Berkshire Community College
Founded in 1960, BCC was the first community college established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Today, there are 15 community colleges throughout the state. During its first 12 years, BCC was located in downtown Pittsfield in a former junior high school made available by the city. There, enrollment grew from 153 to 1,222 students.
In 1972, the college moved to its present location occupying a magnificent 180-acre site four miles from the center of Pittsfield. Twelve years later, a satellite facility known as the South County Center opened in Great Barrington.
BCC has been participating and fundraising for the Elizabeth Freeman Center's Walk a Mile fundraiser for years, often placing first in fundraising, and the team is excited to continue. BCC stands arm in arm with EFC and its mission to offer hope, help, and healing to all experiencing or affected by domestic and sexual violence through free, accessible, and confidential services in Berkshire County.
Elizabeth Freeman Center's Walk a 'Virtual' Mile 2020
Last year more than 900 Berkshire County residents of all ages and backgrounds took to the street and walked a mile united against rape, sexual assault, and gender violence. Together we raised over $90,000 to support Elizabeth Freeman Center's life-saving services. Thank you!
This year we take the walk virtual! And we need your help to make this year's Walk a Mile as memorable and successful as ever. Here's how you can participate:
- Spread the word that EFC is here, open, and ready to help;
- Take photos and videos at various Walk a Virtual Mile displays and share on social media with #wereherewewalk to join Elizabeth Freeman Center in spreading awareness about sexual and domestic violence in Berkshire County;
- Walk a Virtual Mile with us between Tuesday, September 8th, and Friday, September 18th (Click here for schedule of socially distanced planned walks and suggested routes);
- Register and help us raise funds with your family, friends, and coworkers;
- Donate so that we can raise the funds that we desperately need to continue to fight gender based violence.
Stay tuned for more details! Visit our Facebook and Instagram pages for updates, acknowledgements, and to follow the hashtag #wereherewewalk
Elizabeth Freeman Center
Thank you for joining us to Rise Together for Safety and Justice.
Violence is a community problem and together we are part of a community movement to end domestic, sexual, and dating violence.
Please join us as we walk. Because of COVID, we will still have smaller walks. We currently have walks scheduled in Williamstown, North Adams, Pittsfield, Great Barrington, Lee and Lenox. See the full schedule and routes HERE.
When COVID hit, we never closed our doors, and Elizabeth Freeman Center continues to provide needed services to survivors and others in the community. No one deserves to be abused, raped, or assaulted.
Every hour of every day, Elizabeth Freeman Center provides lifesaving, life-renewing help to survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families.
Each year we reach over 3,000 people from almost every city, town, and hamlet in Berkshire County and we know that we are only scratching the surface. During COVID-19, calls to our hotline increased over 40%. We are seeing situations more dangerous and difficult than ever before.
Elizabeth Freeman Center has offices in Pittsfield, North Adams, and Great Barrington, and staff at Probate and Family Court, Northern Berkshire District Court, Southern Berkshire District Court, Central Berkshire District Court, and the Adams and Pittsfield police departments. Our staff can meet people in safe locations almost anywhere in Berkshire County. We can provide transportation to help you reach us.
Call us for help – we are here for you. If you know someone who needs help, we can give you information.
Whoever we are, however we look, wherever we go – we all deserve safety and justice.
#RiseTogether #WhyWeRise