Northern Berkshire United Way Executive Director To Leave Post
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Baran commented, "Jim has decided to pursue another opportunity, and will therefore be resigning from the Northern Berkshire United Way. He has served the organization well during his tenure and with his announcement we have initiated a process to review the position and to plan for a smooth transition".
The NBUW is an independent local agency founded 75 years ago, dedicated to enhancing well being in the communities of Adams, North Adams, Williamstown, Clarksburg, Cheshire, and Florida in Massachusetts, and Stamford, Vermont. NBUW provides funds and other vital services to strengthen effective programs in priority areas of need.
Canavan, a resident of North Adams, noted "It has been a complete personal and professional honor for me to have led this organization over the past year and a half. I have had the true pleasure of working with a very talented staff, a generous group of dedicated volunteers, and a Board of Directors that takes our mission very seriously.” He came to Northern Berkshire United Way after successfully engineering the finances and design for the Soldier On project. Since then, Soldier On has been asked to provide technical assistance to agencies across the country wishing to replicate the Soldier On model.
Because the housing needs of younger veterans will be varied, Soldier On will be developing a variety of new models to provide home ownership and rental opportunities for homeless veterans and for veterans at risk of becoming homeless. Soldier On has asked Canavan to return and help take the Soldier On model to a national scale. Jim has accepted the challenge, and will return to Soldier On following the successful 2009 Northern Berkshire United Way campaign. He added, “North Berkshire is quite fortunate to have 23 agencies and hundreds of dedicated employees carrying out services to serve and support our neighbors and strengthen the community. While I am excited to return to Soldier On, an organization that has been close to my heart for many years, I will always hold special the time I spent with the Northern Berkshire United Way.”
Under Canavan’s leadership, NBUW claimed a new chapter in its 75-year history this past September as it moved from its headquarters at 85 Main St. to new offices at the Berkshire Family and Individual Resources (BFAIR) building at 771 South Church St in North Adams. The move is projected to save the organization approximately $8,000 to $10,000 over the next 12 months.
“We believe that these kinds of collaborations and other cost-saving measures are essential to maximizing the funds that go directly to member agencies,” said Baran. “We have appreciated Jim’s leadership and look forward to finding another executive director who is as passionate and dedicated to our community as he is.”
