>>> COMING UP, STORIES WE'RE CONNECTING YOU WITH TONIGHT.

STUDENTS IN ORANGE HELP IMPROVE THEIR COMMUNITY AND LEARN SOME VALUABLE LESSONS ALONG THE WAY.

>> GROUND STARTED DETERIORATING AND EVERYTHING WAS NOT AS WELL AS IT WAS ONCE WE STARTED HERE.

SO I THOUGHT, OH, THIS COULD BE A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY AND I KNOW A LOT OF THE KIDS IN MY GRADE WILL APPRECIATE IT, TOO.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN REACHES 100 DAYS IN OFFICE.

SO HOW'S HE DOING?

>> I ALMOST SEE BIDEN AS THAT GUY THAT YOU LOOK AT THE BOX SCORE AFTER THE GAME AND YOU GO, WOW, I DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD 30 POINTS, RIGHT?

LIKE HE'S KIND OF DONE IT UNDER THE RADAR.

>> AND TWO BERKSHIRE COUNTY RESTAURANTURES SERVE UP A LOT MORE THAN JUST FOOD TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> THEY'RE ALWAYS FEEDING THE HOMELESS AND HELPING OUT WITH IF NEEDY AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY FIND TIME TO SLEEP, BECAUSE THEY'RE ALWAYS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND AT THE RESTAURANT.

>> DETAILS ON THOSE STORIES AND MORE UP NEXT ON CONNECTING POINT.

¶ ¶ >>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR CONNECTING POINT.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL FOR APPLIED RESEARCH OR SARS PROGRAM AT MAHAR REGIONAL SCHOOL IN ORANGE HAVE A HISTORY OF TAKING ON PROJECTS THAT HELP IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY THEY LIVE IN.

PAST PROJECTS INCLUDE THE CREATION OF A STUDENT RUNNING CLUB, DEVELOPMENT OF A WEBSITE TO HELP YOUTH WHO ARE AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE, AND STARTING A COMPETITION TO HELP REDUCE CAFETERIA WASTE.

ONE OF THIS YEAR'S PROJECTS IS THE REVITALIZATION OF A LOCAL BASKETBALL COURT.

BUT AS PRODUCER DAVE FRASER FOUND OUT, THIS COURT IS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST A PLACE TO SHOOT HOOPS.

[APPLAUSE] >> WE BASICALLY GREW UP HERE ON THIS COURT, SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN GIVE IT THE LOVE THAT IT'S GIVEN US KIND OF THING.

>> GOOGLE IT AND IT COMES UP 95 EAST RIVER STREET.

BUT ASK ANY KID IN THE TOWN OF ORANGE AND THEY'LL TELL YOU THIS IS DOUBLE RIMS.

>> I WAS NOT AS AWARE OF DOUBLE RIMS AS THEY AFFECTIONATELY CALL IT UNTIL THIS YEAR.

AND THIS STORY HAS -- OR THIS PROJECT HAS SPREAD SO MUCH INTEREST IN OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY BECAUSE AS IT TURNS OUT, A LARGE PORTION OF OUR STUDENTS COME HERE AND THIS IS LIKE THEIR REC AREA.

>> WHERE ARE THOSE BIG -- >> WHEN SENIOR ABBY HENNE WAS THINKING OF A PROJECT FOR HER SCHOOL, SHE WANTED TO KEEP IT LOCAL AND FOCUS ON A PLACE THAT HAD BEEN A BIG PART OF HER LIFE GROWING UP.

>> EVER SINCE I WAS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, I WOULD ALWAYS COME HERE WITH ALL MY FRIENDS AFTER SCHOOL AND WE'D PLAY BASKETBALL BUT OVER THE YEARS, THE GROUND STARTED DETERIORATING AND EVERYTHING WAS NOT AS WELL AS IT WAS ONCE WE STARTED HERE.

SO I THOUGHT, OH, THIS COULD BE A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY.

AND I KNOW A LOT OF THE KIDS IN MY GRADE WILL APPRECIATE IT, TOO.

>> MY NAME IS ABBY AND THIS IS HANNAH AND CHRIS.

SHEVON ON IS A DIFFERENT COMPUTER.

>> THE CLASSMATES MET REMOTELY TO EXPLAIN THEIR PROJECT CALLED REVAMP THE RIMS.

>> THE BASKETBALL COURTS ARE DETERIORATING.

THE CONDITION OF THE COURT IS A PURE REFLECTION OF THE LOVE SO MUCH OF OUR -- SO MANY OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE FOR THE GAME OF BASKETBALL AND THIS IS EVIDENT WHO PASSES BY THE COURT ON ANY GIVEN DAY.

