Berkshire Immigrant Center Celebrates 25 Years Advocating For Local Immigrants
The One World Celebration included personal stories, music, and a raucous dance party.
Lorena Dus, director of client and community services (and translator for the evening); with Juan Ramos and Mary Jo Ramos, who is a volunteer translator for BIC
Who cares for new immigrants in the Berkshires? We all care about them, but the Berkshire Immigrant Center (BIC) is the organization that for a quarter century has provided them with affordable legal services, local resources, and education. BIC was formed in 1997 as a resettlement project for Jews escaping the Soviet Union and became an independent 501(c)3 just last year, helping thousands of newcomers navigate the complex immigration system. On Sunday, June 12 at Shakespeare and Company in Lenox, the third annual One World event (at which all remarks were delivered in both English and Spanish) commenced with an introduction by master of ceremonies and actor/director James Warwick, a native of the United Kingdom and now both a Berkshires resident and United States citizen. Following that, violinist Jorge Avila, a native of Honduras, and Oren Fader performed classical and Latin music. State Representative Smitty Pignatelli presided over a live auction. And finally, Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra inspired the guests to get on their feet.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
