Posts by Hayley Sotolotto
Emily Willis, Friends of the Foundation Spotlight
Emily Willis, former Mary Lyon Foundation board member and devoted librarian, is steadfastly committed to fostering student success. Through her involvement with the Mary Lyon Foundation, Emily ensures the Mohawk Trail Regional School District (MTRS) literacy and library programs are successful. She’s passionate about the benefits of the library, and she was eager to partner with the Mary Lyon Foundation for…
Read MoreLetter from the Executive Director: Spring 2023
Spring has sprung, and it’s time to celebrate the tireless work of our Volunteers! April is National Volunteer Month, and the Mary Lyon Foundation is exceptionally grateful for the service of our volunteers. Their impact is immeasurable. The Mary Lyon Foundation has eleven volunteers who assist us with our grocery delivery program through Hilltown Church’s…
Read MoreProviding Warmth and Care During a Cold, Hard Winter
Scarlet Kitchen and her son recently moved to Massachusetts from Hawaii. Going from a warm, sunny climate to a cold, dark New England winter was a shock to their systems. To make the challenging transition harder, Scarlet’s furnace broke in November. Scarlet contacted several offices in the area to receive assistance, but no one returned…
Read MoreBoard Member Peter Stevens Believes in Giving Back
Long-time Shelburne resident and board member Peter Stevens has spent his life giving back by working with education-focused non-profits – and he doesn’t plan to stop. Initially invited into the Foundation by founder Sue Samoriski, Peter has played a vital role in the Mary Lyon Foundation’s success for nearly seven years. He currently serves as Vice-Chair…
Read MoreAlyssa Collins is Supporting Student Success
Alyssa Collins works hard to give her students the tools and opportunities to thrive. As an MTRS-supported classroom teacher, Alyssa received the Mary Lyon Foundation’s educator assistance grant in October. Now, she can offer more social-emotional support programs and self-regulation tools to help students manage difficult emotions. Going Above and Beyond “Mary Lyon’s educator assistance…
Read MoreBoard Member Traci Bauer Ayer Honors Family By Getting Involved
When Traci Bauer Ayer’s family became involved with the Mary Lyon Foundation in 2008, the mission to promote student success really resonated with her. Traci’s family began the Gertrude Streeter Fund in honor of her late great aunt Gert and her commitment to education as a schoolteacher in the district for nearly 40 years. In…
Read MoreFriends of the Foundation: Jocelyn Alvord, Shelburne Falls Branch Manager and Officer for Greenfield Savings Bank
Greenfield Savings Bank proudly supports the Mary Lyon Foundation and promotes its vision and mission to advance and invest in the success of local students and prepare them for the wider world. This vital work focuses primarily on the Mohawk Trail Regional School District in Franklin County. In recent years, GSB sponsored the Mary Lyon…
Read MoreTogether Let’s Achieve A Brighter Future
Our Campaign for Student Success invites us to invest in the most pressing needs facing our students, families, and educators. By working together, we can ensure that all students in western Franklin County have the resources to learn, succeed, and thrive! Through generous donations, we are confronting the issues of hunger, emotional and physical health,…
Read MoreEmpowering Young Women Through our Period Poverty Program
The Mary Lyon Foundation empowers young women by providing free feminine hygiene products to help them feel comfortable succeeding in the classroom and life. The Period Poverty Program supports elementary, middle, and high school students by making period products available at no cost. Students are encouraged to quickly and discreetly stop by the Mary Lyon…
Read MoreThe Power of A Helping Hand
Elijah and Rachel Smith are the parents of seven children. With seven mouths to feed, seven closets to fill, and a challenging number of bills to pay, The Mary Lyon Foundation has been an impactful and vital resource to their family. The Smiths initially reached out to the Mary Lyon Foundation for their support over three…
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