2nd Street Secures Additional Office Space in North Adams

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 2nd Street, an organization supporting formerly incarcerated men and women in Berkshire County, has partnered with Community Legal Aid (CLA) to open additional office space in North Adams. 
 
Located at 33 Main Street, North Adams, the office suite will be shared with CLA, which currently uses the space as a satellite office.
 
Beginning Feb. 1, 2023, 2nd Street will meet with clients by appointment only. Clients wishing to schedule an appointment may call (413) 443-7220, ext. 1275.
 
The intent behind offering space beyond the Pittsfield office is to bring services closer to where clients live, explained Jason Cuyler, 2nd Street Executive Director.
 
"Part of helping formerly incarcerated individuals succeed is being readily accessible to them," Cuyler said. "Ideally, that means being able to provide assistance to clients where they are. We're eager to make it easier for clients in the Northern Berkshires to access our services. Community Legal Aid has been a partner of 2nd Street since the beginning, and we deeply appreciate the space-sharing arrangement."
 
2nd Street staff works to develop an individualized reentry plan for each client. Services include medical and mental health referrals, substance use disorder services, financial and legal resources, transportation and housing resources, employment and job training, and legal services.
 
"The new office space is a natural extension of the close working relationship between Community Legal Aid and 2nd Street," said Jennifer Dieringer, CLA's Managing Attorney for Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin Counties. "We're so pleased to be able to offer our space to 2nd Street's clients, especially knowing it will be much easier for North County residents obtain services. We look forward to growing our working relationship and to the success of 2nd Street."
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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