Last Friday, The Caring Force joined human service workers and advocates in Pittsfield for the 21st Annual Berkshire Legislative Breakfast for Disability Advocacy, coordinated by Berkshire County Arc. Invited speakers spoke candidly about wage inequity for human services workers and the need for increased funding in brain injury services, transportation gaps, and barriers to health care access – including the need to pass The Caring Force’s legislative agenda.
The Providers’ Council sponsored alongside organizations including 18 Degrees, Ad Lib, Arc of Massachusetts, Berkshire County Arc, Berkshire Family and Individual Resources, Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, Community Access to the Arts, Department of Developmental Services, Hearthway, High Spirit Community Farm, Leander House, Pittsfield Senior Center/Council on Aging, UCP of Western Mass, and Soldier On.
The conversation centered on four priorities: wages, brain injury services, transportation, and health care. Workers spoke directly to lawmakers about the realities of this field. Delores Moore of 18 Degrees shared that despite 26 years of dedicated service, she has had to take a second job to make ends meet — a reality for many in a workforce where wages often fall well below MIT’s estimated $30/hour living wage for Massachusetts. She urged legislative support for living wage bills S.130 and H.223, the two bills in The Caring Force’s legislative agenda. Bryce Remillard of Berkshire County Arc, a site manager at 25, put it plainly: even a “good” salary doesn’t go far when you’re supporting a staff of eight while managing rent, childcare, and daily expenses.
State Rep. Leigh Davis captured the through line of the morning simply: “The theme here is dignity.” That’s exactly what we’re fighting for. If you believe human service workers deserve better, join us at the 14th Annual Caring Force State House Rally on May 13 — and make your voice heard!
RSVP for the State House Rally here. | Read iBerkshires coverage of the event here.