BFAIR Names New Assistant Director of Employment Services

08:15AM / Tuesday, August 23, 2022Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — BFAIR has promoted Nina Benvenuto to Assistant Director of Employment Services.

In her new position, Benevenuto will provide oversight to the employment services department and supervision to two managers and several direct care staff. She joined the agency in November of 2021 as an Employment & Training Coordinator, overseeing the Pre-Employment Transition Services (PRE-ETS) program which prepares high school students with disabilities for the workforce.

"Nina has shown tremendous growth since coming on board last year. Her creativity and leadership skills will be instrumental in her new role, and I am eager to see how she will apply that to the development of new and meaningful opportunities for the individuals served in employment services," said Kayla Brown-Wood, the director of Day Services.

Benvenuto has assumed other responsibilities such as providing vocational placement services for individuals served by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission as well as working with individuals attending BFAIR’s supported employment program. She attended SUNY Albany where she received a bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare and is earning her master’s degree in public administration through Southern New Hampshire University this fall.

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North Adams UNO Art Club Extends Into Year-Round Community Program

Staff Reports01:38PM / Tuesday, October 06, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Clark Art Institute is expanding the summer program UNO Drop-In Art Club into a weekly, 50-week program for local youth ages 8 to 19, thanks to a new two-year grant from the W.L.S. Spencer Foundation.

Starting Wednesday, Oct. 7, the club reopens its doors at the UNO Community Center (157 River St., North Adams) with extended hours every week from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The UNO Art Club first took root in 2022, founded by local volunteers and supported by the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition (nbCC) as a safe, welcoming space for kids to explore their creativity. In 2024, nbCC sought new partners to keep the program running and joined forces with the Clark and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA).

Over the past two summers, staff from all three organizations have guided kids through hands-on projects—from clay sculpture and origami to collage and self-portraiture—often inspired by ongoing exhibitions at the museums.

Now, with leadership from the Clark, this grant will allow the program to grow, not only with expanded hours and a year-round schedule, but also to support a paid intern to lead the weekly activities.

Additional benefits of the grant: The Clark will provide rides directly from the UNO Community Center so participants can attend major community events, including First Sundays Free and the annual Community Day. Youth will also take field trips to the Clark, MASS MoCA, and neighboring arts venues across the region.

To learn more about the program or get involved: https://nbccoalition.org/uno-drop-in-art-club/ or contact nbCC at (413) 663-7588, Gabby Glasier - gglasier@nbccoalition.org, or Olivia Brandwein - obrandwein@clarkart.edu.

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