North Adams - The North Star Program of the REACH Community Health Foundation named their 2005 Youth Heroes in an award ceremony on May 18. The event recognized seven youths in Northern Berkshire County who have meaningfully contributed to the lives of those around them, and whose service has made a difference to our community.
"Our community is built on the efforts of unsung heroes - on the backs of those who selflessly serve others, striving to improve our neighborhoods, schools and lives, and who often receive little recognition," said Lindsey Murtagh, manager of the North Star Program at REACH. "For the past four years, North Star has sought to honor youth who are already doing this - youth who volunteer in our community, who have made a significant impact in the lives of others, or who creatively solve problems that face our community."
"What amazes me most about many of the youth that we honor is that they rise above challenging circumstances, environments and adversities to help others, to reach out beyond their immediate surroundings," she adds. This year North Star was overwhelmed by nominations for the award. Murtagh said, "I think it is a tribute to our youth that we received so many stories detailing their heroic efforts." North Star recognized seven youth, aged 6 through 17, whom they felt truly embodied the characteristics of a hero. Justin Beany, 6, of North Adams, a student at Greylock Elementary School, participated in a program called Pennies for Patients.
On his own initiative he asked his parents if he could do chores to earn pennies. He vacuumed, washed dishes, emptied the trash, swept the kitchen, cleaned his room and made his bed. Justin said he wanted to help the children, the sick ones and that receiving the Youth Hero Award makes him happy. Victoria Doubleday, 15, of North Adams most impressed her nominators by her courage and tenacity in the face of adversity. Victoria volunteers at both the YMCA and the Louison House in North Adams. Always willing to help out, her cheerfulness raises the spirits of Louison House residents. Victoria says that receiving the Youth Hero Award means "people notice that I try, which is kind of nice." Victoria plans to attend college and become either a teacher or a lawyer.
Amber LaFountain, 17, of North Adams has been volunteering since she was a child. She has volunteered with many neighborhood projects, including organizing and helping to lead numerous activities for children after school and during the summer. Last summer, she taught local children about the voting process, in preparation for the presidential election. She has been active in numerous Northern Berkshire County events, including the Neighborhood EXPO, North Adams' Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration and the annual North Adams Downtown event. This fall Amber will enter Williams College as a freshman.
Ali Martin, 14, moved to Williamstown last summer and immediately began volunteering in the community. During the summer she joined the Williamstown Youth Center as a Leader in Training. Additionally, she volunteers in after school programs, vacation camps and with the Learn-to-Skate program. Excited about the Youth Hero Award, Ali feels good about helping others and providing a role model for young children at the Youth Center.
Jamie Lee McNary, 14, of Florida is always the first person at her school to take the "underdog" or new student under her wing. Her volunteer activities in school range from mentoring, to peer tutoring, babysitting at PTG meetings and participating in fundraisers. Her nominator, Heidi Dugal, describes her as "an island of refuge for all those who seek shelter from the sometimes cruel world of school."
Cate Perry, 14, of Adams is an activist and leader who expresses her ideas clearly and with conviction. She has worked diligently to bring attention to the need for more comprehensive health and sex education in Adams Memorial Middle School. Through letters to the editor and articles she raised awareness locally. As a result, a few classes were offered to students, yet Cate still hopes there will be more.
Matt St. Pierre, 15, of North Adams shows a deep commitment to serving as a role model for local children. He volunteers regularly at the Williamstown Youth Center, where he is recognized both by supervisors, and other volunteers for his maturity and ability to run programs. Jonathan Igoe, Executive Director of the Williamstown Youth Center, writes, "Matt was positive and engaged and a true role model to younger children."
There are many heroes in Northern Berkshire County, all dedicated to helping others and making our community a better place. All too often the accomplishments of these people go unrecognized. North Star created the Youth Heroes Award to give our youth the opportunity to receive praise from the community for their hard work, generosity and determination.
The North Star Project of REACH was established by a local pediatrician, Michael Gerrity, and his wife, Ann Clarke-Gerrity, in an effort to improve the status of child health in the Northern Berkshire Region. North Star examines the status of children's health in our community, explores the issues that impact children's health locally, and establishes collaborative partnerships that work to improve children's lives.
The REACH Community Health Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the health of the Northern Berkshire community. A subsidiary of the Northern Berkshire Healthcare, REACH organizes an array of initiatives in health education, treatment services, disease prevention, research, and advocacy.
In addition to North Star, REACH runs programs in breast cancer, caregiver support, tobacco cessation, dental health, fitness and nutrition, and men's health. For more information on North Star and the REACH Community Health Foundation, call 413-664-5173.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant
Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building.
"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu.
A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building.
White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.
He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns.
Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot.
A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use.
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