University Driving School

Founded in 1965, New England Tractor Trailer Training School has been operating for more than 40 years in Somers, Conn. The school provides truck driver training to both men and women in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It has a partnership with Northern Essex Community College Corporate and the Community Learning Center. New England Tractor Trailer Training School also offers mentoring lessons for behind the wheel and point system and instructor certification courses. The school offers over 30 hours of classroom instruction. Its classroom topics include basic driving techniques, defensive driving, rules of the road, and alcohol and driving safety. New England Tractor Trailer Training School provides commercial driver's license preparation and heavy-straight-truck training courses.

The Hampshire Educational Collaborative, founded in 1974 and located in Northampton, Mass., is a nonprofit, multi-service agency that offers a range of programs and services to provide learning for the community's at-risk youth. The organization provides learning by educating and supporting students, teachers and administrators through programs in early childhood, after school, special education and adult education. It also provides professional development for educators. The organization is governed by school committee representatives from its local member school districts. It also has classrooms for children with cognitive disabilities in public schools. Additionally, it has created small alternative high schools for students with behavioral and emotional challenges. The Hampshire Educational Collaborative also oversees a number of regional programs, such as family network centers, community partnerships for children, and strategic planning for families and youth.