BHN recognized in Boston Globe ranking

SPRINGFIELD — Behavioral Health Network (BHN) has been named one of the Boston Globe’s 2022 Top Places to Work in Massachusetts. BHN is No. 24 on the list of 150 companies, and one of only two companies based in western Massachusetts.

The recognition is based on anonymous employee surveys about leadership, appreciation, benefits and more, administered by Energage, a Pennsylvania-based employee research and consulting firm. According to BHN, more than 94,000 employees at 381 companies completed surveys.

The companies that made the Boston Globe’s list were divided into four categories based on the number of employees: small (50-99), medium (100-249), large (250-999) and largest (1,000 or more). To view the full list, visit topworkplaces.com/award/boston/2022/.

BHN, which has more than 2,600 employees, has been providing behavioral health services to children and families throughout western Massachusetts since 1938. It includes the Northern Hope Center and Franklin Recovery Center on Federal Street on the former Lunt Silversmiths property in Greenfield. The organization serves 45,000 people annually who experience mental illness, substance use disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“Our highest priorities are providing high-quality care and supporting our staff,” Steve Winn, president and CEO of BHN, said in a statement. “To learn that our employees feel valued, respected and appreciated enough to earn BHN a designation as a top place to work is incredible feedback for us, and will only motivate us to work harder on behalf of our staff.”

BHN offers comprehensive benefits for its employees and seeks to eliminate social and economic inequities through diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. In 2022, BHN launched the Katherine B. Wilson Staff Excellence Fund, which supports workforce development by providing money for license preparation courses; forgivable loans for tuition costs, community college courses and certificate programs; and online and in-person trainings. To learn more, visit bhnworks.org.

Freedom Credit Union accepting scholarship applications

SPRINGFIELD —Freedom Credit Union, which has branches in Greenfield and Turners Falls, is now accepting applications for its 2023 college scholarship program held annually in conjunction with the Pioneer Valley chapter of the Cooperative Credit Union Association.

The program provides an opportunity for Freedom Credit Union’s members and their children to be awarded money to put toward higher education. A total of nine scholarships — one $1,500 scholarship and eight $2,000 scholarships — will be awarded in 2023.

“We are always impressed with the caliber of applicants we receive,” Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch said in a statement. “We are proud to play a part in helping local scholars pursue their dreams of higher education while recognizing all they’ve achieved so far.”

Eligibility is limited to high school seniors who will be enrolled in an undergraduate college degree program during the 2023-2024 academic year. The applicant or parent/guardian must be a member of Freedom Credit Union.

Each applicant must complete an application form and submit it with the other required materials (list of extracurricular and community activities, essay, academic transcript and standardized testing scores). The Scholarship Committee will select the scholarship winners by evaluating each applicant on the following criteria: academic achievement, extracurricular/community activities and the essay. Awardees will be notified by mail.

The deadline to apply and submit all required materials to a Freedom Credit Union branch is Friday, March 10. More information and the application are available online at freedom.coop.

Kringle Candle founder lands agreement for Thomas Kinkade candle collection

BERNARDSTON — The founder of Kringle Candle has entered into a license agreement with the authorized licensor of famed American artist Thomas Kinkade to design, manufacture and market a scented candle collection based on Thomas Kinkade Studios artwork.

Michael “Mick” Kittredge III, the son of Yankee Candle founder Michael Kittredge II, has partnered with Art Brand Studios LLC for his newest venture, Casa Bella Candle Co. The Thomas Kinkade Studios Home Fragrance Collection set to debut this year.

“Beloved throughout the world, Thomas Kinkade evokes nostalgic depictions of home, hearth, Americana and landscapes, which we will marry with a variety of fragrances of treasured holidays, traditions and memories through high-quality candles,” Kittredge said in a statement. “Through a style known as luminism, each candle will illuminate Kinkade’s works of art just as it was intended.”

Kittredge has joined forces with Florida-based candlemakers and entrepreneurs Elida and Joshua Wallack to fulfill the vision of the Casa Bella Candle Co.

“Their creativity and expertise will help forward our mission of a successful retail launch to elate customers throughout North America,” Kittredge said.

“Partnering with Michael has allowed us to bring to life an inspired collection that will thrill and unite loyal Thomas Kinkade fans and candle enthusiasts,” Elida Wallack, executive vice president of development, said in a statement. “We are passionate about bringing the magical combination of nostalgic scents and magnificent artwork into homes and hearts.”

Casa Bella Candles will be produced at Kringle Candle, which was founded in 2010.

Kinkade, who described himself as the “Painter of Light,” was known for idyllic subjects. He died in 2012.

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