PRESS RELEASE—ViM Berkshires Awarded Major Grant from Greylock Federal to Expand Health Care Access

Consistent with Greylock Federal’s mission to support organizations that reflect their community, Greylock funds will be used to expand core services to uninsured patients in the Berkshire region 

Great Barrington, Mass. — Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) Berkshires, a free healthcare center serving uninsured residents of Berkshire County, MA., has been awarded a 2-year grant from Greylock Federal, the region’s leading credit union, to increase healthcare access to the uninsured in Berkshire County. The two-year, $75,000 grant to support ViM’s CareWorks Campaign will be used to launch a new ViM healthcare center in Pittsfield and expand the ViM center in Great Barrington.  

Almost 4% of Berkshire County adults are uninsured. In 2023, ViM cared for more than 1700 patients in more than 7,000 visits – a 15% growth from the previous year. Most of these patients were immigrants, the fastest growing community in the Berkshire region. ViM cares for the uninsured by mobilizing more than 170 volunteers who donate 10,000 hours of their time, supported by a small paid staff. ViM avoids 92% of the expected hospital visits for their patient population. 

“Greylock Federal is proud to support ViM’s efforts to meet the needs of a growing immigrant community in our region, said Jamie Ellen Moncecchi, chief administrative officer. “ViM’s mission is consistent with our view that everyone should have equal opportunities to grow and thrive. Our partnership with ViM supports our belief that Greylock should be a community hub and an economic engine for the region.” 

Greylock Federal’s support for the ViM CareWorks campaign will have an immediate impact on the region’s most vulnerable. Consistent with Greylock’s ongoing commitment to immigrant communities, ViM will make it easier for Pittsfield and North County residents to access healthcare services. Greylock support will also contribute toward the long-term sustainability of ViM.  

“Greylock Federal continues to demonstrate their commitment to the region and to the immigrant communities we serve,” said Ilana Steinhauer, executive director, ViM Berkshires.  

We are extremely honored to have received this award and thrilled to partner with them to continue working towards building a healthier community where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive.” 

About Greylock Federal Credit Union

Greylock Federal Credit Union is wholly owned by its Members and offers full-service branches in Pittsfield, Great Barrington, Lee, Adams, North Adams, Williamstown, Lanesborough, and Lenox, Mass., and Greenport/Hudson, N.Y. Greylock has a Low-Income Designation (LID) from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and certification by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund allowing the Credit Union to offer expanded services to low- and moderate-income families. More information is available at www.greylock.org. Insured by NCUA. 

About Volunteers in Medicine (ViM) Berkshires 

VIM Berkshires provides free, comprehensive, high-quality health care, free of judgment, for patients in the region who are income-qualified and ineligible for health insurance.  

With more than 170 clinical and nonclinical volunteers, VIM provides primary care, dentistry, women’s health, optometry, behavioral therapy, and more, all under one roof. VIM also collaborates with community partners such as schools, local government, and housing agencies to address non-medical factors that contribute to good health, including food security, safe housing, employment, and childcare.  

By removing barriers to access and equity, VIM is creating a more integrated medical and social services ecosystem that keeps patients healthier and communities safer and more responsive.