Brien Center to Host 100-Plus Gala Celebration Oct. 22
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Brien Center is launching its 100-plus campaign Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Colonial Theatre, as part of its commemoration of the agency's 100th anniversary.
Founded in 1920, The Brien Center had planned a centennial celebration for the fall of 2020, but COVID-19 changed the organization's plans to commemorate the milestone. The evening will feature a performance by the Me2/Orchestra – the world's only classical music organization created for individuals living with mental illness and the people who support them.
"This evening will serve as a yearlong effort to educate our community about our services and, as important, to have our community know that talking about mental health and addiction is not only OK but it also saves lives. We are absolutely thrilled by the outpouring of community support thus far," said President and CEO Christine Macbeth.
Caroline (Kim) and James Taylor will serve as honorary chairs with Brien Center board members Lori Kiely, Marybeth Mitts, and Tim Burke serving as benefit chairs for this evening. As a musician and Berkshire County resident, Taylor was an early voice in speaking of his own experiences with mental health and substance use disorder.
"We are honored to be part of this event and to lend our names to the critically important work of the Brien Center. We chose the Berkshires as our home because of the people and organizations who do so much for others and there is no finer example than The Brien Center."
Twenty local corporate and foundation leaders are supporting the event including the Donald C. McGraw Foundation, Berkshire Health Systems, Greylock Federal Credit Union, MountainOne Bank, and The Whitehead
Foundation. The event has also gathered the support of more than 100 community activists and advocates serving as members of the 100-plus Celebration Committee.
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