A Message from Our CEO - 2025 Volume 3
As we move through the final months of 2025, I am filled with gratitude and pride for all that we’ve accomplished together across BFAIR. Each season brings new opportunities to connect, advocate, and give back — and the past few months have truly shown the heart of our organization in action.
From handing out backpacks at the Downtown North Adams Celebration to supporting our veterans through our CBDS donation drive, our team continues to show what it means to be part of this community — to care, to contribute, and to lift one another up.
Our advocacy efforts reached new heights this fall as I joined hundreds of leaders in Washington, D.C. for the ANCOR Policy Summit, ensuring the voices of people with disabilities — and the dedicated professionals who support them — remain heard and valued in national policy discussions. Back home, we celebrated our incredible Direct Support Professionals, whose compassion and commitment inspire us every day.
We’ve also seen innovation and growth take center stage: the launch of our Bottle & Can Redemption Center’s new van, sponsored by Adams Community Bank, has expanded our reach, while North Adams’ pilot nip bottle redemption program is creating a cleaner, more sustainable community — and meaningful work opportunities for those we serve.
As we look ahead to the end of the year, I invite you to join us in our Heart of BFAIR Campaign, launching December 1. This year’s focus — equipping BFAIR’s first-ever SMART home — represents a powerful step toward independence and possibility for the people we support. With your help, we’ll bring assistive technology to life in ways that empower choice, safety, and dignity.
Thank you for being part of the BFAIR family — for celebrating with us, standing beside us in advocacy, and believing in the potential of every person we serve. Together, we’re not just building programs — we’re building a community where everyone belongs.
With gratitude,
Ethel Altiery
Interim CEO, BFAIR
