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State Sen. Paul Mark and state Sen. Robyn Kennedy of Worcester, holding gifts, visit Berkshire County Arc's programs earlier this month.

State Senators Tour Berkshire County Arc Programs

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — State Sen. Paul Mark and state Sen. Robyn Kennedy of Worcester, chair for the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, recently spent time visiting Berkshire County Arc's programs. Mark is also a member of the joint committee. 
 
During their visit, they spent time discussing short- and long-term plans for human services in Massachusetts.
 
BCArc offers a broad range of community-based services to individuals with developmental disabilities, brain injuries and autism.
 
In the photo above, from left: Pam Kight, director of employment and community-based day services; Cybele Kilby, vice president of day & employment services; state Sen. Paul Mark; state Sen. Robyn Kennedy; President & CEO Maryann Hyatt; Erin Manson, Department of Developmental Services residential services director; CFO Blanca Durant; Jessica Russo, director of family support & advocacy; and Scott Barschdorf, director of brain injury services.
 
 

Tags: bcarc,   paul mark,   state officials,   

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Housing Secretary Visits Pittsfield's 'The First'

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Just five months after opening, The First has already become a community hub for individuals in need of resources or a place to decompress. 
 
The space is filled with donated items from a room full of clothing, lockers, a classroom, couches, a television, a ping-pong table, and more.  
 
Located at 74 First St., the resource center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
 
"[Visitors] come up to us daily and admit that this is a beautiful space, and we want to keep it in the community as a whole… It's a wonderful place for them to feel as part of the community," The First Program Director, John Jablonski, said. 
 
The First was one of the stops on Housing Secretary Juana Matias' tour of supportive housing initiatives in Pittsfield.  In February, she was appointed to lead the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. 
 
 
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