Recognized for our Impact

Experts 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 that have exhibited extraordinary accomplishments over the prior year.

18 Degrees was proud to contribute to a new report released by the national nonprofit Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath), of which we are a Knowledge Leader member. The research was made possible by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Director of Community Support Programs, Sarah Kelley, shared her experiences and knowledge alongside a cohort of youth-serving organizations using EMPath’s Mobility Mentoring®model. All contributing organizations are members of EMPath’s Economic Mobility Exchange™, a global network of organizations working to promote economic mobility in their communities.

Better Together with 18 Degrees

A Closer Look at Home Visiting Programs

At 18 Degrees, our staff visit families in their homes to bring counseling, education, and resources directly to parents, caregivers, and children to support the growth, learning, and stability of families. 

In both Berkshire County and the Pioneer Valley, 18 Degrees is using evidence-based practices to support and partner with families to develop their strengths. Using the EMPath model, Family Support Specialists coach families on their journey to being successful on their own terms. 

This year, we expanded the reach of EMPath through parent wellness programming in the Pioneer Valley, made possible by The Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts and United Way of Franklin & Hampshire Region.

"It's wonderful to see participants realize their potential to reach their goals and make impactful change in their own lives." - Pioneer Valley Director of Community Support Programs Jennifer Swetland

"You were there when I needed it most."

- Parent as Teachers participant

18 Degrees is one of 1,000 affiliates nationwide using the evidence-based model Parents as Teachers.

Parents as Teachers helps parents of young children build skills through play and active learning to support their child's development.

Program Director Jaclyn Carnevale says, "we don't always realize the full measure of the impact we make in people's lives." In 2020, she worked with a single mother experiencing domestic violence. Jaclyn's relationship with the young woman led her to find therapeutic support and an early education program for her child.

As the first of three recovery coaches in the Parents as Teachers program, Jaclyn has been proud to help parents with a history of substance abuse build self-awareness and healthy coping skills to stay on track towards reaching their goals.

Committed to Recovery and Prevention

September was National Recovery Month

At 18 Degrees, we hire staff with lived experience to provide an empathetic approach to working with families in recovery and to prioritize substance abuse prevention in our community. We stood alongside participants and the Pittsfield community during a vigil on Overdose Awareness Day.  

This year we added two Parents as Teachers recovery coaches and hired Steve Quadrozzi as Substance Use Prevention Specialist in our Family Resource Center, working with youth ages 12-24.

Steve joins 18 Degrees to use a positive youth development framework to offer education, resources, and activities to engage and empower youth to prevent substance use.

He runs a weekly youth group using music as a tool for self-expression and looks forward to collaborating with local schools and like-minded organizations. 

Join Us for Our Year in Review

Register by this Wednesday, October 18th!

Please join us at 11:30am at Country Club of Pittsfield. Register by October 18th. Tickets are $25 per person and include lunch. Contact us if you have any dietary requirements, accessibility needs, or other questions. 

We look forward to sharing stories of our accomplishments, electing board officers, and recognizing you, our community of supporters. Hope to see you there!

Present in the Community

Upcoming Local Events

• Find us at the Nonprofit Center Volunteer Fair - October 17th, 12-4pm at the Adams Theatre, 27 Park Street, Adams. Email Amy Guachione if you're interested in becoming an 18 Degrees volunteer.
• Parents as Teachers joins Smash the Stigma, a family-friendly walk and resource fair on October 21st, 12-3pm at Town Hall Park, 334 Main Street, Great Barrington.
• Kids 4 Harmony performs the Fall Community Concert - October 24th, 5:30pm at Zion Lutheran Church, 74 First Street, Pittsfield.
• Don't forget to register by October 18th for the 18 Degrees Annual Meeting - October 25th, 11:30am at Country Club of Pittsfield, 639 South Street, Pittsfield. Lunch will be served. 
• Discover 18 Degrees and Hampshire County resources at the COSA Provider's Fair - November 14th, 9:30-11am at the Haskell Building, 1 Prince Street, Northampton, MA. Light refreshments will be available.

Your one-time or monthly gift

strengthens families and sustains our mission.

Every child in a family. Every family in a community.