>> THE GOAL OF THE SARS PROGRAM IS TO GET STUDENTS AWAY FROM THE TYPICAL TEACHER-RED A.P.

AND HONORS COURSES AND GET THEM OUT OF THE CLASSROOM, IMMERSING THEMSELVES IN A PROGRAM THAT REQUIRES INTENSIVE COLLABORATION, ALL WHILE HELPING TO ADDRESS SOLUTIONS IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD.

>> THE STUDENTS DECIDE WHAT IT IS THAT THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WHAT THEY WANT TO DIG INTO.

AND THEN WE FACILITATE AND HELP TO LEAD THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS OF MAKING CHANGE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> THROUGH TWO YEARS, WITH THESE KIDS, HAVE CULTIVATED THE IDEA THAT THEY CAN DO THIS, THAT THEY CAN MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS, AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE -- THOSE DECISIONS THEMSELVES.

BOTH IN THEIR ACADEMIC LIFE AND IN THIS COMMUNAL LIFE.

>> PART OF THE PROJECT INCLUDED GETTING THEIR HANDS DIRTY, CLEANING UP THE GROUNDS, TRIMMING BUSHES, BUILDING PLANTER BOXES, AND PAINTING A MURAL THAT WILL LINE THE COURT.

>> WE WANTED TO REALLY GRAB PEOPLE'S ATTENTION WHILE THEY'RE DRIVING BY, WHICH IS WHY WE'RE PUTTING IT ON THE BACK FENCE.

AND THEY EACH SYMBOLIZE SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

ONE IS GOING TO BE A BASKETBALL AND ONE IS GOING TO BE A FLOWER BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO SYMBOLIZE AGRICULTURE, STUFF AROUND HERE, GROWTH, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO IMPLEMENT PLANTER BOXES.

>> NICE ARID SOIL.

>> I WAS INVOLVED BECAUSE OF MY RESEARCH WITH FOOD INSECURITY.

AND INJUSTICE IN THE COMMUNITY.

MY PIECE OF IT IS I'M BUILDING PLANTER BOXES OVER THERE.

KIND OF BRINGING IN FOOD ACCESS IN THIS AREA.

>> WE'RE REALLY JUST CLEARING OUT SOME OF THIS AREA JUST SO IT WILL LOOK A BIT NICER AND SO WE CAN START TO CLEAN IT UP A BIT.

WE WANT TO REPLACE THE BACKBOARDS AND STUFF, JUST TO GET SOME BETTER STUFF IN HERE.

>> THE TOWN'S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, ALEC WADE, IS WORKING WITH THE STUDENTS TO HELP THEM APPLY FOR A PARKLAND ACQUISITIONS AND RENOVATIONS FOR COMMUNITIES GRANT.

>> IT'S REALLY RARE THAT YOU SEE ESPECIALLY A GROUP OF STUDENTS APPROACH YOU WITH A PROJECT ON THIS SCALE.

ONCE I HEARD THE BACKGROUND STORY OF WHAT THEY WERE PROPOSING, THEIR REASONING BEHIND IT, THEIR HISTORY WITH THE SITE, IT WAS A NO-BRAINER AT THAT POINT.

>> I THINK IT -- >> FOR ABBIE THE EXPERIENCE OF MANAGING THIS PROJECT FOR HER CLASS HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS ONE.

SHE PLANS TO GO ON TO SCHOOL FOR CRIM JUSTICE -- CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

>> PIKE PICKING TEAMS, INTERVIEWING MY TEAM MEMBERS.

AND I KIND OF LIKE THE ENVIRONMENT THAT I'VE PUT MYSELF IN.

SO I'M ACTUALLY GONNA MINOR IN PUBLIC RESTS, TOO, TO BE OUT -- PUBLIC RELATIONS, TOO, AND BE OUT THERE AND BE SURROUNDED BY THESE PEOPLE IN THIS TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT.

>> I THINK WORKING WITH THE SAR PROGRAM, IT KIND OF HIGHLIGHTS THE TACT THAT KIDS ARE OFTEN UNDER -- FACT THAT KIDS ARE OFTEN UNDERSTATED.

IF YOU GIVE US THE TIME, THE KIND OF HOPE AND THE BACKING AND THE SUPPORT, WE REALLY CAN DO A LOT OF AMAZING STUFF.

¶ ¶ >>> EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT "CONNECTING POINT" EXPLORES THE PEOPLE, PLACES, AND IDEAS IN A MATTER MOST TO WESTERN NEW ENGLAND, BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE.

YOU CAN FIND US ONLINE ANYTIME FOR EXCLUSIVE FEATURES AND CONTENT.

