Introduction to Co-Act
Co-Act, Community Organizing for Action, develops grassroots initiatives guided by collaboration and community needs. The results are highly functional local systems that serve the common good. The approach is applicable to any region and includes addressing the holistic needs of a community, supporting sustainability, coordinating collaborative action, and taping the power of community.
A nonprofit, 501(c)(3), based in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, Co-Act is working to resolve local issues by creating new approaches to community development and engagement. Berkshire Co-Act's present activities include:
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Berkshire Food NetThe Food Net is a local food support system that supplies fresh organic produce to fourteen local pantries and meal sites. The Food Net delivered 6,000 pounds of in 2009, 11,000 pounds in 2010, increasing to 18,000 pounds in 2011. This growing food network includes community gardens, school gardens, private gardens, local farms, and produce distributors, with the long range goal of food sustainability for the region. Learn More |
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Pearl Street CenterThe Center is a grassroots response to unemployment, homelessness, and other economic stressors that affect over 20% of Berkshire County residents. Providing free phone, internet, job development, snacks, mail, showers, social service support, and a wide variety of classes for personal growth, the Center is located at 55 Fenn St. and Pearl St., in downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 9:30am-2:00 pm. Learn More |
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Berkshire TimeBankA timebank is a community building, social network of people who exchange labor and service for one anothers needs by using their time as currency. This makes many services available to those with limited dollars. There are presently over 180 active members who offer numerous useful and often unique types of services. Learn More |
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Community Coalition ForumParticipants share the exciting feeling of belonging to something greater than the sum of its parts. This noncompetitive forum helps our community members capture exciting opportunities through collaborative approaches that benefits our region. Our past forum topics have included: food support, homelessness, community calendars, faith-based community supporting social needs, transportation access, and job development. Learn More |
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Common Good EconomyThe Campaign for the Common Good Economy was officially launched on July 10, 2011. Its purpose is to provide an alternative monetary system that frees us from the burden of the Federal Reserve Banking System. At the heart of the design for a Common Good Economy is a revolutionary sustainable money system called R Credits. Learn More |
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Transportation AccessCo-Act has developed a comprehensive transportation website for Berkshire County. The prototype can be seen at www.BerkshireT.com. This initiative is in response to the difficulties of accessing concise information for: special mobility transportation; senior transportation; and human service needs. This website that compiles all transportation options in one easy site is being reviewed and considered for state wide use. Learn More |
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The Energy NetCo-Act has been involved in investigating 19 dams in western Massachusetts for hydroelectric generation using a unique watershed approach. Eleven of these dams along the Housatonic can produce $1,200,000 in revenue per year, and eight other dams in the Pioneer Valley can produce $500,000 per year. Hydroelectric generators last a hundred years, while photovoltaic only have a 20-30 year life span. Proceeds would benefit local towns. Learn More |
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Property RightsThrough regulations created by banking interests, mortgage lending often utilizes illegal and unconstitutional tactics to extract the real wealth of hard working Americans. There are 3 major illegal practices that are the primary reasons why people are held hostage to their mortgage or are losing their homes. Help us put an end to abusive, unconstitutional practices and uphold our citizens' property rights. Learn More |