Letter: North Adams Recovery Rally

Letter to the EditoriBerkshires
01:00PM / Friday, September 29, 2023Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

This Saturday, all are welcome to attend a Rally for Recovery taking place in North Adams at Colegrove Park, from 1-3 p.m. This event, sponsored by the North Adams HEAL Coalition, is held as part of Recovery Month, a national observance held every September to promote and support proven treatment and recovery practices, our strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible.

It is a fitting time to celebrate recovery in North Berkshire — we have seen a tremendous expansion of services in our region including residential treatment at Keenan House North, over 50 beds of sober housing and a new day treatment at the Alternative Living Center, expanded access to harm reduction services and naloxone through Berkshire Harm Reduction, increased access to medication, and perhaps most exciting, the announcement that a peer-led recovery center is coming to North Adams this fall!

The Rally for Recovery is a time to lift up and celebrate ALL pathways to recovery, and all community members impacted by addiction who are working to take that next brave step in their recovery journey. There will be resource tables from many local organizations including Learn To Cope (family support), Berkshire AHEC, medication treatment providers Spectrum Health Systems and SaVida Health, Narcotics Anonymous (NA), the Brien Center, Berkshire Harm Reduction, Alternative Living Center, Berkshire Overdose Addiction Prevention Collaborative, the North Adams HEAL Coalition, and the Northern Berkshire Post Overdose Program (Northern Berkshire EMS).

There will be music, games, raffle items, free T-shirts, and a walk to City Hall to make recovery visible. There will also be speakers with lived experience who will talk about recovery in our region.

If you or someone you love is impacted by substance use, if you are wondering how to help those whose lives are impacted by substance use disorder, or just want to better understand the issue of substance use and addiction, I encourage you to come and meet the truly amazing individuals who are building a thriving recovery community in our region. Please join in this gathering and rally to celebrate recovery!

Wendy Penner
Williamstown, Mass.

Penner is a member of the North Adams HEAL Coalition

Tags: voices of recovery,

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
03:33PM / Friday, October 16, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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