July 26 Working Cities Wednesday

Below is a summary of discussions from the July 26 Working Cities Wednesday meeting and how to get involved in each topic.

Art Place America Grant to help educate about storm water 

Alison Dixon [email protected]  413-298-7024 

Discussion: 

  • Finalist in the Art Place America Grant to solve community challenge 
  • Is money coming into the city for this? 
  • Rain related sculptures 
  • Harvest of Hope Sept 16  

Three things to do before the next meeting: 

  • Talk to City about refilling dog waste bags 
  • Create a map of all the rivers and lakes that show the storm drains into the river 
  • Contact Kiwanis, Boy Scouts, Youth Action Research Team  

Resources needed: 

  • More people 
  • Dog waste bags 
  • Map maker 

 Access to energy conservation and renewable energy for low income residents 

Nat Karns [email protected] 413-442-1521x 26 

Discussion: 

  • Use community (meaning neighborhood) leaders to provide information to their network and use existing organization leadership that is working with lower income populations already to provide information; 
  • Need information on programs that are most applicable and useable to the population in common language and in multiple languages – certainly at least Spanish; there may be others such as Portuguese that need to be considered as well.  They don’t need jargon or bureaucratic terms – need to be straightforward and pretty simple. 
  • Use community events – block parties, 3rd Thursday, festivals, etc. to spread information 

Transportation* 

Barbara Bizzi [email protected] 413-442-0649 

Discussion: 

Participants discuss transportation needs with a representative from BRTA
Participants discuss transportation needs with a representative from BRTA
  • Immediate transportation needs 
  • Shared ideas and concerns with BRTA 
  • Share BRTA survey 

Resources needed: 

  • Reach out to Councilors and State representatives 
  • Ideas 

*Working Cities is focused on transportation in the Berkshires. If you would like to work with us, please contact our Initiative Director. 

Using technology to support food pantries 

Zach Durso [email protected] 413-347-9224 

Discussion: 

  • Different ways to support food pantries 
  • What things to focus on first 
  • Creatively thinking about ideas 

Three things to do before the next meeting: 

  • Learn oasis system 
  • Visit 3 pantries 
  • Contact 3 assistance organizations 

Resources needed: 

  • People power 
  • Money 

Trauma Informed Berkshires 

Chris Haley [email protected] 413-355-2014 

Discussion: 

Participants discuss a Trauma Informed Berkshires
Participants discuss a Trauma Informed Berkshires with a representative from the Department of Mental Health
  • Mission of Trauma Informed Berkshires 
  • Event on 8/15 

Three things to do before the next meeting: 

  • Spread word about event 
  • Hold event on 8/15 
  • Meet with Tack Burbank 

Resources needed: 

  • Spread the word 
  • Bring people