Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative Offering Clinics this Fall

07:52AM / Thursday, September 12, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Members of the Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative will provide public vaccination clinics in Berkshire communities this fall, including the Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.

The clinics will be scheduled from late September through early November, and anyone can receive a vaccine at any scheduled clinic, regardless of insurance status or place of residence.

The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative encourages everyone to visit GetVaccinatedBerkshires.org, which has an updated calendar of all scheduled clinics with links to pre-register, additional information on vaccines, and contact information in the event of questions or problems in pre-registering for a clinic. In addition, the site has information on how to schedule an in-home vaccination for those who are homebound.

All public Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative clinics are free of charge, but registrants are asked to provide insurance information, when available, in order to defray costs. The clinics are open to anyone 6 months of age or older, the age group recommended to receive an annual flu vaccine and the latest COVID-19 vaccine. The clinics will have both pediatric and adult flu vaccine, including the high dose flu vaccine for those over the age of 65, and the Pfizer COVID vaccine for children and adults. A limited number of egg-free vaccines and flu mist may also be offered, depending on availability.

Registration is highly recommended for the clinics. Walk-ins may be accepted depending on the number of vaccine doses available at each clinic, with preference given to those who are registered. To register, visit https://getvaccinatedberkshires.org.

The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative is a partnership between Berkshire Health Systems, the Berkshire Public Health Alliance, the City of Pittsfield Health Department, Community Health Programs, and the Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative, with the shared goal of getting everyone in the community vaccinated as quickly as possible—safely, effectively, and efficiently.

Tags: BHS, BMC, vaccinations,

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Second Streets Second Chances Awarded $85K for Workforce Re-Entry Program

By Brittany Polito03:00PM / Monday, September 28, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A local program for formerly incarcerated citizens seeking a technical career received $85,000 from the state.

On Thursday, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $2.25 million in Re-entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program grants to 12 organizations that will provide job training, career support, and employment opportunities to 445 formerly incarcerated individuals returning to their communities.

Second Street Second Chances was allocated $84,712 to partner with the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office to offer a training program to 12 returning citizens with a focus on the advanced manufacturing and engineering industry.

The funds will be used to put 12 returning citizens through a training program with a focus on the advanced manufacturing and engineering industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in manufacturing and welding roles at Onyx Specialty Papers and Hi-Tech Mold and Tool.

The program was one of 12 awardees, a majority on the eastern side of the state; Greenfield also saw funding.

"When people return to their communities, they should have a real opportunity to get a good job, support their families and build a stable future," said Gov. Maura Healey in a press release.

"These grants connect people with the training and experience they need to succeed and with employers that are ready to hire."

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said successful reentry means making sure people have the tools and opportunities to move forward, and these programs bring together community organizations, public safety partners, and employers to connect people directly with training and jobs.

Launched in 2022, Second Street Second Chances' mission is to provide a central point of access for medical and mental health, housing, job training, legal services, and more for a successful reentry into the community.

Early this year, the nonprofit saw an $89,000 grant from the program. Executive Director Lindsay Cornwell at the time said this funding allowed 2nd Street to expand its mission of supporting returning citizens in Berkshire County through meaningful workforce opportunities and a pathway toward sustainable employment.

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