PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Linda Tyer is pitching the creation of a residential "life academy" aimed to help the city's young women find success.

 

The proposal was made to the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge, a national competition which could lead to as much as a $5 million prize to implement the idea.

 

The "Life Academy for Young Women" would aim to provide resources, mentors, education and job opportunities, wellness, and personal growth. It would be considered a massive expansion of the Rites of Passage and Empower Program currently run by Shirley Edgerton.

 

"Through this process, several great ideas were conceived.  My greatest desire was to select the idea that would reach those in our community who struggle to achieve their greatest potential. The Life Academy for Young Women is exactly right for the Mayors Challenge," Tyer wrote in a statement. 

 

"We put forth a concept that we wouldn't have the resources to develop on our own.  Dedicated and intentional caring about the well-being of Pittsfield's young women will transform their lives, the lives of their families, and their community."

 

The city's idea will be up against some 500 cities across the country. Thirty-five cities will receive $100,000, four of those will receive $1 million to further develop the concept. And one city will get $5 million. The challenge asks mayors to "think big, be bold, and uncover inventive — and, ultimately, shareable — ideas that tackle today's toughest problems."

 

For Pittsfield, the mayor believes the life academy idea hits on a number of issues. The program would target woman between the ages of 16 and 21 who may be at risk for homelessness. Berkshire County has more children in poverty, more unemployment, and a greater income disparity than the rest of the state. The county has a substantially higher number of teenage mothers. And youth suicide or suicidal behavior is more prevalent in the Berkshires - all according to County Health Rankings. 

 

Further, the county has been losing its young population. The academy hopes to show the women who are here that they can succeed in Pittsfield. The population decline began with the departure of General Electric and other manufacturing jobs. Now, 28 percent of children in Pittsfield are living in poverty.

 

"For disenfranchised youth, there can be the sense of being adrift without a compass, knowing that the traditional pathways to a middle class life are gone, and clear new pathways have not appeared," reads the application.

 

"At the same time, social resources are few, and the fabric of families has become threadbare under the constant stress of making a living at low wage work and struggling to be parents and community participants. The secondary impacts of substance abuse and violence are a very present feature of this life. Add to it the illegal economy, the gangs and guns, and the stress on the social fabric reaches the breaking point. This initiative fundamentally targets the need to rebuild social capital for the most vulnerable among us."

 

In 2010, a group of citizens sought to turn those tides, specifically in support of women of color as they transition into adulthood. The Rites of Passage and Empowerment program offers classes on self-worth, self-esteem, interest, skills, resilience, cultural competence, woman's history, and art. They go on college tours, international travel, and connect with mentors. 

 

"The underpinning philosophy of ROPE combined with a culturally rich and stimulating living environment creates the emotional, physical, and psychological safety needed to explore higher levels of self-development. The initiative taps into traditional educational and social services as well as the riches of the Berkshires — the bountiful natural environment and plentiful arts and cultural experiences," reads the application.

 

The mayor's application says "there are no resources outside of state systems" available to help the 2 to 5 percent of young woman who experience homelessness. The city would like to develop its own center for helping the at risk women, expand upon the work of the Rites of Passage and Empowerment Program, and add a residential component.

 

"The residential component is for young women aged 16-21 who lack a continuity of support. Young women will have access to housing and holistic services to help them develop life skills, provide access to education, jobs opportunities, workforce training, and wellness programs. Life Academy will be a hub of activity, and resources for young women in the community to ensure full access to a supportive community, mentoring and services to promote well-being," reads the application.

 

Later, the application reads, "providing an alternative path filled with hope and opportunity leads to strong, capable women who become contributing citizens. They, in turn, lift- up their families and build resilient communities."

 

Developing such an academy would cost and estimated $1.1 million, according to the budget the city crafted to submit with the application. 

 

"My hope, vision, and desire is that this initiative is the beginning of a process to reach many of those girls who we have not reached and to provide a positive option for them to reach their full potential. I really believe this initiative can contribute to a change in the face of our city," Edgerton wrote in a statement. 

 

"We often talk about the flight of young people from our city.  Well, here are some young women whom we have not reached who could be instrumental in helping to stem that tide. The Life Academy can be a major contributor to the future outlook of our city, as well as what this opportunity will do for these girl's lives."

 

The application is available below.