Berkshire Organizations Awarded SafteyWorks Grants

07:26AM / Friday, December 12, 2025Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration launched the SafetyWorks Initiative, including grant funding and free technical consultation for employers to improve safety in the workplace.

In Berkshire County, Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, 18 Degrees and Berkshire County Head Start Child Development Program were awarded grants.

As part of SafetyWorks, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) announced $800,000 in grants to train an estimated 13,832 workers at 160 organizations across Massachusetts. The grants, administered by the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA), aim to enhance workplace safety through training, education, and other preventative measures. SafetyWorks also features free technical consultation offered by the Department of Labor Standards for public and private sector employers.

"Well-trained workers are the foundation to safe workplaces," said Governor Maura Healey. "These grants are an example of our administration’s commitment to helping businesses educate thousands of workers in promoting safe work conditions."

Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art was awarded $5,000 to train 180 employees, 18 Degrees was awarded $6,433 to train 120 employees and Berkshire County Head Start Child Development Program was awarded $3,715 to train 46 employees.

The 160 grant recipients include municipalities, minority- and women-owned businesses, veterans-owned businesses, small business, and employers across industries such as manufacturing, construction, and more. This funding is made available through DIA annually. Since 1988, DIA has funded approximately $24 million to Massachusetts-based employers, helping approximately 324,000 workers and 1,693 employers throughout Massachusetts.

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The First's Housing Resource Center Opens in Pittsfield

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:17AM / Thursday, February 05, 2026

Tenants for the nine studio apartments will be moving in over the next few days.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The First's housing resource center opened its doors on Tuesday, drawing about a dozen people.

"I was hoping to do a soft open yesterday at The First. It became a little louder, which is fine," ServiceNet's Director of Shelter and Housing Erin Forbush told the Homelessness Advisory Committee on Wednesday.

"But we are open Tuesday through Saturday for the next few weeks, and that is really due to just onboarding staff and training."

The housing resource center is funded by Pittsfield's American Rescue Plan Act dollars in the basement of the Zion Lutheran Church, and there are nine permanent supportive studios at the rear of the building. On its opening day on Tuesday, Forbush estimated between 10 and 12 people utilized the resource center. There were about 15 people waiting to come in on Wednesday morning.

A ribbon was cut on the facility on Dec. 18. The other component of the project is 28 units on West Housatonic Street, which are scheduled to be completed this month.

The First's opening was announced on Facebook by Mayor Peter Marchetti, writing that it wouldn't have been possible without the city's ARPA funds, committed in 2022, and all of the partners who stepped up.

"It is my hope that this is a model that we can successfully replicate to provide more support for individuals and families in need," he wrote.

Located at 74 First St., the resource center will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Available to community members are public restrooms and showers, a quiet room, warmth, and staff to connect them with resources. Laundry machines and lockers are upcoming.