Nelson Fernandez joins VIM Berkshires as Director of Communications and Public Affairs
Great Barrington— Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires (VIM Berkshires) welcomes Nelson Fernandez to its staff as director of communications and public affairs. Fernandez has more than 30 years’ experience in providing communications and public affairs expertise to corporate and nonprofit clients both in the U.S. and Latin America.
In his new role, Fernandez will become a key member of VIM’s management team and lead efforts to raise awareness of VIM’s impact on the region. He will be responsible for deepening community and business partnerships, engaging public policy stakeholders, and driving both internal and external communications.
“As a volunteer at VIM this past year, I was able to see the direct impact VIM makes in the lives of our patients. By providing free healthcare to those who are ineligible for insurance and connecting them, as needed, to other community-based services like local housing, education, and food security organizations, VIM makes our community healthier, safer, and more responsive to the needs of our neighbors,” says Fernandez. “I am honored to be a part of the extraordinary team of medical staff and volunteers that make VIM truly unique and look forward to working with them as they continue to deliver healthcare services to the most vulnerable.”
Fernandez is president and CEO of Crosby Street Consultants, a communications and public affairs consultancy. He also served in leadership roles at several leading global communications agencies, including Burson-Marsteller and APCO Worldwide. Fernandez has counseled many nonprofits in his career including the Nature Conservancy, the Urban Fellows Program, the YMCA of Greater New York, and Cause Effective. He also serves on the board of Xavier High School, a Jesuit college preparatory school in New York City. He is a graduate of Amherst College and the School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton.
“We are so excited to add Nelson to our team, especially as VIM prepares to launch in Pittsfield,” says Ilana Steinhauer, Executive Director of VIM. “As we continue to meet the growing demand for free, compassionate, and integrated healthcare services, Nelson will help us engage volunteers, allies, and funders – both current and new – who are vital to the sustainability of the organization.”
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Berkshire HorseWorks, Inc. receives grants from REEF and Berkshire Bank to bring critical equine education therapy to students
Richmond— Berkshire HorseWorks, Inc., a 501c3 mission-driven nonprofit, which has offered Eagala Model equine assisted psychotherapy, equine assisted learning, equine assisted team building, and other therapeutic and recreational activities with horses for 10 years, has secured funding through two generous grants, $500.00 from REEF and $1,500.00 from Berkshire Bank to support local schools in Berkshire County with social-emotional learning and academic support. The news was announced by Hayley Sumner, founder and executive director.
Thanks to the Richmond Educational Enrichment Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, 3rd graders from the Richmond School will engage in a day of experiential equine assisted learning (EAL) and team building (EAT) at the seven-acre ranch, which will complement existing life skills programming in the classroom. The workshop will focus on developing tools such as effective communication, accountability, problem-solving techniques, and creative thinking, and will integrate students who may or may not have an IEP, but share the need for additional support through an alternative modality.
The second grant for $1,500.00 from Berkshire Bank will provide at-risk children from the Pittsfield school district who have demonstrated a below average reading score and are in jeopardy of falling behind academically. The statistics for Berkshire County for reading proficiency are all lower than the state average for Massachusetts. Berkshire HorseWorks’s Horse Powered Reading program (HPR) uses the Eagala Model of Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) as the foundation for integrating social-emotional learning with academics. The eight-week strength-based, experiential program uses horses in ground-based metaphorical activities in the arena to complement existing school-based learning. HPR provides children with the tools to excel by experiencing reading with their entire mind, body and emotions. Rescue horses and donkeys are engaged as partners to support students with or without an IEP as they identify obstacles and work on five critical reading skills: phonetic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.
“We are so appreciative of the support of these organizations as we could not deliver this critical programming without them. Our focus this year is to attract more corporate engagement through Board participation and team building initiatives so that we can support the funding already allocated,” stated Sumner.
BHW has recently expanded into the educational space, with the introduction of Horse Powered Reading and Math curricula. All experiential programming for children, families, and those at risk with mental health and behavioral challenges is funded through grants, donations, and direct pay from corporate team building and recreational activities including trail ride lessons. Call 413-698-3700 or email info@berkshirehorseworks.com for more information.
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BHS partners to launch support group for expecting women of color
Pittsfield— Berkshire Health Systems, in partnership with Springfield Family Doulas, is providing a new support group for birthing parents in the perinatal period, the months before and after the birth of their child, that is specifically focused on the needs and experiences of families of color.
Black women are up to four times more likely than white women to die from a pregnancy-related cause in the US due to a range of factors, including structural racism. In Massachusetts, black women are nearly two times more likely to die during pregnancy or within one year postpartum compared to white women. Black women also have a 70% greater risk of health-impacting and life-threatening events that could occur during hospitalization for childbirth than their white counterparts.
