About Us

The mission of the Coalition is “Empowering the Northern Berkshire region to enhance the quality of life through our efforts at connecting, convening, and supporting all facets of the community.” The Coalition works to achieve its mission by:

CONNECTING AND PROVIDING A PUBLIC PLACE FOR THE COMMUNITY

nbCC utilizes our expertise and long standing relationships to call residents and local stakeholders together for the purposes of collaboration, civic engagement, and community based decision making. Additionally, nbCC serves as a regional point of contact to connect residents and stakeholders with the information necessary to access services and resources as well as build a comprehensive safety net for the purpose of empowering and strengthening the community.

The Coalition’s work to convene and connect the community is based in the foundational practice of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), which is central to all work areas of nbCC. ABCD believes that communities cannot be rebuilt or improved by focusing on needs, problems and deficiencies. Rather, community building starts with the process of identifying the assets, skills and capacities of residents, citizen associations and local institutions. This often comes in the form of local people identifying a local issue and solving it by utilizing what the community already has (its assets, strengths and capacities) rather than looking to the outside for their solution.

PROVIDING PREVENTION STRATEGIES

nbCC’s Substance Use Prevention work is to oversee all aspects of planning and implementation for the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services prevention grant. This work is guided by a strategic plan, draws from evidence-based approaches, evolves based on lessons learned and new information. Current strategies intended to reduce youth substance use include working with pediatric providers, parent education and engagement, supporting evidence-based prevention practices in schools, educating and supporting youth workers, and media messages to change community norms.

BUILDING STRONGER NEIGHBORHOODS

Neighborhood Development work is primarily funded by Community Connections through the Department of Children and Families (DCF), whose goal is to build a comprehensive continuum of family support that strengthens families, communities and prevents child abuse and neglects through neighborhood-based and resident-driven programming.

PROMOTING POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

nbCC’s Youth Development work is grounded in Positive Youth Development practices. The purpose of this work is to help youth develop competencies that will enable them to grow, develop their skills, and become healthy, responsible, and caring, youth and adults.

Principles of Positive Youth Development:

• Focus on strengths and positive outcomes
• Youth voice and engagement
• Strategies that involve all youth
• Community involvement and collaboration
• Long term commitment

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Leadership Development is nbCC’s systematic development of community leaders, both adults and youth, which is fundamental to the long-term health and success of a community. nbCC employs both formal and informal methods of training residents to use their voices as an advocate, influencer, and community change agent.

HELPING FAMILIES STAY HEALTHY, HAPPY AND STRONG

The Family Resource Center is funded by The Department of Children and Families (DCF). The center is designed to serve families with children age 0-18 in Northern Berkshire County. Our purpose is to serve these families with resources, educational and skill building programs, social activities, and support they need to create strong, healthy, and happy lives. The resource center can work with youth, family, schools, courts, and other service providers to create a family-centered plan and to connect services for youth and families that may help. All services are free. No insurance required.

The FRC program is built on the Strengthen Families Framework:

• Parental Resilience
• Social Connections
• Concrete Supports
• Social and Emotional Competence of Children
• Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
• Nurturing and Attachment

HELPING TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES, THE EASY CHOICES

The Health and Wellness work of nbCC is intended to improve and promote better health for the northern Berkshire region through environment and personal change in the areas of healthy eating and active living.

Anyone who works or lives in the Northern Berkshire area and is interested in the work of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition is considered an affiliate of the Coalition. Coalition affiliation has included people of the Northern Berkshire community representing human services, businesses, clergy, higher education, local schools, local and state government, and local citizens. Voluntary contributions to help defray expenses are requested, but they do not affect affiliation with the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition.