American Red Cross Berkshire County Chapter: More than a Century of Community Service

The American Red Cross Berkshire County Chapter has provided services to residents of the largest county in Massachusetts for 105 years, providing solutions for critical issues facing the Berkshires. The chapter provides a variety of Community Services, including transportation to get people to and from medical appointments, shelter and case work for homeless individuals, comprehensive assistance for individuals and families directly affected by HIV and AIDS, an HIV/AIDS education program at the Berkshire County House of Corrections, Elder Caregiving Programs, and programs that feed the hungry.

ELDER CAREGIVING PROGRAMS
The chapter's Elder Caregiving Training Program grew out of a critical need in the community. The program trains professional and lay caregivers including physicians, nurses, nurse assistants, home health aides, and personal care attendants as well as spouses, children, relatives, friends, and volunteers. Special training is offered for those caring for people with Alzheimer's and those needing to review particular skills. Consultations with community agencies and health care facilities are also provided. The programs, ranging from one-hour overviews to an eight-hour series with guest lecturers, are flexible in order to adapt to the needs of various groups. Each program emphasizes care, infection control, safety, privacy, independence, communication, and dignity.

In addition to caregiving services, this chapter offers the following programs.

HIV/AIDS DIRECT CARE SERVICES
Housing and food are two of the most basic human needs. The chapter's Rental Assistance Program provides rent subsidy vouchers for people living with HIV or AIDS who are disabled. Clients can receive stipends for the first month's rent and security deposit or for 21 weeks of rental assistance. Clients who own homes can receive assistance with mortgage payments for up to 21 weeks in order to prevent foreclosure during a time that is financially difficult due to their illness.

Clients can also receive weekly supermarket food vouchers. Those unable to shop and/or prepare foods on their own are eligible to receive home delivered, nutritionally balanced meals. Social and educational opportunities are also integral facets of this program.

OUR BERKSHIRE'S BOUNTY
The chapter maintains a food pantry, Our Berkshires' Bounty, that serves hungry individuals and families. The pantry reduces hunger and minimizes waste by collecting surplus prepared and perishable food and delivering it to organizations that feed the hungry. A coalition of area groups provide volunteers who pick up nutritious food from businesses and organizations and deliver it promptly to groups that feed needy clients. This program, run entirely by volunteers, is tremendously cost effective. In its four years of operation, Our Berkshires' Bounty has picked up and delivered more than 150,000 pounds of food at a cost of $750 per year, working daily with a network of over 30 businesses and agencies.

For more information on any of these and other Community Services programs offered by the American Red Cross Berkshire County Chapter, please contact Kathleen Phillips at (413) 442-1506, or by email at phillipk@usa.redcross.org.