Berkshire HorseWorks Equine-Assisted Reading Program for Children

RICHMOND, Mass. — Berkshire HorseWorks, Inc. will launch a new program this spring called "Book Club at the Barn," offering an equine-assisted reading experience for children. The after-school program aims to enhance literacy, reading comprehension, and vocabulary through discussions and interactions with horses.

The program will be facilitated by Eagala-certified practitioners Hayley Sumner, an Equine Specialist, and Caitlin Scott, a Speech-Language Pathologist, at the Berkshire HorseWorks campus in Richmond.

Two series will be offered on Mondays from 4:00 PM to 5:15 PM:

Graphic Novel Series (Ages 7 and up):

• May 5 – "Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth" by Judd Winick
• May 19 – "The Moth Keeper" by Kay O’Neill
• June 9 – "Picture Day" by Sarah Sax

Chapter Book Series (Ages 9 and up):

• May 12 – "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen
• June 2 – "Pages and Co: The Book Wanderers" by Anna James
• June 16 – "The BFG" by Roald Dahl

Participants are expected to read the assigned book before each session. Discussions will focus on themes such as friendship, bravery, self-esteem, and environmental care. Following the discussion, participants will engage in equine-assisted activities based on the Eagala model. The program is ground-based, and no prior horse experience or riding is required.

Individual sessions are priced at $70 per participant, and the full three-part series is $195. Sliding scales are available. The program has a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 20 participants.

Berkshire HorseWorks, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that offers equine-assisted psychotherapy, learning, and team-building programs. The "Book Club at the Barn" is a new educational initiative.

For more information, call 978-660-3442 or email bookclubatthebarn@gmail.com.

Pittsfield Affordable Housing Initiatives Shine Light, Hope

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
07:08AM / Saturday, December 20, 2025

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.