Northern Berkshire MLK Jr. Day of Service

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Committee invites the public to the annual Northern Berkshire MLK Jr. Day of Service to celebrate the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with this annual day of volunteering. 

Gather Monday, Jan. 15, as the Northern Berkshire community celebrates the life, principles, and ideals of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by participating in a "Day of Service." A celebratory luncheon will follow.

The celebration begins at 8:30 a.m. at MCLA's Church Street Center with coffee and pastries. Volunteer site service will take place from approximately 9:30 a.m. to noon. 

This is a family-friendly event and there are projects appropriate for all ages and abilities. Participants will choose from numerous sites to provide service to the community, including: Louison House, Sweetwood, Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires, weatherization for homes, meal prep/delivery sites, ROOTs Teen Center, as well as projects onsite at the Church Street Center, like mitten, blanket and card making.

Participants will return to the Church Street Center at 12:30pm to share a free luncheon and community celebration, enjoy local entertainment and hear uplifting words in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. The annual Peacemaker Award will be presented during the lunchtime celebration. 
 
This year, the MLK Jr. Day of Service announced the annual Peacemaker Award will be given to Reverend Mary Frances Curns.
 
This "A Day On, Not a Day Off" event is free and everyone in the community is encouraged to volunteer and celebrate our Northern Berkshire community. Volunteers can pre-register online at https://bit.ly/MLK_day_2024 or by calling the NBCC at 413-663-7588.

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Mass MoCA Commission Approves Mental Health Practices as Tenants

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Mass MoCA Commission on Thursday approved three new tenants for Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. 
 
Kimma Stark, project manager at the museum, gave the commission the rundown on each of the new tenants. 
 
Eric Beeman is a licensed mental health counselor who uses art in his therapy. He holds a master's degree in expressive arts and arts therapy from Lesley University, where he's also taught graduate-level practices and principles of expressive art therapy.
 
He integrates creative arts based interventions into his clinical work including drawing painting, poetry, writing, brief drama and roleplay, movement and sound. Beeman works one-on-one and with small groups and said he mostly works with adults. 
 
He will be operating as Berkshires Expressive Arts Therapy on the third floor of Building 1. 
 
Beeman said Stark has been very helpful. "It's different than just renting a space and she's been very helpful and personable and accessible," he said. 
 
Mary Wilkes, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist, works with individuals with severe mental illness, with attachment and relationship issues and needing support navigating major life transitions. She works with teenagers, college and students and adults. 
 
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