WGBY Teen Program Returns for 4th Season

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SPRINGFIELD - The locally produced "Making It Here: TeenStyle" begin its fourth season Monday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m.

One of WGBY's most popular programs, it tells the stories of hard-working and creative teens from across western New England.

"The teens featured this season are all just getting into the work force, and they each offer a unique story about their experience with this process," said producer Meagan Murphy Forget.

Returning as hosts are Shelby Leshine, 17 of Longmeadow and Donnelle Tennyson, 19 of Springfield.

Among the enterprising teens profiled this season include Web designer Brendan Ciecko of South Hadley, who has created sites for the likes of Mick Jagger and Natalie Cole, and Valerie Jursek of Greenfield, who is an electrical lineman interning with Western Mass Electric Co.

Don "Toot" Cahoon, head coach of the nationally ranked University of Massachusetts hockey team, and chef Ana Jaramillo, a culinary instructor for Dean Technical High School, will be among the weekly professionals who talk about their experiences in getting started on a career path in the show's "Business 411" segment.


The popular "Backstage Pass" segment returns to "TeenStyle" with performances ranging from reggae to jazz by area teens with aspirations of careers in music. All of the performances from this season will be available for online streaming and many songs will be available for download.

Introduced in May 2005 to WGBY's lineup of local programming, "Making It Here: TeenStyle," shot entirely in high-definition, is designed to reach into the energetic youthful communities of western New England and profile enterprising teenagers and the work they do every day.

"TeenStyle has become one of WGBY's most successful local series. And it's not just teens watching the show; we hear from plenty of adults across the region who are impressed by what they see in the local teens we profile: a motivation and entrepreneurship that's rarely covered in the media," said executive producer Lynn Page.
 
WGBY continues to seek suggestions for teens to be featured; names of potential candidates may be submitted by clicking here.

WGBY is a community-supported public broadcasting organization.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Affordable Housing Initiatives Shine Light, Hope

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Housing Secretary Edward Augustus cuts the ribbon at The First on Thursday with housing officials and Mayor Peter Marchetti, state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The holidays are here and several community members are celebrating it with the opening of two affordable housing initiatives. 
 
"This is a day to celebrate," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said during the ribbon-cutting on Thursday. 
 
The celebration was for nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. 
 
The apartments will be leased out by Hearthway, with ServiceNet as a partner. 
 
Prior to the ribbon-cutting, public officials and community resource personnel were able to tour the two new permanent supported housing projects — West Housatonic Apartments and The First Street Apartments and Housing Resource Center
 
The First Street location has nine studio apartments that are about 300 square feet and has a large community center. The West Housatonic Street location will have 28 studio units that range between 300 to 350 square feet. All units can be adapted to be ADA accessible. 
 
The West Housatonic location is still under construction with the hope to have it completed by the middle of January, said Chris Wilett, Hearthway development associate.
 
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