MountainOne Participates in Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity's Women Build

11:01AM / Monday, August 18, 2025Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — An all-female team of Mountaineers from MountainOne supported Women Build, a volunteer initiative led by Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity.

The program empowers women to take an active role in construction while advancing the mission of affordable housing in the Berkshires.

MountainOne sponsored the event and contributed a hands-on team effort in Pittsfield, where two new condominium units are taking shape. The all-women crew from MountainOne included Julie Rider, Shannon Dozier, Stacy Roman, Debra Bishop, Brenda Petell, Heidi Gingras, Jeanne Zatorski, Jennifer Smith, Samantha Leskovitz, and Renae Gamari.

Together, the group helped install decking and siding on the homes. The day's work not only strengthened the local housing landscape but also reinforced MountainOne's ongoing commitment to giving back to the communities it serves, stated a press release.

Brenda Petell, MountainOne's Community Engagement Officer and a Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity board member, reflected on the experience:

"Today was about showing up and working side by side to help create something lasting for families in our community. It's powerful to be part of a team that not only supports this work financially but also shows up to do the work together. I'm proud to be a part of both organizations."

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Scenic Vistas, Open Spaces Central to Berkshire's Rural Character

By John TownesSpecial to iBerkshires
05:19AM / Thursday, August 27, 2026

This is the first of a two-part series looking at types of land trusts, their missions and their place within the Berkshires.

Land is an essential resource for life. We all spend the vast majority of our lives directly connected to the land or in structures built on it. Land is also a central core of the global ecosystem that makes the earth sustainable for all lifeforms.

The landscape has special significance in the Berkshires. It is a central element in the region's scenic rural character and quality of life, as well an economic resource that is a basis of tourism.

Access to land, and control of its use, is largely based on ownership. This system enables people to own homes, build businesses, establish communities, and pursue other goals and activities.

However, the private use and control of land can also be a source of contention and conflict — from debates about development at local planning boards to international wars over territory.

Traditionally, local and regional planning policies and regulations such as zoning have been used to balance the concepts of private ownership with shared public goals and needs. In addition government ownership provides land for schools, roads, infrastructure, parks and nature preserves, and other public purposes.

In recent decades another form of land ownership and control has gained increasing visibility and prominence. This concept is often known as land trusts.

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