BHS Pledges Support for The First, a New Resource Center in Pittsfield

10:56AM / Wednesday, June 25, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – The First, a new daytime resource and community center opening in downtown Pittsfield this fall, has received a major commitment from Berkshire Health Systems (BHS).

BHS has pledged $300,000 over two years to support the project's start-up costs, with a portion of the pledge being designated as matching funds to encourage giving from other local individuals and organizations.

In a show of community support, a private donor has added $60,000 to the matching pool. This means all donations from individuals and businesses up to $100,000 will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling their impact.

The First is a new daytime resource center developed by Hearthway, Inc., with operational leadership provided by ServiceNet, and additional support from Cathedral of the Beloved, Zion Lutheran Church, and the City of Pittsfield. The center was created in response to the growing need for safe, supportive spaces for individuals who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

Located on First Street in downtown Pittsfield, The First will be open seven days a week and offer essential services such as showers, laundry, lockers, quiet rooms, access to technology, and personalized case management. Guided by a trauma informed "Living Room Model," the center is designed to foster connection, reduce isolation, and help each guest take meaningful next steps in their journey.

The primary provider of comprehensive healthcare services in the region and a leader in advancing health and well-being across the Berkshires, Berkshire Health Systems is deeply invested in addressing the broader social factors that impact health—such as housing stability, access to care, and social connection. Through its support of The First, BHS is helping to create a space where these priorities intersect, providing individuals with the resources and relationships they need to move forward, stated a press release.

"A core of Berkshire Health Systems' mission is to improve the health and well-being of all who live in this area, and we are proud to partner with The First in this groundbreaking initiative," said Darlene Rodowicz, President and CEO of BHS. "The First will have a dramatic impact on a highly vulnerable population in providing a compassionate and personalized approach in a safe facility with invaluable resources for so many in the Berkshires who are facing homelessness."

"Berkshire Health Systems has shown what it means to invest in community health in the fullest sense," said Eileen Peltier, President and CEO of Hearthway, Inc. "Their leadership, along with the generous matching gift from a private donor, is helping a dedicated group of caring organizations create a space where people can find not only resources, but dignity, connection, and hope."

The First is seeking to raise a total of $600,000 to fund two years of operations, allowing the center to launch fully staffed and build long-term momentum. With rent and facility expenses secured by a $5 million investment from the City of Pittsfield, every community gift directly supports services, staffing, and guest support.

To make a donation to The First—which will be matched dollar for dollar up to the first $100,000 received—visit servicenet.org/firsttodonate.

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Pittsfield Remembers Lives Lost to Overdose, Underscores Harm Reduction

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:33AM / Tuesday, September 01, 2026

Mayor Peter Marchetti reads a proclamation at City Hall encouraging residents to raise awareness and lift each other up.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Dozens of people gathered downtown on Monday to remember those lost to overdose and work toward a future of zero deaths from substance use disorder.

The Berkshire Overdose and Addiction Prevention Collaborative and its partners held a proclamation reading and flag-raising at City Hall, followed by a standout in Park Square with signs promoting the use of naloxone, harm reduction, and reducing associated stigma.

There were 23 fatal overdoses in Berkshire County in 2025, 11 in Pittsfield. This is down 44 percent from the 41 countywide fatalities in 2024.

While it is a significant decrease, advocates want to see that number at zero.

"On the one hand, we're very pleased to see this significant of a decrease. This is actually the lowest number that we've had since [Department of Public Health] started collecting these numbers in 2013, but the goal is still zero," said Andy Ottoson, public health planner with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

August is International Overdose Awareness Month, the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those lost without stigma, and acknowledge the grief of families and friends left behind. September is National Recovery Month, a national observance to educate the public on the importance of substance use treatment and mental health services.

Samantha Kendall of Berkshire Harm Reduction explained that it is truly meeting people where they are, as they are, and when they are, "and I think we all do a really great job at that."

"We also want to remember that we're building a community for everybody, and systems and policies for everybody. That's really important in harm reduction work, so that's also the reason we're here today," she said.

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