BHMA’s location in the college town of South Hadley, its proximity to the Five Colleges Consortium, as well as its closeness to the many colleges of the Greater Springfield area, allows many opportunities for our students to have social opportunities and gain partnerships with their college-age peers. At Mount Holyoke College, one mile away, our students often attend concerts, visit the student union, or cheer on the basketball team. Our friendship with the women of Mount Holyoke has grown over the years to include a campus-to-campus partnership with the Best Buddies organization.

Best Buddies of Mount Holyoke College

This volunteer group, a chapter of Best Buddies International, pairs our students for one-to-one friendships with Mount Holyoke students, providing another social and recreational outlet. Buddies enjoy frequent activities together, including movies, walks, going out to dinner, and many others.

In another form of partnership, the Performance Troupe of BHMA has been named the Official Friendship Band of Best Buddies International, which gives our musicians increased performance opportunities.

The BOLTWOOD Project of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst

The Boltwood Project is a Community Outreach Program through which university students’ work with persons with disabilities at sites throughout the Pioneer Valley. As a host site, BHMA enjoys one special evening a week featuring recreation and social-oriented activities planned and carried out for the benefit of our students by a peer group of fellow college students.

Elms College Nurses Health and Wellness Collaboration

Berkshire Hills is fortunate to be able to host interns from the Elms College Nursing Program. Most recently, students participated in a special Health and Wellness course taught by three RNs pursuing their BSN at Elms College, with a focus on prevention and nutrition.