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Worker Assistance Center Opened in North Adams

Former NARH employee Diane Pytko, center, opens the new Worker Assistance Center with Secretary of Labor Rachel Kaprielian.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Rather than a ribbon, the new Worker Assistance Center in City Hall was celebrated Wednesday with the opening of a door.

Hopefully, a door that will lead to new paths for the hundreds affected by the closure of Northern Berkshire Healthcare.

"This resource is going to be a lifesaver for the people of North Adams and the surrounding areas," said Diane Pytko, a 24-year North Adams Regional Hospital employee whose life abruptly changed on March 28 when it closed.

She's been among the 150 or so who have been rehired by Berkshire Medical Center but understands what her former colleagues are going through.

"I didn't know how to do a resume. ... Where do you go if you don't have a computer?" she said, noting the new office will offer that help. "And you don't have to drive to Pittsfield. ... If you lose your job you can't afford transportation."

The BerkshireWorks office in North Adams was closed several years as part of a consolidation of a number of state offices, leaving the 530 suddenly unemployed in March with the difficult task of getting to Pittsfield. MountainOne stepped into the gap to supply a computer, printer and phone for job-seekers.

The new center is being funded for a year through a $143,000 grant from the state Department of Career Service's Rapid Response Team. The city supplied the first-floor office space and BerkshireWorks will provide staff.

"This is a center to help connect people with jobs," said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rachel Kaprielian, who attended the opening with Secretary of Health and Human Services John Polanowicz.

"We want to help people see past what they know and see how they can grow."

The Rapid Response team had been deployed quickly in the wake of the hospital's closure and Kaprelian said her department had worked closely with the city and other stakeholders.

Melanie Gelaznik, manager of program operations at BerkshireWorks.

Mayor Richard Alcombright said the center will also help veterans seeking services in office next door.

"It's certainly an indication that we are not forgotten communities out here," he said.

The center will be open weekdays from 9 to 2 for displaced hospital workers, and on Fridays for the general public. Assistance is also available on Mondays at the Adams Council on Aging from 9 to noon.

Melanie Gelaznik, manager of program operations at BerkshireWorks, said the center will connect job seekers with training, aid them with applications and help them utilize their existing knowledge in new areas.

"One of the most important things is recognizing the skills you already possess through training and to transfer them into another career," she said. "No one in this room does not have valuable skills that can be transferred to other employers."

Gelaznik also hoped to aid a peer counselor, preferably someone from the hospital.

"I can't thank this community enough for supporting this endeavor for the former employees of North Adams Regional Hospital," she said.

North Adams Jewelry Store Has New Owner

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:34PM / Thursday, December 18, 2025

Cheryl Coppens put out a call for someone to take over the jewelry business she began last spring  — jewelry maker Alexandra Padilla answered the call.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Artful Jeweler has a new owner who is looking to expand its offerings.

Cheryl Coppens opened the jewelry store in May, showcasing local artists, offering fine jewelry, and jewelry repair.

But a new grandson in Texas, and the difficulties in flying back and forth to see him, had her looking to move closer to him.

Last month, she posted on the business's Facebook that she wanted someone to take over the space and continue the venture. Alexandra Padilla reached out to her and Coppens said she met all her criteria she was looking for in anew owner.

"You have to really want to be in retail. You have to want to be in this community, priced where people can afford it. Alex is native to North Adams. Her husband, she's got two great kids, so it just felt like they would be able to continue the store," Coppens said. "So the criteria really was somebody that would work the store, not somebody that would just come in and hire employees. I didn't want that."

Padilla started taking over the store in the beginning of December. She has been selling jewelry for about three years, and has an online shop, and has worked in wholesale jewelry for about 15 years.

"I always wanted to have my own thing on it, and I wanted to bring something new, and I want to involve my family, my kids do something, and I want to be independent," she said.

Now Padilla showcases her jewelry in the Ashland Street store and plans to keep some of the local artists' items, like stained glass made by Coppens' mother.

Padilla customizes jewelry and tailors pieces to her customers.

She plans to work around her job at Berkshire County Head Start so she can open store for more hours. 

She also plans to redesign the store a little bit and bring in a couple more lines, like more rings and pearls. 

The store is open on Saturdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays 9 to 2, Fridays 9 to 6, and Sundays 9 to 3. The store has also been open on Mondays 10  to 5 and Tuesdays 10  to 3 for the holidays. 

Padilla thanks Coppens for trusting her and hopes customers continue to support the Artful Jeweler.

"Thank you for trusting me. I'm going to try and do my best and work hard to make it happen," she said. "This is our first time selling retail, so we hope the community supports us in here."

Coppens will be helping Padilla until she is comfortable operating the store on her own. She said it will continue to be a space of community support.