The dedication and presentation will start at 5 Hall Place at 2 p.m. Feb. 11.

Home again: Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity will host a Home Dedication for Sheerece Adams on Saturday, Feb. 11. Adams is in the process of closing on the purchase of the rehabilitated Habitat home at 5 Hall Place. This new homeowner had to complete 400 hours of sweat equity working at ReStore, on the job site of her future home, in addition to Financial Tools workshops and coaching.

The dedication and presentation will start at 5 Hall Place at 2 p.m. After the dedication guests will be welcomed with light refreshments and a tour of the home. Habitat has invited several local leaders such as Sen. Adam Hinds to speak at the dedication. All in the community are welcome to join.

In addition, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity is under construction for a home and is accepting applications from individuals and families who have the desire and commitment to become a homeowner. Call or stop by 314 Columbus Ave, Pittsfield to meet with our staff and complete an application.

Youth scholarships: Simon Malls and Simon Premium Outlets in New England are looking for qualified high school seniors who live near a Simon Mall or a Simon Premium Outlet and within the surrounding communities. Each year, Simon Youth Community Scholarships are awarded in every community across the country that is home to Simon Malls, or Premium Outlet centers. The application period has begun and ends on March 1. Students can apply online.

Any student who will be graduating in the class of 2017 and lives in the community surrounding a Simon property is eligible. Applicants can check their eligibility by entering their ZIP code online. Recipients will receive up to $1,500 to enroll in an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school.


 

Expanding opportunity: Greylock Federal Credit Union has announced the expansion of its Community Development program to include the introduction of new lending programs targeting financially underserved members such as credit-challenged borrowers, low income workers, immigrants, students, and young workers.

Over the past two years the credit union has successfully instituted one-on-one financial and credit counseling services and added eight Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors (CCUFCs) that are available throughout the county. Through its partnership with GreenPath Financial Wellness, Greylock offers a wide range of financial counseling resources focusing on debt, credit, housing and student loans. Greylock also offers classroom educational sessions, credit-building products, and partnerships with community agencies and advocates.

To oversee these activities, Greylock has appointed Cindy Shogry-Raimer to take on a new role as VP/Community Development Director. She was previously VP/Manager of Operational Risk at the Credit Union. Gloria Escobar has been named Community Development Specialist. She was previously a Branch Specialist at Greylock. In their new positions, Shogry-Raimer and Escobar will continue the work of Member Financial Education Program Coordinator, Maureen Finn, who led Greylock’s Community Development programs, and retired at the end of 2016.



Free tax filings: With support from Berkshire United Way, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity and Berkshire Community Action Council will offer free filing of 2016 federal and state income taxes through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, now through Sunday, April 16. Community members with a household income of $54,000 or less are eligible to have their taxes filed for FREE by IRS-certified VITA volunteers. Residents with a household income of $62,000 or less may also elect to complete their taxes online at Habitat's offices, 314 Columbus Ave., Pittsfield.

The VITA program, which is funded by Berkshire United Way and administered by Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity and Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC), helps individuals build financial stability by ensuring those who qualify receive the earned income tax credit. Over 5.5 million in additional dollars have been returned to working families in Berkshire County since Berkshire United Way began investing in the VITA program in 2011.

Free tax preparation is available at Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, 314 Columbus Ave., Pittsfield, and Berkshire Community Action Council, 1531 East St., Pittsfield. To make an appointment at these locations, call 413-442-0002.  Residents may also make an appointment to complete back taxes from 2012-2015.



Interactive banking: Berkshire Bank opened its new downtown Boston branch location, 121 Congress St., on Feb. 6, with business hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The opening also served as the bank's debut of the new MyBanker Concierge Banking, My Teller experience and Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs).
 
MyBanker Concierge Banking provides a single point of contact for all banking needs, combining direct access to a dedicated Berkshire Bank relationship expert with the convenience of technology. MyBanker relationships run the gamut of financial services by providing proactive financial planning guidance as well as offering a hand with courtesy requests, anytime, anywhere. My Banker is levelling the playing field, allowing everyone access to the same benefits; no longer is service based on wealth.
 
My Teller is a new video banking system through which live tellers will be able to assist customers from a remote location, utilizing new Interactive Teller Machine (ITM) technology. ITMs are a more sophisticated version of an ATM, allowing customers to interact with My Teller through two-way video chat directly on the machine screen.  Customers simply touch the screen to get started and the My Teller will appear live on the screen to perform all the transactions a branch teller can, providing the same level of exciting service.

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