United Counseling Service Seeks Shared Living Providers in Tri-State Area

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BENNINGTON, Vt. — United Counseling Service (UCS) is seeking community members in Bennington County, Vermont, and neighboring towns in Massachusetts and New York to become shared living providers for clients of its developmental services division.
 
The Shared Living Program offers a monthly tax-free stipend and room and board payments to individuals, families, and couples who provide a home and support to an individual with a developmental disability.
 
According to UCS, there are no specific requirements regarding retirement status, homeownership, partnership or marital status, or income level for potential providers. The program aims to enable community members to support individuals with developmental disabilities in their own homes.
 
UCS provides support services to shared living providers, including case management, respite care, and access to day programs.
 
United Counseling Service is a non-profit community mental health center serving Bennington County since 1958.
 
Individuals interested in learning more about the Shared Living Program can call 802-445-7318.
 
 
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Coggins Auto Group Celebrates Five Years

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
BENNINGTON, Vt. — The family-owned Coggins Auto Group is celebrating five years of operations: Coggins Toyota of Bennington and Coggins Honda of Bennington, and Coggins of the Berkshires in nearby Massachusetts.
 
Mike Coggins purchased three dealerships — Honda, Toyota and Ford — in 2020 with a goal to restore trust and a "true sense of community-minded dealership culture." 
 
"My primary focus from day one was bringing back that connection to the region," Coggins had said back in 2021. "This area values real relationships. They want to know the people they're doing business with. We set out to rebuild that trust."
 
The Ford dealership was sold off in 2023 and Coggins of the Berkshires, with sales and services for used cars, opened the same year in Pittsfield, Mass. 
 
According to Coggins Auto Group, the dealerships had social media ratings of two stars when they were purchased; now all Coggins locations are garnering more than four stars in customer satisfaction reviews. 
 
"We sell cars, and we fix cars, and our goal is just to make our customers happy, and keep our employees happy, and that's what's made this really work these last few years," said General Manager Scott O'Connell.
 
Coggins Auto Group is also involved in events that benefit the community, including its popular annual charity golf tournament that funds local charities and organizations such as the Bennington Little League.
 
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