Funded through a grant from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office’s Maternal Health Equity Program, the “Embrace Diversity Birth Circle” support group is facilitated by black doulas and offered to all birthing parents of color. The group is designed to provide a culturally relevant space where birthing parents of color will feel heard, understood, validated, and empowered.
“Embrace Diversity Birth Circle: Supporting Women of Color” will be held on the second Thursday of each month at Berkshire Medical Center. This free support group will be held in the Bishop Clapp Building Conference Room from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will be co-facilitated by Laconia Fennell and Tanita Council, the co-founders of Springfield Family Doulas.
The new support group is part of the Berkshire Cradle Program, a collaboration between BHS, Berkshire Nursing Families, and Springfield Family Doulas designed to expand culturally competent maternal health support for pregnant and postpartum birthing people from underserved populations. By creating new clinical and community resources for birthing people, Berkshire Cradle aims to reduce health disparities and decrease unnecessary health care spending among birthing parents in the Berkshires.
In addition to the Embrace Diversity Birth Circle, Berkshire Cradle Program connects to birthing people through its partners at Berkshire Health Systems and Berkshire Nursing Families to offer comprehensive lactation resources, peer mental health support, screening for intimate partner violence amongst birthing people with substance use disorder, and annual provider education of health disparities relating to birthing people.
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Adams Community Bank announces changes in Commercial Senior Team
Adams— Adams Community Bank (ACB) announces the retirement of Senior VP of Commercial Lending Donna Palma and the promotion of Tracy McConnell to succeed Palma.
After a career in banking spanning an impressive 47 years, Palma now enjoys a well-deserved, planned retirement. Palma has been an integral part of the ACB leadership team since March 2013, when she joined the Bank. Her expertise, dedication, and leadership have played a pivotal role in establishing the Bank as a trusted financial partner for businesses in Berkshire County. Palma’s impact extends to the Berkshire communities we serve. She is a past member of numerous boards, including 1Berkshire, the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, and the Pittsfield Rotary Club.
“We are grateful for Donna’s many years of service and her positive impact on our Commercial Lending division and the entire Bank,” stated Charlie O’Brien, ACB President and CEO. “The success and growth we’ve experienced in commercial lending can be directly attributed to her strategic vision and unwavering commitment to excellence. Our commercial lending portfolio increased 136% during Donna’s tenure.”
Palma expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Bank and its clients, saying, “It has been an honor to be part of ACB and work alongside such dedicated colleagues. I am proud of what we have achieved together and am confident in the continued success of the Commercial Lending team under Tracy’s guidance.”
Tracy McConnell, recently promoted to SVP of Commercial Lending, joined ACB three years ago with 25 years of experience in the banking industry. McConnell holds a bachelor’s degree from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) and received her Master of Banking diploma from Stonier Nation Graduate School of Banking at UPENN. She has also earned various banking-related diplomas from the American Bankers Association (ABA) banking school. McConnell is on the AJY Fund and United Cerebral Palsy Boards, an Advisory Committee Chair for the Business Technology department at Charles H. McCann Technical School, and a North Adams Rotary Club member.
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The Berkshire County Historical Society introduces new directors and officers
Pittsfield— On December 14th, the Berkshire County Historical Society held its annual meeting at the historic Country Club of Pittsfield. At the meeting, seven new Directors were elected to the board.
The new directors are:
- Heather Archibald
- Matthew Brogan
- Linda Cantoni
- Michael Dell’Aquila
- Cornelius Hoss
- Sarah Trudgeon
- Jenna Ware
Also, a new slate of officers was elected:
- John Hamilton, President
- Cynthia Farr Brown, Vice President
- Robert Salerno, Treasurer
- Sharon Coe, Secretary
Since its founding in 1962, the Berkshire County Historical Society has preserved and shared the memories of our communities including photographs, manuscripts, artifacts, and oral histories illustrating the amazing histories of this region. For over forty years, the Historical Society has preserved Herman Melville’s Arrowhead, a National Historic Landmark they are honored to share with the world.
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MountainOne Insurance expands to Stockbridge and hires two local insurance industry veterans
Stockbridge— MountainOne Insurance Agency is pleased to announce its expansion into the Southern Berkshire County market with the opening of the agency’s newest location at 31 Main Street, Stockbridge on January 2nd.
With this expansion, MountainOne is also pleased to announce the appointment of two industry veterans to the agency, Tim Minkler and Libby Peyron. Both are longtime residents of Stockbridge and well-known local insurance professionals.
