Berkshire South Prepares for a New Chapter

Photo courtesy BSRCC  Managing Director Jenise Lucey and Executive Director Eliza Crescentini.

"Children are entitled to the same level of excellence even if life circumstances keep them out of the general classroom," Crescentini said in a phone interview. "This is the first virtual school ever offered. Kids school choice into Greenfield Academy and then they receive their online curriculum and their books and their worksheets and their dirt and worms, whatever they need for that unit, and with a learning partner they learn together. It’s six hours a day, not an abbreviated experience."

While managing an online curriculum program may seem somewhat of a far cry from her role at Berkshire South, Crescentini said that her experience at the community center has prepared her for her new role.

"The question of access has always been deeply interesting to me," she said. "What is the primary point of access? This is a community question and a social justice issue. We’ve worked hard to provide access here at Berkshire South; access to food, access to wellness, access to education. We should all care about everyone having access to the quality of life each of us wants for ourselves."

Indeed, under Crescentini's leadership, the community center continues to provide access in every way to South County residents. In addition to memberships, the center offers early childhood and teen programs, senior programs and community programs and partnerships with CHP, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and Berkshire Community College to name a few. In fact, according to Crescentini, Berkshire South is the largest provider of out-of-school programming in the southern Berkshires.

But things weren't always smooth sailing. When Crescentini first arrived the center had only been open for a year.

"I did come in at a time where there was some confusion. Our mission was clear but we weren’t sure how to enact it and the image behind it," she said. "It was actually developmentally appropriate what happened that first year. It’s taken a long time to settle into a strong team."

As Crescentini readies herself for her last day on Sept. 20, Managing Director Jenise Lucey has stepped in to take the helm indefinitely as the board decides whether to open a search or look within for the next director.

"I've been here for almost six years," Lucey said. "It has been the most extraordinary learning experience of my life. Eliza has taught me to be aware and cognizant of the big picture and how it all comes together. The important part is going to be bringing this lesson all the way through. She's brought us to a place of development that it is so critical to maintain stability."

While it is unclear now if Lucey will be the one to lead the center into its new chapter, Crescentini is confident that all will be well.

"Jenise is a dynamo. She's really helped put the operational structure in place," Crescentini said. "The board has begun the conversation around what are the opportunities in this change. The selection process is evolving."
 

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