Introducing Our New Board Chair |
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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 of directors of 18 Degrees in 2018. Since then, she's worked diligently with agency leadership to ensure we remained resilient through the challenges of the last few years, including the COVID-19 Pandemic. |
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| Sheila has been a wonderful advocate for youth and families and a member of our
Kids 4 Harmony Advisory Committee. She recently retired after 42 years from her positions as choral director and chair of the performing arts department at Northfield Mount Hermon in Gill, MA. An alumna of Smith College and the New England Conservatory of Music, Sheila currently conducts the Da Camera Singers in the Pioneer Valley.
Upon her retirement, she and her husband moved to New Hampshire, just a short drive from Western Massachusetts where she continues to play an active role. We are honored to have her leadership, and I am looking forward to working more closely with her in the coming months.
- Stephanie Steed, President & CEO |
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"I am continually impressed by what 18 Degrees does in our communities." - Sheila Heffernon, 18 Degrees Board Chair
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18 Degrees in the Community |
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| President & CEO Stephanie Steed was recently interviewed by Robert Dean for Berkshire Matters on Pittsfield Community Television.
Listen to Stephanie share about the programs and services offered and our approach to our mission. |
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Visit the Berkshire Museum's Festival of Trees: Nostalgia, open through January 7th, to see our 18 Degrees' Parents as Teachers sponsored tree.
The tree, donned with ornaments hand-made by participants and staff around the theme, We Do Recover, provided an opportunity for creative expression for those working with our PAT peer recovery coaches. The team hopes it will serve as a community reminder that there is always hope for recovery. |
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18 Degrees hosted Senators Paul W. Mark and Robyn K. Kennedy, committee member and chairperson of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities at our 480 West Street location.
Together with President & CEO Stephanie Steed, Sr. Director of Advancement Sarah Frederick, and other senior leadership, they toured the office and our childcare facility discussing various needs in Berkshire County and the Pioneer Valley. |
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Volunteers, staff, and guests gathered last Saturday for the FRC's Holidays Around the World event. Thank you to our volunteers for their enthusiasm and help!
The public event featured tasty treats from other countries and fun activities for the whole family, including pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Clause. It was well attended and brought cheer and smiles to our participants and our 18 Degrees community. |
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Just before Thanksgiving, our Family Resource Center put on a cultural learning program in collaboration with Berkshire County Head Start and REACH. The event was led by speaker and native educator Larry Spotted Crow Mann, along with other members of the Nipmuc Tribe and the
Ohketeau Cultural Center. The circle of guests heard stories and received education about Native American experiences, as well as demonstrations of pow wow regalia and dance. |
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Kids 4 Harmony performed for a full house at the Winter Concert last week in Pittsfield at Zion Lutheran Church on First Street.
Davis, a junior, conducted the Elayne P. Bernstein Ensemble for the first time on stage, leading them in Carol of the Bells. Ethan, a senior, performed the solo he's been working on for his music school audition. Students at all levels played Winter Wonderland together to wrap up the show. |
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If you missed it, please check out the video.
Join us for our next Kids 4 Harmony performance: the North Adams Casual Concert WHEN: Friday, January 26, 2024 at 4pm WHERE: Brayton Elementary School |
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Thank you for supporting our mission!
Every child in a family. Every family in a community. |
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