JWF Of The Berkshires Awards New Grants Benefiting Residents

The Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Berkshires (JWF) announced grant awards totaling $38,700 for 12 local organizations.

Recipients needed to demonstrate the ability to maintain their programming during the pandemic and/or respond to newly-identified needs.

Funded programs fall into three of JWF’s priority areas:

The grants range from $2,000 to $3,500 and run for one year.

These grants this year went towards, Increasing access to food, housing, and other essentials for:

Berkshire residents Berkshire Baby Box which is a non-profit organization that provides a safe sleeping space for newborns, essential items, and an educational component that connects parents to local resources and community support.

The Berkshire Community Diaper Project, Inc. (BCDP) raises funds and collects diaper donations to provide these essential items for parents who struggle to afford them for their children.

Berkshire Hills Regional School District Project Connection, offer free afterschool programs that focus on activity-based experiential learning which helps the students meet academic and social and emotional needs.

Berkshire Grown, Berkshire Grown supports and promotes local agriculture as a vital part of the Berkshire community, economy and landscape.

Construct, For over fifty years Construct has been a leader in the fight against homelessness and housing insecurity in the Southern Berkshires.

Roots Rising (Formerly The Alchemy Project) launched the Virtual Farmers Market to meet the community's need for access to fresh food and our farmers' need for economic support during the current COVID-19 crisis. They offer financial assistance to make the Virtual Farmers Market affordable to all. And they deliver food to all of Berkshire County to help keep our community safe during this pandemic.

They also Promote self-sufficiency Berkshire Center for Justice, Berkshire Immigrant Center, Literacy Volunteers, Empowering Youth and Young Adults Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center/Girls Inc. of the Berkshires, Railroad Street Youth Project, Community Health Programs

In its eleventh year, JWF, under the auspices of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, has granted more than $400,000 to community organizations.