IN OUR DIGITAL EXTRA THIS WEEK, WE MARK THE 83RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE CREATION OF THE QUABBIN RESERVOIR AND REMEMBER THE FOUR TOWNS SACRIFICED TO PROVIDE CLEAN DRINKING WATER FOR THE BOSTON AREA.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ >> DON'T MISS THIS DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE, AVAILABLE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

>>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IS JUST FINISHING HIS FIRST 100 DAYS IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

HE TOOK OFFICE WITH AM AN AMBITIOUS AGENDA THAT INCLUDES GETTING AHEAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS, STEERING THE MASSIVE ECONOMIC RECOVERY, AND OVERHAULING CLIMATE POLICY.

ALL OF THIS WITH A NARROW DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY IN CONGRESS AND A DEEPLY DIVIDED NATION.

SO HOW DID JOE BIDEN DO IN HIS FIRST THREE MONTHS ON THE JOB?

CONNECTING POINT'S RAY HERSHEL SPOKE WITH POLITICAL CONSULTANTS RYAN MCCOLLUM AND TONY CIGNOLI TO GET THEIR THOUGHTS ON WHAT THE PRESIDENT HAS ACCOMPLISHED IN HIS FIRST 100 DAYS AND WHAT THE OUTLOOK IS MOVING FORWARD.

>> IT HAS BEEN AN EXTRAORDINARY FIRST 100 DAYS BY ANYONE'S ACCOUNT.

CERTAINLY REPUBLICANS AND OTHERS, COB -- CONTRAREIANCE, MIGHT WANT TO PICK APART SOMEWHAT HE'S DONE.

THE 11 PIECES OF LEGISLATION HE SIGNED, THE 42 EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

THAT'S A LOT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT.

A LOT OF WORK.

BUT MORE IMPORTANT DHAN ANYTHING ELSE -- THAN ANYTHING ELSE, MAKING GOOD ON THE PROMISE.

KIND OF LIKE BABE RUTH POINTING TO THE CORNER AND SAY I'M GOING TO HIT THIS HOME RUN FOR YOU.

WHEN IT COMES TO VOICES ON VOAFD -- VACCINATIONS ON COVID, NOTHING ELSE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT.

AND HE CAN MAKE THE CASE FOR AN AGGRESSIVE FIRST 100 DAYS.

>> RYAN, WHAT YOU ARE YOUR TAKEAWAYS FROM JOE BIDEN'S FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE?

>> I AGREE WITH TONY.

YOU KNOW, HE MENTIONED BABE RUTH BUT I ALMOST SEE BIDEN AS THAT GUY THAT YOU LOOK AT THE BOX SCORE AFTER THE GAME AND YOU GO, WOW, I DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD 30 POINTS, RIGHT?

LIKE HE'S KIND OF DONE IT UNDER THE RADAR.

AND COMING OFF THE HEELS OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT PEOPLE CALL A REALITY SHOW PRESIDENT, HE'S -- HE'S DOING IT DIFFERENTLY THAN TRUMP.

LIKE SOME DAYS YOU WAKE UP AND YOU DON'T -- YOU'RE NOT REMINDED WHO THE PRESIDENT IS.

YOU CAN LIVE A WHOLE DAY WITHOUT HEARING ABOUT THE PRESIDENT.

AND THAT'S WHAT THINGS USED TO BE LIKE.

AND SO HE'S -- HE'S MORE OF THE WORKHORSE AND NOT THE SHOW HORSE AND HE'S BEEN DOING THAT FOR THE LAST 100 DAYS AND I THINK HE IN HIS CONGRESSIONAL ADDRESS LAST NIGHT, HE LAID THAT HOME.

SOME OF THE CRITIQUES HAVE BEEN THAT IT WAS BORING AND I HAD A FRIEND THAT SAID, POLITICS IS SUPPOSED TO BE BORING.

GOVERNMENT IS BORING!

LIKE THIS IS -- WHEN THINGS ARE GETTING DONE CORRECTLY, SOMETIMES IT'S NOT -- IT'S NOT ALL CRAZY AND LIGHTS AND GLAMOR LIKE TRUMP HAD TO HAVE IT.

>> WHEN THE PRESIDENT SPOKE BEFORE COMING UP NEXT, HE UNVEILED SOME VERY -- BEFORE CONGRESS HE UNVEILED SOME VERY AMBITIOUS INITIATIVES BEYOND WHAT HE'S ACCOMPLISHED IN HIS FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE.

THE COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE OF COURSE WAS PASSED PRETTY MUCH ON A PARTISAN VOTE.

IT WAS DEMOCRATS VOTING FOR IT, REPUBLICANS VOTING AGAINST IT.

AS WE MOVE FORWARD NOW, AS THESE NEW INITIATIVES ARE DEBATED AND BROUGHT BEFORE CONGRESS, WHAT DO YOU SEE IN TERMS OF POTENTIAL BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT?

