CRA News & Announcements

DALTON, Mass. — The Community Recreation Association (CRA) will conduct a community Open House at the newly refreshed Dalton Youth Center (DYC) from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, to celebrate a significant investment in the Center and an expanded vision for its after-school Drop-In Program.

The DYC, located at 27 South Carson Avenue in Dalton, provides a safe and welcoming place for young people to spend time with friends, connect with trusted adults, receive academic support, and discover new interests after school. The Open House is an opportunity for families and community members to see the renovated space, meet DYC staff, learn about tutoring and fall programming, and ask questions about the DYC.

Brief remarks will begin at 5:30 p.m., with tours and activities available afterward. Spectrum is a major sponsor of the Drop In Program and has generously donated free pizza for the event.

The DYC’s Drop-In Program is open to children (typically grades 3–8) Monday through Friday from 2:30 to 8 p.m. It’s designed to give young people a place to spend time after school with access to caring adults, mentorship, academic support, recreation and opportunities to explore new interests.

This fall’s expanded programming will offer:

• STEM & Arts programs
• Life skills & exposure to career pathways
• Video gaming room & E-sports
• Air hockey and other recreational games
• Basketball court, sports, and strength training
• Tutoring and academic support
• Free healthy snacks

Program partners include the Becket Arts Center, Berkshire Music School, Berkshire Innovation Center, and Berkshire Bounty. The programs are made possible through a $50,000 grant secured through the advocacy of State Senator Paul Mark and ongoing programmatic support from The Feigenbaum Foundation, Josephine & Louise Crane Foundation, Crane Widow & Children’s Fund, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Katherine L. W. and Winthrop M. Crane Foundation  Berkshire Life Charitable Foundation, Berkshire United Way, Mativ, Interprint, Dalton Rotary Club, Robert Boog Powell Memorial Fund and the Dalton Benefit Association.

The CRA’s mission is to build a sense of community by offering social, educational, recreational, cultural and wellness programs to the Central Berkshire community in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment. The CRA is a collaborative non-profit charitable organization open to all ages since 1923.

CRA Board of Trustees is proud to welcome a new leader to guide the next chapter of our community work.

Monday, December 8, 2025

Dear CRA Members and Friends,

The Community Recreation Association (CRA) Board of Trustees is excited to announce that Ariana Massery has been selected as our new Executive Director, beginning in January. She succeeds Alison Peters, who is retiring after nearly 16 years of dedicated and outstanding service.

Ariana joins the CRA from Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, where she is a senior leader and currently serves as Director of Strategic Initiatives, People, and Culture. She brings extensive leadership experience in operations management, community engagement, fundraising, marketing, and strategic planning—skills that are essential as the CRA navigates a period of significant transition.

As the CRA adapts to a shifting funding landscape, expanding and diversifying our revenue streams will be vital to sustaining our broad portfolio of community-based programming. Ariana’s proven success in overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, cultivating donor relationships, developing new funding sources, and guiding complex organizations makes her an exceptional choice to lead the CRA into its next chapter.

We are deeply grateful to Alison Peters for her warm, steady, and compassionate leadership. Her contributions over the past 16 years have helped the CRA evolve significantly to meet the changing needs of the communities we serve. We wish her every happiness in her well-deserved retirement.

Please join us in welcoming Ariana to the CRA and in supporting her leadership as we enter the organization’s second century of providing social, educational, recreational, cultural, and wellness programs in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment.

Her words of thanks as she begins a new chapter.

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Today I’m excited to share some exciting news with you. After nearly 16 rewarding years as the Executive Director of the CRA, I’ve decided it’s time for me to retire.

I’ve been thinking about this decision for quite some time. Having reached a number of important milestones, and with a growing desire to spend more time with my family, relax, and dive into new adventures, this feels like the right moment.

Being part of the CRA and this community has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I’m incredibly proud of the growth we’ve achieved together, especially in strengthening our programs, upgrading facilities, and building financial stability. I’m truly grateful for the support, commitment and friendships we’ve built along the way. This community has always been the key to our success, and I’ve felt that spirit in so many ways over the years.

I will officially retire at the end of the year, but to ensure a smooth and steady transition, I will continue in a consulting role to provide continuity and support. We’ve put much thought and consideration into planning for this transition, and I truly believe the CRA is in a great place moving forward. With our dedicated staff, a committed board, and the continued support of this amazing community, the CRA is well-prepared for its next chapter.

There is still much to do before I depart, but I wanted to make sure you were one of the first to hear this news! – Alison Peters

The Community Recreation Association (CRA) Staff and Board of Trustees are deeply grateful for Alison’s leadership and the impact she’s had on our community over the past 16 years. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do and good luck in your retirement!

In Honor of Dan Every Dollar Donated is Matched Up to $7,500!

Friday, September 26, 2025

The Community Recreation Association is excited to announce the Dan McMahon Scholarship Fund!

This fund is designed to ensure that children of all backgrounds can participate in CRA Programs from summer camp to sports leagues. Although Dan has retired, his legacy continues on through the newly created scholarship fund.

To honor Dan, Pat Duquette has generously offered to match every gift up to $7,500.

Thanks to gifts already received, we have $4,000 left to raise to fully meet this matching challenge. Every dollar you give now will be matched—doubling your impact for local kids!

We have no idea how many hours Dan McMahon spent at the DYC over the past 33 years! Teaching gym classes, coaching basketball, playing Dodgeball, or running leaders club meetings—he kept kids busy, active, and out of trouble… while always watching for anyone who needed a little extra lift.

That was Dan’s MO…. He was always there for our kids. With your donation, this scholarship fund will do just that.  Donate Today