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Recurring (Non-Fixed Schedule)

Berkshire Food Project

The Berkshire Food Project provides free lunches on weekdays at the First Congregational Church in downtown North Adams. This program creates a great link between Williams College and other parts of the northern Berkshires. Volunteers join the staff of the BFP and help prepare, serve and enjoy lunch with members of the community. Help is appreciated between the hours of 8:30 AM and 2 PM on weekdays. There are also opportunities for groups to volunteer in the evening or on weekends for special projects. Students can either fill out the online application or contact the BFP directly.

First Congregational Church
134 Main Street
North Adams, MA 01247

http://berkshirefoodproject.org/

Contact:
Kim McMann
[email protected]
413-664-7378

Berkshire Immigrant Center

The mission of the Berkshire Immigrant Center is to assist individuals and families in making the economic, psychological and cultural adjustment to a new land, not only by meeting basic needs, but also by helping them to become active participants in our community. The Center also aims to build bridges of understanding and cooperation across cultures, to fight racism and discrimination in all forms, and to advocate for the rights of immigrants from all backgrounds. The Center offers comprehensive services for individuals from more than 80 countries to promote civic engagement, facilitate cultural integration, and assist in navigating the complex U.S. immigration system.

Additional Information & Current Opportunities:

learning-in-action.williams.edu/opportunities/berkshire-immigrant-center/

BFAIR

Berkshire Family and Individual Resources (BFAIR) is a national and state accredited human service agency responsive to the unique needs of people with disabilities and their families through:

  • A Dedication to Excellence
  • Diverse Service Options
  • Safe and Healthy Environments
  • Fiscal Responsibility
  • Community Partnerships
  • Career Opportunities and Advancement
  • Inspiring Abilities, Creating Limitless Possibilities

Additional Information & Current Opportunities:

learning-in-action.williams.edu/opportunities/bfair

Converging Worlds

Student Leaders: Maria Hidalgo Romero
Faculty/Staff Adviser: Paula Consolini
Meeting Time/Place: Wednesdays 7PM, Zilkha Center Reading Room

Converging Worlds  (CW) is a student organization which was created to raise awareness about racial injustice in our court and carceral systems. Through penpal relationships with currently incarcerated, queer people, a transformative justice mentorship program at Reid Middle School in Pittsfield, MA, the publication of SUMMIT – a magazine dedicated to the sharing of concrete ideas for community programming in Berkshire County, and a social activist speaker series, CW seeks to end the school-to-prison pipeline and think critically about alternatives to our current carceral state.

Facebook
CW Facebook Page

Education Outreach

For 20+ years, Williams has partnered with our local educators to create hands-on programming that serve the needs of the children and their families in a host of Berkshire County schools in the areas of science, writing, mentoring, homework help and more. Currently, more than 350 students participate and serve in K-12 schools in paid and volunteer positions in Williamstown, Lanesborough, North Adams and Pittsfield. We welcome your involvement and ideas, and look forward to hearing from you! Please visit the Education Outreach section of our website for more information.

Eph Buddies

Student Leaders: Julianna Veira ([email protected]), Helena Barber ([email protected])
Faculty/Staff Adviser: Colin Ovitsky ([email protected])
Meeting Time/Place: Wednesdays

Eph Buddies was created to facilitate friendships between the students at Williams College and members of our community who have mental and physical disabilities. We strive to support these individuals, provide them with additional resources and activities, and create for them a greater sense of social belongingness in our community. Most of our work is with the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) center and Berkshire Family & Individual Resources (BFAIR).

 

 

Give It Up!

Students collect clothing, books, & other leftovers from fellow students at year’s end. Donations of appliances, household goods and clothing are sold in the Tag sale at First Congregational Church and the ABC (A Better Community) Clothing Sale in September.  Proceeds from these sales benefit local charitable organizations and initiatives such as the Louison House Homeless Shelter and the Friendship Center Food Pantry. Donated food, personal care products and cleaning supplies are brought to St. Patrick’s food pantry. Proceeds from the sale of donated books benefit Education for Konyango,  a project organized by Williams students to support educational initiatives of the Konyango Mboto community in rural Kenya.

