Four Berkshire Nonprofits Receive Grants for Youth Health

08:13AM / Sunday, November 24, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Health New England has awarded $80,000 in grants to non-profit organizations that work to advance youth health and well-being in Western Massachusetts.

The company's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Grants went to 38 organizations in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester counties.

The Berkshire County recipients are:

Barrington Stage Company (Pittsfield), Playwright Mentoring Program
Berkshire Bounty (Great Barrington), Food Purchase Program
Berkshire Pride (Pittsfield), Empowerment and Well-being: After-School Program for LGBTQ+ Teens & Tweens
Roots Rising (Pittsfield), Roots Rising's Youth Crews

Health New England's DEIB mission is to improve the health and lives of people in our community as it applies to individuals of all races, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and levels of ability. We are committed to advancing equitable health outcomes for all members of our community.

Health New England's DEIB Grants are designed to fund local non-profit organizations that focus on health equity and engage around at least one social determinant of health (SDOH). SDOHs are conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that affect health, quality of life, and life expectancy. These conditions may include socioeconomic status, food insecurity, education, access to health care, safe housing, discrimination, violence, and trauma, etc.

Health New England focused this year's DEIB grants on youth health and well-being after a Springfield Public Schools Youth Health Survey revealed that more than four in ten surveyed eighth-grade students felt so sad or hopeless for two weeks or more that they stopped participating in some usual activities. The grant winners' programs and projects must also assist youths and adolescents gain what the World Health Organization's Adolescent Well-being Framework states they need to thrive:

Good health and optimum nutrients
Connectedness, positive values, and contribution to society
Safety and a supportive environment
Learning, competence, education, skills, and employability
Agency and resilience

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

Quick Cash

Get help fast when you need it the most! Greylock Federal Credit Union. Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

CDBG ADAMS HOUSING REHAB

Funded by a CDBG, the program supports eligible residents to make home repairs. Click for more info!

www.town.adams.ma.us

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Adams Community, Pittsfield Co-op Banks Announce Merger

04:35PM / Monday, April 06, 2026

ADAMS, Mass. — Two local banks are joining forces to create a financial institution with nearly $1.5 billion in assets.

The boards of directors at both Adams Community Bank and Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced on Monday a strategic merger expected to be completed by late fall.

According to a statement from bank officials, the combination reflects a strategic partnership between two well-positioned community banks — each strong enough to remain independent, coming together with a shared vision to better serve the Berkshires.

The combined institution will operate as a mutual banking organization with nearly 200 employees and 15 full-service branches serving communities throughout the Berkshire County.

"This milestone marks an important step forward for both of our institutions," said Adams' CEO Julie Fallon Hughes. "It reflects the shared values that have guided both our banks for generations and the trust our customers place in us every day. Our employees will play a critical role in bringing these two organizations together, serving as stewards of our mission and ambassadors in the communities we call home.

"As we move forward, our focus is on building a unified organization that honors our legacies while expanding our ability to serve our customers and communities."

Hughes will be CEO of the merged Adams Savings' mutual holding company, Pittsfield Co-op's President Gregg Levante and Adams' Chief Operating Officer Andre Charbonneau will continue in those positions in the new entity.

View Full Story