Berkshire Athenaeum Launches Reader Leaders Program for Teens and Kids

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Athenaeum has announced its new "Reader Leaders" program, inviting teens aged 14-18 to volunteer as reading mentors for children aged 5-8. This initiative pairs youth to read together, fostering literacy and leadership skills.

A mandatory training session for teen mentors will take place on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. Following the training, monthly reading sessions are scheduled for Feb. 28, March 21, and April 11, from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. Participants will read together, enjoy crafts, and share snacks during these sessions.

Interested teens can register by picking up a form at the library's Young Adult or Children's Departments or by emailing Young Adult Librarian Vanessa Justice at vanessa@pittsfieldlibrary.org. Forms must be signed by a legal guardian.

For additional information, contact the Children's Library at (413) 499-9480, ext. 5.


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Helping Hands in Pittsfield on MLK Day

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There were four volunteer initiatives for the Berkshire Community College Day of Service: crafting Valentine's Day cards for Hillcrest residents, office organization with Western Mass Labor Action, cleaning the Harvest Table (a local food pantry and meal site), and sorting clothing and toy donations with the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, in partnership with Berkshire United Way. 
 
The Harvest Table is run by First United Methodist Church, located at 55 Fenn St., where the day's opening breakfast was held. It serves approximately 300 people every week. The pantry offers a hot breakfast every Tuesday from 8 to 9:30 and dinner from 3:30 to 5:30, said Pamela Wall, the church's food program manager.
 
Wall also took the opportunity to highlight that the pantry needs Spanish-speaking volunteers every Tuesday from 3:30 to 5:30 because 70 percent of its clientele are Spanish-speaking.
 
"Some of them do not speak English at all, and a lot of them can't read, so to communicate with them is difficult unless we have an actual person that can speak Spanish," she said. 
 
"The apps work fine for people who can read, but the ones that can't read, can't read the apps." 
 
At the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center auditorium, volunteers sorted shoes clothing, toys, and books for the Discover the Eureka! Family Day and toy store. This is the center's third year hosting a free store. 
 
"It's a free event for the community volunteer staffed by girls who are in our Eureka! program, which is our teen girls that are in a STEM and career readiness program to help encourage them to give back to their community, while also pursuing careers, whether it's stem or whatever makes them feel empowered," Development and Communications Manager Abigail Allard said. 
 
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