Berkshire Immigrant Center Benefit Sends Out A Beacon Of Hope

The stated mission of the Berkshire Immigrant Center is “to advocate for the rights of all immigrants through affordable legal services, local resources, and education.” That rather terse statement belies the emotion, the gratitude, and the community support that underscores the organization. On Sunday, June 9, all of BIC’s constituents — clients, staff, board members and its multitudes of supporters — gathered at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox for the annual fundraising celebration, “Beacon of Hope.” The community's backing is vital, as “the number of immigrants coming to the Berkshires needing support is going to continue to grow,” said BIC’s Executive Director Melissa Canavan. “We’re going to do everything we can to help, including getting more caseworkers, strengthening our relationships with other attorneys, and thinking about how BIC is going to grow into the future.” BIC offers legal services, citizen preparation classes, assistance procuring green cards, and plenty of hand holding. Diandra Mongeon, who emigrated to the Berkshires from Lima, Peru, said in a video screened at the event that “having somebody there that understands the immigration process and helps you through it meant the world to me.”