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Mortgage foreclosures, gas prices skyrocketing, grocery prices out of sight, higher fuel and utility costs - these are the real life issues of our day, sometimes requiring superhuman belt tightening to make it from month to month.
Where can you go if you need help?
One avenue to explore might be Western Massachusetts Labor Action at 298 Columbus Ave. in Pittsfield, housed in a new building crafted through the grassroots efforts of area tradespeople and contractors. The membership association offers everything from food to legal help - and has been doing so for 30 years.
"Our goal is to unify those in need and those who are not presently in need, so that we will have strength in numbers, a unified voice to address our issues," said Thatcher Kent, operations manager. "Our membership includes doctors, tradespeople, lawyers, theater people, dentists, legal aides, neighborhood people, teachers, contractors, among many others."
Thatcher said the group goes into the community to talk to people dealing with the issues of poverty.
"We do this outreach to find out firsthand what people are dealing with, how to help them and to grow our membership to the strength that
The small membership charge, which is voluntary, is 62 cents a month. Members receive a wealth of benefits, from food, clothing and fuel assistance to legal and medical workshops.
"Dr. Alan Inglis comes from Great Barrington to offer his services, seeing people with nonemergency medical issues. Dr. Whitman, a Pittsfield dentist, volunteers nonemergency services. Lawyers Peter Alessio, Mitch Greenwald and Damon Lee come several times a month to offer legal sessions and advice," he said.
The group also performs advocacy work, including problems with utilities.
"There was a recent case of a diabetic woman whose electric power was shut off and she needed to keep her insulin refrigerated. The electric company suggested she use ice, which was not a viable solution. We were able to help her," he said. "We have families with infants and small children trying to keep warm with unsafe space heaters when fuel runs out. We advocate for these people."
Kent said the group has met with utility companies in Boston to demand action around rate hikes and shut-off policies and engages in letter writing campaigns to address consumer issues. But it is strength in numbers that is most important.
"Our organization needs to be large to have a voice in these important matters. What happens if we lose our consumer base here in western Massachusetts? If electric rates go so high people and businesses leave? This is not a new story," he said. "We all have shared needs which are directly connected to the larger community around us."
Kent, who has been with WMLA for 13 years, does not come from a background of poverty himself, but he has made it his vocation.
"I lived a different kind of life," he said. "I attended Williams College. I saw a poster for WMLA walking down the hall one day, and I thought it was time to step up and get involved. It was the right time for me to do something to help. I did everything from soup kitchens to lobbying. I felt I could make a difference."
Kent said that since the downturn in the economy, he has seen more middle class people and retirees begin to struggle who, until recently, have been fairly stable economically. Expenses are getting harder to juggle, and they are looking for help and benefits they never needed before.
"The closing of Schweitzer (Mauduit International) is impacting the community in Lee. We have been doing an outreach there to connect with the needs of that population. Mortgages with unfixed rates are going up, utility rates are rising and gas prices seem like the last straw," he said. "In the past, we have focused a lot on Adams and North Adams in regard to unemployment issues. It's Lee right now. We listen to the problems, sign up new members, hook people up to benefits they need, and, later, at another time, these people will be able to help others in the organization."
The group relies on a strong corps of volunteers, which includes people like Albert Turner, a West Side resident and neighbor of WMLA who has been an active member for 30 years. Turner exemplifies the way the organization works. In return for help, he has given back to the group.
"I've gotten help through the years with food and clothing needs for my children," he said. "I've helped with holiday events doing DJ work at parties and whatever I could do to help out."
In addition, Patricia O'Donahue is the volunteer coordinator, while Melanie Greatorex has been a full-time volunteer organizer for five years. Terry Morse volunteers part time. They make up just part of the group that mans the office on a day-to-day basis.
But in addition to volunteers, the group also needs to raise funds to continue helping those in need. There are two major fundraising events coming up, Kent said.
"Bonnie Gable, a well known theater person from the Berkshires, has overcome some unbelievable obstacles. This summer she is doing some benefit performances for us," Kent said.
A member of WMLA for a year, Gable's Way the Heck Off-Broadway Theatre Company will present an Edith Piaf performance July 5 and 6 and "Clarence Darrow," a one-man show, Aug. 9-12, both at Berkshire Community College.
Kent said they also began their "Back to School" campaign in May.
"Not even Christmas is as difficult for our families as the beginning of a new school year, when children need clothing, school supplies, backpacks and all before school actually begins," he said. WMLA is seeking in-kind donations for those needs.
The organization also has an annual "Winter Survival Campaign" to provide food, blankets, safe heaters and winter clothing to low-income working families. In addition, the "Winter Watch" program reaches out to the elderly and shut-in members.
Currently, the group, which has about 16,000 members, Kent said, is undertaking the compulsory insurance program in Massachusetts.
"The Massachusetts compulsory state insurance has become another burden for many because they just can't afford it," he said. "This group is already robbing Peter to pay Paul. Then they are penalized for not being able to afford health care."
Kent says that WMLA spoke at a hearing last year to address the insurance issue and is currently lobbying to get some changes made, as well as trying to get dental and optical benefits for workers who have some insurance, but not this coverage.
"It has become a crime to be poor, but in numbers we have strength, and that is what WMLA is all about," Kent said.
To make donations to WMLA or for more information, call 413-443-9862.
