News

These are just a few photos from some recent events. Over the summer, YOB sponsored a project to see a professional Women's soccer team, NJ/NY Gotham FC. It looks like they had some exotic NJ pizza on the way home too! More recently, YOB went to the Naumkeag Pumpkin Show. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes were celebrated. Even more recently, Buddha from Momma Lo's BBQ in Great Barrington, hosted a Group Mentoring session where youth prepped all the BBQ, were introduced to the ways of the smoker and grill, and even got to play some cards and video games while they waited for the food. Have you ever had smoked Mac and Cheese? Neither have I, and I can say it's something that's been on my mind since trying it.

Railroad Street Youth Project (RSYP) is pleased to announce that Emilia Sarmiento has been awarded the 2024 Railroad Street Youth Student Empowerment (RYSE) Scholarship.

Every year, RSYP publishes an Annual Report that showcases some of the amazing things our organization has accomplished. We've put a digital copy here on the website, but if a hardcopy is something that might interest you, reach out!

Deisy wears many hats in the South Berkshire community, so it was no surprise to discover that 'author' is one of her many talents. Check out this amazing article she wrote, exploring and providing insight for a program at Berkshire Community College, supporting participants and providing resources for non-native English speakers.

"Over the 8-week semester, a handful of young people meet after school, every Monday and Thursday, at No. 10. In 2-hour sessions, which often include guest chefs from other restaurants, Vassos teaches the students not just about kitchen work, but also the ins and outs of operating a restaurant."

"During the Railroad Street Youth Project’s annual 413 Youth Conference, students from schools across Berkshire County take part in varied workshops at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute in Lenox."

Sheyla Cruz was selected to receive seventh annual Railroad Street Youth Student Empowerment (RYSE) Scholarship. Created in 2017 by local youth leader Zinc Estime in partnership with their peers, RSYP staff and board members, RSYE provides an opportunity for students to explore options after high school – whether at a private, state, or community college, through a gap year, or at a vocational school – in a safe and supportive space.

“A program like this is a really good opportunity for young people to learn skills that will add to their expertise,” organization Director of Youth Empowerment and Advocacy Regina East said. “It’s also fun to learn to cook because it gives them empowerment, autonomy, and other skills". Check out the coverage from these two edge articles below!

The 413 Youth Conference (formerly 411 in the 413) will be held on Tuesday, April 11th at MASS MoCA in North Adams. This annual countywide event brings together high school students from across the Berkshires for a day of connection, workshops, and fun. The conference is organized by member organizations of the Berkshire Youth Development Project.

Railroad Street is proud to announce that Liza Price and Deisy Escobar have been appointed to Attorney General-elect Andrea Campbell's Transition Team.

The backstory of Great Barrington-based youth development organization Railroad Street Youth Project (RSYP) may be familiar to anyone who’s been paying attention to the South County nonprofit landscape.

It was an amazing evening of festivities, food, and fundraising

GREAT BARRINGTON — Russell Allen, Marina Dominguez and Z Estime have joined Railroad Street Youth Project as senior mentoring coordinator, outreach youth worker and South Berkshire Community Health Coalition program coordinator, respectively.

A Space created for, by, and in complete commitment to BIPOC youth in Berkshire County.

EGREMONT, Mass. - Twice a month, chef Dan Smith opens his kitchen at the John Andrews Farmhouse Restaurant in Egremont to a group of students as part of the Railroad Street Youth Project's culinary apprenticeship program.

GREAT BARRINGTON — It went from skate park to skating rink at warp speed.

"The mural project is yet another example of what can happen when youth voices are heard and accepted in this community." - Zufan Bazzano, 2018 Monument Mountain Regional High School graduate

The Southern Berkshire Community Health Coalition, Railroad Street Youth Project, and Multicultural BRIDGE came together to make a series of videos to help parents and teens have conversations about substance use.

“It takes a lot of courage to be a young person today. They are growing up in a time when young people are faced daily with uncertainty in an economically, environmentally and politically precarious world.” -- Railroad Street Youth Project Executive Director Ananda Timpane

Now Railroad Street Youth Project provides apprenticeships in computer coding and robotics, photography, theatre appreciation and directing, cosmetology, and culinary arts.