Pittsfield Seeks Proposals For Human Services

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield announced that applications are now available for funding to provide human services to benefit Pittsfield residents. 
 
Funding is for the program year July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022.
 
Annually, the city undertakes a process through its Human Services Advisory Council (HSAC), an 11-member volunteer committee, which reviews the proposals and submits its recommendations to the mayor. Applications can be obtained from the Department of Community via email request to Program Manager Justine Dodds at jdodds@cityofpittsfield.org.
 
The application due date is Jan. 8, 2021.
 
Last year's recommendations resulted in 22 human service programs receiving a total of $206,250 from the city's general fund and from the federal Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) Program.
 
Programs and consumers assisted with those funds cover a wide range of services for a diverse population. Initiatives include but are not limited to: services for families with children, affordable child care vouchers, homeless services, housing stabilization programs, programs for residents with disabilities and senior citizens, and arts programs.
 
Community Development will be holding three bidder's conferences to assist applicants with the application process. Conferences will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18; 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19; and 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1. All conferences will be held via zoom.
 
To register for a conference please contact Dodds at 499-9358 or at jdodds@cityofpittsfield.org. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of these three conferences.
 
In addition to submitting a written proposal, applicants will be invited to come before the Human Services Advisory Council to make a presentation in February that will be televised locally.
 
For further information, please contact Community Development at 413-499-9358.
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Toy Library Installed at Onota Lake

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Feel free to use or leave a toy at Onota Lake's newest infrastructure meant to foster community and benefit kids.

Burbank Park now has a toy library thanks to Wahconah Regional High School senior Alexandra Bills. Located along the wall at the beach area, the green and blue structure features two shelves with sand toys that can be used to enhance children's visits.

The Parks Commission supported Bills' proposal in February as part of her National Honors Society individual service project and it was installed this month. Measuring about 4 feet wide and 5.8 feet tall, it was built by the student and her father with donated materials from a local lumber company.

Friends and family members provided toys to fill the library such as pails, shovels, Frisbees, and trucks.

"I wanted to create a toy library like the other examples in Berkshire County from the sled library to the book libraries," she told the commission in February.

"But I wanted to make it toys for Onota Lake because a lot of kids forget their toys or some kids can't afford toys."

Bills lives nearby and will check on the library weekly — if not daily — to ensure the operation is running smoothly.  A sign reading "Borrow-Play-Return" asks community members to clean up after themselves after using the toys.

It was built to accommodate children's heights and will be stored during the winter season.

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