Nancy Macauley shows off a Senate resolution to her by state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing.
PITTSFIELD — For more than 25 years, Nancy Macauley has been helping troubled youths find a sense of purpose in their often shattered lives.
She's reached out to victims of abuse, introduced at-risk teens to Shakespeare and impressionists, and worked to keep youths in school and off the streets.
It's not unusual, said her 14-year-old daughter Safari Macauley, to have teens and young adults approach her mother on the street to say "thank you."
"I don't know who they are but they all know who she is," said Safari.
When Macauley isn't working as a probation officer in Berkshire Juvenile Court, she found time to volunteer at Reid Middle School and at the Colonial theater and Barrington Stage Company.
Her full schedule prompted Sen. Benjamin B. Downing to quip, "you can't help but think, first ,when does she sleep and, second, just how many cups of coffee a day does it take" to do what she does.
Macauley with District Attorney David E. Capeless.
That evoked a knowing laugh from the dozens of colleagues, family members and friends who filled the auditorium at the Berkshire Museum on Friday to see Macauley receive the fifth annual Gerard D. Downing Service to Children Award.
Named for the late district attorney, the award was established to honor those who have furthered his commitment to the safety and well-being of the county's children.
The award is presented each year by the county's Sexual Assault Intervention Network, or SAIN, team in April, which is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The team selects a recipient from community nominations of those who have "exhibited a personal devotion to enhancing and enriching the lives of children."
Previous recipients have been Robert Esposito, William A. McGovern, Matthew C. Stracuzzi and Cheryl Nolan-Wallah.
Berkshire County District Attorney David E. Capeless, a colleague and friend of Downing, who was stricken at the age of 52 in December 2003, said he pulls rank to make sure he's the one who gets to present the award.
"Nancy is not just a gifted and dedicated professional and mother," said Capeless. "It's her personality and character that stand out, and why she is today's recipient.
"Her energy and upbeat attitude is infectious and when you're around her you, you can't help but feel better about your life and about life in general. One only has to wonder how many kids under her guidance have thought, 'gee, I want to be like her.'"
Macauley began her career at the South Forty day treatment program for children in North Adams, then was an adolescent caseworker for the state in Pittsfield and on the South Shore. She returned to Pittsfield in 1997 to become a probation officer in the new Berkshire Juvenile Court.
Posing with the Downing Award and daughter Safari.
Capeless noted her involvement developing innovative programs to engage at-risk youth, such as the Shakespeare in the Court program in conjunction with Shakespeare and Company of Lenox. That initiative has been recognized as a national model and was honored at the White House.
Along with her advocacy in the public schools and efforts to combat truancy, Macauley has worked with a teen program with the Clark Art Insitute and one foradolescent girls.
The state senator, son of the late district attorney, read a Senate resolution recognizing Macauley and said she fully deserved the honor. "The energy and work she puts into this ... that's what grabs the kids."
Downing's mother, Pamela Downing, also attended the ceremony along with a host of officials from various law enforcement and social service agencies. Mayor James M. Ruberto read a city resolution recognizing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month with Dana Brandon, executive director of Berkshire County Kids' Place.
Macauley seemed a bit overwhelmed by the adoration. She pointed to her colleagues' efforts, calling them all a team, and said Gerard Downing had taught her not to just look at what was in front of her but to go outside "and look at the whole picture."
"Through him I realized I could make a difference. I still want to make a difference."
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