Energy Efficiency for Children and Adults!
Looking for a fun activity for your kids to do on a Saturday afternoon? Want to learn more about how weatherization can benefit you and the environment as well? Williams College, in collaboration with MCLA, is hosting a two-part weatherization education event! While the kids create a fun (and useful) draft stopper, join us in a presentation about weatherization: what it is, how it can help save you money, and how you can access it. If you don't have kids but are still interested in attending the presentation, wonderful—we would love to have you! This event will take place from 2 pm-3:00 pm, Jan 20th at Milne Library. See flyer for details.
1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program
The program is designed for students who are currently in their sophomore year and moving into junior year next year. It quicks off with a retreat in June and runs through April 2025.
Find out more here: https://1berkshire.com/1berkshire-programs/youth-leadership-program/
The application deadline is 11:59pm on Friday, 2/16.
On Saturday April 6, 2024, Berkshire AHEC’s Tobacco Free Community Partnership Program will be holding Berkshire Baby Bonanza 2024 at the Stationery Factory in Dalton from 11AM – 2PM. This event will be hosted by the 2024 Community Baby Shower Committee and the Berkshire AHEC Tobacco-Free Community Partnership Program.
Berkshire Baby Bonanza 2024 is focused on providing information that is geared towards those contemplating pregnancy, pregnant individuals, post-partum individuals and their partners, as well as parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers. Community Baby Showers in the past have been a great success, with many Berkshire County agencies participating and 200 - 300 people attending. See flyer for details.
North Adams Mobile Food Bank
Friday, 1/5
11am to noon
In the event the mobile is cancelled due to winter weather the Food Bank website is updated and the hotline (413)-419-0079 contains a notice of the cancellation. They would also send out information through social media and our community partners as soon as possible.
Upcoming programming from the Family Center.
Upcoming programming at the North Adams Public Library.
This afternoon, Drury High School hosted Crew Olympics. There were flags and fun had by all!
North Adams Mobile Food Bank
Friday, 12/15
11am to noon
Brien Center Parking Lot (American Legion Drive).
Please note that parking is limited at the American Legion. If the lot is at capacity, please come back and see us anytime before noon. In the event of inclement weather, we will send out updates through social media. The Food Bank also has a line that people can call to check on the status of the mobiles 413-419-0079.
The community is also invited to join Berkshire Food Project for their holiday meal on Wednesday, December 20 from 11:30 – 2 at the Berkshire Food Project, 134 Main St (entrance on Summer St). They will be serving turkey, ham, plenty of sides and holiday cookies. All are welcome for a no-cost meal and holiday cheer!
2024 Western Mass Family Leadership Series
The series is for family caregivers who are interested in learning about leadership and advocacy, creating a vision, policy making, and self-care, as well as being a networking opportunity.
See flyer for details.
The latest edition of The Drury Quarterly is now available. Read it below:
https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1376/DHS/3805385/2023_Q2_The_Drury_Quarterly_Newsletter.pdf
2024 Williams College Winter Basketball Clinic through Special Olympics MA
Basketball clinic for athletes ages 5 through 18 at Williams College. Both Traditional Athletes and Unified Partners are welcome! A traditional athlete is an individual diagnosed with an intellectual disability. A Unified Partner is an individual not diagnosed with an intellectual disability. The program will run on Sunday mornings from 11 am to 12:30 pm in the Chandler Gymnasium on the following dates: January 7th, January 14th and January 21st.
Register here: https://www.specialolympicsma.org/play-sports/find-sports-programs-near-you?*=williams
If you do not receive a confirmation email after registering, please contact Ops@SpecialOlympicsMA.org
Upcoming programming by the Family Center
Housing Resource & Rental Assistance guides from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
English: https://5il.co/2adqh
Spanish: https://5il.co/2adqg
Chinese (simplifies): https://5il.co/2adqf
"Lights of the Future"
LumiNAMA
Created and curated by Drury High School, Foundations of Art students
Art students in grades 9-12 created slab-rolled clay luminaries carved with simple images of a few of their favorite things. We are honored to be a part of this event and learned about the application process for art shows, creating slab ceramics, curating and installing art.
We encourage everyone to view the wonderful window exhibits as part of LumiNAMA and vote for their favorites at https://www.luminama.com/voting!
College Meet and Greet with Williams College and Berkshire Community College
Saturday, December 9th, 1 – 2:30 pm
Berkshire Athenaeum
Attendees will learn what each school has to offer and how to start applying. Michael Byrns, Admission Counselor at Williams College, will provide some insight on how to write a successful college essay and how to think about the storytelling components of the college application.
No registration required. Prospective students and their families are welcome!
Email vanessa@pittsfieldlibrary.org with questions.
Make your voice heard: Family Volunteers Needed!
Join our district Family Leadership Team (FLT)
1. Offer input on district initiatives
2. Discuss topics such as home visiting, attendance processes, and communication protocols
Interested? Email familysupports@napsk12.org or call 413-412-1106.
Looking forward to you joining us!
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (dcr) is hosting an Adaptive Skating Games event on 1/4, 2/15, and 3/14 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm at the Vietnam Veterans Skating Rink. Registration is required. See flyer for details.
Pamela Schwartz, Western MA Network to End Homelessness, shared the attached flyers below that summarize the available resources through the Emergency Assistance program for family shelter.
English: https://5il.co/29ph2
Spanish: https://5il.co/29ph3
Haitian Creole: https://5il.co/29ph4
Additional Resources
Applying for EA Shelter: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-ea-emergency-family-shelter
DESE Guidance on Supporting Homeless Students During the State of Emergency (8/24/23)
Emergency Shelter Fact Sheet & FAQ (September 2023)
MA Emergency Assistance Family Shelter Resources and Data
Free Family Skate Day
Hosted by nbCC
See flyer for details.
The next Safe Neighborhoods event will be at Greylock Elementary on November 29th from 5-7 pm.
5-5:30 pm Dinner (pizza!)
5:30-6:30 pm Talk Saves Lives presentation by Annie Pecor and Linda Wooten, Berkshire Coaltion for Suicide Prevention
For kids: basketball with SRO Mirante from 5:30-7pm
Events are open to all!
*The last event in the series will be on Dec. 6th at Colegrove Elementary with a presentation by the North Adams Fire Department Fire Safety Education team.
