An endowment of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation , the Robert and James Hardman Fund, awarded grants to 18 separate non-profits in Northern Berkshire County. The money supports a variety of community initiatives including non-profits in the arts & culture, health, human and social services, environmental advocacy, and others.
Jennifer Dowley, President of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, says that the Hardman award is a localized, annual endowment open to applicants from North Adams, Clarksburg, Florida, and Stamford, VT– and is an example of an “area fund”.
The Foundation houses funds that benefit Berkshire County, Litchfield County, Connecticut, and Dutchess and Columbia Counties in New York.
This year the Hardman Fund awarded over $31,000 to non-profits, including The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. The NBCC offers a variety of services including programs targeted at young adults. NBCC’s Lois Daunis…
The UNITY Youth Leadership Program received $2,000 from the Hardman fund to assist in staff salaries and program expenses for the 30 week program. The UNITY program gathers teens from local schools and focuses on community service and improvement.
The Caleb Group’s Mohawk Forest Apartments in North Adams are also receiving funding. Their $1,000 award will support low-income families with a variety of needs, including travel. Kathy Keeser, Service Coordinator for Mohawk Forest, says that they provide services for needy individuals in an area with adequate but limited public transportation.
The funding will also help with a community garden and other initiatives to connect low-income individuals with healthy foods.
Awards are chosen from applications reviewed by local residents and members of the Hardman family.
Awards:
All Saints Episcopal Church: $1,000 to provide clothing, shoes, backpacks and school supplies for children in need.
Berkshire County Kids' Place & Violence Prevention Center: $1,500 in support of preventing child abuse and neglect in North Adams and surrounding towns.
Berkshire Food Project: $4,670 to provide free noontime meals to seniors every day Monday through Friday.
Berkshire Nursing Families: $1,016 to support lactation services to families in northern Berkshire County.
Caleb Group/Mohawk Forest: $1,000 for transportation to shopping for families without vehicles, youth field trips, a community garden and fitness/nutrition programs for all ages.
Drury Drama Team: $1,000 to support a production of The Wizard of Oz with a cast of 100 children.
Elder Services of Berkshire County: $3,670 to provide hot, nutritious meals for seniors.
Florida Council on Aging: $2,500 to support The R.I.S.E. Program to help seniors remain safe and independent in their homes.
Hoosac Harvest Community Supported Agriculture: $2,170 to provide low-income families with community supported agriculture farm shares.
Clarksburg Elementary School: $650 to purchase supplies to support the Clarksburg Holocaust Exhibit, which teaches students and the community about the dangers of prejudice and discrimination.
Mill City Productions: $500 to support a series of theatrical productions in North Adams.
North Adams Historical Society: $750 to support 3rd grader visits to the North Adams Museum of History and Science.
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition: $2,000 to support the UNITY Youth Leadership Program; youth receive training on leadership development - including communication, conflict resolution, diversity, planning and decision making.
Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative: $2,670 to support the growing need at the Friendship Center Food Pantry.
Northern Berkshire YMCA: $1,400 to support the Summer Campership Program, which helps low-income youth participate in one of Northern Berkshire YMCA’s 25 different summer camp experiences.
Shakespeare & Company: $1,000 for Shakespeare in the Courts, a program to help at-risk youth develop positive communication and cooperation skills.
Take and Eat, Inc.: $2,670 to provide free weekend meals and wellness checks for homebound seniors.
The Hoosic River Revival Coalition: $1,000 to support the development and maintenance of two river-side Community Gardens.