WILL THERE BE ANY PARTISAN -- BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT OR WILL THEY HAVE TO DO IT ALONE AGAIN?

>> WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG, THE TOP 20% THAT WE'RE ALLOWED TO SEE IN THE MACHINATIONS OF GOVERNMENT.

WHAT'S OUT THERE THAT THE MEDIA IS ABLE TO REPORT BACK TO US.

THERE'S A LOT OF BEHIND-THE-SCENES GOING ON.

JOE BIDEN AND HIS TEAM, KAMALA HARRIS, HE'S ARE POLITICAL STATISTICIANS.

THEY'RE SHARP.

THEY'RE STRATEGISTS.

THEY KNOW THAT THE LIKELIHOOD OF ANY KIND OF A BIPARTISAN REAL COMING TOGETHER ON ALL OF THESE PROPOSALS IS NOT GONNA BE THERE.

THERE'S GOT TO BE A PERCEPTION FOR REPUBLICANS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THIS AND I DON'T THINK IT'S THE MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE AND CONGRESS THAT ARE GOING TO MAKE THE REAL MOVEMENT HERE.

I THINK IT'S FINDING THOSE REPUBLICAN LEADERS AROUND AMERICA, THOSE CITY MANAGERS, THOSE MAYORS WHO MAY BE -- COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WE'RE COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS STILL POWERFUL LIKE IN THE SOUTH, AND CAN THOSE INDIVIDUALS THEN MOVE REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESS.

>> WILL JOE BIDEN BE ABLE TO GET HIS INFRASTRUCTURE BILL PASSED?

WILL HE BE ABLE TO GET HIS PROPOSAL FOR HELPING CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND EDUCATION, PASSED?

OR WILL THEY LOOK A LOT DIFFERENT THAN THEY ARE THAT HE'S PROPOSING?

>> I THINK HE'LL GET SOMETHING PASSED.

YOU KNOW, GETTING 10 SENATORS, WHICH IS KIND OF WHAT YOU NEED ON THE GOP SIDE, IS GOING TO BE TOUGH, RIGHT.

LIKE WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED WITH, YOU KNOW, A MODERATE DEMOCRAT JOE MANCHIN AND HE WAS TRYING TO GO BACK AND FORTH AND THEY DIDN'T GET ANY REPUBLICAN SENATORS.

BUT INFRASTRUCTURE IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK, YOU KNOW, THESE FOLKS -- CONSTITUENTS ARE GOING TO WANT TO HAVE.

HOW WE PAY FOR IT IS A DIFFERENT STORY.

BUT GETTING 10 GOP SENATORS TO JUMP ON BOARD IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT.

BUT YOU KNOW, IT CAN STILL GET PASSED.

>> RYAN A LOT OF PUNDITS ARE LOOKING AHEAD TO THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS IN 2022.

CAN WE READ ANYTHING FROM JOE BIDEN'S FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE IN TERMS OF HOW THOSE MIDTERMS GO?

TRADITIONALLY, OF COURSE, THE SITTING PRESIDENT'S PARTY DOES NOT FARE THAT WELL IN MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

WHERE WE LOOKING AT IN DWAWP AS FAR AS AND DRAC PARTY -- DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS CONCERNED?

>> IT'S HARD TO READ FROM THE FIRST 100 DAYS.

JOE BIDEN HASN'T DONE WHAT YOU CALL SPOT -- CONGRESS MUCH.

HE HASN'T HAD THEM TAKE TOO MANY DIFFICULT VOCET ALL YET.

-- VOTES AT ALL YET.

AND DEPENDING ON WHAT COMES UP OVER THE NEXT YEAR OR SO, WE'LL SEE.

AND I DON'T THINK HE'S GOING TO HAVE THEM TAKING TOO MANY DIFFICULT VOTES THAT WOULD HURT THEM IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS, RIGHT?

SO TONY MENTIONED HOW HE'S SCORING LOW ON IMMIGRATION BECAUSE THEY'VE KIND OF NOT TOUCHED IT.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A THIRD RAIL AND A LOT OF REASONS IT'S THIRD RAIL BECAUSE IT'S POLITICAL.

AND YOU DON'T WANT FOLKS TAKING VOLTS THAT ARE GOING TO HURT THEM IN THEIR DROIGHTS -- DISTRICTS.

SO I THINK THEY NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME GET THINGS DONE THAT THEY NEED TO GET DONE.

