Pittsfield Cuts Ribbon On Community Center In Public Housing Unit
 Mayor Daniel Bianchi cut the ribbon on the new community center that will be used by service organizations. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Daniel Bianchi opened a new community center at Dower Square on Friday.
The administration has been working with the Police Department and the Housing Authority to bring the centers to three public housing complexes in the city.
The Housing Authority opened a vacant two-story, five-bedroom apartment in Dower Square. The site will offer an array of programming.
"We've got great programming that will define our community centers," Bianchi said. "What we are trying to do is bring services to folks at Dower Square and other community centers and let them know they are an important part of the community."
The scheduled programming includes the Pittsfield Partnership's literacy programs; sports mentoring with the sheriff's department; health and wellness programs such as diabetes checks and cooking classes, "coffee with a cop," tax filing assistance, neighborhood watch and officials are thinking of even more.
The center's had been opened and operated by the Police Department in the past until the gran funding was lost about 15 years ago. Police found it an effective way to communicate with residents by creating a comfortable environment for the beat officer to meet people.
The former centers — then known as police substations — grew to become a place where the neighbors organized events such as picnics and carnivals. It was eyed as a way to "empower" the residents and help them become civically engaged.
The new centers will bring in a wider range of social agencies and be run by the Housing Authority. The police will still be involved and have access to the apartment.
Housing Authority Executive Director Charles Smith credited Bianchi for "thinking outside of the box" in bringing the stations back.
"This mayor looked at the problem in front of him, he challenged people to work hard at finding solutions and achieve a common goal," Smith said. "This community center is no longer a vision. It is reality."
The Dower Square location includes meeting rooms, kitchen and a children's playroom — which will soon be stocked with donated toys.
Similar centers are expected to be open at Francis Plaza and the Wilson Projects.
Tags: community center, community policing, social services,
