By Lara Tupper
“How lucky we are.” You hear this often in Berkshire County from year-round residents and weekend visitors alike. We mean the summertime lawn concerts and fall foliage, the chilly, quiet season followed by the welcome shift to green. The year-round sense of community.
We’re lucky, too, to be a haven for nonprofits—1,200 in the county and counting—devoted to arts, education, environmentalism, health and wellness, social and racial justice, food insecurity, and a host of other causes. One in four jobs in Berkshire County is in the non-profit sector, reports Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires (NCB). We rank 27th in the nation for non-profit employment and second in the state.
Our nonprofits also rely on volunteerism, from service on boards to donation of time or funds. Giving back keeps the Berkshires vibrant and thriving across all economic spectrums. Though it may not be immediately visible to the weekend visitor, Berkshire County, like anywhere else, is a place where vital needs are not being met.
“Volunteering is an act of gratitude for this beautiful community,” said author/teacher Elizabeth Heller, board member for the Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention and a volunteer mentor for EforAll (Entrepreneurship for All) Berkshire County.
Why Volunteer?
The obvious answer: to help others. But volunteering helps the volunteer, too. A 2023 study from University of California, Davis shows that volunteering may protect the brain against cognitive decline and dementia, adding to the body of research that highlights the mental and physical health benefits. Volunteering teaches us to be flexible problem-solvers, and allows us to build social connections based on shared values, all of which work in favor of a stronger, more connected community.
The perks can be more tangible, too, particularly at cultural institutions. Volunteer ushers at Shakespeare & Company are guaranteed a seat for each performance they work. Volunteer Hank Baker described “the feeling of being genuinely appreciated by the staff and the artists” as a highlight. Volunteers at Jacob’s Pillow can accrue hours for free tickets (for themselves or friends). “If one is a dance lover, there’s no better place,” said Rima Sala, who’s volunteered at the Pillow for 13 years. Tanglewood’s volunteers receive unlimited access to rehearsals and BSO concerts. Lauren Behrman and Jeff Zimmerman, who volunteer as a couple, enjoy helping “guests of all ages smile and feel welcomed. It makes us smile.”
Gretchen DeBartolo volunteers at the South Community Food Pantry, which serves over 1,000 families each week. “Twelve years ago, when I was going through a particularly dark period, a friend suggested I help serve dinner. It was life changing. I’ve been there ever since.”
Getting Started:
First, consider your passions and motivations. What are your reasons for volunteering—to meet new people or be more active? To get your foot in the door at an organization? What are the skills you can offer or the hobbies you enjoy? If you’re at a desk all day, perhaps setting up tables and chairs would be a welcome change. Virtual volunteering is also an option—many nonprofits require research and collation, advertising, writing of mission statements, and revamping of websites. Liana Toscanini, executive director at Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires (NCB), suggests reaching out to the nonprofit you’re interested in to see what’s needed. “These free skills are enormous savings to nonprofits.” The Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition, for instance, which supports the well-being of LGBTQ+ people in the county, needs help collating interviews for their Queer History Project of the Berkshires.
Know that nonprofits may have questions for you, too. “Think of it as dating,” said Brenda Petell, director of volunteer engagement at Berkshire United Way. “You’re both looking for a good match.” And always bring your sense of humor.
Board Basics:
“Serving on a board is essentially a volunteer opportunity at a slightly elevated leadership level,” said Toscanini. And responsibilities vary. “Different boards do different things,” said Leigh Doherty, executive director of Literacy Network (LitNet), who served on the board there first. “At LitNet, each board member is on a committee; some committees are more active than others. The finance committee builds and reviews the budget. The education committee brainstorms about how to support our tutors and learners. The development committee helps with our fundraiser. It’s a hands-on board.”
Do all boards require large sums of money from members? “Some boards ask for a certain amount,” said Doherty. “That’s what LitNet used to be like, and we’ve changed. It’s really altered the culture in wonderful ways.”
Petell said, “Boards need varied perspectives and skill sets. At Berkshire United Way, we ask that every board member give either their time or money.” NCB produced a series of short videos (“Intro to Board Service”) with brief tutorials about what to expect. (These can be found on YouTube by searching for “Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires.”) Video #1, “About Board Service,” debunks some other myths: You have to know all about nonprofits. You have to ask directly for money. You have to be influential. There are few have to’s, as it turns out.
Get On Board!, brainchild of local philanthropist Maggie Buchwald, is a matching service from NCB and Berkshire United Way (in partnership with 1Berkshire and Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation). It connects nonprofits with potential board members, based on mutual interests and skills. (npcberkshires.org/join-a-board).
Needs Right Now:
“The need to support food insecurity work remains high,” said Petell, “whether it’s helping Berkshire Bounty move food from one place to the other or supporting farmers markets or a traditional food pantry by stocking shelves.” The winter holidays are particularly busy times. Mentoring support for literacy and education are needed, as well. The number one agency visited in the Volunteer Center portal in September 2024 was the Pittsfield Adult Learning Center, which helps people study for their GEDs.
At LitNet, where volunteers are paired with adults to teach or improve their English, there is a waiting list of 40 learners in need of tutors, said Doherty. “People think they have to speak another language or be a teacher and that’s not the case. Most important is being a kind, compassionate tutor, and we’ll provide support and resources.”
Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires (ViM) needs interpreters, said Nelson Fernandez, director of advancement, particularly those fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and French. Volunteers are crucial, he said. They move nonprofits “one step closer toward a community where everyone has an equal opportunity for a healthy life.” That’s quite a way to give back.
New Beginnings—in Leadership and Location—at Elizabeth Freeman Center
The Elizabeth Freeman Center (EFC)—which has provided leadership and services to address domestic and sexual violence in Berkshire County since 1974—welcomes a new executive director, Divya Chaturvedi. (Her predecessor, Janis Broderick, retired after 16 years in the role.)
“It’s just amazing the level of community support that exists for the organization and its work,” said Chaturvedi. “In September we had mayors and state representatives show up for our RISE Together for Safety and Justice Walks. But no matter who turns up, we never want to stop talking about this issue. We want to keep shining a light.”
This winter, EFC will move its main offices and programs to 66 Allen Street (Old Central Fire Station), in the middle of Pittsfield. “We’re thrilled,” said Chaturvedi. This location will meet the growing needs of survivors while prioritizing safety and confidentiality. It will be in close proximity to partner agencies and services, as well.
EFC currently has offices in North Adams, Pittsfield, and Great Barrington, and a secure safe shelter. The organization has staff sited in four county courts, two police stations, Berkshire County Kids’ Place, and Berkshire Pride. EFC serves over 4,000 survivors and their families every year and provides violence prevention/sex education to approximately 600 youth in Berkshire County schools.
How to Help:
As the holidays approach, EFC needs help gathering, wrapping, and delivering gifts for survivors. The organization is always looking for volunteers to answer hotline calls and perform other tasks. For more information, email [email protected] or call (413) 499-2425. EFC is accessible 24/7 via its hotline, 866-401-2425. The staff can meet people in safe locations almost anywhere in Berkshire County.
RESOURCES
You’ll find lots of information in the Giving Back Guide, a free annual directory, in print and online, from Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires (npcberkshires.org/giving-back).
NCB also partners with Berkshire United Way to offer volunteer fairs. The next fair is scheduled for April 11, 2025.
Berkshire United Way maintains an online portal, The Volunteer Center, for easy browsing of all current volunteer opportunities in the county. volunteerberkshireuw.org
