PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 2nd Street, an organization supporting formerly incarcerated men and women in Berkshire County, has received a $75,000 grant from the Massachusetts Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program (CERP). 

 

The competitive grant program was developed to support communities that have historically faced disproportionate challenges to economic growth, specifically those with high rates of incarceration and/or recidivism, widespread poverty and large groups of disadvantaged and underrepresented populations.

 

The award is part of more than $17 million in CERP grants for 66 projects throughout the Commonwealth, according to the Baker-Polito administration and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy.

 

Grant funding for 2nd Street will support:

 

Development of a sustainability planning study, including a plan to source revenue when American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the City of Pittsfield ends on June 30, 2025

Funding must be expended between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2023.

 

"We're so grateful to receive CERP funding, which will help us reach our goals of adding at least 50 new, unduplicated clients in the six months of the grant and increasing the number of programs, events and services we offer," said Executive Director Jason Cuyler. "We aim to establish new partnerships with local agencies offering services relevant to our target population and increase the level of engagement and coordinated programming with our partners."

 

This is the second CERP grant for the 2nd Street program, following an FY2022 grant in the amount of $240,300. That grant, secured by Berkshire Community College on 2nd Street's behalf as 2nd Street had not yet been formally organized, allowed 2nd Street to furnish its space; develop and expand community relationships; create its brand; secure a plan for fiscal management, governance and sustainability of its programs; and start welcoming clients.

 

"We thank the Baker-Polito administration and Secretary Kennealy for two consecutive years of funding for 2nd Street," added Cuyler. "Their support, along with the support of Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer through the ARPA program, have been essential in getting 2nd Street up and running."

 

"Community-based organizations know the needs of their neighbors best, and this funding helps those organizations better empower individuals through access to jobs, small business assistance and other forms of support," said Governor Charlie Baker. "We are proud to have now awarded over $37 million to advance economic opportunity through the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program in partnership with the Legislature."