NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A Better Community donated $1,000 from their clothing sale to the Berkshire Children and Families' Kids 4 Harmony program at Brayton Elementary School.

 

Jane Frado of A Better Community (ABC), the charitable organization out of Williamstown, said the Kids 4 Harmony program was one of eight agencies it donated money to from its massive second-hand clothing sale. The other organizations benefiting were the Williamstown Food Pantry, Friendship Center Food Pantry, Louison House, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Barrington Stage Playwright Mentoring Program, Roots Teen Center and the North Adams Summer Youth Internship Program.

 

"We donate money to agencies that we think need money and that are worthy of it and that are sustainable," Frado said.

 

"These are children that never would have experienced classical music and it really stays at such a young age and it helps with their confidence and helps them in all aspects of school"

 

Bethany Kirchmann of BFC said the after-school program is inspired by El Sistema, a Venezuelan music program that provides free classical music training for underserved children in the community.

 

Kirchmann said the program is mostly funded through private fundraising and the donation will go towards hiring instructors and sustaining the program.

 

Kirchmann said the program is separate from the public-school music program and focuses on family outreach with family liaisons. 

 

"We have a family liaison that works with the family to engage them in the program and work with them and connect them with other resources in the community," she said. "It is such an important point to connect with the families that we work with."

 

Noella Carlow, 21st Century site coordinator, said the family liaison was an unexpected surprise of the program.

 

"I didn't realize that we were going to get this family liaison she is wonderful and we are doing a lot with social and emotional learning which is huge for us," she said.