AND I THINK THAT IF -- YOU KNOW, AS THINGS HAPPEN, LIKE IF YOU LOOK AT OBAMACARE CARE, IT WAS -- YOU KNOW, UNPOPULAR AND PEOPLE HAD TO TAKE A TOUGH VOTE, BUT AS THINGS HAPPENED OVER THE COURSE OF TIME, IT WASN'T A TOUGH VOTE.

IT'S BEEN SOMETHING THAT'S GREAT AND EVEN FOLKS ON THE OTHER SIDE AGREE WITH THAT.

SO INFRASTRUCTURE, THE RESCUE PLAN, MAKING SURE THAT THE ECONOMY GETS BACK ON ITS FEET.

IF HE FOCUSES ON THOSE THINGS, IT'S NOT GOING TO HURT DEMOCRATS' CHANCES IN THE MIDTERM AS MUCH AS IF HE DOES FOCUS ON THE WEDGE ISSUES OR THE SOCIAL ISSUES TOO MUCH.

>> WE'VE SEEN WHAT JOE BIDEN HAS DONE IN HIS FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE.

HAS HE -- AS HE MOVES FORWARD AND TRIES TO SELL HIS OTHER INITIATIVES TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS IN THREE MONTHS?

>> I THINK YOU'LL SEE THE SAME AGGRESSIVENESS FROM THE PRESIDENT AND HIS CABINET.

I THINK YOU'LL SEE WHAT RYAN HAS MENTIONED.

THERE'S THAT QUIET GET IT DONE.

LET'S GO DO THE WORK THAT COMES ALONG WITH JOE BIDEN.

THAT'S JUST WHO HE IS.

IT'S WHO HE'S BEEN FOR THE FOUR TAKECADES HE'S BEEN IN -- DECADES HE'S BEEN IN GOVERNMENT.

AND IT'S NOT THE WAY HE GOES ABOUT GETTING THINGS DONE.

IT'S THE -- IT'S KNOWLEDGE ON HIS PART THAT TOO MUCH SHOW, TOO MUCH NOISE, TOO MUCH TELEGRAPHING WHAT'S NEXT ISN'T GOING TO HELP YOU, BECAUSE BEFORE YOU CAN GET TO THE HOUSE CHAMBER, THE SENATE CHAMBER, TO GET THE VOTES THAT YOU NEED, YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE THIS ALREADY, YOU KNOW, LEGISLATED BY YOUR OPPOSITION.

SO DON'T BE SURPRISED IF WE DON'T SEE A LOT OF SHOW IN THE NEXT 100 DAYS.

LET'S BE SURPRISED IF WE DON'T SEE A LOT OF THE JOE GO SO TO SPEAK.

WATCH SOME OF THE OTHER ON THE GROUND TRYING TO GET INFRASTRUCTURE AND OTHER THINGS PASSED IN THE QUIET BACK ROOM PARTISAN/BIPARTISAN WAY THAT'S GOING TO BE A NECESSITY TO GETTING THINGS DONE.

>>> FLAVORS OF MALAYSIA, A POPULAR EATERY IN DOWNTOWN PITTSFIELD, CLOSED ITS DOORS THIS PAST DECEMBER AFTER 13 YEARS IN BUSINESS.

BUT THE RESTAURANT WAS MORE THAN JUST IS A PLACE TO GRAB A MEAL.

CO-OWNERS CHEF SABRINA TAN AND HER HUSBAND CHIN LEE HAVE MADE A HUGE IMPACT IN THEIR COMMUNITY THROUGH THEIR HOSPITALITY AND PHILANTHROPIC WORK.

AND WHILE PEOPLE IN BERKSHIRE COUNTY MAY MISS SABRINA'S FOOD, IT'S THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT SHE AND CHIN CREATED AT FLAIFOURS THAT RESIDENTS SAY THEY'LL MISS THE MOST.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER TONY DUNNE BRINGS US THE STORY.

>> IT'S A SAT NEAT -- SATURDAY NIGHT IN DECEMBER AND FLAVOURS OF MA LIDGIA IS -- MALAYSIA IS DOING A BRISK BUSINESS.

CHEF TAN COOKS UP A STORM IN THE KITCHEN WHILE HER HUSBAND CHIN LEE HANDLES BUSINESS AT THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE.

[TELEPHONE RINGING] >> THE PHONE IS RINGING OFF THE HOOK AND ORDERS ARE FLYING OUT THE DOOR.

BUT FOR CHIN AND SAB BRINA, AS WELL AS -- SABRINA, AS WELL AS THE LOYAL CUSTOMERS, IT'S A BITTERSWEET RANGE.

-- EVENING.

>> THANK YOU.

>> BITTERSWEET BECAUSE IT'S THE LAST NIGHT IN BUSINESS AFTER 13 YEARS.

>> WE'LL STILL SEE YOU GUYS.

