phiA Program of MIRA Coalition
(Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy)
67 East Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
(For directions to the Center and parking information click here.)
Tel: (413) 445-4881
Fax: (413) 445-4802
info@berkshireic.com
Michelle Lopez, Executive Director (fluent in English and Spanish)
Lorena Dus, Senior Case Worker (fluent in English and Spanish)
Maureen Blennerhassett, Junior Case Worker (fluent in English and Spanish)
Ivan Victoriano, Intake Coordinator (fluent in English and Spanish)
Jennifer Smith, Education Director, 781-899-0535
Sheryl Lechner, Development Coordinator
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9am -3 pm, by appointment only
A $25 fee per half hour consultation is requested
Walk-in Clinic: Wednesdays, 10 am – 12 noon
Our two counselors each see 4 clients on Wednesdays. No appointment necessary. They see clients on a first come first served basis.
Our Mission:
The mission of the Berkshire Immigrant Center is to assist individuals and families in making the economic, psychological and cultural adjustment to a new land, not only by meeting basic needs, but also by helping them to become active participants in our community. The Center also aims to build bridges of understanding and cooperation across cultures, to fight racism and discrimination in all forms, and to advocate for the rights of immigrants from all backgrounds.
The Center offers comprehensive services for individuals from more than 80 countries to promote civic engagement, facilitate cultural integration, and assist in navigating the complex U.S. immigration system.
Our Services:
- Citizenship assistance including application support, disability and fee waivers, English as a Second Language/Civics classes, follow-up and advocacy with the US Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services
- Settlement Services: orientation, information, referrals and general counseling for recently arrived immigrants
- Advocacy and public education including consultation, group information sessions and workshops, and outreach to communities and other not-for-profit organizations
- Referrals to and enrollment in English classes or with private tutors
- Work with state and federal legislators in support of immigrants’ initiatives
- Monthly walk-in clinics
- Referrals to other community services to facilitate access of daycare, health care, continuing education, career counseling, housing, and other social service needs
- Voter education and promotion of civic participation
- Interpretation and translation services
- Information and distribution of forms for a variety of immigration issues including adjustment of status, green cards, visas, political asylum, work authorization and family sponsorship
- Distribution of Federal Emergency Food and Shelter funds and furniture and clothing donations
Nuestro program puede proporcionarle los siguientes servicios:
- Orientación para los aplicantes de la ciudadanía incluyendo asistencia con la solicitud, y clases de inglés o de la cívica de los EEUU (historia y gobierno)
- Información sobre inmigración y evaluación de casos
- Referidos a clases de inglés o tutores privados
- Referidos a abogados de inmigración y otras agencias de servicios sociales
- Sesiones de información legal mensualmente, y talleres de inmigración cada tres meses
**Hay que sacar una cita para que te veamos en la oficina**
Por favor llama a 413-445-4881 extension 4 para hacer una cita
Horas de oficina: Lunes-Jueves 9-3
History:
The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires founded the Berkshire Immigrant Center (formerly known as the New American Citizenship Coalition) in 1997 to assist Berkshire County immigrants, regardless of race and religious affiliation, to become American citizens. Over the past thirteen years the Center has evolved into an office of immigrant services in order to address the wider needs of the local immigrant and refugee population. In 2006, the Berkshire Immigrant Center (BIC) was moved under the auspices of Berkshire Community Action Council. In 2012, MIRA Coalition (Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy) became our fiscal sponsor. The Center remains the only program in Berkshire County which offers comprehensive services to meet the unique challenges faced by our rapidly growing immigrant community.
Community Outreach:
In addition to working to meet the individual needs of our clients, we also aim to address the problems confronted by the greater immigrant and refugee community by performing community outreach and offering educational seminars on such topics as immigrant workers’ rights, access to health care, and the basics of immigration and naturalization. We work closely with immigration attorneys, the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), and with local and state legislators to advocate on behalf of our immigrant population.
