PITTSFIELD, Mass. - The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) will recognize Brooke Mead, Program Coordinator of the Berkshire Immigrant Center, for her outstanding advocacy and leadership in making Massachusetts a better place for immigrants and refugees to live.

She will be one of two distinguished honorees at MIRA’s annual Thanksgiving luncheon on November 17th, 2009 in the Great Hall of the Massachusetts State House in Boston.
 
“The individuals we choose to honor are strong, determined leaders who value our country’s New Americans,” stated Eva Millona, Executive Director of MIRA. “Brooke has shown true commitment and passion for furthering immigrant initiatives and providing outstanding service to the immigrants of Berkshire County.”
 
The MIRA Thanksgiving event is entitled “Celebrate the Immigrant Family” and provides an opportunity for all to remember and rejoice in the immigrant journey. This year’s event will be highlighted by the public release of the New American’s Agenda by Governor Deval Patrick who commissioned the report from the Governor’s Advisory Council for Refugees and Immigrants in joint partnership with the Massachusetts Office of Refugees and Immigrants and MIRA. The report consists of 131 policy recommendations to better integrate immigrants and refugees into the civic and economic life of the Commonwealth. These policy recommendations recognize that immigrant families form a vital cornerstone in our communities, and that their hopes and needs deserve respectful attention and response.
 
Brooke Mead has been employed at the Berkshire Immigrant Center since 2002. The Center, a program of Berkshire Community Action Council, provides citizenship assistance, immigration information, advocacy, referrals and counseling to the growing immigrant communities in Berkshire County. For more information, please call 445-4881 or email info@berkshireic.com.