Job Opportunities in the Berkshires and So. Vermont

Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires & Southern Vermont has a partnership with MassHire. Individuals who complete one of our 3 training programs: Custodial, Employability, or Customer Service will be introduced to an Employment Specialist at MassHire.  The Employment Specialist will help connect you to available job openings.

You can sign up for our workshops by clicking the link https://www.goodwill-berkshires.org/programs/programs-calendar.html and completing the registration form.

In Southern Vermont, some of the larger companies such as Walmart, Price Chopper, Aldi and Hannaford regularly have job openings and searches on the following links:

Bennington:

https://www.indeed.com/jobs?l=Bennington+County,+VT

Rutland:

https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=&l=Rutland%2C+VT

Benefits Information

• Applying for unemployment benefits in Massachusetts
• Applying for unemployment benefits in Vermont
• DTA Cash Assistance in Massachusetts
• Reach Up Cash Assistance in Vermont
• SNAP (food assistance) benefits in Massachusetts
• 3SquaresVT (food assistance) in Vermont
• Fuel Assistance in Vermont
• MassHealth Benefits and COVID-19
• Social Security Services & COVID-19
• Massachusetts 211
• Vermont 211

Helpful Videos

Financial & Utility Support

The Department of Public Utilities

Suspending all shut-offs of gas and electric utilities, including municipal light and gas plants, for residential customers during the #COVID19 State of Emergency.

Berkshire Community Action Council

If you were recently laid off apply for fuel assistance through BCAC by calling the number provided. This program can also help with free Tax prep and Loan programs.

Central/South: (413)445-4503 North: (413)663-3014

Comcast

2 months of internet essentials for new clients in low income families impacted by COVID-19

Food Pantries and Meal Sites in Berkshire County

(Since program hours and days can change without notice, please call the location to be sure of times and requirements) Updated December 7, 2020

Pittsfield Food Pantries

Pittsfield Meal Sites

Becket, Dalton & Hinsdale Food Pantries

Dalton Meal Site

Lanesboro Food Pantry

North County Food Pantries

North County Meal Sites

South County Food Pantries

South County Meal Sites

Stephentown, NY Food Pantry

Other Food Programs

Brown Bag Program

This program is a supplemental monthly food program offering 10-15 pounds of food to eligible individuals, 55 years or older, free or for a small donation. For income eligibility requirements and further information, call your Council on Aging.

Elder Services’ Elder Nutrition Program

Noontime meals are offered for those 60 years of age and older at several senior centers throughout the County. Some sites offer transportation through the Council on Aging. A suggested donation of $2.00 per meal is requested. Individuals under 60 years of age are welcome for a required fee of $7.00 per meal. Call Elder Services of Berkshire County for information and locations at 413-499-0524 or 1-800-981-5201.

Elder Services’ Meals on Wheels Program

Nutritious, hot noontime meals are offered Monday through Friday to homebound Berkshire seniors, who are 60 years of age or older. A suggested donation of $2.00 is requested to help cover the cost of food preparation and delivery. There are eligibility requirements. Please call Elder Services of Berkshire County at 413-499-0524 to make a referral for yourself, family member or friend.

Take and Eat Program

A program for individuals 60 years of age and older who are homebound, unable to prepare meals, shop, or get out. Meals are delivered on Sundays and are provided for weekends and three-day holiday weekends. Contact Kathleen Ryan at 413-672-1404 or 413-664-1041 for information.

Top Tips for Preventing Cyberbullying

https://www.sunshinebehavioralhealth.com/resources/preventing-cyberbullying/

Cyberbullying or electronic bullying is a growing problem that destroys young lives by exacerbating or causing mental health and substance use disorders. To prevent those harms, take precautions before cyberbullying starts.

Cyberbullying is a problem, but how big or significant a problem remains to be determined.

Its apparent growth may be due to the increased prevalence of electronic devices, the obsession with going online and staying connected, and the awareness that these factors could cause problems, including exacerbating mental health issues such as substance abuse.

According to some surprising cyberbullying statistics, the rate of the problem may be declining. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show the rate of cyberbullying among high school students was 14.5% in 2017, down from 19% in 2016.

But the Cyberbullying Research Center says in 2019, lifetime reports of cyberbullying were 36.5%, an all-time high.

What Is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying or electronic bullying is bullying that does not happen in person but via electronic devices—laptop or desktop computers, smartphones, tablets—and as much as 92% via online forums and message boards—Facebook, Twitter, Instagram—public or private.

Not every mean thing posted on social media is cyberbullying, just like not every mean or insensitive comment at school or a social gathering qualifies as bullying. The generally agreed-upon legal definition of bullying requires three elements:

• The harm caused by the bully, behavior or words, must be intentional.
• The target must have less real power, physical or psychological, than the bully.
• The harm recurs over time.

Individuals involved in bullying or cyberbullying involvement include bullies, the bullied, and bystanders. Sometimes bullies are themselves bullied, creating another category: bully-victims.

