ROPE to Host Ghana Experience Event

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Rites of Passage & Empowerment (R.O.P.E.) program will host its Ghana 2024 Experience event at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC), 45 Woodlawn Ave., Pittsfield.  
 
The program, which is free and open to the public, will feature reflections from R.O.P.E. scholars and ambassadors who traveled to Accra, Ghana in July for the group's bi-annual service-learning trip. Following the program, Ghanaian-themed refreshments will be available. 
 
"R.O.P.E.'s journey to varied regions of Ghana continues to be transformative. Having this educational experience greatly impacts our Mentees identity, self-esteem and increases their knowledge of history as well as their awareness as global citizens," said R.O.P.E. Founder Shirley Edgerton. "We invite you to hear their stories as well as some of the committed and impressive Mentors and family members that journeyed with our Mentees across the Atlantic Ocean." 
 
Founded in 2010 by Edgerton, R.O.P.E. is a proven mentoring program for adolescent girls of color, providing them with the skills and knowledge to enrich their personal development and expand their global awareness.  
 
During the 14-day trip, R.O.P.E. scholars and ambassadors engaged with young Ghanaians at the Oak Tree Orphanage and School and visited multiple historic sites in the country's capital city, Accra, as well as sites in Cape Coast and Kumasi. 
 
For more information, contact Edgerton at 413-496-4602. 
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Dalton Public Safety Advisory Committee Ranks Potential Properties

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Use of town-owned lots near the Senior Center would require a town meeting vote as housing had been designated a priority for the former school property. 
DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Advisory Committee has ranked four properties to consider during its feasibility study on locations for a new police station. Two have existing structures, including a residential property, and the others are vacant lots.
 
The committee ranked the locations based on a quantitative scoring and weighting process, considering the properties' location, projected cost, size, and whether it is purchase or lease and whether it's vacant or has an existing structure. 
 
Jacunski Humes Architects LLC of Berlin, Conn., selected to conduct the study, will assess what is needed for an efficient and accredited public safety facility at each site. This will include cost estimates and consideration of scenarios such as building a new facility on a green site, remodeling an existing building, and demolishing and rebuilding potential sites. 
 
The property that obtained the highest rank was First Congregational Church's addition, which has offices in the basement with a walkout and some offices on the second floor on the south end. 
 
According to committee co-Chair Craig Wilbur, purchasing or leasing the property is up for negotiation. The congregation has the 2,600 square foot space listed on for lease on its website. 
 
There is also the possibility of constructing a building farther to the east of the existing church using some of the green space and parking lot. 
 
The committee is unsure if the parking lot is available for consideration but opted to keep it on the list so the architect could evaluate all the potential options for the property. 
 
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