NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Northern Berkshire United Way Executive Director Christa Collier will leave her post and take a position with the Massachusetts Children's Alliance.
Collier took to social media Wednesday to announce that she accepted a position with Massachusetts Children's Alliance (MACA) as the Director of Training, Education and Special Initiatives after nearly six years as the Northern Berkshire United Way (NBUW) executive director.
"The past six years, it has been an honor to serve the community where I was born, raised and where we raised our son (now in college)," she wrote. "I have met new people, made new friends, all while learning about the realities our community members and organizations face each day."
Collier will leave the NBUW in mid-March.
The NBUW Board of Directors announced the appointment of Duffy Judge as Interim Executive Director.
"We're excited to work with Duffy," said Leah Thompson, board president. "We are thankful to Christa for all of the good work she has accomplished here in the past 5+ years and we wish her all the best."
Judge comes to NBUW from Berkshire United Way in Pittsfield where he has served as Development Manager since July 2017.
"It has been a wonderful experience at Berkshire United Way, but I yearn to serve the community in which I have raised a family, Northern Berkshire," Judge said. "This opportunity would allow me to have a direct impact on people I interact with every day and that would be the absolute ideal for me."
NBUW named Collier executive director in 2016. Prior to her appointment, she served as the executive director of the Kids Place and Violence Prevention Center in Pittsfield.
“I’m tremendously proud of everything that Northern Berkshire United Way has accomplished during the past six years,” Collier said.
These accomplishments include initiatives such as Operation Warm and the Born Learning Trail and facilitating the Northern Berkshire Housing and Homelessness Collaborative.
“I am confident that the organization is in good hands and will continue its transformational work,” Collier said.
MACA, an organization that helps victims of child abuse, is an accredited state chapter of the National Children's Alliance (NCA) and membership organization of the 12 Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) in Massachusetts.
"I am looking forward to the opportunity to return to the child advocacy field and to collaborate with a community of colleagues I admire," she wrote. "In my new role I will serve as the Director of Training, Education and Special Initiatives."
Collier indicated that she still plans to serve on some local committees and boards. She is also open to volunteer opportunities.
The Board plans to announce a search for a permanent Executive Director in the coming months.
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NBSU Wraps Step Up Program With Ice Cream and Games
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Many of the children, and a few adults, were sporting painted faces.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Northern Berkshire School Union wrapped up its summer camp last Thursday with what's becoming an annual event: a school community night at Clarksburg School.
That meant a bounce house, music, dunk tank and lots and lots of activities — plus ice cream and hot dogs for dinner.
"Oh, it's fantastic. They do a really good job," said one Monroe parent as her daughter waited for a balloon animal.
The five-week summer camp program is open to children in the school districts of Clarksburg, Florida, Monroe, Rowe and Savoy.
The program is funded through a grant from the United Way Summer Step Up Program, through the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley with the support of Northern Berkshire United Way.
"I love this event because it brings our community partners together. It showcases all the things that we do during the summer camp. Jordan [Rennell] puts together a great program for all of our kids in our four schools," said Assistant Superintendent Tara Barnes. "And this is an extension of that where we are able to bring in our community partners and our families into one venue and really do this for the kids.
"Which, as you can see, are having a blast. Parents are having fun, too."
Northern Berkshire School Union wrapped up its summer camp last Thursday with what's becoming an annual event: a school community night at Clarksburg School. click for more
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