nbCC Marks 40 Years, Honors Northern Berkshire Hero Awardee

03:07PM / Tuesday, May 19, 2026Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition (nbCC) will celebrate its 40th Anniversary on Thursday, June 18th, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m with a formal dinner and celebratory dance party at GreylockWORKS.

The celebration will mark the launch of nbCC's first Capital Campaign — One Community, One Coalition — raising funds for a permanent Northern Berkshire community center at 192 State Street, North Adams, where our next 40 years begin.

This year's Northern Berkshire Hero Award will be presented to Jonathan Swartz. Jonathan is being recognized for his extensive civic engagement and extraordinary support of Berkshire organizations, nonprofits, and businesses.

In his own words: "I discovered that the best way to be active as an adult in the Berkshires was to find things I was interested in and just show up. I decided the best way to do this was giving back and philanthropy."

Swartz's commitment to community service began at a young age in Sparkill, NY. As a teenager, he found his voice at local town board meetings, a journey that led him to pivotal mentors like Rockland County Legislator Ed Clark and teacher Carl Wright. These early influences instilled in him a foundational belief that "all politics are local," stated a press release.

RSVP's are requested by June 8, 2026. Tickets for the event range from $35-175/person or can be purchased by the table. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Event sponsors: Diamond Sponsor Greylock Federal Credit Union, Ruby Sponsor Berkshire Health Systems, and Sapphire Sponsor NBT Bank.

Catering provided by Bounti-Fare. Registration is available online or by calling the Coalition at 413-663-7588. Registration link:https://bit.ly/nbCCturns40th

$175 - VIP tickets include: cocktail & hors d'oeuvres hour, VIP special gift, dinner, dessert & dancing

$100 - Dinner & Dancing tickets include: dinner, dessert & dancing

$35 - Dessert & Dancing tickets include: dessert table & dancing

Tags: NBCC,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

Save & Earn with Greylock

3.30% APY 6-month certificate. Click to learn more! Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

North Adams Housing Authority Director Steps Down

Staff Reports09:16AM / Friday, October 09, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jennifer Hohn, the longtime executive director of the North Adams Housing Authority (NAHA), has stepped down after 24 years with the agency.

The Berkshire Eagle reported that Hohn resigned from her position on Thursday. The NAHA Board of Commissioners is currently developing a transition plan.

Her resignation follows rising tension between Hohn and the tenants association. Residents—particularly at the Spring and Ashland Park apartments—have raised specific concerns regarding building security, drug activity, and trespassers.

This summer, Tenants Association President Corey Fortin posted a video on social media demonstrating that door alarms in some of the buildings were not functioning.

Shortly after the video was posted, the tenants association's office was locked. Members alleged Hohn locked the space in retaliation, while Hohn maintained it was a matter of tenant safety. Hohn also stated that NAHA does not officially recognize the association because it has yet to go through official channels for certification—a claim the tenants association disputes.

The dispute culminated in plans for a formal grievance hearing between Hohn and the association. Both sides agreed to hold a meeting on Oct. 3, but the hearing had not yet been scheduled at the time of her resignation.
During her tenure as director, Hohn oversaw significant changes at NAHA, including expansion and the dissolution of Housing Opportunities Incorporated, a program founded over 30 years ago to assist first-time homebuyers. Most recently, she led efforts to transition NAHA properties from traditional public housing models to the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. She also directed the rebuilding of a Greylock Valley Apartments building after it was severely damaged by a fire.

The NAHA Board of Commissioners meets monthly, typically on Mondays.

View Full Story