Spring Advocacy at the Boston State House

18 Degrees joined nonprofit organizations and community partners from across the Commonwealth on more than one occasion this month advocating for legislative actions that support the people and communities we serve.

Amy Guachione is an 18 Degrees Mentor and our Director of Volunteer Services. She and her mentee Katie joined about sixteen youth participants and 18 Degrees staff on a bus trip to Boston on March 6th to attend Youth Mentoring and Community Safety Day.

Amy and Katie have been together as mentor and mentee for nearly 5 years. “I’ve had the privilege of watching her grow, not just in skills, but in confidence and resilience,” says Amy.

“It’s very moving for me,” says Amy (seated far left at the table), “seeing these incredible young people use their voice and support each other in actively engaging in this work and sharing their experiences.”

As they walked into the State House together, the participants were impressed by the atrium of the Great Hall, lined with flags, and were greeted by Mass Mentoring, their host for the morning session. Nearly 300 people were in attendance. They heard remarks by legislators and participants about the power and value of youth mentoring programs.

After lunch, mentee participants had a chance to meet with State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier’s chief of staff, Nora Gallo, to discuss their experiences and how mentoring has helped them grow. 

In the afternoon, the group joined the Community Safety Day session, discussing the impacts of the Shannon Community Safety Initiative (CSI), aimed at reducing violence through evidence-based approaches.

Among the presenters, 18 Degrees youth participants took the lead, courageously sharing the impacts the funding has played in their lives.

The day wrapped up with pizza on the bus ride home and conversations about the day.

Sharon Collins Newton is the Program Director of the Family Resource Center housed within 18 Degrees at 480 West Street, Pittsfield. She and others joined the Children’s League of Massachusetts (CLM) at the Family Resource Center’s (FRC’s) Task Force Legislative Briefing on March 19th at the Boston State House.

18 Degrees’ Sharon Collins Newton (second from left) alongside other FRC program leaders from across MA.

It was a day of celebration and action for Family Resource Centers (FRCs) across the Commonwealth as they gathered to celebrate impacts and call on legislators and partners to support critical funding and legislation connecting vulnerable children and families with vital services in their community.

Speakers included Senate President Karen Spilka, Senator Robyn Kennedy, and program leaders from FRCs across the state.

Sharon shared an experience at the briefing of working with an Ecuadorian family: “We do a good amount of research to understand each family’s culture . . . to be sure to put the family at ease and to share vital information and resources in a way that can be easily relayed between the family, FRC staff, community partners, and schools.” 

Connecting With Cooking

Through Pittsfield Community Connection, several youth are participating in a 12 week culinary class, led by local chef Xavier Jones. Xavier hails from Philadelphia, was trained in Paris, and began his career at the Red Lion Inn. His most recent ventures include the former Firehouse Cafe & Bistro in Adams and the current BIGGDADDY’s Philly Steak House on the Mass MoCA campus.

Participants in the culinary class have been learning everything from basic food preparation and cooking instruction, to how to create healthy and affordable meals for themselves and their families.

Not only are they putting their new skills to work at home, but participants also chose to use their skills to better their community by lending a hand recently at the Christian Center food pantry (above).

Brief News From Kids 4 Harmony

Kids 4 Harmony students were chosen for a third year in a row as El Sistema USA Youth Ambassadors!

Isabella (pictured left), will join the 2025 cohort of other young musicians and leaders from around the country at the Peabody Institute in June.

Read Isabella’s Ambassador profile here.

EVENT INFO UPDATED!

 APRIL 7

CIAO! & Kids 4 Harmony

7pm

St. John’s Episcopal Church

35 Park St, Williamstown

This is a free event, with a free-will collection. We hope to see you!

Tickets Coming Soon.

Become a Gala Benefactor Today!

• $500 Sponsor: 2 tickets and lead billing
• $1,500 Leader: 4 tickets, reserved seats, and lead billing
• $2,500 Principal: 6 tickets, reserved seats, and lead billing
• $5,000 Virtuoso: 8 tickets, concierge seating, and premier billing

Visit our website for more options and details!

40 Under 40 Honorees Give Back

The 2025 40 Under 40 Awards hosted by Berkshire Community College honors people in the Berkshires under the age of 40 dedicated to improving quality of life and bringing positive engagement to our community.

Many thanks to Mill Town Foundation for providing each winner a $1,000 award to re-grant to an eligible Berkshire-based nonprofit organization, and to Grace Enchill, and Brandy McKie for their support of 18 Degrees!

Grace Enchill is a real estate attorney with Heller & Robbins PC. 

Brandy is First Vice President of Retail Banking at Lee Bank. 

Here’s How You Can Make a Difference

Children, youth, individuals and families in Western Massachusetts need your time, talent, and treasure to help us achieve our mission.

We champion access, belonging, opportunity, and well-being for all people on their journey, helping to build thriving communities.