Berkshire County Arc Hires New Risk Management Specialist

11:42AM / Friday, June 20, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Amber Steele has been hired as Berkshire County Arc's (BCArc) Risk Management Specialist.

This is a new position at the Agency that will focus on the health, safety, and well-being of individuals with disabilities who BCArc supports, and BCArc staff. The position will support all the programs across the Agency by looking at potential risk, identifying trends and patterns, and recommending solutions. The position reports directly to the CEO.

Steele has worked at BCArc previously for several years, her most recent position as Director of Brain Injury Services. Three years ago she left BCArc to explore other opportunities.

"She will be a huge asset to this Agency, and is an incredible fit for this new position," said Maryann Hyatt, BCArc's CEO. "Her experience and knowledge of this Agency will provide a new support system around risk management for all of us."

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ServiceNet Hopes to Open Pittsfield Warming Center in Nov.

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:48AM / Thursday, October 15, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A warming center is again planned in the First United Methodist Church for the cold months.

During last week's Homelessness Advisory Committee meeting, Erin Forbush, director of shelter and housing at ServiceNet, reported that they hope to begin operating the nighttime center in mid-November.

It would operate from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. in the church, which abuts The Pearl shelter. Forbush said the warming center would be the same program as in the past.

"Again it's a warming center, so there's no cots or beds, but it is certainly a place to come in, and we'll have a hot coffee or cocoa ready for folks," she explained.

"It will be a place to be inside and warm."

This year, ServiceNet hopes to secure full funding from the state so the warming center can open on Sundays at 5 p.m. In years past, they found that Sunday is the most challenging day for unhoused individuals because many community spaces aren't open.

The First Housing Resource Center, managed by Hearthway, opened earlier this year as a low-barrier option for people to rest and access amenities. It is open seven days a week, and Forbush said if people could come to the warming center on Sundays at 5, there would be a fuller day of coverage.

"It does still leave a little gap for Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, as spaces like the library close at five, but we know that Sundays were something that people were looking for," she said.

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