Adams Community Bank announces the promotion of Kaylin Choquette to Vice President Mortgage Origination
Adams— Adams Community Bank (ACB) is pleased to announce the promotion of Kaylin Choquette to Vice President Mortgage Originations.
Choquette is an experienced mortgage loan originator with 15 years in the business, eight of which have been at Adams Community Bank. Over the last five years, Choquette has been recognized as a top mortgage officer in Berkshire County based on mortgage production by volume, steadily moving from third to number one in 2023. The Bank has recognized her dedication to ACB and expertise through two promotions and nominations for ACB’s Customer of Excellence and Essence of Leadership Awards.
Choquette is a graduate of UMass Amherst. She actively volunteers in the community, including working closely with the Berkshire County Board of Realtors and the Westside Legends in Pittsfield to support and promote home ownership locally.
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BFAIR announces promotions of Kaitlyn Moresi to Vice President of Clinical Services and Christine Meiklejohn to Senior Director of Residential Services
North Adams— BFAIR is proud to announce the promotions of Kaitlyn Moresi to Vice President of Clinical Services and Christine Meiklejohn to Senior Director of Residential Services.
Kaitlyn Moresi brings a wealth of expertise to her new role as Vice President of Clinical Services. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and science Disorders from The College of Saint Rose and a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with a minor in Autism from Endicott College. Kaitlyn is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a licensed Applied Behavior Analyst in Massachusetts.
Kaitlyn began her career providing in-home ABA therapy with Positive Behavior Supports Corporation and later served as a BCBA for the Hoosac Valley Regional School District. She joined BFAIR in 2022 as the Director of Clinical Services, where she made significant strides in advancing the organization’s clinical programming. Beyond her professional achievements, Kaitlyn is deeply committed to community engagement. A graduate of The Berkshire Leadership Program in 2024, she serves on the Fundraising Committee for No Paws Left Behind and the board of the Love of T Foundation.
Christine Meiklejohn, who has been with BFAIR for nine years, has been promoted to Senior Director of Residential Services. In this role, she will oversee both the ABI and DDS Residential Services departments, continuing her work to expand residential programming and support individuals transitioning from nursing homes to community living. Currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Christine plans to further her education by obtaining a master’s degree.
Christine’s dedication to BFAIR’s mission is evident in her hands-on approach, participating on numerous agency committees and volunteering at community events. She is an active advocate for livable wages and respect of the work of Direct Support Professionals through the Providers Council’s Caring Force initiative and works tirelessly to represent the interests of the people BFAIR serves.
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Berkshire Pride welcomes North Adams Pride, introduces Lee Pride, and incorporates the Berkshire chapter of Drag Story Hour
Pittsfield— Berkshire Pride is thrilled to announce exciting developments aimed at fostering inclusivity and community growth throughout Berkshire County. These updates include the integration of North Adams Pride, the introduction of Lee Pride, and the incorporation of Drag Story Hour, Berkshire Chapter, as an official program of Berkshire Pride.
Since its founding in 2021, North Adams Pride has been a vibrant force in the northern Berkshires, hosting beloved events like the annual Pride Night and Northern Lights Ball. Now, the organizations will work together to unify resources, expand programming, and continue uplifting the LGBTQIA+ community in North County.
Berkshire Pride announces Lee Pride, in alignment with its commitment to broaden representation and inclusion. This new initiative will focus on serving the LGBTQIA+ community in Lee and surrounding areas, fostering connection through events that celebrate diversity and inclusion.
Berkshire Pride is proud to welcome Drag Story Hour, Berkshire Chapter, as a program of Berkshire Pride. With its unique mission of fostering literacy and imagination while celebrating diversity, this initiative will bring joyful and affirming experiences to LGBTQIA+ youth and families across the region.
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Berkshire Community College’s Director of Academic Advising Lyndsay Isham-Morton wins prestigious award
Pittsfield— Berkshire Community College (BCC) is pleased to announce that Director of Academic Advising and Coaching Lyndsay Isham-Morton is the winner of the “Region 1 Excellence in Advising – Advising Administrator Award” from NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising. Isham-Morton will be recognized at a conference in April.
As director of academic advising and coaching, a position she has held at BCC since 2021, Isham-Morton has overseen the unification of advising and coaching into one integrated team. She led this work, which is aligned with BCC’s strategic plan, to support students, especially those from historically marginalized communities. She has also spearheaded innovation through the creation of advising learning outcomes, and she led the implementation of an online navigation system that streamlines advising processes and helps the College react quickly to student needs.
“Lyndsay exemplifies the qualities of a compassionate and dedicated leader who fosters strong relationships with her team, faculty, staff and students,” said Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Adam Klepetar.
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NAACP Berkshire County Branch announces the 2025 Freedom Fund Awards Ceremony
Pittsfield— The NAACP Berkshire County Branch will host the 2025 Freedom Fund Award Ceremony on Saturday, January 25th at 5 p.m. at Berkshire Hills Country Club.
