Roots Rising awarded $7,5000 MassDevelopment grant
PITTSFIELD — MassDevelopment has awarded a $7,500 grant to Roots Rising for the development of its new urban youth farm in Pittsfield, with funds going to support community engagement, land assessment, farm research, and business planning. The urban farm’s mission will focus on youth development and food justice; providing meaningful work for disadvantaged teens; addressing food insecurity within Pittsfield, including by selling food grown at the farm at Roots Rising farmers markets at affordable prices; and creating a green hub for the community. The funds are awarded through MassDevelopment’s Commonwealth Places COVID-19 Response Round: Resurgent Places, which was made available specifically to assist local economic recovery efforts as community partners prepare public spaces and commercial districts to serve residents and visitors.
Created in 2016, Commonwealth Places aims to engage and mobilize community members to make individual contributions to placemaking projects, with the incentive of a funding match from MassDevelopment if the crowdfunding goal is reached. In response to the pandemic, MassDevelopment announced the opening of the first COVID-19 Response Round: Resurgent Places in June 2020, and from August–October 2020 awarded $224,965 in funding for 21 projects across the state.
In December 2020, MassDevelopment announced the availability of $390,000 in funding for a second Response Round. Nonprofits and other community groups can apply to MassDevelopment for seed grants of $250–$7,500 to fund inclusive community engagement, visioning, and local capacity building that will support future placemaking efforts, or implementation grants of up to $50,000 to execute a placemaking project. For implementation grants, up to $10,000 per project may be awarded as an unmatched grant; awards greater than $10,000 must be matched with crowdfunding donations. More information about the program is available online.
—A.K.
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Berkshire Grown winter farmers market continues through April in Housatonic
HOUSATONIC — Berkshire Grown’s next winter farmers market will take place at the Housy Dome Saturday, Jan. 15 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. For the safety of all vendors and shoppers, masks are required in the market. For shoppers who would like to purchase fresh local produce, meat, and eggs, but do not want to shop in person, Berkshire Grown offers online shopping through WhatsGood, with curbside pickup at the Housy Dome. The number of people in the market space will be limited at any one time to allow for social distancing.
Shoppers are encouraged to plan ahead by making a shopping list and sending only one household member to the market.
The Great Barrington indoor winter markets will continue to run on the third Saturday of the month through April 16. Market vendors may vary from month to month, but locally grown and produced foods are always available. The Housy Dome is located at 1064 Main Street in Housatonic and is included on the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority BRTA route #21.
Admission to the Farmers Markets is free and SNAP is accepted with a 100-percent match, available at the Market Manager’s table. For shoppers using SNAP, Berkshire Grown is authorized to process the Healthy Incentive Program (HIP), adding extra money to EBT wallets for fruits and vegetables on top of regular SNAP benefits. SNAP may also be used with online pre-orders.
—A.K.
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ACA open enrollment ends January 23; CHP available to assist
GREAT BARRINGTON — The deadline for enrollment in state-subsidized Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance plans is January 23, and the Community Health Programs (CHP) enrollment team is available to assist customers.
Unlike in previous years, the open enrollment period will not be extended this year in Massachusetts. However, federal COVID-19 relief funding provides qualified applicants with additional monthly premium assistance.
William Cruz, who heads up the CHP insurance enrollment team, said his staff is booking appointments to help people who need to sign up for ACA plans for the first time, as well as those who wish to review their existing ACA plans.
The CHP team is also available for a wide range of insurance help and support throughout the year. Health insurance is mandatory for Massachusetts residents, and the Massachusetts Health Connector program connects residents with plans serving their geographical region.
For an appointment with a CHP enrollment specialist, call 413-717-6268 or email enrollment@chpberkshires.org.
—A.K.
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CHP offers online support group for parents of children with special needs
GREAT BARRINGTON — Parents and caregivers of school-age children with special needs are invited to join a free, weekly online support group to talk about their experiences and connect with other caregivers.
The meetings take place Wednesdays from 9-10 a.m., via Zoom, and are facilitated by Rania Markham, a social media intern with CHP Family Services. The group is open to any parents or caregivers in Berkshire County. Pre-registration is required.
“Raising a child with special needs can be challenging, even in the best of times,” said Markham. “And especially during the pandemic, feelings of isolation have been overwhelming for many families. This group provides support, camaraderie, and caregiver connections.”
Interested participants are asked to email chpplaygroups@chpberkshires.org or call 413-528-0457 to register.
—A.K.
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Nominations open for 5th-annual Berkshire Nonprofit Awards
GREAT BARRINGTON – The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires, in partnership with The Berkshire Eagle, will host the 5th annual Berkshire Nonprofit Awards Tuesday, May 24 at 8:30 a.m. The awards recognize work being done by individuals in the nonprofit sector. Representative William “Smitty” Pignatelli will co-host the 45-minute Zoom event.
Nominations are being solicited from across the Berkshires in seven categories: Executive Leadership, Board Leadership, Rock Star, Unsung Hero, Volunteer, Youth Leadership and Lifetime Achievement. One honoree in each category will be chosen by a panel of judges and profiled in a special section in The Berkshire Eagle. Nominations are due by February 28.
As part of the 2022 awards event, NPC will again give away a $3,000 cash prize to one nonprofit chosen at random from those in attendance. Music in Common will also return with a performance from its newest program, The Black Legacy Project.
The NPC is currently seeking sponsors for this celebratory event.
—A.K.