Bullying Resources for Educators and Parents

https://100kcals.com/bullying

https://teach.com/online-ed/counseling-degrees/online-masters-school-counseling/bullying-resources/

Learn about bullying and what steps you can take with your high school youngster:

https://www.uscareerinstitute.edu/blog/high-school-bullying-guide

Berkshire County Resources 

Bullying

1. Report Bullying in Berkshire County email: report.bullying@sdb.state.ma.us
2. Stop Bullying

Crisis and Suicide Prevention

1. National Suicide Prevention: 1-800-273-8255
2. Brien Center Crisis Team: 1-800-252-0227 or 413-499-0412

LGBTQ

1. Live Out Loud/18 Degrees for LGBTQ Berkshire County
2. The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
3. GLAAD
4. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
5. NIDA for Teens (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

Vermont Resources

1. Vermont Association for Mental Health
2. Vermont Family Network
3. Youth in Transition
4. U-Matter: Vermont Youth Suicide Prevention

Be a Leader in Your Community: How to Make an Impact Where It Counts 

by Daniel Sherwin*

No matter how much time you spend online with your fellow supporters, you can always do more in your community. One of the most valuable tools the internet has given the ordinary citizen is social media. It allows people to organize and educate their friends on issues that are important. But if you really want change, what good is it if it doesn't manifest in real life?

Social Justice

Perhaps the easiest way to get involved is by protecting the LGBTQ community. When North Carolina passed a bill requiring transgender individuals to use bathrooms corresponding with their biological birth sex, there was an immediate backlash from organizations that fought for the rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. An excellent place to start in Vermont is working with the Pride Center of Vermont, which focuses on youth, education, and wellness.

Vaccine Awareness

It's vital to make the public aware of the benefits of vaccination to end the COVID-19 pandemic. The most important thing you can do is start a dialogue with family and friends about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. From there, consider organizing a push for vaccines with local medical groups. Share the information on local Facebook pages and groups, and see if your community's news station or newspaper can help you promote the event.

Voter Registration

Get out and help register people to vote. No matter what political party they follow, there's nothing more important to fulfilling your civic duty and honoring your forefathers than voting. Whether you do this at your local library or post office or visit colleges and high schools to get the word out, it's important to help people find their voice in government. 

Environmental Awareness

Vermont is the home of many small farms, and the state's economy relies on them being successful. However, with climate change warming up New England more quickly than other parts of the country, the winters are becoming milder, posing a significant threat to Vermont's agriculture. Help protect Vermonters' jobs by spreading the word about how everyone can help protect the environment.

If you're passionate about saving the planet, consider a career in environmental causes. Anyone can earn aBachelor of Science in Education online to open the door to making a long-term impact on their community by teaching young children about their environment. You can learn at your own pace no matter your daytime job and impact your community after completing the degree program.

Neighborhood Safety

When your community is under attack, it brings people together as nothing else can. For example, after the Orlando shooting, people came together to help those affected by the tragedy create a more inclusive community. Just imagine what your town could do if there were an active hate group in the area. If you want to make a change, work to promote love and acceptance.

Boost Community Awareness in Vermont

Several options are available to get involved and encourage others to support local causes. Whether it's protecting a minority group or promoting neighborhood safety, you can make a difference. To learn more ways to help your community, contact Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires and Southern Vermont, Inc.

*Daniel Sherwin, a single dad of two, created Dadsolo.com with a goal to help equip other dads with resources regarding single parenthood.  He is currently living with his two kids: a 9 y/o daughter and 6 y/o son. 

Ways Immigrants Can Connect and Integrate Into the American Society

America is one of the nations defined by its success with immigrants. If you’re immigrating into the United States, you want to make it easy to integrate into American society without losing contact with your family back home. This may sound like a hard task, but with little steps, you can easily connect with American society and adapt to the new environment. 

For many people, America is a dream of endless possibilities. This is among the best countries for people from all over the world. If you are an immigrant, Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires and Southern Vermont shares some of the ways you can accelerate your integration into society.

Accept You’ll Leave Things Behind

One of the issues you must deal with is leaving your country. It is hard to leave family and friends. Even your lifestyle will be affected, and there will be weather changes. In your first days, you should learn how to leave a lot of things you loved behind. While this is difficult, it’s important as it will help you achieve greater things. 

For many people, the first six months are a difficult patch, as they find themselves in a new reality and must adjust quickly. It’s a process of starting over and embracing a new culture in your new environment.

Fixing Your Finances

After settling in America, you want to also check out ways to address your finances. There are many ways immigrants can contribute to strengthening the American economy. This includes starting a business, which will, in turn, employ Americans and contribute to taxes. The National Venture Capital Association shows that “immigrants have started more than half of America’s startup companies valued at $1 billion or more.” You can be a part of this group of successful immigrants, and this will help you assist your family back home.

You can use programs like MASSCAP, designed to assist low-income families and disadvantaged people with food and education to establish yourself before you attain financial stability. These programs are also well equipped to help seniors in need.

Embrace Change as a Good Thing

Changes to your life can be overwhelming in the beginning while learning how to adapt. There are things you can learn from challenging situations. All you need is to maintain your identity. Changing your environment is not only an opportunity to explore a new culture, the International Labour Organization notes that it comes with opportunities for socio-economic stability. See it as an opportunity for a loving marriage, new friends, and a stable family.

Push Yourself to Integrate

The Guardian points out that this begins with learning the language, a key step in becoming a part of a society to avoid becoming an eternal immigrant. While you may not become excellent in the language in a short period, it’s something you can do over the years. 

There are different ways to learn, including through online classes, watching content on platforms like YouTube, and talking more with people. When you immigrate, never isolate yourself. Go out there, and don’t be afraid to look out of place at first. Adapt to the new culture and don’t wait for it to adapt to you.

Conclusion

Immigrating into a new society takes a bit of learning to acquire the skills required to function in that society. One of the solutions would be first learning about the culture and language. Also, you need to manage your finances by starting a business or getting a job.

Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires and Southern Vermont helps community members with barriers to employment attain independence and self-sufficiency, gain confidence, and enhance their quality of life, through vocational education, work training, and other support services. Connect with us today for more information! (413) 442-0061 x14

(Photo courtesy of Pexels)