Berkshire Leadership Program Releases Youth Guide

03:22PM / Tuesday, July 15, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire's 2025 cohort of the Berkshire Leadership Program has curated a bilingual guide to summer activities and year-round programming.

This guide will promote access to free, low-cost, and inclusive attractions and activities, as well as provide a directory connecting Berkshire youth with essential resources, services, and opportunities in their local communities.

"Our goal is to serve youth and families in Berkshire County, with a special focus on low-income, marginalized, and Spanish-speaking communities," said Hari Kumar, project representative and 2025 cohort member. "We are prioritizing those who may face economic, geographic, or social barriers in accessing enriching, affordable, and inclusive opportunities that Berkshire County has to offer.

"There are many programs and resources for underserved youth available throughout the county, and our goal is to help bridge the gap between the service and their target audience."

The guide is available as a digital resource through Facebook, and hosted online by the Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention website.

It features local attractions, events, safe hangout spots, and essential services organized by town to reduce transportation barriers and promote equitable access. Sections such as "Free Cultural Passes," "Health & Well-Being," and "Education & Learning" offer guidance on how to access mental health support, volunteer opportunities, job training, and discounted admission to museums, theaters and cultural entertainment.

"We are happy to be able to offer this guide in both English and Spanish. It is important to my community, and the growing Spanish-speaking population in Berkshire County that as we create new resources, we ensure they are offered in both languages," class member Shirley Cruz said.

The guide will be distributed through schools, libraries, community centers, and youth-serving organizations. Supported by a searchable online directory and event calendar, this project helps ensure all youth can explore, engage with, and benefit from their communities.

In addition to serving youth and families, the guide helps align community organizations by consolidating resources and promoting collaboration, creating a more connected and coordinated youth support network across Berkshire County.

"Young people in Berkshire County deserve to feel connected, supported, and included — but too often, they don't know where to turn," said class member Cass Santos-China. "At Berkshire Pride, we've seen firsthand how meaningful it is when youth feel seen and have access to safe, inclusive spaces — whether it's through our after-school programs, GSA support, or youth-centered Pride events.

"This guide expands on that mission by offering a starting point for youth and families to discover local programs, opportunities, and places to belong. It's about building bridges — and ensuring that the next generation has every reason to stay, grow, and thrive here."

The Berkshire Youth Resource Guide is available online and will be distributed widely through schools and organizations that serve youth in Berkshire County.

Tags: 1Berkshire, guide book, youth,

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Crane Park's Mini-Pitch is Open for Fun

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:18AM / Wednesday, October 21, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Town officials celebrated the opening of the new Crane Parks mini-pitch on Tuesday.

Players from several local soccer programs, community leaders, and project partners gathered to kick the ceremonial first pitch into the goal on the new facility.

Back in May, the Parks Commission endorsed a project to place a mini-pitch over the aging, cracked concrete surface of Crane Park's former rink. A mini-pitch is a compact, modular field typically used for soccer, and it can also accommodate inline skates.

"The mini-pitch system will create a space that encourages physical activity and welcomes play through teamwork. The space will serve as a location for the community to gather for outdoor fun and recreation for many years ahead. They'll be able to put their cell phones down for a few minutes and actually engage in some great outdoor entertainment," Mayor Peter Marchetti said.

The project was funded entirely by grants. In June, the City Council accepted the gift of the mini-pitch facility, valued at over $100,000, and $10,000 from the Mill Town Foundation to ready the site.

The facility has a galvanized steel border with built-in goals and a rubber plastic surface that is clicked together. Cleats are not allowed on the surface, but sneakers and other sports shoes are.

The mini-pitch system came with a light tower and two LED lamps, but Crane Park does not have power, so it won't be illuminated. That could change in the future, officials said.

The pitch is open for the community every day, but Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath reminded users to be mindful as they play as well as to respect the pitch and the neighborhood it resides in.

McGrath said the idea grew out of conversations with Andy Wrba, program director for the Mill Town Foundation.

"There's been a deep, deep soccer community in Pittsfield and throughout the Berkshires for a long time. I've seen it as a multi-generational way for communities to connect and pass down lessons and connect families and everyone. And a big part of that has been the West State Soccer League," Wrba said.

He said the goal is to keep the space active and encourage outdoor recreation and youth engagement.

McGrath said that with the partnership from Mill Town and the city's park commission they were able to bring the pitch to the finish line.

"It's a testament to our ability to bring new and unique facilities into our city that accommodate youth sports. And it really, at the end of the day, is about promotion of soccer. And we are just so pleased that our partners all came together and that we were able to get this mini-pitch completed," McGrath said.

Other contributors as well were the U.S. Soccer Foundation, who provided the mini-pitch system, surface materials, and installation assistance at no cost to the city, as well as Massachusetts Youth Soccer who partnered with Pittsfield to bring the system to the city.

"All these contributions made this project possible, and highlights how our community continues through public and private partnerships to provide new facilities and amenities for all to enjoy," Marchetti said.

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