The 2017 ABC Clothing Sale raised over $37,000! The following local community organizations were the beneficiaries of the proceeds:

  • Barrington Stage Company’s Playwright Mentoring Program
  • Elizabeth Freeman Center
  • Friendship Center Food Pantry
  • Kids 4 Harmony
  • Louison House
  • North Adams Summer Youth Works Program
  • Roots Teen Center
  • Williamstown Food Pantry

Additional Information & Opportunities:

learning-in-action.williams.edu/opportunities/give-it-up

Great Ideas Committee

Student Leaders: Luke Baumann ([email protected])
Meeting Time/Place: College Council Suite, time according to members’ schedule

The Great Ideas Committee solicits ideas from the community to improve student life at Williams. These ideas can be conveniences (such as installing water fountains or buying chargers for the library), policy changes, improved communication systems, or anything else, though the scope of the projects is generally smaller than the larger policy questions debated by College Council or faculty committees. We draw from the CC Projects fund.

Website

InterFaith

Student Leaders: Giovanni DiRusso
Faculty/Staff Adviser: Seth Wax
Meeting Time/Place: Once a week 5:30-6:30 PM, Mission Dining Hall

InterFaith serves as a discussion group and mediating body for individuals and groups of various faith backgrounds and life philosophies on campus. We aim to provide a safe and intellectually engaging space for people of different worldviews to come together to discuss themes they may encounter form their different backgrounds. We also offer resources on and access to various forms of faith-based and faith-related community service and activism. Finally, we plan to collaborate with the Chaplain’s Office to facilitate discussion between various other groups of faith on campus.

Lehman Community Engagement

Student Leaders: Megan Seidman
Faculty/Staff Adviser: Sharif Rosen
Meeting Time/Place: Sundays, Paresky

Recognizing that community outreach and interaction is necessary for the actualization of the mission of a liberal arts education, the Lehman Council (for Community Engagement) serves to promote, foster, and maintain a spirit of service on campus. This is done through many different community-oriented service projects throughout the year. We organize a Fall and a Spring Great Day of Service to engage the wider campus community in service in addition to smaller monthly and annual projects. Our projects range from baking for the less fortunate, volunteering at the Berkshire Humane Society, helping at the local co-op farms, building for Habitat for Humanity and many more! We are also enthusiastic about aiding other groups and students in organizing projects for their own interests.

Math Riddles

Many students find math dry in high school and junior high school. The purpose of the webpage is to help students and teachers see that math can be fun, interesting and applicable.

In addition to the riddles, there is a student/teacher corner where detailed explanations are given, not just of how to solve the problem, but how to try to attack it. In particular, often promising approaches that don’t pan out are discussed. The purpose is to help students and teachers learn how to approach new problems.

Additional Information & Current Opportunities:

learning-in-action.williams.edu/opportunities/math-riddles

Moo-Mami

Student Leaders: Brenda Xu
Faculty/Staff Adviser: Caroline Bruno
Meeting Time/Place: Friday evening, Zilkha Center kitchen

Moo-mami teaches members of the community useful cooking techniques and immerses them in the process of raising money for charity. Organization participants will learn and become comfortable with a variety of cooking techniques, thereby acquiring a valuable life skill that students ordinarily are not exposed to in the academic classroom. Through the culinary lessons and time allotted to practice, we hope to build and foster a sense of community around food. Another element of the club consists of familiarizing and raising awareness about various social and medical issues around the world. The process of raising money for charity offers students an opportunity to engage in fundraising for a worthy cause.

Facebook Page

Purple Bike Coalition

Student Leaders: Lucas Estrada
Faculty/Staff Adviser: Sarah Gardner
Meeting Time/Place: Bike Shop (1st floor of Mark Hopkins)

The Purple Bike Coalition (PBC) is a student run organization that intends to provide bicycle maintenance services to Williams students and the greater Williams community, while educating people on the processes used to repair the bike. PBC mechanics will teach bicycle riders simple maintenance techniques and try to give riders the skills to fix and maintain their own bikes. The PBC will replace simple parts and perform the maintenance free of charge. The PBC will conduct a free bike rental program for students, staff, and faculty. The PBC, affiliated with the Center for Environmental Studies, looks to improve the quality of cycling on the Williams campus by providing safety and riding tips.

