CIP Berkshire

Summer@CIP Berkshire students made the most of every moment, from exploring marine life at Mystic Aquarium to working together through the challenges of exciting escape rooms!

Back on the Westfield State University campus, students experienced the best of college life—sharing meals in the dining hall, relaxing with friends in the rec room, and building independence while living in the residence halls.

Every experience is designed to strengthen confidence, social connections, and the skills needed for a successful transition to college and independent adulthood.

🐾 Behind the Scenes with CIP Berkshire Student Kat at Hearth & Hound! 🐾

At CIP, our community partnerships are at the heart of helping students gain real-world experience and our collaboration with Hearth & Hound is a perfect example!

Hearth & Hound (a doggie daycare, boarding, and grooming facility in Lee, MA) offers an ideal learning environment for students ready to take their animal care careers to the next level. Having previous experience around animals, Kat joined them this past spring to sharpen their skills in pack management, animal behavior, and high-standard sanitation and safety protocols.

A huge thank you to Hearth & Hound’s founder, Alexis! As a former nurse, Alexis brings both high standards and immense compassion to her work. Her calm, patient approach makes her an incredible mentor for students, and her expert staff (including on-site vet techs!) truly understand how to keep animals safe, happy, and healthy.

We are so grateful for community partners like Alexis and the Hearth & Hound team who open their doors to support, educate, and empower our students! 🐶✨

🎭✨ Join us for a magical journey...Into The Woods!
CIP Berkshire is proud to present Into The Woods, live at the Spectrum Playhouse.

Come support our talented performers as they bring this beloved musical to life through an unforgettable production filled with adventure, humor, and heart.

🎟️ FREE Admission

📅 Showtimes:
• Friday, July 10 at 7:00 PM
• Saturday, July 11 at 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
• Sunday, July 12 at 4:30 PM

We hope to see you there!

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. 💙