Becca Bradburd, Linda Strassell, Janis Broderick, David Capeless, and Mike Murphy at the Verizon Wireless Store on Hubbard Avenue on Thursday.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With today's technology it can be pretty easy to track someone down. When it comes to domestic abuse victims, Verizon wants to make sure that isn't the case.
Each year, Verizon donates boxes of secure cell phones to the Elizabeth Freeman Center to give to victims — getting them off the family plan and onto a secured line.
"The Hopeline gives us a safe phone to give folks so they can call for help or call for services," Elizabeth Freeman Center Executive Director Janis Broderick.
"They really do save lives. We give out at least 100 phones per year."
The phones given to the center is part of the company's 'Hopeline' program. On Thursday, District Attorney David Capeless turned over hundreds of old cell phones to the company. Verizon will now recycle the parts and use the proceeds to send new phones and a cash donation to the Freeman Center. The new phones are all stocked with minutes and texts for victims to use.
We couldn't do these grants or Hopeline phones without the community's help," said Verizon spokesman Mike Murphy. "Through the revenues we generate fro this program we can give grants to our partners."
In its 10th year, Verizon gifted the Freeman Center a $5,000 check. Broderick says that'll go to support the organization's 24-hour emergency services. That response gives families whatever emergency needs the family has at the time. Broderick said the needs vary on a case by case basis.
"We're confident our resources are being put to good use," Murphy said.
The money is generated from Capeless' collections in which hundreds of old cell phones are collected and shipped to the company. Capeless said the partnership among the three agencies isn't just finances but the collection process sheds light on the problem of domestic abuse.
"It reminds them that this is an ongoing issue," Capeless said.
He credited Verizon with putting in the effort to make it happen because "for Verizon this is not simply a public relations event" but a program requiring a significant amount of work.
"This is such a great program," the district attorney said.
Broderick said the Elizabeth Freeman Center operates on a "bare bones" budget so it relies on community partners like Verizon and the district attorney's office.
"I think our partnerships in Berkshire County make our work more effective," she said.
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Old Dalton High Ranked Highest in Site Assessment
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The lot next to the Senior Center, the old Dalton High, is a viable location out of the four assessed for the proposed police facility, but it's not without challenges.
The site assessment by Brian Humes, owner of Jacunski Humes Architects LLC of Berlin, Conn., showed that the lot had the highest ranking of the four submitted for study.
"This is a first introduction into what we've looked at, how we've looked at it, how we come about with our recommendations, and then a further conversation as to whether this satisfies your site investigations, or whether you feel we need to do something further with these site recommendations," Humes said.
The board can also decide whether they want Humes to assess another property.
Although the town has not made a decision yet, it will eventually select a site for Humes to apply a schematic design solution.
"That's getting ahead, because we're not at that point yet but whatever site you instruct me to now go further with, I will be able to draw floor plans, draw site plans, and those would all be specific to the site that you then say is the recommended site," he said.
Humes emphasized that the assessment has limitations. He noted that his work was restricted to the four sites provided by the Public Safety Advisory Committee.
The site assessment by Brian Humes, owner of Jacunski Humes Architects LLC of Berlin, Conn., showed that the lot had the highest ranking of the four submitted for study.
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The district is also working hard to encourage its families to go to town meetings so they have a voice in this, Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said in a follow-up.
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Because of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, the funding gap nearly tripled. To make the project happen, Habitat had to save nearly $200,000 by cutting the ADU, which is now allowed by right in Massachusetts.
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It's election season again, and as of Thursday, potential candidates have taken out papers for city clerk, councilor at large, Wards 1-7, and the School Committee. Nomination papers became available on April 3, and certified papers are due by Aug. 1.
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