NAMIBC Kicks Off Mental Health Awareness Month

12:04PM / Thursday, May 02, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. In honor of May's Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM), the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Berkshire County (NAMIBC) and advocates across the country, are raising awareness of mental illness and supporting individuals in their mental health journey.

This year, NAMI Berkshire County is helping emphasize the importance of normalizing mental health care by hosting a fundraising and awareness event: NAMIWalks Berkshire County at 5pm on May 3 in collaboration with First Fridays at Five.

"It is essential to foster an open and safe environment for sharing stories, and during Mental Health Awareness Month, we are calling on mental health advocates across the country to come together and address the stigma around mental health by providing testimonies and offering support," explains Melissa Helm, Executive Director of NAMI Berkshire County. "NAMIWalks Berkshire County encourages everyone to prioritize and talk about their mental well-being without feeling guilty or ashamed; because mental health affects each and every one of us."

The non-profit encourages all Berkshire County residents to register for NAMIWalks Berkshire County online at namiwalks.org/berkshirecounty. The event is free to attend, however, anyone who raises over $100 in support of the nonprofit's mission to provide free mental health support, education and advocacy to anyone in the Berkshires, will receive an official 2024 NAMIWalks t-shirt.

"It takes a village to ensure the continued success of our mission, and we're grateful to have one of the best here in the Berkshires. Thank you to Downtown Pittsfield Inc. and First Fridays at Five for partnering with us to make this event possible; and thank you to our event sponsors: Center for Motivation and Change Berkshires, Berkshire Health Systems, The Brien Center, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Lenco Armored Vehicles, Brown and Brown Insurance, Mountain One, Miraval Berkshires, Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline, Teton Management and Cintas,' Helm continues.

Check-in for NAMIWalks Berkshire County will begin at 5pm with the opening ceremony taking place on the First Fridays at Five main stage at 6pm with the walk directly following. Participants will walk from the main stage at Park Square up North Street towards the hospital, around Berkshire Medical Center, and back down North Street to the Main Stage.

NAMI Berkshire County is pleased to offer additional Mental Health Awareness Month events throughout May:

Thursday, May 2: Live rendition of Every Brilliant Thing at Miraval Berkshires at 7pm. Tickets on sale at namibc.org/EBT.
Friday, May 3: NAMI Walks Berkshire County at First Fridays at Five, namiwalks.org/berkshirecounty.
Friday, May 3: Live rendition of Every Brilliant Thing at Hotel on North at 7pm. Tickets on sale at namibc.org/EBT.
Wednesday, May 15: Benefit Bingo at Hot Plate in Pittsfield.
Tuesday, May 21: Dine to Donate at the Locker Room in Lee.

The non-profit also highlights upcoming MHAM events being held by their community partners, such as:

May 11: Love of T Foundation's May-nia Comedy Show at Dorothy's.
May 26: The Brien Center's Community Conversations at Lenox Library.

For more information on Mental Health Awareness Month and to download materials like social media content and graphics, visit nami.org/MentalHealthMonth.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Berkshire County is a local affiliate of the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. NAMI BC offers information about mental illness conditions, symptoms and treatment at www.namibc.org or through the NAMI HelpLine at 800-950-NAMI (6264).

Learn more and get involved: namibc.org and @namiberkshire on Instagram.

Tags: mental health,

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Friday Front Porch Feature: Allendale Pines North

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:13PM / Friday, February 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Are you looking for an inexpensive home to raise your family in? Then this might be the home for you. And if not, there's a couple other options.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week we are showcasing model homes at Allendale Pines North.

Teton Management is opening its new manufactured housing development next Allendale Pines at 395 Cheshire Road, and has three different model homes to choose from.

The Monroe with a full porch and with a half-porch, and The Aspire are available to move into in March.

All the models have three bedrooms and two baths in 1,280 square feet, and include two parking spaces. The Monroe full-porch is on the market for $194,900, Monroe half-porch $189,900, and The Aspire for $204,900. View a video tour here.

The lot rent is $550 a month and it includes trash removal and recycling, as well as water and sewer. Tenants are responsible for their own utilities and lawn care/snow removal. Dogs and cats are allowed, for up to two pets.

We spoke with Val Whaling from Teton Management about the new homes.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

The three models — Monroe Full- Porch, Monroe Half -Porch, and The Aspire — are Titan Home products manufactured by Champion Homes and stand out in the current market because:

The purchase price of these homes is well below current market rate single-family homes in Berkshire County.

The 5 Star Energy-Efficient rating (featuring energy-efficient windows and high- performance insulation) and one-year warranty on the home, sets these homes apart from older, stick-built homes.
These homes are built to strict HUD standards and include structural integrity in order to meet federal standards for durability, safety and wind resistance.

Are there any stand-out design features?

Stand out features include: open concept floorplan, covered porches, stainless steel appliances, large laundry room /mudrooms, and large glass walk-in showers.

What kind of buyer do you see this home being perfect for?

First time homebuyers/ professionals preferring home ownership vs. renting, empty nesters wanting to downsize, and cost-conscious individuals preferring the affordability of these homes.

What's the neighborhood like?

Allendale Pines North will be comprised of 22 brand-new homes, on individual lots, set on beautiful property, neighboring the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. The property is located at 395 Cheshire Road, Pittsfield, offering proximity to retail shopping and dining. Additionally, Allendale Pines North property is well managed by a reputable owner/operator. (All adult community residents are approved via community application approval process.).

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

"Imagine the cost savings of owning a brand-new, energy-efficient home, easy to maintain and allowing the convenience of modern day and easy living, in a quiet, well-managed community."

What does the home come with?

Included are: Stainless steel Whirlpool appliances (refrigerator with icemaker, dishwasher, and gas stove/oven), and closets equipped with shelf/hanging rod. Plus an 8-by-10-foot Amish built shed, two wooden entrance stairs with wooden handrails and black wrought iron spindles, two-car driveway, sidewalks and brand-new water/sewer infrastructure.

You can find out more about these homes on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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