“We are excited to welcome Tim and Libby as our newest Mountaineers,” said Jonathan Denmark, President & COO, MountainOne Insurance. “Their vast experience and deep industry knowledge will be a great asset to our customers and to MountainOne. No one knows the Stockbridge and Southern Berkshire County market better than they do, and from insurance needs to community engagement, they’ll help to ensure we are meeting the needs of the local community in every possible way.”
Minkler and Peyron are delighted to remain in their office space where they can continue serving the Stockbridge community in this new role. “The Minkler family has served the Stockbridge community from this same office on Main Street since the inception of Minkler Insurance Agency in 1965,” said Minkler. “I’ve truly enjoyed carrying on the family legacy over the years. And as we enter the next chapter of the Minkler legacy, MountainOne is a perfect fit.”
Peyron agrees. “MountainOne Insurance delivers a small agency feel backed by a very sophisticated operation, and that’s just the right mix for the Stockbridge community. Furthermore, MountainOne’s culture is a great fit for us, and we already feel at home.”
The new location sits across from the Red Lion Inn and adjacent to The Lost Lamb Patisserie and Snackerie. Denmark added, “We are proud to be situated right on Main Street amongst so many community gems, including the historic Red Lion Inn. Stockbridge is known far and wide for its art and culture, as well as its cozy, small town feel. It’s a remarkably welcoming atmosphere to live and work. We are experiencing that firsthand, and we’re excited to offer the same to the Stockbridge community as we welcome you into our doors.”
MountainOne has helped customers navigate the landscape of banking, insurance, and investments for almost two centuries. It has deep roots in Berkshire County with MountainOne Insurance dating back to 1867, and MountainOne Bank to 1848.
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Berkshire Community College expands food security support as campus cupboard sees increase in student participation
Berkshire Community College expands food security support
Pittsfield— Berkshire Community College (BCC), in recognition of the steady need for food security assistance among its students, faculty, and staff, has developed new partnerships and has secured additional funding for its support services in this area.
BCC recently became a member of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and is one of the first college campuses in the state to be members. As such, it enjoys additional benefits for its campus community. For example, BCC staff can now pick up food orders from the food bank to support students and their families. The food bank also assists the College in accessing resources such as the Commonwealth’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Outreach initiative and other nutrition providers.
In addition, using funds provided by an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant, BCC installed a community refrigerator as a complement to its Campus Cupboard operations. The Campus Cupboard, available to any BCC community member who needs supplemental food assistance, provides non-perishable food items, snacks, toiletries, household products, and more. The Campus Cupboard also partners with the Berkshire Community Diaper Project to provide diapers and wipes for students who may need help obtaining them for their children.
In response to a significant increase in participation in the Campus Cupboard, BCC upgraded shelving units to add more food options, installed a cabinet dedicated to toiletries, and created meal kits for students to take home. An easy-to-use digital check-in process captures data that can help support visitors in additional ways.
BCC’s Student Engagement department also continues to provide students with financial assistance related to food security. Using a case management approach, the College assists students with temporary support before creating a long-term plan of action. This assistance includes providing access to other food assistance programs throughout Berkshire County, as well as transportation and housing resources. Events and workshops help students register for SNAP, get meal kits, and engage in support conversations with the Essential Needs Advisory Group. For more information, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/essentialneeds.
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Application now open for 10th year of the Local Farmer Awards for infrastructure improvements
Berkshire— Farmers in Western Massachusetts are invited to apply for Local Farmer Awards of up to $2,500.
The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation (HGCF), in partnership with Big Y and the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture along with the support of other funders, is entering the tenth year of the awards program which has helped more than 260 farmers carry out a total of 572 projects. The Three County Fair is a new addition to the group of funders this year.
These awards are for capital/infrastructure improvement projects related to planting, growing, harvesting, and processing that will help farms compete in the marketplace. The awards helped farmers make necessary improvements such as upgrading electric fencing, purchasing no-till equipment, expanding irrigation, installing frost-free water systems, purchasing feed troughs, and applying shade cloths for greenhouses.
Charlie D’Amour, CEO of Big Y, says “’We’re honored and pleased to be able to support our local farmers and their families with these practical and impactful grants. Seeing how these awards are creatively and intelligently applied not only highlights the resiliency of our local farm community but underscores the needs and support we can provide.”
To be eligible, farms must have gross sales of $10,000 and be located in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, or Berkshire County. For a full list of eligibility requirements and application information, farmers are encouraged to visit www.farmerawards.org. The deadline for applying is January 31st.
