Celebrate 40 years of NAMI Berkshire County

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Incorporated in 1984, the Berkshire County affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will hold their annual meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, at Zucchini's Restaurant in Pittsfield from 5:30-8:00 p.m.
 
The non-profit's mission is to improve the quality of life for people in Berkshire County with mental illness and their families through support, education and advocacy.
 
NAMI Berkshire County recently hired a new Executive Director, Paul Johansen, and also now has office space at 141 North Street, Suite 301, right in the heart of downtown Pittsfield.
 
The guest speaker for this event is local author, Kevin O'Hara, who worked for three decades as a psychiatric nurse at Berkshire Medical Center. He will be sharing excerpts from his recent book, "Ins and Outs of a Locked Ward: My 30 Years as a Psychiatric Nurse." He is also the author of "Last of the Donkey Pilgrims: A Man's Journey Through Ireland, "A Lucky Irish Lad" and "A
Christmas Journey." He is also recipient of the 2012 John Fitzgerald Kennedy award and he is also a long-time Berkshire Eagle contributor. His talk is sure to be inspiring as well as humorous, as anyone who knows Kevin can attest.
 
Each year, NAMI Berkshire County recognizes three award winners in memory of Eunice Zorbo, who along with her husband, was a staunch supporter of NAMI. The awards are Citizen of the Year, NAMI Member of the Year, and the last award recognizes a professional in the mental health arena with the Silver Ribbon award. To nominate someone for these awards, please visit the site below by Sept. 2. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024NAMIawards?fbclid=IwY2xjawE4bE1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXaUg80
 
Tickets are available online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nami-berkshires-annual-meeting-tickets-978853897357?aff=affiliate1 People can also purchase tickets from any board member or NAMI Berkshire County Executive Director Paul Johansen or to reserve a table of 8. 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Affordable Housing Initiatives Shine Light, Hope

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Housing Secretary Edward Augustus cuts the ribbon at The First on Thursday with housing officials and Mayor Peter Marchetti, state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The holidays are here and several community members are celebrating it with the opening of two affordable housing initiatives. 
 
"This is a day to celebrate," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said during the ribbon-cutting on Thursday. 
 
The celebration was for nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. 
 
The apartments will be leased out by Hearthway, with ServiceNet as a partner. 
 
Prior to the ribbon-cutting, public officials and community resource personnel were able to tour the two new permanent supported housing projects — West Housatonic Apartments and The First Street Apartments and Housing Resource Center
 
The First Street location has nine studio apartments that are about 300 square feet and has a large community center. The West Housatonic Street location will have 28 studio units that range between 300 to 350 square feet. All units can be adapted to be ADA accessible. 
 
The West Housatonic location is still under construction with the hope to have it completed by the middle of January, said Chris Wilett, Hearthway development associate.
 
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