BFAIR Promotes Kris Neep to Director of Community Based Day Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, contact: Caroline O’Neill, Manager of Public Policy and Communications caroline@providers.org 508.598.9686 ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** WESTERN MA CARING FORCE RALLY TO CELEBRATE DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS WEEK AND ADVOCATE FOR HUMAN SERVICES WORKERS Westfield, MA - September 17, 2024 – The Caring Force is thrilled to announce the first ever Western MA Caring Force Rally, taking place on Tuesday, September 17th, at Westfield State University, Scanlon Hall, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This event, sponsored by 18 Degrees, BFAIR, Gándara Center, MHA, and Viability, will celebrate Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Week and honor the broader human services sector, highlighting the essential work being done by these dedicated professionals and the ongoing need for continued funding and support. The rally will feature compelling stories from the sector, with speakers from Viability and Gándara Center sharing their personal experiences as both providers and recipients of human services. Additionally, the event will include a legislator Q&A session, providing attendees with an opportunity to engage directly with elected officials on the issues affecting the human services workforce. Rally speakers: President Linda Thompson, President of Westfield State University Mayor Mike McCabe, Mayor of Westfield Representative Carlos Gonzalez, Hampden County Senator John Velis, Hampden and Hampshire Stories from the Sector by Speakers from Viability and Gándara Center  To attend, please RSVP at https://bit.ly/WesternMARally. Media representatives are encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact Caroline O’Neill caroline@providers.org.

July 22, 2024 (North Adams, MA) – BFAIR celebrates 30 years of success with Celebration at the Williams Inn, on Friday, October 25th at 5:30 PM, sponsored by Sourcepass. The fundraiser will include a VIP Hour, live auction, 90’s theme music, and great food. "Celebrating 30 years of service is a testament to the dedication and resilience of our team at BFAIR. We've worked tirelessly to support individuals with disabilities and our communities, and this milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to making a positive impact. As we look ahead, we remain inspired by our past achievements and are driven to continue building a brighter future for everyone we serve." - Rich Weisenflue, CEO For more information about the event, to register, or to sponsor, please visit https://www.bfair.org/30th-anniversary-celebration or contact Tara Jacobsen, Director of Development at tjacobsen@bfair.org .  About BFAIR For over thirty years, BFAIR has been providing Adult Family Care (AFC), Residential, Employment and Day Services for adults and children with developmental disabilities, Acquired Brain Injury and Autism. BFAIR is a proud member agency of the Northern Berkshire United Way and the Williamstown Community Chest. ###

July 17, 2024 (North Adams, MA) – BFAIR is happy to announce the appointment of Noelle Crawford as the new Director of Learning and Employee Development. Noelle brings a wealth of experience in Human Resources and Customer Service to the organization, along with a strong educational background. Noelle holds a BA in Sociology from MCLA and has built a diverse professional portfolio with roles including Customer Service Representative for 403b plans, Marketing Specialist, and Group Benefits Coordinator. She is well-versed in training, licensing, onboarding, leadership, HR coordination, and HRIS systems. In her new role, Noelle will spearhead the development of comprehensive training programs designed to support employee career growth, foster leadership skills, and align with BFAIR’s strategic objectives. Her proven expertise in operational efficiency, cross-functional leadership, and process improvement solutions positions her as an excellent fit for this vital role. “Please join us in welcoming Noelle to her new role with BFAIR,” said Michelle Baity, SVP of Human Resources. “We are excited to have her join our team to further enhance our Human Resources department to ensure that we are providing support for our employees through training and development to better assist the individuals and families supported by BFAIR.” Noelle's appointment underscores BFAIR’s dedication to investing in its employees and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. About BFAIR For over thirty years, BFAIR has been providing Adult Family Care (AFC), Residential, Employment and Day Services for adults and children with developmental disabilities, Acquired Brain Injury and Autism. BFAIR is a proud member agency of the Northern Berkshire United Way and the Williamstown Community Chest. ###

On Thursday, May 30, the Berkshire Realtor’s community along with other industry experts, BFAIR supporters, staff and board members, gathered for the Battle of the Bartenders-North at 413 Bistro & Tap Room in North Adams, MA to raise money for BFAIR.

BFAIR's Annual Meeting Gathered 175 Supporters