EPOCH Assisted Living at Melbourne promotes two marketing professionals

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — EPOCH Assisted Living at Melbourne has promoted Amy McNally to marketing director and Rita Schillinger to marketing outreach coordinator. As marketing director, McNally will work with families considering assisted living to help them determine if EPOCH at Melbourne is the right choice. Schillinger will direct EPOCH’s community and media outreach, coordinating advertising and public relations efforts.

McNally has worked at EPOCH for more than three years as the marketing outreach coordinator. Schillinger began her career at EPOCH as a receptionist and certified nursing assistant before being promoted to marketing outreach coordinator.

“Amy has helped us build important relationships with other businesses and members of the community. That experience will be an asset as she oversees all of our marketing efforts,” said EPOCH at Melbourne Executive Director Diane Weinstein. “Since Rita came to EPOCH it has been a pleasure watching her develop a passion for working with seniors, which will grow as she represents EPOCH in the larger community as marketing outreach coordinator,” continued Weinstein.

McNally is very involved in the Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts and will chair the 2009 Memory Walk committee. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business and accounting from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and is a graduate of the Berkshire Leadership Program. Schillinger is working toward her nursing degree and registered nurse certification. She has worked at EPOCH for more than four years.


For more information call 413-499-1992, or visit www.epochsl.com.

About EPOCH Assisted Living at Melbourne (www.epochsl.com)       

Located at 140 Melbourne Road, EPOCH Assisted Living at Melbourne provides both traditional assisted living and BRIDGES®, a special program for individuals with memory-related challenges. EPOCH Assisted Living at Melbourne is owned by EPOCH Senior Living.
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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

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.
 
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