Central Annex/Union Court Resident Service Coordinator receives
2009 Berkshire Red Cross Centennial Award

Theresa Smith, Resident Service Coordinator at Central Annex and Union Court Apartments, received the 2009 Berkshire Red Cross Centennial Award at the organization’s 114th Annual Meeting in Pittsfield Oct. 6.

Smith works with residents in the two housing developments to help them identify and access community services that will help them live successfully in the complex.  She provides crisis intervention services, mediates disputes between residents, coordinates educational workshops, and community building activities that encourage residents to step up as volunteers and leaders in the housing and in the Pittsfield community.  As a result of her efforts, residents now participate in community events such as the annual AIDS walk and “Toys for Tots” as well as organizing their own building-specific activities such as pot luck dinners and cultural field trips.

POAH is a national non-profit organization that purchases affordable housing around the country to preserve its long-term affordability for families, seniors and the disabled. POAH owns nine affordable properties with a total of 1,800 units in 12 Massachusetts communities across the state including the Berkshires.