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A benefit for the Berkshire Immigrant Center honoring cultural diversity & supporting BIC’s essential service for local immigrants and families.
The Berkshire Immigrant Center is dedicated to helping immigrants explore their options and pursue legal pathways with affordable and trustworthy support.
Our team guides those striving to reunite with loved ones, prepare for citizenship, and understand their rights.
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Thank you for joining us today for Beacon of Hope and for standing with immigrant families in our community.
Your generosity helps sustain the essential services immigrants and families rely on throughout the year, while helping build a stronger, more welcoming community for everyone.
We are so grateful to have you with us in support of this important work.
Proceeds from this benefit help fund the life-changing services of the Berkshire Immigrant Center in Pittsfield, serving the estimated 10,000 immigrants of Berkshire County.
MANY THANKS TO OUR LEAD SPONSORS
Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick
Deval Patrick, the 71st Governor of Massachusetts, is widely respected for his optimism, integrity, and lifelong commitment to public service.
Across a distinguished career in law, government, business, education, and civic leadership, he has focused on expanding opportunity, strengthening communities, and helping people find pathways forward. He served two terms as Governor of Massachusetts from 2007-2015 and was appointed Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights by President Clinton.
Governor Patrick’s leadership has extended into business, philanthropy, and higher education. He is currently Senior Partner at The Vistria Group, a private investment firm focused on both strong financial returns and meaningful impact, and serves as a Hauser Leader at Harvard’s Center for Public Leadership. Previously, he founded and served as Managing Partner of Bain Capital Double Impact and was the David R. Gergen Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School, where he co-directed the Center for Public Leadership from 2022-2024. He has also held senior executive roles at two Fortune 50 companies, been a partner at two Boston law firms, and is a Rockefeller Fellow, Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute, author of two books, and graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School.
Governor Patrick remains deeply committed to civic engagement, community, and the work of building a more just and welcoming future.
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Jorge Ávila
Jorge Ávila is an internationally recognized violinist whose career spans performances as a soloist, concertmaster, and chamber musician across the United States, Europe, and the Americas.
Known for his artistry and leadership, he has appeared with numerous orchestras and ensembles, including performances at Carnegie Hall and as concertmaster for internationally broadcast events, while building a distinguished career across concert stages, on Broadway, and through an impressive body of recorded work.
Born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Ávila began studying the violin at age 14 before moving to the United States to pursue his musical training on scholarship at Mannes College of Music at The New School. His journey from a young musician arriving in a new country to an acclaimed artist reflects resilience, dedication, and a deep commitment to his craft.
Ávila continues to perform and collaborate widely, bringing his experience and perspective to audiences and communities across the country.
We are honored to welcome Governor Patrick & Ávila for this evening of conversation, music & community.
BEACON OF HOPE BENEFIT COMMITTEE
Linda Ruberto (Chair), Lisa M. Avery, Laurie Bank, Kate Barton, Melissa Myers, Jane Patton, Marianna Poutasse, Susan Puddester
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TEAM BIC
Melissa Canavan, Executive Director
Megan Donovan, Interim Development Director
Lorena Dus, Director of Client & Community Services
Donovan Snyder, Education Director
Jacob Greer, Case Worker
Anny Lopez Urquizo, Assistant Case Worker
Raynier Medina Olivo, Administrative Operations Assistant / Front Desk Assistant
Maxiel Rodriguez, Intake Coordinator / Front Desk Assistant
Beth Stomberg, Development Assistant
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Josh Hochberg (President), Auric Enchill (Vice President), Dave Russell (Treasurer), Gloria Escobar (Secretary)
Kate Barton, Tack Burbank, Ahmed Ismail, Roberta McCulloch-Dews, Marianna Poutasse, Susan Puddester, Erin Seagrave, Stan Shapshay, Carole Siegel, Saruda Simonson, Joe Zlatnik
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A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
The Berkshire Immigrant Center salutes the more than four dozen people who volunteer in many ways to help BIC thrive and serve our clients.
