To the Editor:
At Berkshire Children and Families, our mission is every child in a family, every family in a community. This is how strongly we believe in the power, love, safety and support a family brings. Our experience and research shows that children do best when they grow up in a family – it is actually one of the key indicators of future success. The intentional separation of immigrant children from their families at our borders contradicts all that we know is good for families.
We work with families every day who are struggling to be with their children because of a myriad of challenges they face. As we all know, parenting can be difficult in the best of circumstances, adding the stress that comes with insecure housing, finances, employment, food, and health, makes it seem insurmountable some days. Yet, we see parents do just this, every day! They work hard, and they love hard.
There are many configurations of family, and we honor whomever a person identifies as their family, whether that be a grandparent, friends, aunt, uncle, teacher, mentor, church member, or neighbor. The feeling of love, support, and safety is key to all children’s well-being and the foundation from which we grow our communities.
In our experience of working with families for over 100 years, we know to our core that parents love their children and want the best for them. When they are not able to provide a safe and stable home, then we work with others in our community to find a family that is able to give this. We start with finding a foster family, and if needed an adoptive family. If due to age or circumstances a young person does not find a permanent home, we work with them to identify their support system – their family.
Mother Theresa said, “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family,” she understood the foundation of family. At Berkshire Children and Families, we will continue to promote the well-being of children and the strength of families to build a better community for us all. If any family, regardless of their immigration status, is in need of support we welcome the opportunity to help. More information can be found at berkshirechildren.org or 413-448-8281.
Erin Sullivan
Pittsfield
The writer is director of Community Relations for Berkshire Children and Families.
