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Three Local Nonprofits Partner Together to Deliver Pet Food to the Elderly

Katrina Cardillo • Mar 01, 2024

March 1, 2024 (North Adams MA) – In partnership with the Berkshire Humane Society Pet Assistance Program, BFAIR and Elder Services of Berkshire County are helping elders feed their pets in conjunction with their Meals on Wheels program, which provides a hot lunch-time meal for people aged 60 and older .

The Pet Assistance program kicks off on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the Berkshire Humane Society in Pittsfield, MA at 10:30 AM. BFAIR’s Community Based Day Services Program (CBDS) participants will fill a vehicle at Berkshire Humane Society, before they embark on a journey throughout Pittsfield and Dalton to deliver pet food to over twenty elders in the Berkshire Community. The program will run monthly, where BFAIR program participants will continue to deliver this much-needed item.

BFAIR’s Community Based Day Services program helps adults with disabilities participate in their community and improve their skills by providing access to regular, meaningful social contact and stimulating activities. Community-Based Day Services are designed to maximize a person’s ability to manage everyday life activities in their community.

According to Kayla Brown-Wood at Elder Services of Berkshire County, “For us at Elder Services, we’re excited to be able to offer this to the people receiving Meals on Wheels while also strengthening our community partnerships and helping people with disabilities make an impact through this experience.”

Laura Baran recently appointed Senior Director of CBDS and Employment at BFAIR states, “Our CBDS program adds value to our local community in multiple ways; providing an opportunity for participants to interact in the community, and with that, comes wonderful volunteer service in the Berkshires, to help those in need.”

John Perreault at the Berkshire Humane Society remarks “It’s impressive how three very different non-profit organizations can come together in this way to provide a meaningful service to people, and pets, in our community.”

To be eligible to receive pet assistance through this program, the individual must receive services through Elder Service’s Meals on Wheels program. For more information on how to get started, please visit esbci.org or by calling 413-499-0524.

About Elder Services of Berkshire County

Elder Services of Berkshire County Inc. (ESBCI) is a private, non-profit agency with a mission to provide Berkshire elders, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities the opportunity to live with dignity, independence, and self-determination, and to achieve the highest possible quality of life. ESBCI is designated as the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) for all of Berkshire County and carries out its mission through services including Information and Referral, Home Care, Caregiver Support, Housing Options, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Advocacy, Money Management, and the Senior Nutrition Program (Meals on Wheels).

About Berkshire Humane Society

Berkshire Humane Society is at 501(c)3 nonprofit, open-admission animal support organization. Our mission is to ensure the compassionate care, treatment, and placement of companion animals, while promoting and improving the welfare of all animals through education and outreach.

About BFAIR

For thirty years, BFAIR has provided Adult Family Care (AFC), Residential, Clinical, Employment and Day Services for adults 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.

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Save the Date: BFAIR Celebrates 30 Years with a 90’s Throwback Event

By Katrina Cardillo • 22 Jul, 2024

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. ###

BFAIR Welcomes Noelle Crawford as New Director of Learning and Employee Development

By Katrina Cardillo • 17 Jul, 2024

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. ###