PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Family, community members and 18 Degrees stakeholders honored the accomplishments of eight participants of the 18 Degrees programming.
18 Degrees promotes family well-being through education, support, prevention and intervention, youth and community development, and foster care and adoption.
Pittsfield Community Connection and West Main Connection, programs of 18 Degrees, hosted the event to shine a light on the efforts these young adults made to enter a path of new beginnings, 18 Degrees President and CEO Stephanie Steed said.
The speakers commended the honorees for overcoming a variety of obstacles and balancing unexpected life changes while on their journey to success.
"They faced challenges, identified personal beliefs, set ambitious goals, and did the hard work to reach their personalized level of success," Steed said.
The speakers said these young adults overcame challenges from a pandemic, pregnancy, obtaining sobriety, and juggling family life and used their wisdom, strengths, and love of learning to obtain their goal.
The honorees achieved the goals they had set — whether it was obtaining a General Educational Development, enrolling in adult learning or college courses, receiving vocational training, earning employment, learning a skill, or volunteering.
"We're really hopeful that you feel a high level of pride and satisfaction in your work because we are here because we are proud of you and proud of your accomplishments," Steed said.
During the emotional ceremony, the honorees, mentors and families choked up as the awards were distributed.
This celebration would not have been possible without the dedicated 18 Degrees staff who serve as a connection point for many young people in the community, Youth and Community Development Vice President Bryan House said.
"Throughout 18 Degrees, we put much effort into utilizing what's called strength-based approaches in our work with young people," House said.
This approach refocuses interventions away from "immediate deficits to resources and strengths," he said.
A key component of the strength-based approach are the staff, families, and community members who supported the young adults while on their journey.
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Safety Solutions Proposed for Berkshire Mall Intersection
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — A speed bump and traffic mirror have been proposed at the reportedly problematic intersection of Old State Road and the Berkshire Mall entrance.
Last week, abutters approached the Select Board with concerns about drivers ignoring stop signs and speeding through the area. Target owns its building and is the lone business left on the property.
"When you turn into Old State Road, our driveways are right there," Judy Bennett said. "Nobody stops, nobody slows down to come around that corner. They go faster and that's where someone is going to get hurt."
Carl Bennett added, "We are taking our lives into our own hands when we pull out during the day."
The Old State Road bridge connects the mall and Old State Road to Route 8. Abutter Pauline Hunt would like to see it closed entirely, making the Connector Road the access point from Route 8.
"That entrance isn't necessary," she said.
"It's chaos. There's an entrance over by the bike path that would serve everybody, there would be no problem, and there are lights at the end of it, it's a dream to get into there. I don't see the reason that chaos is there."
Last week, abutters approached the Select Board with concerns about drivers ignoring stop signs and speeding through the area. Target owns its building and is the lone business left on the property.
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The Dalton Garage would open the doors to so many possibilities, members of the Fire District said during a walk-through of the building last week. click for more
Water runoff reaching the drainage outlet behind the property is flooding it, unable to reach an intermittent stream meant to carry that runoff. click for more
The $25,000 raised will directly assist the Berkshire Humane Society in funding its various programs aimed at improving the lives of animals in need throughout the Berkshire County area. click for more
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