Berkshire United Way Welcomes New Director of Development

11:07AM / Wednesday, January 28, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire United Way (BUW) welcomes Jennifer Baril as the new Director of Development.

"This opportunity feels like a natural and meaningful next step. I've always been drawn to work that centers people, partnerships, and real-world solutions, and this has been BUW's way of being for the past century," said Baril. "I'm energized to help strengthen partnerships, grow community investment, and advance this important work, and I'm looking forward to learning, listening, and building alongside an incredible community."

Baril has over 25 years of fundraising experience designing and implementing results-driven programs for community service, education, and healthcare organizations. Previous positions include director of fund development for Health Equity Solutions, senior director of fundraising for the Center for Human Development, senior major gift officer at Western New England University, philanthropy officer at Baystate Health, director of development for Girls Inc. of Holyoke, and at Smith College as assistant director of the alumnae fund followed by major gifts officer.

She currently serves as president of Holyoke's only free after-school program, Homework House Board of Directors, and previously served with Volunteers in Service to America in Los Angeles, Calif.

"We're thrilled to welcome Jennifer to the team as we continue to strengthen our stewardship, diversify our funding streams, and build long-term funding resiliency," said Katherine von Haefen, BUW president and CEO. "We're excited to hear her ideas and connect her with our incredible supporters."

Baril earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and her master's degree from UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management.

To connect with Baril, email jbaril@berkshireunitedway.org or call (413) 442-6948 x18.

Tags: Berkshire United Way,

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Arrest Warrants Issued for Pittsfield Shooting

Staff reportsiBerkshires
05:29PM / Monday, August 24, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police were granted arrest warrants for two people suspected to be responsible for the Aug. 16 shooting on Francis Avenue.

Jason Wright, 41, and an unnamed juvenile are charged with assault and battery, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, and possession of a gun without an FID card or license to carry.

On Aug. 16, near 211 Francis Ave., three individuals suffered gunshot wounds and were all transported to Berkshire Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. This is one of four gun violence incidents on city streets this summer.

Police say two of the individuals who suffered gunshot wounds are the subjects of the arrest warrants.

"I first want to commend the Pittsfield Police Department on solving this case in just eight days. They, along with members of the Task Force who provided support when needed, worked around the clock to identify those responsible," District Attorney Timothy Shugrue wrote on Monday.

The DA said he understands that Pittsfield remains on edge, and said he is fully committed to providing resources, including funding for overtime and State Police detective resources, to support the Pittsfield Police Department as it continues its active investigations into the June 18, Aug. 4t, and Aug. 16 shootings.

"No stone will be left unturned. If you bring violence and guns to our county, you will be held responsible to the greatest extent of the law," he wrote.

The first arrest warrant issued is for a juvenile. The juvenile is charged with:

Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
Attempted murder
Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
Possession of a firearm without an FID card/license to carry
Possession of ammunition without an FID card/license to carry

The second arrest warrant is for Jason Wright, 41, with a last known address on Woodlawn Avenue. Wright is charged with:

Attempted murder
Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a Firearm
Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
Possession of a firearm without an FID/LTC
Possession of ammunition without an FID/LTC

There have been four gun violence incidents in Pittsfield since mid-June, leaving one person dead and a total of seven injured. Additionally, a Lanesborough man is facing multiple charges for allegedly shooting a gun near homes and a road while intoxicated on Sunday.

On June 18, a person died after being shot in the area of Tyler Street and Pleasure Avenue, and another person was injured. Following an extensive investigation, police on June 23 had an arrest warrant out for Terry Martizna, 35, on a charge of murder.

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