Elizabeth Freeman Center Launches Rise Together for Safety and Justice

12:08PM / Wednesday, July 28, 2021Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass — Elizabeth Freeman Center (EFC) announced the launch of "Rise Together for Safety and Justice," an evolution of their annual Third Thursday Walk a Mile fundraiser.

Like the previous 10 years, EFC will continue to hold its annual event in September, soliciting the support and participation of local businesses, organizations, and individuals to help raise awareness and support for the work its staff, board and volunteers do every day in domestic and sexual violence prevention and response.

"While our fundraiser theme has changed, our vision remains the same. We envision our community free from domestic and sexual violence in which all people live in safety, with dignity and justice," Executive Director Janis Broderick said. "We have been so grateful for the support of our annual fundraisers that grew each year. We hope that you will continue to support Elizabeth Freeman Center and Rise Together with us."

Rise Together will continue to be a family-friendly, community event, gathering together (as much as public health advisories allow) to walk, march, stroll, dance, and move together against domestic and sexual violence and for safety and justice. The safety of the community is EFC's priority. Like last year, walks will be held throughout Berkshire County for increased accessibility and due to COVID-19 precautions.

However participants choose to move, Elizabeth Freeman Center invites Berkshire County to Rise Together for Safety and Justice. To register or donate visit www.pledgereg.com/risetogether21.

Learn more and keep up to date with Rise Together and all Elizabeth Freeman Center events by visiting elizabethfreemancenter.org/events and Facebook.com/ElizabethFreemanCenter.

Tags: benefit walk,

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Pittsfield Housing Project Adds 37 Supportive Units and Collective Hope

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:01PM / Monday, December 29, 2025

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A new chapter in local efforts to combat housing insecurity officially began as community leaders and residents gathered at The First on to celebrate a major expansion of supportive housing in the city.

The ribbon was cut on Thursday Dec. 19, on nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at The First, located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. The Housing Resource Center, funded by Pittsfield's American Rescue Plan Act dollars, hosted a celebration for a project that is named for its rarity: The First.

"What got us here today is the power of community working in partnership and with a shared purpose," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said.

In addition to the 28 studio units at 111 West Housatonic Street and nine units in the rear of the church building, the Housing Resource Center will be open seven days a week with two lounges, a classroom, a laundry room, a bathroom, and lockers.

Erin Forbush, ServiceNet's director of shelter and housing, challenged attendees to transform the space in the basement of Zion Lutheran Church into a community center. It is planned to operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round.

"I get calls from folks that want to help out, and our shelters just aren't the right spaces to be able to do that. The First will be that space that we can all come together and work for the betterment of our community," Forbush said.

"…I am a true believer that things evolve, and things here will evolve with the people that are utilizing it."

Earlier that day, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus joined Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and her team in Housatonic to announce $33.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funding, $5.45 million to Berkshire County.

He said it was ambitious to take on these two projects at once, but it will move the needle. The EOHLC contributed more than $7.8 million in subsidies and $3.4 million in low-income housing tax credit equity for the West Housatonic Street build, and $1.6 million in ARPA funds for the First Street apartments.

"We're trying to get people out of shelter and off the streets, but we know there are a lot of people who are couch surfing, who are living in their cars, who are one paycheck away from being homeless themselves," Augustus said.

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