January: National Mentoring Month!

At 18 Degrees, our mentor-mentee pairs commit to spending 1.5 hours together each week over the course of a year. They share experiences, navigate life’s challenges, and celebrate personal achievements together.

The impact? Nearly all pairs choose to continue their journey beyond the first year.

Beyond training and support, we create meaningful community-building opportunities for our mentors and mentees. This past year included trips to the Statehouse to advocate for mentor programs, the Fenway Bowl, and Jacob’s Pillow (pictured left).

National Mentoring Month gives us the opportunity to highlight the impact these relationships have on mentors, mentees, and our communities. We are deeply grateful for the time, care, and dedication that go into these partnerships.

This work would not be possible without the support of funders like Mass Mentoring, Lee Bank, and Berkshire United Way, who are committed to providing mentoring opportunities for the young people we serve—and the many other funders and supporters who help bring our mission to life.

Mentoring Highlights

Interested in being a mentor? We invite you to explore volunteer opportunities through 18 Degrees and join us in giving back.

Volunteer with 18 Degrees!

During a recent outing, Thomas expressed an interest in attending his mentor John’s church. With caregiver permission, John helped make it possible. For Thomas, this opened a door to a new community where his curiosity quickly grew into engagement. Together, they recently volunteered behind the scenes at the church’s Christmas pageant, supporting other youth and contributing to a memorable community tradition. Thank you, Thomas and John, for showing how mentoring can foster connection and service.

When Riley set her sights on earning her driver’s permit, she faced obstacles that could have prevented her from achieving this important milestone. Her school didn’t offer driver’s ed and the written test proved harder than she expected. Her mentor stayed with her through every setback, every practice test, and every moment of doubt. Now Riley has her permit in hand and is driving toward a wide-open future. Congratulations, Riley—you earned this!

FAFSA Information Session

Whether you’re a parent or a young person navigating the college process for the first time, join us for a free FAFSA and financial aid information session led by our own Abbie Callaghan. This session will walk you through FAFSA as well as other financial aid options to help understand what possibilities are available.

Learn how to complete the application accurately, understand important deadlines, and avoid common mistakes that can delay funding. There will be time for questions and personalized guidance. Enjoy food and refreshments while gaining valuable tools to support your college journey.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP at info@18degreesma.org,

or by calling (413) 448-8281.

When: January 27, 4:30-5:30pm

Where: 480 West St, Pittsfield MA, 01201

Check out our full event calendar here!

January and February Events

North Adams Casual Concert

In the event of a snow day, the event will be held on January 30 at 4pm.

Join us for the North Adams Kids 4 Harmony Casual Concert!

Performance will begin promptly at 4:00 pm and last approximately 30 minutes. We ask guests to arrive 10 minutes early to find seating.

When: January 26 at 4pm

Where: Colegrove Elementary School Gymnasium

24 Church Street, North Adams

Support 18 Degrees While You Shop!

During the month of February, 18 Degrees will receive $1 for each $2.50 reusable Community Bag sold at the Big Y located at 200 West St. in Pittsfield.

Every purchase helps fund programs that directly support youth, families, and community connections. Pick up a reusable bag and make a difference while shopping!

The Target Circle results are in!

Thank you so much for voting for us in the Target Circle Guest-Directed Giving Program. We received $2,824.53 to help us further our mission, and this would not have been possible without the support of our community, and the help from your generous votes.