Training Resources of America, Inc. (TRA) is proud to announce that Berkshire Bank has recently approved a grant of $2,500.00 in support of Adult Literacy Programs at TRA training sites in Springfield and Worcester, MA.

More than 147 educationally and economically disadvantaged students, age 16 and over, enrolled in TRA Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes will be the beneficiaries. The classes, which are available at no cost to students, provide instruction in reading, writing, math, high school equivalency prep, all levels of English, work and college readiness, and financial literacy. The ultimate program goal is to help clients become economically stable and self-sufficient.

For more than 170 years, Berkshire Bank has been recognized for its entrepreneurial approach and distinctive culture, and is committed to supporting initiatives that work to close the wealth gap in communities served by Berkshire Bank. The bank has $13.2 billion in assets and 130 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Berkshire Hills Bancorp (NYSE: BHLB) is the parent of Berkshire Bank which also operates Commerce Bank, a division of Berkshire Bank. In 2017, Berkshire Bank was named one of Massachusetts Most Charitable Companies by the Boston Business Journal. Berkshire Bank is also the official bank of NESN's Boston Bruins coverage.

TRA is a private, non-profit organization with 45 years’ experience providing education, employment, skills training and workforce development services to educationally and economically disadvantaged youth and adults. Headquartered in Worcester, TRA currently has six (6) training sites in Brockton, Fitchburg, New Bedford, Quincy, Springfield, and Worcester, MA.

According to TRA President/ CEO Kim Harmon, “We are grateful to Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Bank Foundation for their commitment to help TRA continue to provide quality educational programming to our clients in the Springfield and Worcester communities. It is gratifying to partner with an organization whose mission is so closely aligned with ours as we seek to provide pathways to economic self-sufficiency for low- to moderate-income people.”

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