Pearl Ambassador Program Enhances Downtown Pittsfield Cleanliness

10:34AM / Friday, August 08, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI), in partnership with ServiceNet, and with support from MassDevelopment's TDI Local Grant, has launched the Pearl Ambassador Program - a community volunteer initiative that improves the downtown environment with strategic connections and beautification efforts.

Through this program, residents of The Pearl, ServiceNet's shelter located at 21 Pearl Street, volunteer to clean and care for downtown Pittsfield. Participants - known as Pearl Ambassadors -remove litter, clean benches and parking meters, and help maintain the appearance of sidewalks and public areas. In exchange for their contribution, ambassadors receive a $40 gift card for 2 hours of volunteer work along with a weekly group lunch in the downtown.

Residents of The Pearl have been instrumental in the development and leadership of the Ambassador program by identifying downtown areas that need improvement, participating in program creation and direction, and taking action to make North Street a more vibrant and welcoming place for all residents and visitors.

Now in its eighth week, the Pearl Ambassador Program is already making a visible impact. The program has funding to continue through October.

Downtown visitors and residents can recognize the Pearl Ambassadors by their bright yellow vests, which signal their active role in keeping the district clean and welcoming.

Pearl Ambassadors responsibilities include the management of cigarette receptacles along North Street between Union and Maplewood Avenues. At Ambassador recommendation, six additional units have been ordered and will be installed in high-use public areas including Persip Park, Sotille Park, and Dunham Mall.

"Our members identified cleanliness as a key concern, and we are lucky to be working with the team from The Pearl on this much-needed project," said Rebecca Brien, Managing Director of Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. "Their commitment and ongoing efforts have made a noticeable difference in the downtown."

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Pittsfield's Christian Center Seeks Community Input on Services, Name

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:57PM / Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Worker Dionisio Kelly, left, board member Kenny Warren, Executive Director Jessica Jones, and Food and Services Director Karen Ryan.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's a new year, and The Christian Center is looking at how it can serve the area in 2026 and beyond.

This includes a possible new name fueled by community forums in late January and early February.

"We're hoping people will come in and talk about the name, talk about what programs, what services they would like to see from us. What would be most meaningful," Executive Director Jessica Jones said.

"Because the population in this area has changed quite a bit, and we no longer serve just the West Side. We serve people from other parts of Berkshire County. So the hope is just to make it more inclusive."

The Christian Center was a stop on Berkshire Community College and NAACP Berkshires' Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

The nonprofit will hold three input sessions at 193 Robbins Ave. to inform future programs and branding, and ensure that West Side voices are heard.

The sessions will be held on:

Saturday, Jan. 31, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, Feb. 5, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

The center dates back to the early 1890s, when it was the Epworth Mission started by the Methodist Church to serve newly arrived immigrants and help them assimilate. The Christian Center was incorporated in 1974.

Over the decades, it has drifted away from a faith-based organization to a space for anyone who needs a meal, a warm jacket, a place to bring their child, or a meeting place. A space for everyone.

This is what center officials wanted reflected in the name.

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