>> THEY HAVE A WONDERFUL RESTAURANT, WITH INCREDIBLE FOOD.

BUT ASIDE FROM THAT, THE AMAZING THINGS THAT THEY DO FOR THIS COMMUNITY, THEY'RE ALWAYS FEEDING THE HOMELESS AND HELPING OUT WITH THE NEEDY AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY FIND TIME TO SLEEP, BECAUSE THEY'RE ALWAYS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY OR HERE AT THE RESTAURANT.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THIS COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY ARE SO INVOLVED WITH THE COMMUNITY, FROM THE ELIZABETH FREEMAN CENTER, WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES THAT CHIN DOES EVERY YEAR.

>> CHIN AND SABRINA HAVE RAISED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR ELIZABETH FREEMAN CENTER.

THEY'RE JUST SO FABULOUS.

THEY JUST KIND OF EMBRACE YOU AND INVOLVE EVERYONE AROUND THEM IN DOING GOOD WORK.

>> AND THAT WORK INCLUDES MAKING SCOWP FOR THOSE IN FEED -- SOUP FOR THOSE IN NEED -- [AUDIO DIFFICULTIES] >> TO BRING A POT THIS BIG, ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH, TO JUST ONE CHURCH AND THEN TO OTHER CHURCHES, THAT'S AMAZING.

>> AND ONE OF THE REALLY COOL THINGS I CAN THINK ABOUT THAT THEY DID IS THEY HIRED A COUPLE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, FROM WITHIN THAT -- THAT CAME HERE FOR MEALS.

THEY DIDN'T NEED THANKS.

THEY NEVER ASKED FOR ANYTHING IN RETURN.

AND IT WAS JUST -- IT WAS REALLY NEAT TO SEE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THEIR HOSPITALITY AND PHILANTHROPY HAVE MADE A HUGE IMPACT IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

AND WHILE BOTH HAVE CALLED THE BERKSHIRES HOME FOR YEARS, THEIR STORY BEGINS HALFWAY ACROSS THE GLOBE.

>> I'M FROM MALAYSIA, PORN AND RAISED THERE.

I -- BORN AND RAISED THERE.

I WENT TO A CONSENT SCHOOL.

BEING TOO INDEPENDENT AND TOO WILD.

SO THEY PUT ME IN A CONSENT SCHOOL TO CALM DOWN.

>> AFTER SOOL SCHOOL SHE WORKED AS A STEWARDESS BEFORE ENTERING INTO AN RANKED MARRIAGE -- ARRANGED MARRIAGE BACK HOME.

>> IT'S NOT A GOOD MARRIAGE, BEING MARRIED TO AN OLDER PERSON AND ABUSER AND ALL THIS.

SO I SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, I DON'T NEED MEMBER.

I'M GOOD.

IN ASIAN COUNTRY, ONCE YOU GOT DIVORCED FROM HUSBAND OR YOUR HUSBAND LEFT, IT'S ALWAYS YOUR FAULT AND YOU'RE KIND OF OSTRACIZED THEN.

SO THAT'S THE REASON WHY I CAME HERE, SO THAT I CAN BE MYSELF.

>> OKAY, MY STORY, MY FAMILY IS REALLY, REALLY POOR.

IN ORDER TO GO TO COLLEGE, I HAD TO GET A SCHOLARSHIP.

SO AT THE AGE OF 15, IN THAI COUNTRY, BEFORE BOYS, THEY APPLIED THROUGH THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS COLLEGE.

IT'S A HIGH SCHOOL.

OUT OF 100 STUDENT, ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, PICKED TWO INDIAN, 10 CHINESE.

AND I WAS ONE OF THE CHINESE THAT GOT A SCHOLARSHIP.

SO AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, I CAN GO TO U.K., U.S., OR AUSTRALIA.

SO I PICKED U.S.

SO THEY BROUGHT ME TO NEW YORK CITY IN THE '80S.

AND I STAY AROUND HERE, BECAUSE YOU KNOW, LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES.

>> AFTER MEETING IN NEW YORK AND THEN SETTLING IN THE BERKSHIRES, BOTH WORKED A SERIES OF JOBS BEFORE HEEDING THE ADVICE OF FRIENDS WHO WERE FLOORED BY SABRINA'S COOKING.

THEY OPENED IN 2 HRCH SEVEN IN LENNOX -- 2007 IN LENNOX BEFORE RELOCATING IN PITTSFIELD IN 2009.

IT WAS A FAMILY AFFAIR.

>> JUST TO OF US -- TWO OF US RUNNING THE SHOW WITH MAYBE ONE OR TWO WAIT STAFFS.

EVERYONE SAYS AMERICA IS PAVED WITH GOLD.

