Family Services for Western Massachusetts
By: Leanne Yinger, Network Director Jay Howard- that name conjures up many adjectives: easy-going, informed, funny, diligent, and cooperative. He has demonstrated these and others in his ten-year career with 18 Degrees as the Educational Coordinator for Family Networks in Berkshire County. When families are working with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), they are …
Continue reading "Staff Spotlight, February 2021: Jay Howard"
By: Gary Doughty, Director of Youth Connection Programs Gail has been a mentor since 2015 and continues mentoring a young man. Gail was hired by 18 Degrees in 2017 to become the Mentor Coordinator for Pittsfield Community Connection (PCC). Gail brings a unique perspective to the job, being a mentor herself, and knowing first hand …
Continue reading "Staff Spotlight, January 2021: Gail Krumpholz"
As I reflect on 2020, I am astonished at what we, as a population, were called on to do. There were many dark moments as we faced a worldwide pandemic, racial tensions, and social unrest. Many times the path forward was hard to see. Individually and collectively, our responses were a mixed bag showing our …
Continue reading "A Message from Interim Executive Director, Stephanie Steed "
Meet Pamela Breslin, she joined 18 Degrees as a volunteer in 2018. Prior to Covid-19 you could find her in our West St office every Wednesday morning providing English language instruction. People, laughter, and energy filled the community room where she taught. The English Language Learners classes she facilitated brought in 10-12 families every week, primarily new immigrant women with their children. The children went …
By: John Cadiz, Director of Human Resources Quiet, shy, and humble, Paula sets the standard for our accountability compass point. She is the calm, collected backbone for the employee lifecycle of every staff person who arrives or departs from 18 Degrees. Paula’s amazing time management skills mask the monumental volume of detailed paperwork that passes …
Continue reading "Staff Spotlight, December 2020: Paula McDermott"
By: Linda-Jeanne Mack, Director of Adoption Management Services In honor of National Adoption Month, our team would like to honor Marylou Spaulding, Administrative Coordinator, and the queen of our West Springfield Office. Marylou has always done a lot for us…fixed our computers, been our “Gatekeeper” for state administrative tasks, and listened to our frustrations when …
Continue reading "Staff Spotlight, November 2020: Marylou Spaulding"
By: Sharon Collins Newton, Program Director, Parents as Teachers Jaclyn is the absolute epitome of our compass points! She is a very kind, gracious, thoughtful, self-reflective, and conscientious person. She is determined and sets a very high standard for herself. Jaclyn’s self-driven attitude and work ethic have been remarkable. Jaclyn pushes herself to achieve and …
Continue reading "Staff Spotlight, October 2020: Jaclyn Carnevale"
By: Pam Preston and Elise Weller, Program Directors, Child Care We are celebrating ten years with Katie in our Child Care Program. Katie is committed to providing the children and our staff with a nutritionally balanced and creative menu. Katie’s love of cooking shines through on the faces and in the bellies of our kids. …
Continue reading "Staff Spotlight, September 2020: Katie Haviland"
18 Degrees continues advancing social justice as we wrapped up our first year of running a leadership development program for young women of color in greater Springfield called the Young Women’s Advisory Council (YWAC). The program, funded in partnership with The Women’s Fund of Western MA, and developed through the national Young Women’s Initiative, consisted …
Continue reading "Young Women’s Advisory Council Explores Solutions to Social Justice Issues"
There have been many conversations about school over the past months. In-person, online, hybrid, home-schooling. Truly, how are families to decide what will work best for them? How do you choose between your child’s education and work that provides your housing, food, and healthcare? At 18 Degrees, we are looking at ways that our staff can support and advocate for families …
Continue reading "18 Degrees is Ready to Help Navigate Remote Learning"
