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Bits of History from the Coalition Archives

Excerpts from nbCC’s 25th Anniversary book

Genesis - Vignettes from the Start of nbCC

Organizations such as the Northern Berkshire Health & Human Services Coalition don’t just materialize. They need definition. They need a plan and people to carry out the plan. And they have to start somewhere. The community Coalition began thanks to the efforts of many. The following represent stories of the early days and activities of the Northern Berkshire Health & Human Services (NBHHSC) later to be renamed as the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition.

Humble Beginnings - Finding a Home for the Coalition

NBHHSC had very humble beginnings. Having hired a person to lead it, there was a need to consider where the Coalition was to be housed. During its early days, Al Bashevkin, Myles Whitney and Steve Green approached the president of North Adams State College (not yet named Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts) to see if the College could be the home for the Coalition.

What does it mean to be a home? In the early years, the college provided office space for the Coalition, first through an academic office in Murdock Hall and later, as the needs grew, to a residential townhouse. Newsletters were copied and mailed by the College. There was a phone, access to a fax machine and eventually an Internet account. THe College hosted many of the early annual meetings, celebrations and other gatherings within its facilities.

Eventually, the College needed its space and the Coalition needed more space, so in 1997 the nbCC moved to its present location at 85 Main Street in North Adams. The Coalition budget now provides for all the services that the College provided in the first decade.

The NBHHSC has North Adams State College to thank for its early success. The College saw the benefits, in terms of providing an active education for its students and the tremendous service opportunities the Coalition afforded. It also saw its donation to nbCC as a necessary contribution to the greater Northern Berkshire community by its local public liberal arts institution. Without the generous donations by NASC, nbCC would not have had the start it did and probably would not be the community leader it is today.

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 to the Coalition, but we want you to know that no amount is too small to be helpful. Thanks for all you do to support nbCC!

The 2024-25 Friends of the Coalition (as of 2/25/2025)

We’re Hiring! Open Positions at nbCC

Apply via mail to Amber Besaw at 61 Main Street, Suite 218, North Adams, MA 01247 or email jobs@nbccoalition.org. Please include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references. For more details about our open positions please visit our website at bit.ly/WorkAtNBCC for more information about these positions.

Family Resource Center Clinician: Rate: $29-30/hr, PLUS a $5,000 sign-on bonus after completion of 1 year

The Family Resource Center (FRC) Clinician will provide Comprehensive Mental Health Assessments, including the Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA) assessment; short term treatment; and Care Planning to Youth and Families of the FRC.

Health & Wellness Coordinator: Salary: $46-49k/annually, PLUS a $1,000 sign on bonus

The Health & Wellness Coordinator will oversee and lead the implementation of community health work to support integration of environmental, policy and systems changes to advance active living, healthy eating and sustainable systematic change in Northern Berkshire. The Health & Wellness Coordinator will also oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health and wellness programming through nbCC. 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME A CONTRIBUTOR TO THE COALITION?

Contributions can be made online or mailed to:

Northern Berkshire Community Coalition

  61 Main Street, Suite 218

  North Adams, MA 01247

nbCC Events and Programming this Month

First Fridays North Adams: Cabin Fever

Friday, March 7, 5:00-9:00 PM, Downtown, North Adams

Join in the First Friday Fun! Visit downtown businesses for specials, sales and check out the new gallery exhibitions of 2025.

Learn Through Play: Rainbows

Saturday, March 8, 10:00 - 11:00 AM, UNO Community Center, 157 River Street, North Adams

In collaboration with Child Care of the Berkshires. Activities and circle time with sensory activities. Best for ages 0-5 years. No registration required, but we appreciate RSVPs. Contact us at 413-663-7588 or nkennedy@nbccoalition.org 

Monthly Forum: Portrait of a Graduate Presentation

Thursday, Feb. 13, 4:00 - 6:00 PM, at the Greylock Glen Visitors Center, 135 Gould Road, Adams

FREE & open to the public.All are welcome!

Join us this month for a presentation and discussion about the Portrait of a Graduate grant and what this means in education for students of Hoosic Valley and North Adams Public Schools. The forum will include introductions and opportunities for announcements throughout the discussion. Light refreshments served. More Info: 413-663-7588 or info@nbccoalition.org

WEEKLY EVENTS/PROGRAMS

nbCC Youth Empowerment Program

Mondays, 5:00-6:30 PM, 61 Main Street, #218, North Adams

 STARTING OCT. 28: 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

Youth Leadership Program

Tuesdays, 5:00 - 7:00PM, 61 Main Street, Rm. 213, North Adams

STARTING OCT. 22: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. Register: call 413-663-7588

nbCC Bike Collective - TEMPORARILY ON BREAK

The Collective is taking a break for the next couple of months to reorganize the space, inventory and re-organize so we can better serve the community when we reopen this summer.

Teen Writing Workshop

Wednesdays, 5:00 - 7:00 PM, held at nbCC, 61 Main St., Suite 218, North Adams

STARTING OCT. 23: 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 with your writing and performance style. Opportunities to perform and be published. Snacks and supplies provided; transportation available. Register: 413-663-7588

(NEW DATES!) Family Resource Center: Parenting Together Group

2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 5:30 - 7:30 PM, nbCC 61 Main Street, Ste. 218, 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

Youth Health Collaborative

Thursdays, 5:00pm - 7:00pm, 61 Main Street, Rm. 213, North Adams. 

STARTING OCT. 24:(14-19 Yrs. Old) This program is intended to engage young people in supporting the health of their peers in the region. The aim of this program is to benefit the community by directly engaging young people in the act of bettering their environments. This is the only program with a limit on attendance, as there are only ten spots available! 

Participants will receive a stipend for completing this program. Please call or email to apply: 413-663-7588 or bmccarthy@nbccoalition.org

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Coffee Time Group

1st & 3rd Fridays, 10 AM - 12 PM. UNO Center, 157 River Street, 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. Coffee and light snacks provided. Please register: 413-663-7588 or email dsenecal@nbccoalition.org. 

Here are a few other upcoming and recurring events happening at the UNO Center at no, or low cost to participants:



• Every Wed: 6:30-10:30 PM | Berkshire Gamers - Board Game Night (No Admission fee. Open to the Public)

• Every Sun: 2:00-6:00 pm | RPG Game Night - $2 Admission Fee. A collaborative storytelling game where one person plays the narrator and supporting cast to the ensemble played by the other players. Open to the public to drop in, learn how to play and connect with the community of gamers.

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