PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Ralph J. Froio Senior Center announced it has been awarded an AARP Community Challenge Capacity-Building Microgrant in Disaster Preparedness, made possible through funding from AARP and SBP, a national disaster resilience and recovery nonprofit. 

 

This initiative is aimed at improving disaster readiness for older adults in the Pittsfield community.

 

The grant will fund a three-part presentation series designed to educate seniors on emergency preparedness and build overall community resilience. Participants will receive free emergency preparedness kits and printed materials covering how to prepare for weather-related events, power outages, and other unexpected emergencies.

 

Presentation dates are scheduled for Aug. 22 at the Senior Center, and September 18 at the Berkshire Athenaeum with a third session planned during Fire Prevention Week in October.

 

These events will feature expert speakers and hands-on demonstrations, helping older adults learn how to stay safe before, during, and after a disaster.

 

In collaboration with key community and regional partners—including the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the American Red Cross, the City of Pittsfield Department of Public Health, and the Central Berkshire Regional Emergency Planning Committee (CBREPC)—the program aims to provide seniors with practical, accessible tools to plan ahead and protect themselves.

 

"This is more than an educational event—it's a coordinated effort to keep our aging population safe," said Jennifer Reynolds, director of the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center. "With support from AARP and SBP, and strong local partnerships, we're ensuring that seniors in Pittsfield are not left behind when disaster strikes."