members will be invited to explore solutions to unique challenges within the community, and to learn what it is that youth experience on a day-to-day basis in our communities.For more information, contact us: 413-663-7588 or lboland@nbccoalition.org

Remembering River Street

Friday, March 24, 4:00-6:00 pm, UNO Community Center, 157 River Street, North Adams

A showcase of photos from River Street in the past and present organized by the UNO Steering Committee. Light snacks and refreshments. Community members are encouraged to bring their own memories of River Street as well as their hopes for the future. FREE & open to the public!

WEEKLY EVENTS/PROGRAMS

nbCC Bike Collective Open Hours*

NEW WINTER HOURS

*1st & 2nd Mondays, 3:30-5:30pm, The Armory, 206 Ashland St., North Adams

Bring your own bike or work on a bike at the bike collective. You’ll have the opportunity to learn from other community members on basic bike fixes, or team up with more experienced bike mechanics to rebuild a bike. Tools and stands are provided. All NB residents are welcome! For more info, call us at 413-663-7588.

nbCC Youth Empowerment Program

Mondays, 5:00-6:30 PM, 61 Main Street, Rm. 213, North Adams.

Free and open to youth, 6-8th grade, who live in or attend school in North Berkshire. A weekly group to talk about school, emotions, navigating teen years, making friends and more. Snacks provided; transportation available. Register: call 413-663-7588

Drop-in Art Club (It’s BACK!)

Starting Feb. 7: Tuesdays, 3:30 pm-4:30 pm, UNO Community Center, 157 River Street, North Adams

A weekly after school drop-in Art Club, for youth, ages 8-19. Supplies and snacks provided. No registration required. Caregivers do not need to attend, but the program facilitators are not responsible for child care. Call us at 413-663-7588 or email gglasier@nbccoalition.org for more information.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 4:00pm - 6:00pm. nbCC’s FRC living room, 61 Main St., Suite 212, North Adams

This is a group for grandparents who are actively parenting their grandchildren giving them a safe and confidential space to share similar experiences with other grandparents. Free pizza and childcare are provided, but you must register beforehand.663-7588 or email dsenecal@nbccoalition.org.

Youth Leadership Program

Tuesdays, 5:00pm - 7:00pm. nbCC’s Conf. Room, 61 Main St., Suite 213, North Adams

Free and open to youth ages 14-19 who live in or attend school in North Berkshire. Young people are changing the world and you can too. Make a positive change in yourself and the world around you. Develop leadership skills, discuss what drives you, meet other young leaders and plan projects in your community. Snacks provided; transportation available with 24 hrs. notice.

Teen Writing Workshop

Wednesdays, 5:00pm - 7:00pm, UNO Community Center, 157 River Street, North Adams.

Free and open to youth ages 13-19 who live in or attend school in North Berkshire. Aspiring writers and poets! Join this incredibly supportive group and get 1-on-1 help from a professional with your writing and performance style. Opportunities to perform and be published. Snacks and supplies provided; transportation available.

NEW DAY & TIME Family Resource Center Peer Parenting Group

2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 3:30 pm -4:30 pm, UNO Center, 157 River Street, North Adams.

A peer-driven/peer-supported group in a judgement-free, confidential space. Snacks provided. Children welcome. 413-663-7588 or nkennedy@nbccoalition.org

UNO Community Center Coffee Time

Fridays, 1:00pm - 4:00 pm, 157 River St., North Adams

Come on over and join the UNO neighbors for coffee and conversation. All are welcome.

Click here to see what's going on at nbCC in March!