Creating pathways to economic prosperity!

Did you know that many of our neighbors are working two to three part-time jobs, and are still struggling to make ends meet? In 2017, the median household income here in Berkshire County was just over $55,000.

The Economic Prosperity Impact Council (EPIC), comprised of nearly 40 members from businesses and organizations throughout the county, is committed to placing people in vacant, full-time jobs and addressing the hiring and retention needs of local businesses.

Our goal is to reduce the number and percentage of households earning less than $75,000. 

To support these efforts, the MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board is hosting a series of monthly job seeker meet-ups in North Adams, Pittsfield and Great Barrington!

The theme of this month’s event is, “Networking & Navigating the Hidden Job Market.” For information on future events, please join us on Facebook. In the meantime, if you or someone you know is currently looking for local employment opportunities, we’ve created this list of job search engines for you to use.

Julie Singley

Program Manager, Community Impact

berkshireunitedway.org

What is 411 in the 413?

What is the 411 in the 413?  Ask Miss Hall’s student and Berkshire United Way intern, Meredith Hall, and she’ll say, “It’s a whole day dedicated to youth that gives us access to new opportunities and tools for after high school. Most teens don’t have the opportunity to miss a day of school to learn about such interesting things like pet first aid, or yoga with therapy balls.”

A collaboration between Berkshire United Way, Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, and Railroad Street Youth Project as part of the Berkshire Youth Development Project, the 13th annual 411 in the 413 Youth Conference will take place at the Berkshire Museum on Thursday, April 11.

The countywide conference, organized by and created for local teens, offers a unique opportunity for students from 14 high schools across Berkshire County to meet new people, delve into their passions, and discuss useful tools for navigating today’s world through a variety of workshops. The theme of this year’s conference is “Staying Afloat in the Modern World.”

A unique feature of this year’s event is keynote speaker, Regi Wingo, a Berkshire native and staff member at the Elizabeth Freeman Center, an organization which provides life renewing help to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

The conference aligns with Berkshire United Way’s efforts to provide young people with opportunities that will help them develop a plan for college or a career. For a look at what happens behind the scenes of the 411 in the 413, stay tuned for photos and updates on our Facebook page.

Talk with you soon!

Kat Toomey

Coordinator of Positive Youth Development

berkshireunitedway.org

Preparing kids for Kindergarten

Which of the following things helps prepare your child for Kindergarten?

• Talking and singing with your baby
• Playing with play dough
• Building things with blocks and legos
• Walking on a nature trail
• Learning your letters

     Of course, this is a trick question! The answer is everything you do with your child helps build skills needed for school readiness. Children need a variety of experiences from the time they are born to the time they enter school to gain background knowledge and build vocabulary.  Children (and adults!) learn from watching others, then doing. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.  Getting dirty is a bonus!

On Saturday April 6^th, from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm, Berkshire United Way will host the 7^th Annual School Readiness Fair in partnership with the Berkshire Athenaeum and Wee Read - special thanks to Mountain One for sponsoring the event!

Children and families will have the opportunity to play and learn at activity stations. We will have a Mad Scientist on hand to make glow bracelets and Pittsfield Public Schools will be onsite for Kindergarten registrations. 

Through our collaborations with partners throughout the county, we are committed to making sure children get the skills they need to succeed. Come join the fun! 

Karen Vogel

Director of Community Impact

berkshireunitedway.org