LAKOU MIZIK is a multigenerational collective of Haitian musicians united in a mission to spread awareness about traditional Haitian culture. In Haitian Creole, the word lakou carries multiple meanings. It can mean a backyard or a collective place where people gather to play music and dance. It can also be an extended community, or a connection to one’s ancestors. As a band, Lakou Mizik embodies a little of each meaning — bringing music, community, and spiritual connection to backyards (and festivals) across the globe.
Lakou Mizik also incorporates elements of Rara, a form of Carnival music based in Vodou, in which drummers and horn players lead joyous processions through the streets. The group formed in Port-au-Prince in 2010 in response to the combined catastrophes of a devastating earthquake, an epidemic, and a political crisis.
BERKSHIRE IMMIGRANT CENTER IS GRATEFUL TO THE MAJOR SPONSORS OF THIS EVENT
– LEAD SPONSORS –
Sherwood Guernsey
The Gilson Family Foundation
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– LEAD BUSINESS SPONSOR –
Greylock Federal Credit Union
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– PRODUCING SPONSORS –
Dena & John Fisher, in memory of Martha & Jean Weismann
Joan & Jim Hunter
Lewis Pollack, in memory of Renee Rotta
The SAMA Fund of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
Joanna Rebecca Thompson & Michael C. Thompson
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– PLATINUM SPONSORS –
Anonymous, in memory of Virginia Stanton Smith
Scott & Ellen Hand
Jaan & Jacqueline Metsma
Fred & Susan Puddester
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– GOLD SPONSORS –
Laurie Bank & Stuart Freyer
Christine & Tack Burbank, in honor of Judge James Boasberg
Christian Galvez-Padilla
Steve & Jorie Latham
Martin, Hochberg & Cianflone, PLLP
Dave Russell & Debra Miersma
Peter Schulte
Ruth & Stan Shapshay
Liz Stell & Bill Matthiesen
Kim & James Taylor
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– SILVER SPONSORS –
Adams Community Bank
Berkshire Health Systems
Hinda & Bill Bodinger
Heleny Cook
Tom & Liz Costley
Lionel Delevingne & Judith Wilkinson
John & Marilou Hyson
Susan & Edward Kopelowitz
Lee Bank
Robert B. Lee, M.D.
Pat & Lou Levine
James & Mary Maxymillian
Ramelle & Michael Pulitzer
Bruno & Mary Ann Quinson
Marietta Rapetti Cawse & James N. Cawse
Linda Ruberto
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– BRONZE SPONSORS –
Arienti + Klepetar LLP
Balance Rock Investment Group
Kate Barton & Sam Craig
Berkshire Food Co-op
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
John & Melissa Bissell
Claudia L. Coplan
Palma Fleck & Francis Spina
Oskar Hallig & Mike Zippel
Cynthia Hashim
Peter & Phyllis Hofman
Beverly Hosokawa, in honor of Dorree Ndooki
Michelle & Raider Lopez,
in honor of the BIC employees, volunteers and board members doing so much during such a difficult time
Barbara Mahony, in memory of Donald Mahony
Catherine & James Miller
Paul Rich & Sons Home Furnishings + Design
Douglas Pollack
Marianna Poutasse & Eric Korenman
Susan Rothschild & Don Freedman
Erin & Alan Seagrave
Theory Wellness
Randolph & Sheila Thunfors
Rena Zurofsky
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BIC GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM THE FOLLOWING DONORS
John & Jane Allen
Anonymous
Lisa Avery, in honor of Robert M. Henriquez
Al Bashevkin & Nancy Pearlman
Ruth Bass
Barbara T. Bell
George Bergen
Ricky Bernstein & Elizabeth Cary
Blue Q
Charles Bonenti & Stephanie Johnson
Louise & Gunter Breitmaier
Brian & Vikki Fairbank Fund
Sara Jeanne Burke
Katharine Burnett
William & Joy Cameron
Mary Caroline Carmichael
Roselle & Alan Chartock
Kathleen Chrisman
Marjorie Cohan
Chauncey Collins
Janice Cook & Cecil Driver
Amy Cooper
Joseph Crawford-Kelly
Tim & KatieDoherty
