PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Elizabeth Freeman Center held an open house of its new headquarters last week.

 

The center purchased the Old Central Fire Station on Allen Street  a year ago from 1Berkshire and move in last December.

 

On Thursday, staff members gave tours and spoke with attendees about the organization's mission and work. 

 

Diane DeGiacomo, co-chair of the nonprofit's board, welcomed everyone and expressed how the center started looking for a new space several years ago.

 

"We had simply outgrown our old offices on Francis Avenue, and this wonderful building came on the market and we grabbed it," she said. "It has provided us with not only much needed space, but a central location where we can be more accessible to those who need our services and closer to our community partners. As you probably noticed when you came in, the Pittsfield police station is right there."

 

The building at 66 Allen St. is in a prominent downtown location that neighbors City Hall as well as the police station, creating a comfortable space for an organization dedicated to helping victims of domestic abuse. 

 

Many of the organization's community partners were present. DeGiacomo mentioned that the new space helps to keep all of its programs under one roof and will help it grow to better serve survivors of abuse.  

 

"We are able to move in and put more programs under one roof, and we can grow, and grow we must do because domestic violence and sexual assault touch all of our lives and impact us in ways that are unimaginable," she said.

 

The staff has worked hard to move in while staying open 24/7, which the nonprofit's leaders said was a challenge, but were proud they can be there for those who need it.

 

"The best analogy for moving offices while doing 24/7 work is like trying to change your tire of your car while driving through the highway. That's what it felt like," Executive Director Divya Chaturvedi said. "You know, we were on the go. We did everything that we needed, but we did not close our doors for survivors, because we never do."

 

Chaturvedi has been the director for almost a year, and said she was amazed by the new space.

 

"We were bursting at the seams in our old office. And, you know, we'd simply outgrew the space," she said. "And as Diane mentioned, this office came up. I got a tour of this office the first day I joined EFC, and I was like, 'Wow.' I mean, you've seen the place. It is truly amazing. 

 

"It's beautiful, and it's so fitting. It was the old fire station, you know, saved lives before, and that's what we are doing now."

 

Chaturvedi currently serves on the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women as the state commissioner. She has a master's in public administration from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, and has years of experience with nonprofits and international development organizations such as the Ford Foundation and the Center for Creative Leadership. 

 

She explained once she learned the work the Elizabeth Freeman Center did, it was easy for her to move to the area to help run the nonprofit.

 

"We serve over 2,000 survivors every year, which is a big number for this county, and we serve an equal number of their kids in Berkshire County," she said.

 

The Elizabeth Freeman Center gets between 1,200 and 1,500 hotline calls and almost 800 referrals from police departments, annually. According to its website, it shelters more than 150 adults and children fleeing violence, helps hundreds get protection orders, and provides counseling and advocacy to more than 1,000 adults and children.

 

Chaturvedi is excited to continue helping the organization grow and help survivors.

 

"I'm truly honored to lead this extraordinary team at EFC who make them possible literally every day with what we have, with the resources that we have," she said. "Thank you again for being here, for believing in us, and for reminding me every day why I packed my bags and made the trek from east Boston to Pittsfield in this beautiful community, beautiful place and this amazing organization."

 

 

If you are a victim of domestic and/or sexual abuse, call the Elizabeth Freeman Center's 24/7 hotline at 866-401-2425. The center offers emergency services, safety planning, counseling and support.