BCC Announces New Staff Members, Promotions

Budzn and Quadrozzi

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the addition of two new staff members and two promotions. 

New staff

Mary Budzn joins BCC as Alumni Relations and Philanthropy Manager. Originally from Cincinnati, OH, she earned her bachelor of fine arts degree in theatre arts from Boston University. A Lenox resident, she has lived in the Berkshires since 2018, when she moved to the area to work for Shakespeare & Company’s training department, which led to her career in development. Most recently, she worked for Bard College at Simon’s Rock in various roles, including Advancement Services Associate, Annual Giving Manager, student advisor and adjunct teacher. At BCC, she will focus on supporting the Alumni Association and creating opportunities for meaningful alumni engagement. From an early age, Budzn has been passionate about singing and acting, and she values being a part of the rich and caring community of artists in the Berkshires. Her hobbies include Irish studies, poetry, traditional Chinese medicine and antiquing. 

Darcy Quadrozzi joins BCC as Administrative Assistant II for Humanities, Behavioral & Social Sciences. With 25 years of experience, she arrives from Guardian, a life insurance company. There, she held several different roles, including Senior Learning Specialist and New Business Supervisor. She lives in Pittsfield with her husband Dave and two sons. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, watching movies, going to the theater and dancing. Darcy also loves going on Maine vacations with her husband, watching the Boston Celtics with her son Liam and going to listen to her son Owen’s band play. 
 

Promotions 

Alicia Ginsberg is now Director of EEC Career Pathways Grant/Initiatives. She had been the Senior Special Program Coordinator - Early Childhood Career Pathway Grant Coordinator. She joined BCC in 2019. 

Jonathan Herforth is now a Maintainer II. He had been a Maintainer I since joining BCC in May 2023. 

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 

 

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

 

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

 

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

 

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

 

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

 

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.