Date: December 7, 2023
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: LaCava Center, 175 Forest St, Waltham, MA 02452

Own Your Story – The most powerful things we have are the stories we tell ourselves about who we are, what that means, and what we’re capable and deserving of. That story informs all of our decisions, our actions, our interactions, and our relationships. In this talk Maria shares relatable pieces of her own story to connect to attendees and she shares relevant tools to help others shift their stories to align with a more positive mindset that will create healthier dynamics within themselves first. When we are able to do that, we cultivate healthier dynamics within every area of our lives- personal, business, and otherwise.

About Maria Milagros

Maria Milagros (Vazquez) is an award winning keynote speaker, award nominated author, 2x TEDx speaker, storyteller, personal growth & development expert, empowerment life coach, and love activist. Whether sharing her life experiences and knowledge through impactful talks, workshops, leadership training, life coaching or videos, Maria uses stories to bring encouragement, education, and love to empower others to get out of their way and break free from hindering thoughts or beliefs, so that they can live amazing lives and leave their unique and positive mark on the world. She is passionate about living with intention, creating spaces of love, joy and fun, connecting with others, overall health, and empowerment.

A survivor of abuse, depression, and a childhood accident that should’ve left her immobile, Maria embraces her past to create a present of health, happiness, fun, love, and abundance. She believes that she is able to thrive in life not in spite of, but because of, every aspect of her story. She knows that no matter where you come from, what you’ve been through, or what you have done, a healthy mindset shift, rooting into love, and taking personal responsibility, can change every area of your life, as it has for her.

With over 15 years of leadership and personal development education in her pocket, Maria leaves audiences with relevant tools and shifted mindsets that last well after she steps off the stage. Her authentic congruence, infectious energy, and ability to teach from a relatable and positive perspective leave attendees feeling like they had a fun and deep conversation with a trusted friend.

When not speaking or coaching, Maria can usually be found making memories with her incredible daughter, meditating, dancing in public places, leading group fitness classes, reading, or watching a Marvel movie.

To inquire about her speaking availability, one-on-one coaching, or book “Super Sparkly Everything”, or to sign up to get the free weekly email, please visit her website at www.mariamilagros.net.

The School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education in collaboration with Career Services is hosting a series of corporate, small business, non-profit and municipal-based drop-in chat sessions designed to answer regional partner questions about:

• Internships
• Job fairs and other on campus recruiting events
• Professional development
• Workforce development
• Grant opportunities
• Undergraduate degree completion for your staff
• Graduate education opportunities (master’s and certificates)
• Inviting faculty to speak to your staff
• Inviting your staff to speak on university panels
• Research collaborations
• Participating in university academic advisory boards

It’s easy!

Drop-in anytime during our chat time 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. on the following Thursdays.

Register for drop-in chat

Once registered, a Zoom meeting link will be emailed to you.
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Session I: October 12
Session II: November 9
Session III: December 7

You may “drop-in” virtually at any time during this open session. There is no formal format to this event- we’re here to help you! You can jump in quickly for a few minutes, get your question answered and be on your way or stop in for a longer visit and get general information about all the ways Fitchburg State can partner with your organization.

Questions? Email us at partnership@fitchburgstate.edu or call the Center for Professional Studies at (978) 665-3636.

The third Working Group meeting of the Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. The meeting will be held virtually and is open to the public.

At this meeting, the study team will share an overview of the study’s background, review the public workshop, present the development and evaluation of the Phase 2 alternatives, and garner feedback.

Please note that this virtual public meeting will be recorded.

This meeting is accessible to people with disabilities. MassDOT provides reasonable accommodations and/or language assistance free of charge upon request (e.g interpreters in American Sign Language and languages other than English, live captioning, videos, assistive listening devices and alternate material formats), as available.

For accommodation or language assistance, please contact MassDOT’s Chief Diversity & Civil Rights Officer by phone at (857) 368-8580, TTD/TTY at (857) 266-0603, fax (857) 368-0602 or by email to MASSDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us. Requests should be made as soon as possible prior to the meeting, and for more difficult to arrange services including sign-language, CART or language translation or interpretation, requests should be made at least ten business days before the meeting.

Berkshire Bank, a leading community bank with financial centers in New England and New York, is proud to announce a new down payment assistance program to help first-time homebuyers achieve the dream of homeownership. Rising home prices and low inventory are creating affordability challenges for potential homebuyers, especially those looking for their first home. The new offering from Berkshire will help make that dream a reality and the program can be combined with many local, state and federal down payment assistance offerings.

Berkshire provides a wide range of tailored solutions to help homebuyers including Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB), Fannie and Freddie mortgage solutions. With the Berkshire Bank Down Payment Assistance Program, first-time homebuyers, specifically low-to-moderate income borrowers defined as those earning up to 80% the area-median income or those purchasing a home located in a low-to-moderate census tract, can be considered for the down payment assistance funds which are in the form of a grant and can be used towards down payment and closing costs.

Ellen Steinfeld, Sr. EVP, Head of Consumer Lending, stated, “With the price of homes so high, the experience of purchasing a home can be overwhelming. Berkshire Bank’s Down Payment Assistance Program was created to help first-time homebuyers achieve the dream of homeownership and reduce the financial stress of the increasing down payment required to buy a home. Our experienced mortgage loan officers are here to educate and provide guidance to customers on the loan programs available to them from Berkshire Bank. Our goal is to make the mortgage process as easy as possible.”

Key elements for the Down Payment Assistance program include:

• Eligible borrowers purchasing a home in a qualifying area may receive down payment assistance from $3,500 to $10,000 towards the purchase price.
• The grant is considered a gift, and no lien is filed.
• The Bank will consider an alternative credit if needed. (i.e., Rent statements, electric bills, phone bills) when applying for certain mortgage products
• Programs are available on a first come/first serve basis.

Eligibility requirements include:

• The property must be located in an approved area of Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, or Rhode Island.
• Primary residence includes a single-family (detached or attached), two-family, condos or properties located within homeowners’ associations.
• Must be a first-time buyer or have not owned a home in the last three years.
• Borrowers must complete a homebuyer counseling course.
• Two-family borrowers must take homebuyer course and landlord training course.

In addition to the Down Payment Assistance Program, Berkshire also provides robust wrap around programs to educate and empower homebuyers including first time homebuyer programs.

For more info on terms and conditions, contact your local Mortgage Loan Officer by visiting First-Time Buyers – Berkshire Bank (berkshirebankhomelending.com)