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Friends of the Pittsfield Senior Center Seek Volunteers

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Friends of the Senior Center is in need of more volunteers so it can provide more opportunities at the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center.
 
"The Senior Center is a structure that is financed by the city of Pittsfield, but it's the friends that really support all the extra activities that take place in the Senior Center," said Friends' Treasurer Lea Morgan said.
 
The center was renamed and dedicated to Ralph J. Froio by the city in 1993 for in recognition of his civil leadership and the "countless hours in volunteer service to his community, especially in senior citizens’ affairs," the Council on Aging states on the city website
 
There are people today who allocate a lot of their time to brainstorm ideas, and provide opportunities for center visitors but a lot of people who visit the center have not joined as a member of the Friends, Morgan said. 
 
"So, we want to make it more available to people to really realize and understand that it's the Friends that really financially support a lot of these activities," she said. 
 
Becoming a Friend of the Senior Center makes it easier to create a new activity because the network is at their fingertips. 
 
The center offers an array of activities that improve older citizens,' quality of life whether it be physically or mentally, Morgan said. 
 
The center provides a welcoming environment where seniors can make friends and participate in activities that are free or a nominal cost including helpful services, games, exercise classes, workshops, and travel events. 
 
"We're asking for people to become members to just support things so that we could offer more things. The Friends have allocated money to improve things at the Senior Center," Morgan said.
 
The Senior Center is handicapped accessible, within walking distance of several housing projects and available by bus. It's located in the former Capitol Theater building, its home of 25 years, at 330 North St.
 
Within the four floors, there is a woodworking shop, ceramics shop, coffee shop, computer lab, craft room, and a game room and more open to anyone age 55 and older, Monday through Friday. 
 
The monthly newsletter, Pittsfield Senior Spirit, is also available online, at the center, or in 
pamphlet racks throughout the area to stay up to date on upcoming activities. 
 
Those interested in supporting its activities can become Friends of the Senior Center volunteers for $10 a month or $50 for a lifetime membership.
 
More information about the Senior Center here

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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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