PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Friends of the Senior Center is in need of more volunteers so it can provide more opportunities at the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center.
"The Senior Center is a structure that is financed by the city of Pittsfield, but it's the friends that really support all the extra activities that take place in the Senior Center," said Friends' Treasurer Lea Morgan said.
The center was renamed and dedicated to Ralph J. Froio by the city in 1993 for in recognition of his civil leadership and the "countless hours in volunteer service to his community, especially in senior citizens’ affairs," the Council on Aging states on the city website.
There are people today who allocate a lot of their time to brainstorm ideas, and provide opportunities for center visitors but a lot of people who visit the center have not joined as a member of the Friends, Morgan said.
"So, we want to make it more available to people to really realize and understand that it's the Friends that really financially support a lot of these activities," she said.
Becoming a Friend of the Senior Center makes it easier to create a new activity because the network is at their fingertips.
The center offers an array of activities that improve older citizens,' quality of life whether it be physically or mentally, Morgan said.
The center provides a welcoming environment where seniors can make friends and participate in activities that are free or a nominal cost including helpful services, games, exercise classes, workshops, and travel events.
"We're asking for people to become members to just support things so that we could offer more things. The Friends have allocated money to improve things at the Senior Center," Morgan said.
The Senior Center is handicapped accessible, within walking distance of several housing projects and available by bus. It's located in the former Capitol Theater building, its home of 25 years, at 330 North St.
Within the four floors, there is a woodworking shop, ceramics shop, coffee shop, computer lab, craft room, and a game room and more open to anyone age 55 and older, Monday through Friday.
The monthly newsletter, Pittsfield Senior Spirit, is also available online, at the center, or in
pamphlet racks throughout the area to stay up to date on upcoming activities.
Those interested in supporting its activities can become Friends of the Senior Center volunteers for $10 a month or $50 for a lifetime membership.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Habitat For Humanity Modular Homes Coming to Robbins Ave.
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
The homes will be available for residents earning between 55 and 65 percent of the area median income.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The first of two below-market modular homes arrived on the West Side on Thursday, and both are expected to be move-in ready this summer.
The other is expected next week.
Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity is building two below-market condominiums at 112 Robbins Ave. for families earning between 55 percent and 65 percent of the area median income. Monthly costs for the three- and four-bedroom units are expected to be less than $1,500 with Habitat's subsidies.
Modulars allow for quicker construction to get more families into quality, affordable housing.
"Just because we have such an aggressive schedule this year, we are doing many modulars in addition to the stick-built that we usually do," communications manager Erin O'Brien explained.
Just this year, the nonprofit is constructing five homes in Pittsfield and 10 in Housatonic.
The two homes at 112 Robbins Ave. will come to $148,000 for a three-bedroom with the 20 percent subsidy and $156,000 for a four-bedroom. Similar homes in the Pittsfield area are valued between $225,000 and $250,000.
While prices are subject to change, the three-bedroom condo will cost owners about $1,430 per month and the four bedroom $1,495 per month, compared to renting in the city for more than $1,800 per month. Habitat noted that this provides a potential annual savings of $4,500 to $6,000, while building equity and long-term financial security.
The eligibility range between 55 percent and 65 percent AMI is said to support families who earn too much for most housing subsidies but still struggle to afford market-rate homes.
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On Monday, community members and public officials mulled disaster preparedness at the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center. Pittsfield's 2019 plan is due for an update so the city stays eligible for grant funding and, of course, prepared.
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