Pittsfield's Mental Health Committee Get Inaugural Members

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city now has a body dedicated to tackling one of the most hard-hitting issues it faces.

At its last meeting, the City Council accepted a slate of appointments to the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Advisory Committee.

This was a campaign promise of Mayor Peter Marchetti, who met the goal of creating it in his first 90 days in office.

"Many families experience daily struggles finding the help and resources they need for mental health and substance use disorders while service agencies face the challenge of having enough people on their staff to do their work. These two factors are at the heart of much of our crime and homeless issues that hold our city captive," he wrote to the council.

"We need to open the lines of communication so that all feel safe and most importantly those that need services receive them. We must bring together key stakeholders at all levels of government and in the community to address these concerns head on. We must eliminate the negative stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders."

The committee includes 30 members who represent service agencies, nonprofits, law enforcement, and other city and state departments. Brien Center President and CEO Christine MacBeth, Christian Center Executive Director Betsy Sherman, and Assistant Deputy Superintendent of Community Engagement at the Sheriff's Department Jason Cuyler are amongst the appointees.

Marchetti reported that he will be working with the committee to set up its first meeting and will share updates on its work in the months ahead.

The panel's vision is to ensure that all residents have access to proper mental health and substance use disorder care in a judgment-free environment and to strengthen the partnerships among providers. It is expected to collaborate with community stakeholders to ensure that providers have the resources they need to give individuals and families timely and adequate treatment.

An executive committee will be formed out of the 30 members and subcommittees as needed.  Marchetti noted that additional people and agencies may be added if necessary.

ServiceNet Cuts Ribbon on Vocational Farm to 'Sow Seeds of Hope'

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:30AM / Saturday, May 18, 2024

Lori Carnute plants flowers at the farm and enjoys seeing her friends. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Smiles were all around as farmers, human service workers, and officials cut the ribbon Friday on ServiceNet's new vocational farm on Crane Avenue.

Whether it is planting flowers or growing fresh produce, the program is for "sowing seeds of hope" for those with developmental disabilities.

"What Prospect Meadow Farm is about is changing lives," Vice President of Vocational Services Shawn Robinson said.

"Giving people something meaningful to do, a community to belong to, a place to go every day and to make a paycheck, and again, I am seeing that every day from our first 17 farmhands the smiles on their faces. They're glad to be here. They're glad to be making money."

Prospect Meadow Farm Berkshires held a launch event on Friday with tours, music, snacks, and a ribbon cutting in front of its tomato greenhouse. The nonprofit human service agency closed on the former Jodi's Seasonal on Crane Avenue earlier this year.  

It is an expansion of ServiceNet's first farm in Hatfield that has provided meaningful agricultural work, fair wages, and personal and professional growth to hundreds of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since opening in 2011.

Eventually, the farm will employ 50 individuals with developmental disabilities year-round and another 20 to 25 local folks supporting their work.

The pay is a great aspect for Billy Baker, who is learning valuable skills for future employment doing various tasks around the farm. He has known some of the ServiceNet community for over a decade.

"I just go wherever they need me to help," he said. "I'm more of a hands-on person."