May Working Cities Wednesday

In May, nearly 50 enthusiastic people gathered at the Tyler Street Lab for friendly conversation and exciting ideas. See below for each pitch and how to follow up.

Topic: Teen Interpreters
Leader: Luis Manco (615 730 3661), Juliana Manosalva (413 344 6158)

Next meeting date: May 30, 2019

Summary:

  • There is a need for translation services for Latino communities in Pittsfield
  • We want to organize a volunteer group comprised of high school or college students who can provide the volunteer services.

Three things to do before the next meeting:

  • We need to define where the services would be performed / time / season
  • We can think about a pilot during the summer
  • It would be good to know how many people are in need of the translation services and for what purpose.
  • We need to identify incentives (school credits, job recommendations, other) for the volunteers

Resources you may need:

  • Human resources to design the project
  • Identify the potential number of volunteers
  • Develop a database with names

Topic: 2020 Census
Leader: Kathy Anker
Next meeting date: Community-wide meeting in August

Summary:

  • How do we get the community to understand how the census is and isn’t used?
  • Which populations are most likely to avoid or be left out by the census? Which names and taglines appeal to them?

Three things to do before the next meeting:

  • Report back at the next Working Cities Wednesday with discussion and census count

Resources you may need:

  • Volunteers
  • Note on door- I will be back

Topic: Cyber Security
Leader: Ash McNair, 774-210-9187
Summary:

  • Senior center, OLLI (BCC) > places to go do outreach on cyber security/aging population
  • Berkshire Children and Families, Family Resource Center speaker series
  • Elder Care Network
  • RSVP – seniors volunteering
  • Elizabeth Freeman Center (security)
  • Library (place to offer classes)
  • Class for patrons / library computers
  • Could piggyback on other events

Three things to do before the next meeting:

  • Contact organizations listed above
  • Morningside and Westside Initiative Meetings

Resources you may need:

  • Brochures, flyers

April Working Cities Wednesday

Neighbors gathered for another busy Working Cities Wednesday at Second Congregational Church on Onota St. See below for the pitches made and how to get involved.

Topic: Pittsfield Zine

Leader: Dondei Dean

Next meeting date: Sunday May 5th, 10am Dottie’s
Summary:

  • Things to include: free community events, movies, music, art from local artists, high schooler essays, local community members, events for kids especially in winter, tag sales, community features (humans of pittsfield), pictures (or drawings) of cats and other animals…advice column?
  • Needs to be ¼ page at least
  • Put contact info for submissions
  • Print at library in exchange for events/space
  • Recipes
  • Bilingual
  • Food pantries
  • Reminders of information distributed elsewhere
  • Distribution
  • Library, Dotties, local businesses, TSL, T&M, Methuselah, Marketplace, Chinese places
  • Can offer coupon printing
  • What to do on a Saturday in Pittsfield?
  • Big question: What are Pittsfielders passionate about?

Three things to do before the next meeting:

  • Make an email for submissions
  • Point person for high schoolers
  • Potential partners/sponsors- monthly

Resources you may need:

  • People to contact
  • Kate’s daughter- art
  • Artswalk artists
  • Materials: Staplers, folders, printer (library)

Topic: Victim’s rights
Leader: Barbara Bizzi, 413 442 0649
Summary:

  • Victims or family members to be notified and names registered and to put on file when the criminal is released
  • How do you let victims know that it’s their right to know this information
  • Victim advocate to process and get information to victims or familyHow do you get information out
  • It should be through the court that victims know this information

Resources you may need:

  • Kenny Warren- lawyer can ask questions
  • Brien Center has support for victims
  • Lisa McCue Victims Advocates at DA office

Topic: Surveys
Leader: Jane Wynn
Summary:

  • Save with solar etc. MassSave and SolarAccess
  • Targeting people who have former research
  • Time of day 4-6:00 when people have…
  • Tax incentive- local chapter landlords signage
  • Library
  • Greylock mtg for landlords tomorrow

Three things to do before the next meeting:

Resources you may need:

  • Volunteer
  • Note on door- I will be back