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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.

 
 

Your Support = Your Impact
2025 Snapshot

  • 804 unduplicated clients served from 70 countries

  • 136 low-income clients received full or partial fee waivers

  • 47 students enrolled in free citizenship test preparation classes

  • 41 clients sworn in as US citizens from 24 countries

  • 104 clinics, presentations, and events hosted or supported 

  • $23,713 distributed to help local immigrants pay for basic needs or federal application fees

Numbers for 2025 fiscal year ending 6/30/25

Did You Know?

  • At BIC, we bridge this financial gap. Our DOJ-accredited caseworkers provide low-cost counsel and representation for citizenship, green cards, adjustments of status, and more.

  • At BIC, we act as the steady, expert guide through the waiting. We ensure applications are submitted accurately, manage updates as policies or family situations evolve, and provide continuous support through the process.

  • At BIC, we minimize anxiety by offering free one-on-one and small-group test preparation classes to master the required material, build language confidence, and pass the test with pride.

  • At BIC, we counter this confusion with proactive community education and trusted legal services. We equip our neighbors with accurate information, cut through the noise, and ensure families stay safely compliant.

  • At BIC, we partner with local civil attorneys to resolve custody, divorce, and tenant disputes, ensuring these outside crises don’t impact the path to legal status.

  • At BIC, we invest the time to build relationships with local providers and vet outside immigration attorneys, connecting families to specialized and trustworthy support.

  • At BIC, we provide emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, and groceries to help relieve these financial burdens.

 
 

Every day, the Berkshire Immigrant Center helps individuals and families navigate an immigration system that can often feel overwhelming and uncertain. 

Supporters contribute in many ways, including online donations, monthly recurring gifts, Donor Advised Funds, gifts of securities, workplace giving programs, and checks by mail.

Make a Donation

Stand with immigrant families throughout Berkshire County & the surrounding region. Please help support BIC’s work.

The Berkshire Immigrant Center is deeply grateful to the many businesses, foundations, individuals, and families who have supported our work this year. Their generosity helps sustain BIC’s immigration legal services, classes, workshops, and community resources for the local immigrant community.

Learn more about giving options at Support BIC or contact us: (413) 445-4881 development@berkshireic.org

WAYS TO HELP SUPPORT IMMIGRANTS IN OUR COMMUNITY

Educate and Empower Your Community 

  • Host or attend Know Your Rights presentations 

  • Support family preparedness planning 

  • Distribute information on behalf of immigrant-serving organizations 

Advocate for Change 

  • Contact local and state officials 

  • Speak out against harmful enforcement practices 

  • Educate others 

Stand in Solidarity 

  • Attend immigrant rights events and public actions 

  • Amplify immigrant voices 

  • Offer emotional and practical support

Support Local Organizations & Advocacy Work 

  • Donate to immigrant-serving organizations 

  • Organize or contribute to fundraisers 

  • Volunteer professional skills 

  • Join or help strengthen boards 

Help Reach Vulnerable Community Members 

  • Spread the word about legal changes 

  • Refer individuals for immigration screenings 

  • Help an immigrant collect documentation to prove continuous presence in the US 

THE BERKSHIRE IMMIGRANT CENTER IS GRATEFUL TO THE SPONSORS OF BEACON OF HOPE

– MANY THANKS TO OUR LEAD SPONSORS –

 

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– PLATINUM SPONSORS –
Joan & Jim Hunter
Jacque & Jaan Metsma
Susan & Fred Puddester
Peter Schulte

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– GOLD SPONSORS –
Tack & Christine Burbank
John Galt, In Memory of Ann Galt
Anonymous (2)

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– SILVER  SPONSORS  –
Laurie Bank & Stuart Freyer
Berkshire Yoga Festival
Val Coleman & Joan Katter
Beverly Hosokawa, In honor of Dorree Ndooki
Robert B. Lee, M.D.
Martin, Hochberg & Cianflone
Christian Galvez-Padilla, M.D.
Dave Russell & Debra Miersma
Stan & Ruth Shapshay
Kim & James Taylor
Rebecca & Mike Thompson

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– BRONZE SPONSORS –
Arienti + Klepetar LLP
Kate Barton & Sam Craig, In honor of Roberta McCulloch-Dews & Warren Dews, Jr.
Berkshire Food Co-op, Round-Up for Change
Berkshire Pilates
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
John & Melissa Bissell
Blue Q
Julia Bowen & Bradley Svrluga
Celedon Law, Immigration and Nationality Law Firm 
Claudia Coplan
Liz & Tom Costley, In honor of Hiram Greene
Frank & Louise Farkas
Juliet Flynt
Scott & Ellen Hand
Margaret Hornick
John & Marilou Hyson
Interprint
Kevin Kennefick & Susan Killam
Michelle & Raider Lopez
Molly Magavern & Mark Reinhardt
Bill Matthiesen & Elizabeth Stell
Michele & Steve Mestman, In honor of Jorge Avila
Catherine & James Miller
Marianna Poutasse & Eric Korenman
Susan Rothschild & Don Freedman
Linda Ruberto
Lenore & Paul Sundberg
Sheila & Randy Thunfors
Bob & Karen Youdelman

BIC is grateful to the supporters who helped make community tickets possible & to those who made gifts in lieu of attending. 

Sponsor and supporter lists reflect gifts and pledges received by 5/29/26. We apologize for any inadvertent errors or omissions.

 

- IN-KIND DONORS -

 
 
 
 

EVENT MAESTROS: Oskar Hallig & Mike Zippel, Only In My Dreams Events

FOOD: Some Things Fishy Catering, LTD

INVITATION & PROGRAM DESIGN: Katherine Casey, Little Fin Creative

VENUE: Shakespeare & Company

VIDEOGRAPHY: Clayson Creative

With deep gratitude to everyone who has joined us for the 2026 Beacon of Hope benefit & to all of the supporters who helped make this evening possible.

Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate the local immigrant community and Immigrant Heritage Month. Your generous support of Berkshire Immigrant Center helps sustain the essential services immigrants and families rely on throughout the year.

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The mission of the Berkshire Immigrant Center is to advocate for the rights of all immigrants by helping them navigate the complex US immigration system with affordable legal services, local resources, and education. 

BIC provides its clients with tools to help them overcome financial and cultural barriers, with the goals of strengthening civic engagement and creating equal opportunity for all. 

 
 
 
 

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

  1. IN PERSON:  Visit the Beacon of Hope benefit check-out table

  2. ONLINE:  Visit Beacon of Hope 2026

  3. BY TEXT:  Text BIC2026 a 44-321

  4. BY CHECK: 
    Make payable to “Berkshire Immigrant Center”

    All 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.

Questions? Please email: development@berkshireic.org