PBC Website

QuestBridge

Student Leaders: Onyeka Obi
Faculty/Staff Adviser: April Ruiz
Meeting Time/Place: Hollander 101

The primary purpose of the Williams QuestBridge Scholars Network is to provide a coherent support system for entering and continuing QuestBridge-affiliated Scholars at Williams College. However, while the Williams QSN functions as a place of support for low-income and first-generation students, many of its services benefit students from all backgrounds; all students are welcome to participate in the QSN’s events. Through the Williams QSN, students have an opportunity to meet others with similar life experiences through frequent social events and gatherings. With an emphasis on service, community building, and student mentorship, the QSN strives to continue our greater organization’s goal of seeing disadvantaged students thrive and give back.

Rules Change Project

The Rules Change Project is an initiative to support action ideas for capitalism and the common good.  America is not working for all of us. The Rules Change Project is an open coalition to spotlight, amplify and educate the public about existing efforts to foster economic “rules change.” It is an informal, non-partisan collaboration of individuals and independent groups seeking to help launch a national conversation about how we govern, regulate, manage and interact with corporations, about their relationship with government, and with their stakeholders — employees, customers, communities, the environment — in addition to stockholders.

Additional Information & Current Opportunities:

learning-in-action.williams.edu/opportunities/rules-change-project

The Alhambra Consulting Group

Student Leaders: Nikhil Palanki
Faculty/Staff Adviser: Paula Consolini
Meeting Time/Place: Mondays, Wednesdays in Paresky Center

The Alhambra Consulting Group (ACG) is Williams College’s first-ever student-run consulting group. As a firm, Alhambra aims to foster regional economic development in Berkshire County by providing pro-bono strategy and management advisory to local businesses, non-profits, and political (public sector) groups. Alhambra’s primary service includes conducting academic and business research, collecting and analyzing data, advising and designing marketing and advertising campaigns, and developing and implementing technology. Alhambra’s primary focus is to leverage the resources of Williams College to engage with the regional issues of Berkshire County and foster long-term growth and change for our clients and out community.

United Cerebral Palsy

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Association of Berkshire County has dedicated itself to offering supports and advocacy for any individual, regardless of disability, to pursue a fulfilling, self-determined, high-quality community life – a life without limits.  The UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and citizenship of people with disabilities. UCP of Berkshire County is an affiliate of United Cerebral Palsy Association.

Additional Information & Current Opportunities:

learning-in-action.williams.edu/opportunities/united-cerebral-palsy

Williams College Jewish Association

Student Leaders: Rachel Levin
Faculty/Staff Adviser: Seth Wax
Meeting Time/Place: Wednesdays at 9 PM, Jewish Religion Center

The Williams College Jewish Association serves all Jewish students, faculty and staff on campus, although we also welcome non-Jews to every event. We provide religious, social and cultural programs that relate to Judaism.

Williams Outing Club

Student Leaders: Jonathan Hall
Faculty/Staff Adviser: Scott Lewis
Meeting Time/Place: Tuesdays at 7 PM, Matt Cole Reading Room (CES)

WOC offers a wide variety of events, trips, and activities throughout the year, including regular sunrise hikes, polar bear swims, campouts, indoor climbing, and PE classes–as well as many longer trips and other activites. Special events every year include Mountain Day, Winter Carnival, and the WOOLF outdoor orientation program for first-years.

Willy Good Wood

Student Leaders: Geff Fisher ([email protected]), Jensen Pak ([email protected]u), Robert Hefferon ([email protected]), Evelyn Mahon ([email protected])
Faculty/Staff Adviser: Ben Lamb ([email protected])
Meeting Time/Place: Monthly, First Congregational Church

Our organization aims to provide an opportunity for Williams College students to learn and practice woodworking and related handicrafts in a safe and educational environment. We also aim to engage with the community through woodworking-related service projects with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. The club offers a place for students to create and work with their hands in a way that may not be included in their normal academic schedule, and a chance to engage in community service projects using the skills they have acquired through club activities.

WRAPS

Student Leader(s): Marco Vallejos
Faculty/Staff Adviser: Colin Ovitsky
Meeting Time/Place: Paresky kitchen

WRAPS (Williams Recovery of All Perishable Surplus) packages leftover dining hall food into individual meals made up of a grain, protein, and vegetable. We freeze these meals before delivering them on Fridays to our community partners in North Adams.

Facebook

FRN/WRAPS Facebook Page