Pittsfield Rotary Club Foundation President John Perreault introduced Jay Sacchetti, Senior Vice President of ServiceNet. Sacchetti was presented a $10,000 check from the Foundation in support of ServiceNet's new homeless shelter slated for an unused portion of the United Methodist Church on Fenn Street, Pittsfield. Sacchetti told us of the deplorable conditions of the current shelter, Barton's Crossing located on upper North Street and the less than ideal conditions at the overflow shelter at the former Saint Joseph's High School. The Fenn Street shelter is completing permitting and legal issues and hopes to resume construction shortly.
The organization shelters about 375 individuals per year at Barton's and Saint Joseph's with 80% of those housed from Pittsfield.
ServiceNet utilizes "isolation hotels" for patrons afflicted with Covid-19 in the communities it serves which include Amherst, North Hampton and Pittsfield.
Pioneer Valley Shelters are experiencing a severe strain from Covid-19, fortunately pandemic impacts haven't been as difficult in the Berkshires but are certainly present.
Sacchetti praised his amazing staff for their tireless work; thanked the Rotary for the donation and continued support; reported the average shelter resident is in their 30's-40's and mostly male. People over 55 seeking shelter have been increasing in number recently. In all age groups, many guests suffer from mental health issues, addictions and lack affordable housing.