High demand prompts additional screenings of ‘The Encampments’

GREENFIELD — Due to high demand, with more than 100 tickets sold in advance for Monday night’s screening of “The Encampments,” the Garden Cinemas will offer additional shows on Saturday, April 19, at 11 a.m.; Sunday, April 20, at 2:30 p.m.; Tuesday, April 22 ($5 Tuesday) at 2:15 p.m.; Wednesday, April 23 (open caption) at 2:15 p.m.; and Thursday, April 24, at 2:15 p.m.

“The Encampments” follows students at Columbia University who in 2024 launched a movement protesting the war in Gaza. The film features detained activist Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student active in the demonstrations who also served as a spokesperson for the group. He was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on March 8 and faces deportation.

Eversource receives VETS Indexes 3 Star Employer Award

BOSTON — Eversource has again been recognized by VETS Indexes as one of the nation’s top veteran employers for 2025. Honored with the 3 Star Employer Award, the distinction highlights the energy company’s achievements in recruiting, hiring, developing and supporting both veterans and the military-connected community.

“We’re honored to again receive this prestigious national recognition through VETS Indexes for supporting our veteran employees, whose military experience and deep-rooted commitment to service bring an invaluable dynamic to our team,” Eversource Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Information Technology Susan Sgroi said in a statement. “The 800-plus veterans who work at Eversource represent every branch of the U.S. military, and their unique skills, leadership and integrity translate seamlessly to our daily mission of delivering safe, reliable power to millions of customers across the three states we serve. It’s a great privilege to be there for our veterans who have given so much for their fellow Americans, and every day we thank them for the tremendous contributions they have made to our country, and now make for our company.”

“Even as more organizations than ever before are recognizing the uniquely valuable skills that veterans bring as employees, Eversource’s efforts to recruit, retain, develop and support those who served, as well as their families, stand out from the pack,” VETS Indexes President George Altman said in a statement. “We want to congratulate the energy company for its remarkable progress creating a workplace that welcomes veterans from across New England and empowers them to advance their careers.”

Eversource is one of nearly 300 organizations that were recognized this year by VETS Indexes for their commitment to veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and military spouses. Participating organizations that completed and submitted surveys for the VETS Indexes Employer Awards included companies large and small, government agencies and departments, nonprofits, colleges and universities.

Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston programs available to help homebuyers

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Cooperative Bank has been approved to participate in Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston’s homeownership assistance programs, the Equity Builder Program and Housing Our Workforce. Both programs offer assistance to income-eligible homebuyers who are buying one- to four-family homes that will serve as their primary residence.

The Equity Builder Program (EBP) provides grants to financial institutions to help local first-time homebuyers with down payments and closing costs, as well as homebuyer counseling and rehabilitation assistance. Borrowers earning up to 80% of the area median income are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in assistance on a first-come, first-served basis. Buyers must complete homebuyer education/counseling.

Housing Our Workforce (HOW) enables financial institutions to help local homebuyers earning more than 80% and up to 120% of the area median income with down payments and closing costs. Borrowers can receive up to $25,000 in assistance on a first-come, first-served basis. Buyers must complete homebuyer education/counseling if they are a first-time homebuyer.

“These grant programs are designed to ease some challenges associated with a home purchase, particularly at a time when home prices have risen sharply and are beyond the reach of many individuals and families,” Jane H. Wolfe, Greenfield Cooperative Bank’s executive vice president of residential lending, said in a statement. “We are pleased to participate to help borrowers become homebuyers, while also supporting the financial stability and vitality of our communities.”

Greenfield Cooperative Bank is eligible to reserve up to $250,000 through the EBP and up to $250,0000 through HOW, depending on availability of funds in 2025.

To learn more about applying for assistance through these programs, contact Missy Tetreault at 413-773-6180 or mtetreault@greenfieldcoopbank.com, Victor H. Rodriguez Sr. at 413-322-7114 or vrodriguez@greenfieldcoopbank.com, Shelly H. Malo at 413-695-4344 or smalo@greenfieldcoopbank.com, or Kimberlee Gates at 413-322-7116 or kgates@greenfieldcoopbank.com.

Enrollment manager earns Staff Member of the Year Award

GREENFIELD — Kara Peters, enrollment manager for Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Head Start and Early Learning Programs, received the Massachusetts Head Start Association’s Staff Member of the Year Award. Peters was celebrated for her 23 years of service to the community, for exceptional leadership of her staff, and for her key role in the programs reaching and maintaining full enrollment.

Beginning during the early years of the pandemic, the Head Start and Early Learning Programs and early childhood programs across the state and country experienced low enrollment due to shortages of qualified staff. As of April 1, Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Head Start and Early Learning Programs marked six months of meeting federal standards for full enrollment (more than 97% enrolled).

“The work of Head Start begins with a strong enrollment team to build relationships with families in our community and welcome them into our program,” Head Start Director Anat Weisenfreund said in a statement. “While everyone in our program has helped us to be fully enrolled over the last six months, Kara has provided essential leadership toward this goal, and we are so glad to see her get recognized.”

“I am beyond honored to be receiving this award for doing a job I love so much,” Peters said in a statement. “I believe in what we do for families in our community and truly enjoy leading my enrollment team in partnering with those who would benefit from Head Start the most. I see how passionate all of our staff are and how hard everyone works in support of children and families, and I wish I could share this award with all of them.”