A ViM INTERVIEW—What two of our generous donors see.

Berkshire natives Joan and Jim Hunter made a gift to ViM’s Care Works Campaign that helped make it possible for our Pittsfield Office to open this year. Jim, who grew up in Williamstown, has deep roots in the county: his family had a manufacturing business in North Adams that was started by his great-great-great-grandfather in 1847. Joan, the daughter of a secretary and a carpenter, grew up in Pittsfield, where she attended Pittsfield Public Schools. The couple has been involved in local nonprofits and volunteer work for years, and they share our deep love and commitment to the Berkshires.

When we spoke on the phone on May 22, there was construction near Joan and Jim’s house, so they drove to a bank parking lot and called from their car with the air conditioning running! We are humbled by their generosity at every level and grateful to call them our supporters and friends.

Interview conducted by Sarah Trudgeon. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Let’s jump right in, since you’re trapped in the car! I feel like everyone has this moment when it clicks for them about ViM. Was there a moment like this for you?

Joan: I was seated next to Ilana at a dinner, and she began to tell me the story of ViM, and I thought, wow, this is amazing…

Jim: Because health care access has been on our minds for quite a while. A few years ago I was involved with The Reach Foundation, trying to provide community health care access in North County, primarily through the North Adams Regional Hospital. Unfortunately, the hospital was going through some turbulent times, and it just never came together.

Joan: When we eventually toured the site in Great Barrington that was the “aha moment.” We went, oh my God, with the work this organization is doing and the people they are serving—they deserve more.

Jim: The focus of most of our charitable giving used to be in arts and education fields, but a few years ago we began to shift to more human services organizations. For example, we've been longtime supporters of Louison House for the homeless in North Adams. And once you hear about ViM, unless you're made of stone, you know you have to get involved. They offer an absolutely necessary service.

Joan: It's awesome to be able to make a difference where it's going to really count, and ViM checks all the boxes. It’s the population they serve. It’s their holistic approach. It’s the love and concern for each and every client, and the warmth as you walk in the door. You give money and support causes because it makes you feel good, and I think it's an honor to be able to participate with ViM. That's kind of what it boils down to. It’s a real feel-good thing.

I love how that all came together. And now that ViM has a new Pittsfield location, what impact do you see that having on the city or the Berkshires in general?

Jim: Well, first, it’s creating access for so many new patients. A lot of ViM’s current clients were also coming from Pittsfield, and it was an ordeal to get to South County, not owning automobiles and public transportation here being what it is. Hopefully ViM will serve clients from North County as well.

Joan: And you know, I grew up in Pittsfield back when General Electric was there, and it's been very sad for me in my adult life to see the community crumble as so many jobs were lost and people moved out. Hats off to the generation who stayed in Pittsfield, there's a lot of love for the community, it's so hard-working, and there have been so many efforts to rebuild, whether it's Barrington Stage or the Berkshire Museum or any of the other good work going on. Pittsfield needs these efforts. I was a Special Education teacher, so for me it's about beginning to give these wonderful people and families a sense of pride in the community.

As people move into Pittsfield, the people ViM serves, the people who want to be part of the community—they are the ones who are going to help build that community up. They're going to have businesses, they're going to be in the schools, they're going to live and work here. I see ViM as an integral part of rebuilding the community. It just makes me happy. When we toured the office, we were beaming the whole tour, and then walking out, sitting in the car, we were still beaming. My face hurt.

Oh gosh, it must feel good to know you helped make that possible.

Joan: I think it sends a message that ViM is in Pittsfield in such an important way, and such a beautiful way. It's not just in a basement somewhere. It is a gorgeous space. To walk into that building and see the colors and the fabrics and the smiling faces—it's showing the people who walk in that they are valued. For a population who doesn’t necessarily always get to feel that way very often, that has got to puff you up a little bit and let you think, “Wow, I matter.” It shows real faith in the future of the community. Everybody in Pittsfield at some point ought to get a chance to just see the commitment that has been made and take pride in it and support it.

Jim: I’d encourage anyone who is interested to call up and ask if you can come by the office and say hello. Once you get in the door, the story will tell itself.

Joan: It's the staff and just the tender, loving care that ViM is offering. People are going to pick up on that immediately. Spend five minutes there, and you’re a convert.

Are you interested in a behind-the-scenes look inside our care center? Just call us at 413-528-4014 or email nfernandez@vimberkshires.org.

We’ll also be hosting several Open House opportunities this spring and summer, so stay tuned!