The survey will help CDCSB focus professional technical assistance to businesses where they most need it in order to weather the economic impact of the pandemic.
Tag: Construct
Bits & Bytes: ‘The World of Peonies’; virtual run; dance discussion; cohousing documentary
The event can be completed while maintaining social distance in one’s own neighborhood, at a favorite running trail or park, or even on a treadmill.
Mayfest in Place to support affordable housing
Construct encourages posting a video on Facebook to show others that attending a fundraiser remotely can be fun while at the same time providing help to our most vulnerable neighbors.
Use Treasury checks to support the community
In a letter to the editor, Fred Clark writes, “I am going to do my part to rectify this situation by my actions and donate my stimulus check to support food, housing and medical support groups.”
Construct, Lenox and GB offer emergency rental assistance during COVID-19 pandemic
Both housing trusts are allocating funds received from the local Community Preservation Act surcharge and granted to the trust in previous annual town meetings.
News Brief: Lenox Affordable Housing Trust, Construct partner for COVID-19 emergency rental assistance
The partnership also ensures that residents will be connected to existing resources as need is demonstrated.
‘Warm Up the Winter’ to raise money for South County heating assistance
The show is a highlight of the local winter season and features well-known Berkshire artists.
Affordable housing misconceptions addressed
In a letter to the editor, Jonathan Hankin writes, “The Trust has a binding purchase and sale agreement that is contingent upon approval of the funding for the purchase by the May Annual Town Meeting.”
PROFILE: Berkshire Center for Justice offers legal help for those in need
Her exposure to other cultures, and how they deal with cultural and social issues, got Eve Schatz thinking: Could a holistic approach, to address a trinity of issues simultaneously, be employed? Her answer was a resounding “yes,” and the Berkshire Center for Justice was born.
‘Everything was pointing in this direction’: Pathways to the Trades is putting students to work
Participants will spend two to four afternoons per week working hands-on in the work world, on construction sites and working farms, earning both class credit and stipends, and learning skills in virtual and physical ‘makerspaces.’
Construct’s Walk into the Future utilizes community support to fight homelessness in South County
The annual Walks raise money, but more importantly, create an awareness of the struggles individuals in South County experience with finding housing.
‘Walk into the Future’ Sept. 22 with Construct
The current theme is “Walk into the Future” so that neighbors can remain hopeful knowing preventive measures can be taken to avoid a housing crisis.
Barrington panel eyes Housatonic School as site for office condos or child care
Economic development committee Chairman Steve Picheny wanted an update from town manager Mark Pruhenski on the environmental status of the building and then solicited thoughts from committee members about what uses they thought would suit the empty building.
Celebrate Construct: A summer evening for kids of all ages
There will be something for everyone starting with games and entertainment for the kids, and four bands onstage ending with a spectacular fireworks.
Bits & Bytes: Construct anniversary; Jewish Festival of Books; Quebe Sisters at Infinity Music Hall; ‘In Plain Site’
The Jewish Festival of Books’ opening night event Thursday, July 18, at 7 p.m. will feature an Egg Cream Eggstravaganza with Barry Joseph, author of “Seltzertopia: The Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary Drink.”
Construct Inc.: Celebrating 50 years of helping the homeless
“When I hear about 500 people on a waiting list to get housing that’s affordable, I think we all have a community obligation to step forward and solve this problem.” — Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lenox.
“It’s not just opinions flying around the room”: The Berkshire Conversation Project considers gun violence
One local group of about a dozen people has started a conversation about guns by learning how not to interrupt each other.
Interview with Chris Tucci of Railroad Street Youth Project, panelist at ‘Weed Is Here, Now What?’ forum
“Recreational cannabis means that we are talking about cannabis. That’s a good thing. Young people are asking unsolicited questions, neighbors are talking to each other. … We developed norms … We’re starting to talk about what does safe use look like for adults? What is the norm?” –Chris Tucci, Railroad Street Youth Project deputy director
Construct’s ‘Warm Up the Winter’ concert raises money for heating assistance in South County
For 50 years, Construct has remained a steady force in South County, providing folks assistance with affordable housing, housing stability, emergency financial assistance and transitional housing.
Bits & Bytes: ‘Outspoken’ at Hotchkiss; ‘Southern Berkshires Though Time’ at Mason Library; free tax prep at senior center; Crystal Products of the Frost King’; fuel assistance concert
On Saturday, Jan. 12, The Mason Library will host a PowerPoint presentation and talk by local historian and Edge contributor Gary Leveille about his new book ‘Southern Berkshires Through Time.’
Homeless in the Berkshires: One year later
Even though the folks at Construct tried to remain optimistic and right by my side, there were times I could see their optimism waiver, as it is a daunting task to find affordable housing in Berkshire County.
Bits & Bytes: ‘Studio 54’ at the Moviehouse; BSO at MCLA; Moors & McCumber at Dewey Hall; ‘Fantastic Terrors’ at Ventfort Hall; fuel assistance concert
As part of the BSO Community Chamber Concert series’ ongoing artistic exchange program, students from Berkshire Children and Families’ Kids 4 Harmony program will present a special pre-concert program at 2:30 p.m.
100 Bridge Street project receives more than $15 million in state funding for affordable housing
The funds will provide the final financing for the $17.2 million 100 Bridge Street project that will build 45 new affordable rental units and simultaneously remediate the entire 8-acre site.
Bits & Bytes: ‘Hairspray’ at Berkshire School; Money School; fuel assistance concert; ‘Lovers’ Spat: Round Two’; Eleanor Roosevelt lecture
Money School is an award-winning financial independence initiative designed to create long-term safety and economic security for survivors of domestic or sexual violence.
An interview with Jane Ralph, executive director of Construct Inc., easing the challenges of homelessness
According to the 2015 United States census, 25.1 percent of Great Barrington’s residents are considered low-income and 8.4 percent of town residents are actually living in poverty. Neighboring towns such as Stockbridge and Lenox have even higher rates.
Bits & Bytes: Annie Guthrie at the Egremont Barn; James Hatt at Stockbridge Library; video production workshop; Pine Woods to offer children’s activities; Baseball in the Berkshires’ educational programming
The Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative workshop will provide a foundation in the principles, techniques and equipment involved in film production.
Through HeatSmart Great Barrington offering affordable green energy home heating options
“Anything that can be done to help reduce heating costs for low-income people, and all of us, is really important.”
— Town Manager Jennifer Tabakin
NEWS BRIEF: Great Barrington to participate in residential clean heating program
Great Barrington will work with partner organizations to educate residents on financial aid programs that would help defray the costs of switching to more environmentally friendly heating sources.
Nadine Marjorie Forfa, 86, of Housatonic
Nadine volunteered at Head Start, Community Action and Construct. She also was a bowling coach for youths and adults at Cove Lanes in Great Barrington.
Bits & Bytes: ‘The Art of the String Quartet’; Construct’s MayFest; high school musicals celebration; Shakespeare summer training; ‘Tulipalooza II;’ Sisters for Peace fundraiser; BCC student in ’29 Who Shine’
The Summer Training Institute provides young actors the opportunity to immerse themselves in Shakespeare six days a week during the height of Shakespeare & Company’s summer performance season and is geared toward but not limited to undergraduate theater majors.
Volunteers in Medicine: Health care for those in need
There is an underbelly to the Berkshires that needs help with some fundamental issues of everyday life, like health care. Volunteers in Medicine is here to help.
Ernest Schnesel, 84
He was recently honored by Fairview Hospital and was an integral part of the building of Priscilla’s House at Construct.