Two weeks ago, our special guest speaker was Gabriele Leon, pictured nearby. She is the new social worker at the Berkshire Athenaeum, sometimes simply put as The Pittsfield Library. Ms. Leon is a Berkshire native and has spent time working at both BHS and the Brien Center as a recovery coach, along the way, she worked with perinatal population, coordinating efforts with the courts, medical and community agencies and providers and the Commonwealth's Department of Children and Families. She is a licensed social worker with a degree from Elms College (BSW) and is nearly complete with her Master of Social Work accreditation from Westfield State University. In her role at the library, she works with communities of the unhoused and those suffering from mental health and or phycological issues - many times those she works with are part of several of the aforementioned communities. She spends much of her time listening then talking with those in crisis. The goal is to help the clientele without the immediate need of other agencies or especially the need for law enforcement. She does often liaise with the many social service agencies once the concerns of or for the individual are determined. The concept is designed to intervene before a minor issue becomes major and to ensure people that need special care or help in their journey can find what they need without feeling like they are in their struggle alone. The library often serves as a community center, especially for residents in crisis. Ms. Leon's position helps solve and deescalate problems quickly while providing a much-needed community service. In the way of good news, The First and the Pearl (day center and shelter respectively) along with new apartment units are helping to ease some of the burden on both the afflicted groups and the organizations that work with them. Cheers and welcome to Gabriela Leon!Library Aide
Two weeks ago, our special guest speaker was Gabriele Leon, pictured nearby. She is the new social worker at the Berkshire Athenaeum, sometimes simply put as The Pittsfield Library. Ms. Leon is a Berkshire native and has spent time working at both BHS and the Brien Center as a recovery coach, along the way, she worked with perinatal population, coordinating efforts with the courts, medical and community agencies and providers and the Commonwealth's Department of Children and Families. She is a licensed social worker with a degree from Elms College (BSW) and is nearly complete with her Master of Social Work accreditation from Westfield State University. In her role at the library, she works with communities of the unhoused and those suffering from mental health and or phycological issues - many times those she works with are part of several of the aforementioned communities. She spends much of her time listening then talking with those in crisis. The goal is to help the clientele without the immediate need of other agencies or especially the need for law enforcement. She does often liaise with the many social service agencies once the concerns of or for the individual are determined. The concept is designed to intervene before a minor issue becomes major and to ensure people that need special care or help in their journey can find what they need without feeling like they are in their struggle alone. The library often serves as a community center, especially for residents in crisis. Ms. Leon's position helps solve and deescalate problems quickly while providing a much-needed community service. In the way of good news, The First and the Pearl (day center and shelter respectively) along with new apartment units are helping to ease some of the burden on both the afflicted groups and the organizations that work with them. Cheers and welcome to Gabriela Leon!