1Berkshire Launches Second Year of GoFundU Series

02:00PM / Tuesday, February 14, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire, in partnership with Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation and the Berkshire Innovation Center and with funding support from Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, announced the launch of the second year of their GoFundU Crowdfunding Workshop and Technical Assistance series.

Kicking off on March 15 with three consecutive Wednesdays of workshops, this series will once again be presented by Laura Christensen, a crowdfunding campaign educator and consultant based in the Berkshires.

With three sessions, this series will provide an overview of crowdfunding models, opportunities, and best practices.

Individuals who attend at least two full sessions of the three-part series will also be eligible to receive up to two hours of one-on-one direct technical assistance support from Laura in the development and launch of their own crowdfunding campaigns.

This series will be offered as a hybrid opportunity with in-person attendance at the Berkshire Innovation Center, as well as Zoom-based participation being made available.

The workshops are free and open to the public, but registration is required. To learn more and to register, please visit https://1berkshire.com/1berkshire-programs/gofundu/

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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

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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