PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Family, community members and 18 Degrees stakeholders honored the accomplishments of eight participants of the 18 Degrees programming.
18 Degrees promotes family well-being through education, support, prevention and intervention, youth and community development, and foster care and adoption.
Pittsfield Community Connection and West Main Connection, programs of 18 Degrees, hosted the event to shine a light on the efforts these young adults made to enter a path of new beginnings, 18 Degrees President and CEO Stephanie Steed said.
The speakers commended the honorees for overcoming a variety of obstacles and balancing unexpected life changes while on their journey to success.
"They faced challenges, identified personal beliefs, set ambitious goals, and did the hard work to reach their personalized level of success," Steed said.
The speakers said these young adults overcame challenges from a pandemic, pregnancy, obtaining sobriety, and juggling family life and used their wisdom, strengths, and love of learning to obtain their goal.
The honorees achieved the goals they had set — whether it was obtaining a General Educational Development, enrolling in adult learning or college courses, receiving vocational training, earning employment, learning a skill, or volunteering.
"We're really hopeful that you feel a high level of pride and satisfaction in your work because we are here because we are proud of you and proud of your accomplishments," Steed said.
During the emotional ceremony, the honorees, mentors and families choked up as the awards were distributed.
This celebration would not have been possible without the dedicated 18 Degrees staff who serve as a connection point for many young people in the community, Youth and Community Development Vice President Bryan House said.
"Throughout 18 Degrees, we put much effort into utilizing what's called strength-based approaches in our work with young people," House said.
This approach refocuses interventions away from "immediate deficits to resources and strengths," he said.
A key component of the strength-based approach are the staff, families, and community members who supported the young adults while on their journey.
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Pittsfield Council OKs $3M Borrowing for Failing PHS Boilers
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council has authorized the borrowing of $3 million for new boilers at Pittsfield High School — a project that was originally going to be funded by ARPA.
The nearly 100-year-old boilers are original to the building and have exceeded their useful life, officials say. They are converted locomotive engines that are extremely inefficient and expensive to maintain.
The replacement design was recently completed and a low bid was received. After looking at the numbers, it was clear that the allocated $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds would not be enough.
"$213,210 was spent on emergency repairs and the design work for the replacement project," Finance Director Matthew Kerwood confirmed in an email.
"The low and only bid for the replacement was $2,482,000, however given the complexity of this project I felt that a 20 percent contingency would be needed which gets to the $3,000,000 authorization. If the entire amount is not needed, the remaining unused balance will be rescinded at some point in the future."
The project is also time-sensitive, as one boiler is non-operational and another is severely compromised. If they fail during the heating season, the school will have to close.
"The contractor that was the low bid, in 30 days he can walk away from that bid if he wants to, and the other problem is I need to get this project underway to hopefully get them in and running by the time school reopens up for wintertime," Building Maintenance Director Brian Filiault explained.
"This is a major project, a major project. We're taking three locomotives out of that building and it's no easy thing. I mean, the building is built around it and we have a small portal that we actually will be able to get it out, we'll have to crane everything else. It's a very labor-intensive, very hard job, and I'm afraid of the timeframe because I can't run those boilers again. They've gone as far as they're going to go."
The nearly 100-year-old boilers are original to the building and have exceeded their useful life, officials say. They are converted locomotive engines that are extremely inefficient and expensive to maintain.
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She asked that the graduates recognize navigators who guided them on the journey, from parents and children to faculty members and advisors.
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Amanda Pou was named the most valuable player of the regional final after striking out four and walking none in a complete-game effort in the circle. She also ripped a two-run double in Pittsfield’s four-run fourth-inning rally to break open a scoreless game. click for more