Happy New Year From 18 Degrees! Anniversary Reflection from our President Thanks to my long history with 18 Degrees, I have a familiarity with the challenges our communities in Berkshire County and the Pioneer Valley face, as well as their potential. During my first year as President & CEO, I’ve gained a new perspective highlighting …
Author Archives: Sarah Frederick
December Highlights from 18 Degrees
Monthly News Highlights Introducing Our New Board Chair Sheila Heffernon's relationship with 18 Degrees began five years ago when she attended a Kids 4 Harmony Gala. It was clear to her that 18 Degrees is an agency that truly makes a difference in the lives of the people it serves. Shortly thereafter, Sheila joined the board …
18 Degrees Community Cookbook
Click below to view recipes submitted by 18 Degrees staff and families for our Community Cookbook.
November Highlights from 18 Degrees
Monthly News Highlights 18 Degrees Permanency Services Federal data documents roughly 400,000 children in foster care in the US and 113,000 waiting to be adopted. 18 Degrees is the only state-contracted adoption management service in Western MA guiding foster children and families toward permanent placement. In the last 6 months, we've helped facilitate 7 adoptions. Darien and …
October Highlights From 18 Degrees
Recognized for our ImpactExperts in our Field 18 Degrees was honored with a Peer Provider Award from the Provider's Council. President & CEO Stephanie Steed proudly accepted the award at the ceremony. Founded in 1975, the Providers’ Council is the largest human services trade association. The Peer Provider Award is presented by the Council to agencies …
September Highlights From 18 Degrees
Summer Wrap-Up & Back-to-SchoolHighlights of our Early Education and Care Programming Our early education staff and teachers are committed to providing a fun, creative, and nurturing atmosphere, helping young children grow and thrive. We offer two childcare locations in Pittsfield with a social-emotional learning curriculum from infancy until Kindergarten. Out-of-school care Kid's Clubs are …
A Reflection from a Healing Homes Teammate
My name is Kyle, and I’ve been working with 18 Degrees for just over nine years now in the Healing Homes Comprehensive Foster Care program. We started in Hadley and later made a smooth transition into West Springfield, closer to the families we work with. I came into this field hoping to be a voice …
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18 DEGREES RECEIVES GRANT FUNDING TO SUPPORT MENTORING PROGRAM
18 Degrees is pleased to have been awarded a second $20,000 grant from the Mass Mentoring Partnership to support youth in the Pittsfield Community Connection Program (PCC). This matching grant is further supported by generous grant funding we received in 2022 from Berkshire United Way. 18 Degrees is honored to partner with our local and state …
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18 DEGREES ANNOUNCES NEXT PRESIDENT AND CEO
The 18 Degrees Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Stephanie Steed, MEd, will assume the position of President and CEO on January 1, 2023. Steed, a longtime employee of the agency and current Vice President of Programs, assumes the position following the departure of Sarah Cook, who is leaving Western Massachusetts to spend …
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Staff Spotlight, November 2022: Alison Mengel
By Stephanie Steed, Vice President of Programs Alison is a reflection of how empathy blended with clinical expertise results in a commitment to do what’s best. Through negotiation and problem-solving, she has helped children and families navigate the child welfare system on their paths to permanency. Alison knows the value of enriching activities and positive …
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