State Community Ambassadors Program Applications Available

08:00AM / Sunday, February 19, 2023Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — The State Treasurer's Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE) announced the launch of the Community Ambassadors Program.

This initiative aims to increase the number of Massachusetts residents who have a deep understanding of financial foundations through training community representatives on money management principles and empowerment programs. Applications are now being accepted for the first cohort of Community Ambassadors.

"People of all ages and backgrounds need financial education resources to navigate today's challenging world," said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. "The Community Ambassadors Program is a tremendous way to better reach and meet the unique needs of everyone throughout the state."

Ambassadors will commit to a six-month engagement where they will participate in train-the-trainer workshops on personal finance topics as well as OEE offerings. Portions of the training will be led by staff from M&T Bank and will utilize lessons designed by EVERFI, a leading web-based financial education curriculum.

Once they have completed their trainings, Ambassadors will then identify opportunities within their communities to spread awareness and increase engagement of OEE's free offerings and financial education resources to residents. Ambassadors will receive a $2,500 stipend in multiple installments, a certificate of completion, and an invitation to participate in a symposium on economic empowerment in Massachusetts.

Anyone in Massachusetts can apply to become an Ambassador. Multilingual speakers and residents of Gateway Cities are highly encouraged to apply.

"As a financial institution, our purpose is to make a difference in people's lives. Providing innovative ways to break barriers to economic resiliency is one of the ways we work to empower individuals and communities to improve their overall well-being," said Grace Lee, Eastern Massachusetts Regional President and Group Lead of New England Government Banking at?M&T Bank. "For over five years, OEE and our team have partnered to find solutions to pivotal financial topics. This program will ensure that Ambassadors have the tools they need to strengthen their communities' financial readiness."

Ten Community Ambassadors will be selected for the first cohort. Applications are open until March 8. Those interested can visit https://www.mass.gov/communityambassadors to learn more and apply.

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Pittsfield Subcommittee Considers E-Bike Safety

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
03:34PM / Wednesday, October 07, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Some city councilors want to explore ways to encourage safe e-bike use.

On Monday, the Ordinances and Rules Subcommittee discussed the request by Councilor At Large Kathy Amuso and Ward 3 Councilor Matthew Wrinn to increase enforcement of bicycle and e-bike use on Pittsfield streets, install signage in high-traffic areas, and launch an educational program for kids.

Amuso has received reports of kids riding motorized bikes at 15 to 20 mph on the sidewalk while people are trying to back out of their driveways, and she fears someone might get hurt.

She said that if they could start with some basics, such as riding with traffic in bike lanes and requiring operators under 16 to wear helmets, it would address most of the calls.

"Do I think we need to put 10 police on trying to find e-bikes throughout the city? I don't," she said. "But there are enough calls that I'm getting, and other councilors are getting, that we have to say, ‘OK, what can we do?’ And we have a lot of bike lanes in Pittsfield, and the e-bikes and all bikes should be in the bike lanes, not on the sidewalk."

The petition was tabled so that the Department of Public Works can study it and gather further information.

In Massachusetts, an e-bike with a top speed of 20 mph and a motor of 750 watts or less is classified as a traditional bicycle. State law defines two e-bike classes:

"Class 1 electric bicycle" is defined as having a motor of 750 watts or less that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to assist when the bicycle reaches 20 mph.
"Class 2 electric bicycle" is defined as having a motor of 750 watts or less that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and is not capable of assisting when the bicycle reaches 20 mph.

Riders 16 years or younger must wear a helmet by law.

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