Mayor James M. Ruberto supports an initiative to help Berkshie County youth.
PITTSFIELD - At-risk youth in the community have options; it's just a matter of finding them, according to Mayor James M. Ruberto and the Berkshire County Regional Employment Board.
At a Thursday morning press conference, Ruberto and BCREB's Youth Director Heather Shogry announced the creation of "Project Reconnect," a two-day event focused on providing youth with opportunities for future education and careers.
"There are many youths who remain under the radar screen and are becoming disconnected. Since 2003, over 800 youth have dropped out of high school in Pittsfield alone and well over half of those have failed to surface at our Adult Basic Education and Career Center facilities," said Shogry.
Set for Sept. 25 and 26, Project Reconnect - a component of larger strategic plan titled "Pathways-to-Success by 21" (P-21) - seeks to offer the youth of Berkshire County "a one-stop shop" for advancement in future education or training. In addition to information sessions on resume building and dressing for a job interview, Project Reconnect will host 45 area employers who will conduct interviews and hire youth directly from the fair.
With a concentration on three emerging Berkshire County industries - construction/building trades, health care, and hospitality and tourism - Project Reconnect aims to prepare youths for a productive future as part of the workforce.
"This project is one more example of how we see and how we know that work is being done in Berkshire County to correct a horrible social problem," said Ruberto.
The two-day event is structured so as to benefit both youths who require more education and those who are looking to enter new jobs.
On Tuesday, several educational organizations will be available and Wednesday will feature employers who will discuss their work-force needs and answer questions. Additionally, community agencies will act as resources for troubled youth and will be available to answer specialized questions.
"I look at youth who are disconnected and just because of certain circumstances, it doesn't mean that they have to have so many barriers," said Shogry, "They're all very important to this community."
Developed in 2005, P-21’s mission is to "re-engage their most at-risk youth populations, both educationally and occupationally." BCREB convened representatives from local social service and educational networks and created the "Berkshire P-21 Team Network," who worked to organize Project Reconnect. Shogry said she hopes to make the workshops an annual staple in the Berkshires, perhaps even furthering their power by extending them to northern and southern Berkshire County locations.
All Berkshire youth are welcome to attend the event, held at the Pittsfield Boys and Girls Club Lighthouse from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days. Spanish-speaking instructors will be available. For more information call (413) 499-2220, Ext. 131 or 133.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
As the school year winds down, the sun was shining high as Morris Elementary School and the community celebrated student success with a splash. click for more
The Berkshire Community College community celebrated outgoing President Ellen Kennedy for the innovation, kindness, and curiosity she has fostered on campus over the last 14 years. click for more
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
Anthony Salatino Jr. says his memory is getting a little foggy about his time in the Army.
But he remembers how terrible D-Day was, and feeling lucky he wasn't among those in the initial invasion force 82 years ago. click for more
