CIP Berkshire

A CIP Berkshire student prepares a lasagna from scratch—just one example of the real-world skills students build every day at CIP.

Cooking is more than a class here, it’s a life skill that becomes part of daily living. Through weekly rotations, students take turns preparing meals for their roommates and friends—building confidence, independence, and a sense of community along the way.

It’s a part of the program parents consistently value and one students genuinely enjoy. For some, that passion even grows into culinary internships as part of their CIP experience.

And while parents love seeing these skills develop, it’s safe to say their friends appreciate it too—especially on lasagna night! 👌

From kneading dough to shaping future careers 🍝

Culinary arts are just one of the many pathways CIP students explore as they build skills for independence and meaningful employment. Here, a CIP Berkshire student brings creativity to life making pasta from scratch alongside staff from Railroad Street Youth Project

It’s where form meets function, art meets food, and passion turns into possibility!

CIP Berkshire students embraced the winter landscape with a hands-on Wildlife Tracking experience at Mount Greylock State Reservation 🌲
Guided by an expert tracker, students explored trails, discovered animal footprints, and ventured off the beaten path while building confidence, connection, and real-world skills.
From stream crossings to spotting signs of wildlife, it was a day of adventure, learning, and fresh air in the Berkshires 🌲

Today we join a global community in recognizing and celebrating the strengths, perspectives, and contributions of autistic individuals.

It’s a day to listen, learn, and take action championing inclusion, embracing neurodiversity, and helping build a world where everyone is empowered to thrive.

As we enter Autism Awareness Month, we’re proud to continue recognizing the strengths, talents, and meaningful connections among our students, their families, CIP staff, and community partners.

At CIP, we empower neurodiverse young adults to lead meaningful, independent lives through support in college, careers, and life skills. This month and every month, we celebrate the individuality, growth, and achievements of our incredible community. 💙

Our CIP Berkshire students had a fantastic day exploring new opportunities at the MassHire Berkshire Spring Job and Resource Fair! 🎓💼

It was a great experience connecting with local employers, learning about different career paths, and practicing professional networking skills. We are so proud of our students for taking these proactive steps toward their future careers!

A huge thank you to MassHire Berkshire Career Center for hosting such a valuable event for our community.

Discover how independence takes shape beyond the classroom. In this inspiring student success story, CIP Berkshire Career Coach Ellie Grenier shares how one student built confidence, workplace skills, and greater independence through hands-on experience and personalized support. It’s a powerful look at how real-world opportunities can transform growth into lasting success.

Developing Independence in the Workplace: A Student Success Story Empowering neurodivergent students to build workplace skills through guided internships and positive reinforcement, fostering independence and success in their careers. Summarize the main point of the 'blog text': The blog discusses how CIP's Careers program supports neurodivergent students in devel...

We are thrilled to invite you to our latest showcase at the Good Purpose Gallery featuring the incredible works of Thea Knapp Baker and Margaret Buchte.

From the rolling mountains of the Berkshires to vibrant streetscapes and soul-stirring portraits, this exhibit brings a diverse range of perspectives and mediums to Lee, MA.

Join us for the Opening Reception:
When: Tuesday, March 10th

Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Where: Good Purpose Gallery, Lee, MA

Meet the Artists:
Margaret Buchte: A Great Barrington local and self-taught talent. Whether it’s oil, pastel, or charcoal, Margaret captures the essence of the Berkshires—from historic buildings to intimate animal portraits.

Thea Knapp Baker: A lifelong artist with roots in the Westport art scene, Thea brings decades of experience to her work. With a background in theater and education, she studied in both Boston and Ohio, developing a unique vision that has been honed across New England and beyond.

The show runs through April 20th, so stop by and get inspired!

TheBerkshires

Summer may feel far away, but it will be here before you know it! ☀️

As families start making plans for the months ahead, see what parents and students share about their experiences at Summer@CIP. From meaningful growth to unforgettable memories, see why so many families choose to spend their summer with us.

Watch the video to learn more.

What Families Are Saying About Summer@CIP: Feedback, Ratings, and Student Profiles Discover how Summer@CIP helps students build independence and social skills, with positive feedback from families and high ratings for staff quality.