Veteran Financial Education Funding Applications Open

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BOSTON — In collaboration with the Division of Banks (DOB) and the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR), the State Treasurer's Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE) announced a new round of funding for Operation Money Wise. This grant program offers funding to veteran-serving non-profit organizations, public agencies, and higher education institutions to host financial programming that serves the Military, Veteran, Family, and Survivor Community (MVFSC). 
 
Veteran-serving organizations can apply for up to $5,000 in funding, which must be used before March 31, 2025. Applications close on May 31st, 2024 at 5 p.m.?Follow this link to learn more and apply.  
 
To date, Operation Money Wise has served over 6,648 members of the military community. A total of $262,977 has been awarded to 55 grantees in six grant rounds. The funding allows organizations to use their knowledge and expertise to design or enhance a program that would best serve their community. Many of these workshops will include strategy sessions on basic budgeting, managing debt, preparing for retirement, and making decisions with money. 
 
"We are proud to help those who serve our country achieve financial stability for themselves and their families," said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. "Operation Money Wise will continue to support organizations that uplift and financially empower our veteran community across Massachusetts." 
 
Previous programs include one-day seminars or multiple sessions hosted by local colleges and financial institutions. Topics featured in past programs include career-training, information tailored to Gold Star Families, the National Guard Reintegration Yellow Ribbon Program, and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program.
 
Funding is possible through a Division of Banks settlement over alleged unlawful lending practices. 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Adams Man Convicted in Murder of Stephanie Olivieri

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An Adams man was found guilty in the 2019 murder of 32-year-old Stephanie Olivieri, a Pittsfield native and mother of two.
 
A jury found Tyler Sumner, 30, guilty on Friday of murder in the first degree and possession of ammunition without a Firearm Identification Card.
 
The trial was held in Berkshire Superior Court. Judge Francis Flannery will schedule sentencing.
 
"Today justice was served in the tragic death of an innocent bystander, Stephanie Olivieri; however, this guilty verdict will do nothing to bring her back," said Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue. "Tyler Sumner murdered Ms. Olivieri while she sat in a car filled with gifts and decorations for her child's birthday. She was preparing to celebrate a wonderful event when her life was ruthlessly cut short."
 
Olivieri, who had been living in Yonkers, N.Y., was found sitting in her running car on Columbus Avenue when police responded to reports of masked men near South John Street and heard gunshots on the way.
 
The officers found Olivieri gasping for breath and blood running down the right side of her head. She was treated by emergency medical services and then transported to Berkshire Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead. The Chief Medical Examiner found the cause of her death to be a homicide caused by wounds sustained from a bullet to her head.
 
Multiple individuals testified that they believed Sumner was targeting an individual living in the area of the shooting and that Olivieri was not the intended target.
 
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