SIMON’S ROCK VILLAGE

A Project of Youbilee

Repurpose the 275-acre Great Barrington campus to preserve and expand educational and cultural opportunities in Southern Berkshire County.
Provide options for higher education, vocational training and lifelong learning on the campus, plus small-scale senior housing, to foster a multi-age learning community.
Maintain the campus’ natural resources, vistas, and open spaces for public enjoyment, by keeping new development within the existing footprint.

A non-profit entity incorporated as Youbilee, and is comprised of alumni who attended Simon’s Rock between 1980 and 2005. We are united in a wish to continue the Simon’s Rock legacy of critical thinking, free inquiry, and artistic expression.

By building a coalition of state and local elected officials, land trusts, educational institutions and other non-profits interested in establishing a village with public enrichment programs at its core.

By launching an exploratory land purchase fund with the goal of bidding on the campus. (Based on internal fundraising benchmarks, we’ll determine whether to proceed, or scale back our goals to play a meaningful role in shaping the campus’ future.)

This past January, we conducted the Simon’s Rock alumni survey which received over 100 responses. It showed strong interest among alumni in future educational functions, senior housing, and open space preservation for the campus.
The Simon’s Rock campus in Great Barrington has provided an engine for intellectual, cultural, and economic growth to the Town and the region at large for over half a century.

Numerous Simon’s Rock alumni have settled in Western Massachusetts, Northwest Connecticut and Eastern New York over the last 50+ years. They have helped the region grow, and work as software engineers, lawyers, therapists, professors and teachers. They run farms, businesses, and art studios, and serve as elected officials and environmental stewards.

Repurposing the campus in a meaningful way, which preserves educational functions, will continue to draw talented people to the Berkshires, who can enrich the region’s culture and sustain its economonic vitality long-term.

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP!

You can help us realize the goal of a permanent, vibrant learning and living community at Simon’s Rock by:

Donating to help us offset operating expenses, including non-profit filing and web hosting fees; and potential costs of legal consultations and site evaluations:

AND

By making a pledge towards acquisition of the campus, in whole or in part, which will be cancelled if we are unable to raise sufficient funds. (Pledge Form Soon)

AND

By filling out the form at the bottom of page and checking the box to stay informed.