New Hoosac Valley CNA program with Integritus Healthcare and MassHire
Berkshire— The MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board announces a new and innovative pilot training of nine Hoosac Valley High School students under the Healthcare/ Behavioral Health HUBs grant administered by Commonwealth Corporation. In partnership with Integritus Healthcare, the students have successfully completed a five-week hybrid Certified Nursing Assistant training. Hoosac Valley administration celebrated with the students on March 28th as they received their certificates of completion at North Adams Commons.
“At Integritus Healthcare, we are committed to empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals by providing high-quality training and education in nursing. By equipping our youth with the skills and knowledge they need, we are not only shaping their futures but also strengthening the healthcare system in our region. Investing in their success means investing in the well-being of our entire community,” says Bryana Malloy, MassHire Berkshire Workforce Manager of Industry Relations.
“Our partnership with Integritus Healthcare has been critical to address the demand for entry-level healthcare workers. We are thrilled that Hoosac Valley students were able to participate in this pilot high school training to earn a healthcare certification and experience real-world clinical settings.” says Bryana Malloy, MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board Manager of Industry Relations.
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Mill Town Foundation announces 2025 Core Impact Award honorees
Pittsfield— Mill Town Foundation, in partnership with Pittsfield Public Schools and with additional support from the Feigenbaum Foundation, proudly announces the recipients of the 2025 Core Impact Awards, an initiative created to recognize and honor outstanding educators across the Pittsfield Public School District.
Established by Mill Town Foundation, the Core Impact Awards highlight the powerful influence of teachers and school staff who demonstrate excellence in student learning, innovation in the classroom, and contributions to the broader community. One full-time teacher or school staff from each of Pittsfield’s 14 public schools has been selected for this distinguished recognition.
The 2025 Core Impact Award winners are:
- Allendale Elementary – Morgan Zukowski
- Capeless Elementary – Lindsay Sayers
- Conte Community School – Senta Brodeur
- Crosby Elementary – Heather Topolski
- Crosby Academy – Tracy Kelleher
- Eagle Academy – Colleen Oleskiewicz
- Egremont Elementary – Gwenneth Featherstone
- Morningside Community School – Olivia Oberle
- Stearns Elementary – Brianna Sabato
- Williams Elementary – Samantha Farella
- Herberg Middle School – Mallory D’Aniello
- Reid Middle School – Pam Garwood
- Pittsfield High School – Ann Marie Mutz
- Taconic High School – Brittany Gardner
“These incredible educators are the backbone of our schools and a source of inspiration for our entire community,” said Andy Wrba, Program Director at Mill Town Foundation. “The Core Impact Awards aim to elevate their stories and recognize the meaningful and lasting difference they make every day.”
An awards celebration to honor the 2025 recipients will take place on May 27th in downtown Pittsfield, bringing together students, families, school leaders, and community members in celebration of Pittsfield’s educational excellence. For more information on the Core Impact Awards, visit www.milltownfoundation.org.
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Berkshire Grown welcomes Katie Rubright as Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market Program Manager
Great Barrington— Berkshire Grown welcomes Katie Rubright as Berkshire Mobile Farmers Market Program Manager.
After graduating from James Madison University with a B.A. in Art History, Rubright completed a B.F.A. and M.F.A. in Painting from CUNY Hunter College. To support herself while pursuing her education, Katie worked at the West Village gastropub, where she was first exposed to the importance of sourcing food locally and making seasonal menu changes. She credits the many chef friends she made in the restaurant industry with giving her a deep love and respect for the culinary aspects of food production.
Since moving to the Berkshires in 2022, Katie has thrown herself into the art, farming, and food access communities she is delighted to have found thriving here. She became an Associate Member of the Egremont Conservation Commission in July 2024.
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MountainOne Bank announces officer promotions
North Adams— MountainOne is proud to announce the promotion of six Mountaineers to Officer roles.
The new officers are:
- Heather Row, Vice President, Commercial Portfolio Manager
- Ryan Belanger, Assistant Vice President, Network and Systems Officer
- Gwenn Bishop, Assistant Vice President, Senior Mortgage Underwriter
- Erik Ray, Assistant Vice President, Community Banking Officer
- Kyle Shepard, Assistant Vice President, Operations Manager
- Sarah Bloom, Officer & Operations Analyst
“An Officer designation is more than a title; it is a recognition of talent, leadership, trust, and commitment to our mission, and the meaningful impact one has within our organization,” said Beth Petropulos, Senior Vice President, Senior HR, and SAFE Act Officer at MountainOne. “Heather, Ryan, Gwenn, Erik, Kyle, and Sarah have each demonstrated excellence in their roles and genuinely represent MountainOne’s core commitments. We are incredibly proud to celebrate their respective Officer promotions and look forward to all they will accomplish in the years to come.”
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BerkChique! 2025 raises almost $60,000 for Ventfort Hall and four other local non-profits
Lenox— BerkChique! 2025 was a huge success, raising almost $60,000 for Ventfort Hall and four other local nonprofits: Berkshire Art Center, Berkshire Humane Society, Community Access to the Arts, and WAM Theatre.
For the second year in a row, the Friday Night First Dibs party sold out. Everyone who attended had a big smile on their face. There was a palpable sense of joy, camaraderie, and community spirit in the air. The event brought hundreds of new visitors to Ventfort Hall, bringing attention to the work of restoring this Gilded Age cottage. The funds raised are urgently needed for ongoing restoration, including a much-needed paved parking area.
Donations of unsold clothing at the end of the sale went to the following Berkshire nonprofits: Elizabeth Freeman Center, Berkshire TransExchange, Catwalk, Wildflower Associates, BRIDGE, and ABC Clothing Shop.
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Downtown Pittsfield 2025 “Hey Neighbor!” summer marketing grants
Pittsfield— Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI), with funding from MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI), is launching the 2025 “Hey Neighbor!” marketing grant to spotlight and support downtown storefront businesses through coordinated cinema and radio marketing campaigns.
The program will award marketing grants to ten businesses in downtown Pittsfield. Grantees will receive custom video ads displayed before films at the Beacon Cinema from June through August 2025 and radio advertisements aired on WUPE/WBEC FM during the same period. This initiative aims to drive foot traffic, build community awareness, and showcase the diverse stories of Pittsfield’s small business community.
Applications are due Friday, May 30th at 11:59 p.m. Grant awardees will be announced on June 6th. More information can be found online.
