Nonprofit Center Adds Associate Director

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires (NPC) has hired McCaela Donovan to fill a new position of associate director. 
 
Reporting directly to founder Liana Toscanini, Donovan will share the leadership and administrative workload as the NPC engages in succession planning throughout 2025.
 
Said Toscanini, "We're excited to have found such an enthusiastic and experienced leader at a time when our services are really in demand."
 
Donovan has spent the majority of her career in the nonprofit sector, most recently in a consulting role. Multiple leadership roles include managing director of White Heron Theatre Company on Nantucket and Assistant Director of the Boston University School of Theatre. Donavan is an Eliot Norton and IRNE award-winning actress, having worked in theatre, film, and television for over 25 years in both NYC and Boston. She holds a BFA from Ithaca College, an MA from Emerson College and an MFA from Brandeis University. She currently serves on the Affordable Housing Trust in Stockbridge.
 
"It's an honor to join the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires at a crucial and potent moment for the sector," said Donovan. "Nonprofit organizations highlight the best of us, are essential for the health of our communities, and serve as a reminder of our shared humanity. I look forward to supporting the many nonprofits in the Berkshires."
 
Founded in 2016, the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires serves as a support and infrastructure organization for a large sector of more than 1200 registered charities. Visit npcberkshires.org for more information.
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Prosperity Way Phase 1 Complete; Berkshire Gas Volunteer Day

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Some 55 Avangrid/Berkshire Gas employees spent the day sawing, hammering and painting at Prosperity Way.
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Prosperity Way was founded on the dream of creating an affordable neighborhood where local working families can own a home, build a future, and create lasting memories. Soon, that vision will become reality as homeowners begin moving in.
 
Nearly a year ago, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity broke ground on its three-phase affordable housing project. Now, volunteers are putting the final touches on the six homes and have already begun phase two. 
 
"One of the homeowners is closing on her house tomorrow, so she's moving in this weekend, and then the other family is moving in next week," said Habitat CEO Carolyn Valli. 
 
During Phase 2, seven additional homes will be built, the first modular ranch for that phase has been set, and the stick-built ranch is currently in construction. There are two additional ranches on site, to be set once foundations are cured and two colonial homes are scheduled for delivery on Monday, she said. 
 
Phase 3 will have the construction of another seven homes. Central Berkshire Habitat hopes to finish the project before 2028, dependent on securing sufficient grant funding to bridge the gap between construction costs and affordable sale prices, Valli said. 
 
Energy ran high on Thursday, as more than than 50 employee volunteers from Berkshire Gas, a subsidiary of Avangrid Inc., spent the day helping move the project forward through painting, landscaping, and construction work.
 
"We are an energy company in all aspects. We generate wind energy, we have electric utilities and gas utilities, and this crew is demonstrating their energy for a good cause today to support home building for folks who might otherwise never be able to afford a home," said Chris Farrell, Berkshire Gas' communications and government relations manager. 
 
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