Community Embraces Bridges Out of Poverty

More than 100 people from across sectors and across Berkshire County attended the first Community-wide Bridges Out of Poverty workshop on Dec 3 at Zion Lutheran Church. Participants learned key concepts related to the Bridges model including the Hidden Rules, Mental Models, and Language of economic class. National facilitator, Prudence Pease, from Aha Process shared the concepts through her life story of going from “lost cause” to successful community leader. Pease called herself the rule, not the exception. Through her life story, many participants noted they could see people they know in her story and reported they believe learning the concepts will help them with their work and relationships in our community.

If you have attended any full day Bridges Out of Poverty session, or you are a graduate of Getting Ahead, you are eligible to register for and attend our second workshop, Applying Bridges Concepts, on January 10 at the Pittsfield Country Club co-sponsored by the City of Pittsfield Department of Community Development. Click here to register today!

October Working Cities Wednesday Projects

Residents tackled some tough issues at October’s Working Cities Wednesday at the Berkshire Athenaeum. Five pitches with similar themes emerged as two groups. One group focused on assisting homeless neighbors as the days grow colder. The other continued a safety conversation following the West Side Neighborhood meeting on October 22. 

These groups are continuing to meet and are in need of your energy, Please contact the leads listed below to get updated information.

Community Safety: Carolyn Valli
Homeless Shelters: Debbie Vall

The next Working Cities Wednesday will be held on November 28 from 5:30 -7:00 pm at Second Congregational Church, 50 Onotoa St., Pittsfield. It will be a holiday potluck. Please bring a dish to share.