>> NEGOTIATION IT'S NOT.

>> I SAID THIS -- NO, IT'S NOT.

>> I SAID THERE WON'T BE ANY GOLD IF YOU DON'T WORK HARD.

>> EVEN THOUGH THEY ENJOY A LOYAL CUSTOMER BASE, THE COVID CONTRIBUTES TO THE DIFFICULT DECISION TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS.

>> IT WAS TOUGH.

I MEAN, OUR CUSTOMERS BECOME FRIENDS.

AND WE GOT TO KNOW THEM PERSONALLY.

AND I MISS THEM.

>> YEAH.

>> I DO MISSION THEM.

>> YEAH.

MISS EVERYBODY.

>> AND I DO MISS COOKING, TOO!

>> AND EVEN THOUGH FLAVOURS IS NOW CLOSED, SHE'S STILL COOKING TORE THE COMMUNITY.

SHE HAS BEEN MAKING FOOD AT HOME DURING THE PANDEMIC FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE AND SHE AND CHIN HAVE BEEN ENJOYING TIME WITH FRIENDS WHILE THEY WORK ON PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.

>> I WAS -- I WOULD STILL BE DOING SOUPS IF I CAN.

AND NOW THAT I HAVE TIME TO JOIN THE BOARD OF ELIZABETH FREEMAN CENTER, AND REALLY GET MY HANDS ON IN HELPING THOSE IN NEED, I THINK THAT GIVE ME A BRIGHTER FUTURE TO LOOK FOR.

>> BUT I STILL -- I NEED A REAL JOB!

MY DAUGHTER IS STILL IN COLLEGE.

[LAUGHTER] ¶ ¶ >>> WHILE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ISN'T THE FIRST GLOBAL PANDEMIC TO OCCUR, IT IS THE FIRST ONE MOST OF US HAVE BEEN THROUGH.

ALL OF THE UNCERTAINTY AND CHANGE THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT UPON BY THE HEALTH CRISIS AS HAS -- HAS ALSO CAUSED MUCH STRESS AND ANXIETY THIS.

YEAR THE WEST SPRINGFIELD CARE COALITION INCLUDED QUESTIONS SURROUNDING COVID-19 IN ITS ANNUAL PREVENTION NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO SEE HOW THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN AFFECTING THE STUDENT POPULATION.

I SPOKE WITH ANANDA LENNOX, THE CARE COALITION COORDINATOR, AND OTHERS TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THE SURVEY AND THE INSTIEGHT THE COALITION GAINED FROM IT.

>> WHAT WE LOOK FOR IN THE DATA IS A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

IT'S OVER 100 QUESTIONS.

WE'RE A SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION AGENCY, SO WE'RE LOOKING AT TRENDS IN 6 USE.

THE ONES THAT WERE -- WE'RE MOST PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN IS ALCOHOL, MARIJUANA, TOBACCO, AND VAPE PRODUCTS, ALSO OPIOIDS AND STIMULANTS AND ALL SORT OF THINGS.

AND WE ALSO ASK TONS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT WE CALL RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS.

SO PROTECTIVE FACTORS ARE THINGS THAT HELP PROMOTE A KID'S WELL-BEING, LIKE WHAT HELPS THEM STAY IN COOL, STAY AWAY FROM DRUG, WHAT HELPS THEM FORM REALLY TIGHT FRIENDSHIPS.

AND WE LOOK AT RISK FACTORS LIKE ARE THEY EXPOSED TO A LOT OF ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIORS, IS THERE ABUSE THIS THE -- IN THE HOME.

AND WE DON'T ACTUALLY ASK ABOUT ABUSE.

WE ASK ABOUT PERCEPTIONS AND HOW PEOPLE ARE FEELING ABOUT THEMSELVES SO WE CAN SEE HOW OUR COMMUNITY IS DOING AND FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN HELP SERVE THEM BASED ON THE DATA THAT QLELTDED.

>> NOW, THIS PAST -- COLLECTEDDED.

>> NOW, THIS PAST YEAR PROVIDED WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO INCLUDE QUESTIONS IN THE SURVEY AROUND THE PANDEMIC AND HOW IT'S AFFECTING THE STUDENT POPULATION AT WEST SPRINGFIELD.

WHAT DID THE SURVEY TELL YOU THIS YEAR?

>> WE WERE NOT SURPRISED NECESSARILY BUT WE WERE DEFINITELY KIND OF SHOOK TO SEE WHAT A LARGE SEGMENT OF OUR POPULATION HAD BEEN AFFECTED BY COVID AND WE'RE TALKING NEARLY A QUARTER OF STUDENTS TO ALMOST UP TO 45 STUDENTS% SAYING THEY'RE EXPERIENCING NIGHTMARES, LESS INTERESTED IN DOINGS THINGS THEY NEW YORKLY LIKE TO DO, AND LESS -- NORMALLY LIKE TO DO AND LESS INTEREST IN HANGING OUT WITH PEOPLE.

