| TOP STORIES AROUND THE COUNTY |
Panel To Discuss Ways To Reach Most Vulnerable Population In Berkshires10:45AM / Thursday, January 07, 2010
PITTSFIELD, Mass. - The Cross Cultural Action Network (CCAN) will feature a panel discussion entitled "Reaching the Unreachable" at their next forum on Thursday, January 21 from Noon to 2 pm at the First Baptist Church, 88 South Street, Pittsfield.
The forum is designed to identify ways local agencies can reach the most isolated and at risk residents of the Berkshires: the homeless, immigrants, elders, high school dropouts and low-income minorities. The need to reach every resident is even more critical this year because without a full count in April when the 2010 Census takes place, Berkshire County will most likely receive less funding for social service programs and may well lose legislative representation.
CCAN has gathered a panel of experienced providers to share their proven and innovative strategies to reach the unreachable in our region. Panelists will include Cara Davis, executive director of Construct in Great Barrington; Cheryl Nolan-Wallah, executive director of the Christian Center in Pittsfield; Heather Shogry, youth director at the Berkshire County Regional Employment Board; Margie Ware, coordinator of the SHINE program at Elder Services of Berkshire County; and Brooke Mead, co-director of the Berkshire Immigrant Center. Susan Hagen, Western MA partnership specialist for Census 2010 will also participate.
The general public is invited to attend, and light refreshments will be provided. There will be opportunities for questions as well as networking among the more than 40 agencies that provide services to multicultural populations throughout the County. Attendees are asked to enter the First Baptist Church through the side entrance near the Pittsfield Cooperative Bank.
CCAN is an informal network of cross cultural individuals and organizations that support immigrants and other minority groups in the Berkshires and are committed to making the Berkshires a welcoming community through education, advocacy and events. Steering Committee members include representatives from the Berkshire Immigrant Center, Adult Learning Center, Berkshire Adult Literacy Committee, and the South Berkshire Educational Collaborative.
For more information about the January 21st event, please contact Brooke Mead at the Berkshire Immigrant Center at 445 4881 or Marjorie Cohan at 442-5223. |
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. Comments are closed for this article. If you would like to contribute information on this article, e-mail us at info@iBerkshires.com |
|
Advertise on iBerkshires.com
|