Guests are welcome to celebrate and support Berkshire-based youth and honor individuals who have made significant contributions toward promoting freedom and equality in our community and beyond. The event begins with a lively cocktail hour, a delicious dinner, and an award ceremony. This uplifting evening will conclude with a dance party featuring music by DJ Jimmy Hall.
This year’s keynote speaker is the acclaimed filmmaker and activist, Keith A. Beauchamp, renowned for his groundbreaking documentary “The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till” and critically acclaimed film “Till.” Guiding us through the evening as Master of Ceremonies will be the dynamic Dr. Alana Harte.
The Freedom Fund Committee is proud to announce the following 2025 Freedom Fund Award recipients:
- Keith A. Beauchamp – W.E.B. Du Bois Freedom Fund Award
- Greylock Federal Credit Union Leadership Team – The President Allyship Freedom Fund Award
- Raei Bridges – Jahaira DeAlto Freedom Fund Award
- Shawn Stevens – Dorothy “Aunt Dot” Davids Indigenous Peoples’ Freedom Fund Award
- Dr. Will Singleton – President Mentorship Freedom Fund Award
- Malachi Perry – Emmett Till Youth Freedom Fund Award
“This annual celebration allows us to spotlight remarkable individuals whose dedication and vision have profoundly impacted our communities,” said NAACP Berkshire County Branch President Dennis Powell. “Their work exemplifies the power of leadership and the importance of fostering equity and inclusion, inspiring all of us to continue building a more just and vibrant future.”
Community members are encouraged to participate in this unforgettable celebration of resilience, justice, and community. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased online at naacpberkshires.org/freedom-fund-awards-ceremony-2025/. Sponsorships and tables are also available by emailing naacpberkshirecounty@gmail.com. Donations may be made online at naacpberkshires.org/donate, or by mailing a check to NAACP Berkshire County Branch, P.O. Box 605, Pittsfield, MA 01202.
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Seeing Rainbows doubles year-one funding in first two weeks of 2025 with grant from Berkshire United Way
Pittsfield— Berkshire United Way has awarded a $5,000 Venture Grant, the largest that Seeing Rainbows, a Berkshire-based trans-led and -operated nonprofit, has yet received from a local organization. This is in addition to the recently awarded $10,000 grant from the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation for inclusive and accessible outdoor recreation events, in support of Seeing Rainbows’ continuing 2025 program of weekly “Berkshire Trans Hikes.” Between these two awards, the less-than-eight-month-old organization’s fundraising now totals nearly twice the roughly $8,000 raised in their inaugural year.
“We’re feeling incredibly optimistic coming into our first full year with this kind of support. Less than two weeks into the year, and we’ve already exceeded what we raised in our first 7 months — and this funding means so much to our community,” says co-founder and executive director, maayan nuri héd (name intentionally lowercase.) “This funding allows us to dedicate even more of our time and energy to our mission: building a liberated community for trans folx in the Berkshires.”
Katherine von Haefen, Director of Community Impact at Berkshire United Way contributed, “Berkshire United Way is thrilled to partner with Seeing Rainbows to expand critical services such as mutual aid, opportunities for creative expression and building community. Our community volunteers who review and determine our funding believe in the importance of this new partnership to ensure Berkshire County is a welcoming, safe place for all.”
This award is the first announced in 2025, and the only institutional support thus far for the organization’s general operating expenses. Since July, Seeing Rainbows has received a total of four institutional grants, beginning with a $1,000 grant from the New England Grassroots Environmental Fund, also in support of hikes; $500 from Greylock Federal Credit Union issued in September to support the organization’s mutual aid programs; and $10,000 announced in November from the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation for the continuation of the weekly hiking program into 2025.
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Berkshire HorseWorks secures grants from Berkshire Taconic Foundation for literacy and mental health
Richmond— As we enter the new year, many children from marginalized communities throughout Berkshire County will receive access to Berkshire HorseWorks’s Eagala Model, experiential programs: Ranch Life 101 and Horse Powered Reading. These projects are supported through grants from the Central Berkshire Fund, Greylock ABC Fund, and William J. & Margery S. Barrett Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Foundation, and will help children navigate academic and social-emotional learning challenges.
The Central Berkshire Fund and William J. & Margery S. Barrett Fund, granted $5,000 and $9,000 respectively and will cover enrollment for one week of the Ranch Life 101 summer program. Specifically, Central Berkshire will provide full scholarships to seven children from Becket, Cummington, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Washington, and Windsor, while the William J. & Margery S. Barrett Fund will support 15 children from Adams, Cheshire, and Savoy; who would not otherwise have access to the program. The Ranch Life 101 improves emotional intelligence, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills.
The $7,500 granted by the Greylock ABC Fund will ensure access for 25 students of color and/or low socioeconomic status from Reid Middle School to BHW’s Horse Powered Reading Program. Students with or without an IEP will navigate social-emotional challenges interfering with their education as they identify obstacles and work on five critical reading skills: phonetic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. This innovative program is highly efficacious in improving reading skills and self-confidence, enhancing motivation and attitude toward learning.