CLOSE TO 2 1ST OF -- 20% OF 10TH GRADERS WERE WORRIED ABOUT GETTING MEDICAL SUPPLIES, FOOD AND GROCERY, ACCESS TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS.

SO WE WANTED THIS DATA SO WE COULD HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE NEEDS ARE OF THE STUDENTS COMING IN, BECAUSE WE KNEW IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT.

WE WERE HOPING SCHOOL WOULD MAKE EVERYTHING FEEL NORMAL, BUT WE'RE STILL WEARING MASKS.

THERE'S STILL THE FEAR.

THERE'S STILL A LOT OF UNKNOWN.

>> ALIENA AND ELEANOR, AS STUDENTS DURING THIS PANDEMIC, YOU HAVE HAD TO FACE SO MUCH CHANGE, ESPECIALLY SURROUNDING HOW YOUR SCHOOL DAY LOOKS LIKE.

HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC IMPACTED YOU BOTH ACADEMICALLY AND SOCIALLY?

>> IT'S DEFINITELY BEEN A LITTLE HARDER BECAUSE OF -- YOU KNOW, FOR ABOUT HALF THE SCHOOL YEAR WE WERE COMPLETELY REMOTE.

IT WAS -- IT WASN'T AS EASY TO PAY ATTENTION IN CLASS WHEN WE WERE ONLINE AT HOME.

IT DEFINITELY TOOK MORE EFFORT TO MY PART SO ACTIVELY STAY ENGAGED IN WHAT MY TEACHERS WERE TELLING TO US.

>> I'VE ALWAYS BEEN LIKE A PRETTY GOOD STUDENT, I THINK, BUT THIS PAST YEAR MY GRADES HAVE BEEN AT AN ALL-TIME LOW BECAUSE IT'S JUST SO HARD TO STAY MOTIVATED.

INSIDE YOUR OWN HOME WHERE YOU'RE SO USED TO JUST BEING ABLE TO WIPED TOWN AND RELAX.

AND -- WIND DOWN AND RELAX.

AND BEING IN PERSON AND BEING HOW THINGS WERE LAST YEAR, IT'S VERY CRUCIAL TO FOR ME BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO STAY MOTIVATED WHEN I'M IN MY ROOM.

>> ARE THERE WAYS THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS AFFECTED YOU IN WAYS THAT ADULTS MAY NOT BE AWARE OF?

>> I THINK NOT BEING ABLE TO INTERACT WITH FAMILY MY AGE, I FEEL LIKE NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE FOCUS OR KNOW THAT BEING ABLE TO INTERACT SOCIALLY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO DEVELOPMENT AS TEENAGERS.

SO EVEN IF IT'S PEOPLE YOU'RE NOT CLOSE WITH, JUST BEING ABLE TO SAY HI TO PEOPLE FACE TO FACE DOES A LOT MORE THAN PEOPLE WOULD THINK IT DOES.

AND YOU KNOW, YOU SAY THAT TO SOMEONE.

THEY MIGHT THINK, YOU'RE BEING DRAMATIC.

NO, I WANT TO BE ABLE TO SEE MY CLASSMATES' FACES WHETHER OR NOT I AM FRIENDS WITH THEM OR NOT.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT SMIN WHO MIGHT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED HIGH SCHOOL MIGHT NOT UNDERSTAND THE WANT TO JUST BE AROUND PEOPLE.

LIKE SHE SAID.

LIKE EVEN PEOPLE THAT I DON'T REALLY TALK TO.

IT'S JUST LIKE, BEING AROUND THEM AND BEING AROUND COMPANY IS CRUCIAL.

>> AFTER SEEING THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY AND REALIZING HOW AFFECTED STUDENTS HAVE BEEN BY THIS PANDEMIC, WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE FOR THEM TO SEEK HELP IF THEY DO IN FACT NEED IT?

>> FOR THE MOST PART, FOR THE STUDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT, WE ALWAYS ADVISE THEM TO FIRST AND FOREMOST TALK TO THEIR PARENTS.

TALK TO A TRUSTED TEACHER.

ADJUSTMENT COUNSELORS KNOW THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE WATCH -- MANY MORE STUDENTS STRUGGLING THAN PREVIOUS YEARS.

SO THEY'RE READY AS WELL.

¶ ¶ >>> THAT DOES IT FOR CONNECTING POINT FOR APRIL THIRDth, 2021.

-- 30TH, 2021.

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