Ellen Doyle & Robert Bence
Janet Egelhofer
Ursula Ehret-Dichter
Louise & Frank Farkas
Eugenie Fawcett
Diane Forsyth & Bill Frazier
Alan Friedman
Jerry & Maryjane Fromm
John & Ann Galt
Cathy & John Garcia, in honor of Robert Henriquez
Virginia Giddens
Wendy Gordon
Jennifer Hansell, in honor of Lorena Dus
Ruth Harrison
Cynthia Heller
Margaret Hornick
Bert & Jill Horowitz
Jack & Connie Hume
Cheryl Hutto & Belle Fox-Martin
Merle Duskin Kailas
Isabelle Kaplan
Sharon Karlin
Jennifer Kennedy
Kevin Kennefick & Susan Killam
Fred & Brenda Landes
Marcia & Michael Lechner
Michael & Sandra MacDonald
Ellen & Stuart Masters
Bonnie McCubbin
Margery Metzger
Judy Moss
Alex & Judith Nardacci
Sandra Newman
Clifford & Lynne Nilan
Carol Perkins
Stephen & Patricia Peters
Allan & Susan Pike
Dave Pill
Christine Polk
Jonathan & Amy Poorvu
David & Marsha Pottle
Margaret Poutasse
Mary Jo Ramos
Herb & Paula Rod
Amanda Roe
Dave Russel & Debra Miersma
Rose Scotch
Carl & Claudia Shuster
Carole Siegel
Lisa Sloane
Elske Smith
Susan & Phil Smith
Bob & Carol Stegeman
Zhi Wang & Warshaw
Diane Weinstein
Margot Welch
Windy Hill Farm, Inc.
Barbara Winslow
Deborah Winslow
Irene Wolcott
Rene Wood & Dennis Sears
Dr. Natalya Yantovsky, DMD
Harvey & Janis Zimbler
Sponsor and supporter lists reflect gifts and pledges received by 5/22/25. We apologize for any inadvertent errors or omissions.
- TEAM BIC -
Melissa Canavan, Executive Director
Lorena Dus, Director of Client & Community Services
Sheryl Lechner, Development Director
Donovan Snyder, Education Director
Jacob Greer, Assistant Case Worker
Anny Lopez Urquizo, Assistant Case Worker
Beth Stomberg, Development Assistant
Isabel Beauchamp, Intake Coordinator
Kennedy Merriam, Front Desk Assistant
THANK YOU!
- EVENT MAESTROS -
Oskar Hallig y Mike Zippel, Only In My Dreams Events
- FOOD -
Some Things Fishy Catering, LTD
- INVITATION & PROGRAM DESIGN -
Katherine Casey, Little Fin Creative
- VIDEO PRODUCTION & PARTICIPATION -
Ryan Cowdrey, Clayson Creative
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– A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS! –
The Berkshire Immigrant Center salutes the more than four dozen people who volunteer in many ways to help keep the Center thriving and serve our clients. Shout-out to Charles Boneti, Cassie Giardina, Anna Claire Korenman, Erin McNamara, and others who are helping the Beacon of Hope benefit run smoothly; and to Hilary Greene, the Center’s former director, who has maintained her federal accreditation so that she can continue to serve as a volunteer caseworker year-round at BIC.
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- A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR IN-KIND DONORS -
Berkshire Mountain Distillers
Domaney’s Liquors and Fine Wines
Hot Plate Brewing Company
Eric Korenman Photography, korenman.com
Michael Nancollas, Handful Photography
Team BIC shares its appreciation to everyone at Shakespeare & Company for their gracious & supportive hosting of the Beacon of Hope benefit.
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AND A FINAL THANK YOU TO YOU & ALL OUR SUPPORTERS!
Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate the local immigrant community, along with Immigrant Heritage Month, and for your generous giving to the Berkshire Immigrant Center.
All donations help fund the life-changing services of the Berkshire Immigrant Center in Pittsfield, serving the estimated 10,000 immigrants of Berkshire County.
FOUR WAYS TO DONATE
IN PERSON: Visit the Beacon of Hope benefit check-out table
ONLINE: Visit Beacon of Hope 2025
BY TEXT: Text BIC2025 a 44-321
BY CHECK:
Make payable to “Berkshire Immigrant Center” and mail to:
Berkshire Immigrant Center, 141 North Street, Suite 303, Pittsfield , MA 01201
Questions? Please email:: sheryl@berkshireic.org