Guest Column: Berkshire United Way's Call to Action During National Volunteer Week

"America's volunteers embody the core values that define our Nation: an optimism that is tested yet resolute; a courage that digs deep when we need it most; and an unshakeable faith in one another, our Nation, and the future we can build together."

These words open President Joe Biden's proclamation recognizing National Volunteer Week, which runs from April 21-27. The president's words focus on volunteerism at the national level, and I assure you the spirit of service is alive and well in the Berkshires.

At Berkshire United Way, we mark National Volunteer Week as the centerpiece of our own Here For Good Volunteer Month.

This past weekend, we partnered with Berkshire Bounty to help address the ongoing and growing challenge of food security in our community. Over 90 volunteers gathered at the Boys and Girls Club to package 40,000 servings of healthy, nutritious meals for distribution to local food pantries. We're helping organize volunteers to paint and prepare space for the Focus is Our Children youth program. On Friday, April 25, we're coordinating a spring cleanup at Soldier On. Then, on May 11, we will partner with the National Association of Letter Carriers on their annual Stamp Out Hunger  Food Drive.

These are just a few of the incredible projects happening now and in the coming days. We're grateful to every volunteer who lends their time and talent to serve their friends and neighbors in the Berkshires.

The great thing about volunteer service is that it's egalitarian, multi-generational, and fun! If you're looking for opportunities to give back, visit volunteerberkshireuw.org to learn more.

Tom Bernard is president and CEO Berkshire United Way.

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."