IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2024                                                              
MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNITIES ACTION NETWORK (MCAN) EXPANDS TO THE BERKSHIRES TO DEEPEN IMPACT
ON ISSUES OF RACIAL EQUITY & ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND WIDEN FOCUS ON HOUSING

(BOSTON) - Massachusetts Communities Action Network (MCAN), a statewide network of faith and values-rooted community organizations with over three decades of experience, is pleased to announce that Berkshire Interfaith Organizing (BIO) is joining the MCAN collective as their eighth and westernmost affiliate. BIO’s focus on issues of housing insecurity not only aligns with the work of fellow MCAN affiliates across the state, but comes at a time when holding public officials accountable is deeply needed following the House’s passage of a five-year, $6.5 billion housing bond bill last month.  

“MCAN’s mission has always been to raise a collective voice centered on racial and economic justice representing the state of Massachusetts. The Berkshires represent a region with growing diversity, a commitment to community, and a desire to offer every resident a chance to thrive,” said Janine Carreiro, MCAN Co-Executive Director. “Berkshire Interfaith Organizing is bringing people together to fight for that future. BIO is already powerfully raising their collective voice and sharing their wisdom with other residents from across the state fighting for more accessible housing. “

BIO was founded in 2015 to build an institutional base for congregational organizing across the Berkshires. Its leaders have won major victories over the years in racial and economic justice, including the Trust Policy in Great Barrington in 2017 which created protections for immigrants against profiling and and the reinstatement of African-American studies in Pittsfield’s high schools in 2019, to name just two. 

“The Berkshires are known by many as a vacation destination, a cultural enclave, and a great place for a second house away from the big cities. But for the majority of folks, this is their home - a home they love for its natural beauty and friendly atmosphere, but where they are likely struggling with housing insecurity, transportation issues, poverty, social isolation, or racism,” said Sean Manion, Executive Director of BIO. “But there’s exciting potential to organize the community around these issues of inequity. Because of smaller governments and a ‘DIY’ attitude, we can innovate more easily than some other regions where there are greater concentrations of state and corporate power. In that way, we can also serve as an example of what is possible for the rest of the Commonwealth.”

This spring BIO powerfully organized in support of mobile home residents fighting to minimize rent hikes and recently helped block a proposed 230% rent increase in West Stockbridge.  “Active support for our neighbors facing the oppressive force of rampant social injustice is a driving force for us as community organizers and leaders within BIO,” said Margot Page, a Deacon at All Saints Episcopal Church in North Adams. “Through our new relationship with MCAN, we are hopeful that our collective voices for advocacy will be heard and felt across the state with local action working to fuel systemic statewide change, which echoes the victory of the Mill Pond residents in West Stockbridge.”

“I'm excited about the collaboration between BIO and MCAN and optimistic that together, we'll explore and make the most of the untapped resources in our area, such as our increasingly-multicultural environment,” said BIO Leadership Team member Fernando León. “Cultural events, like BIO’s “Jam for Justice'' concert this past March, are already spreading our message to a broader and more diverse audience, which in turn, amplifies our collective impact.”

BIO’s Executive Director Sean Manion joined BIO a year ago after most recently organizing with Brockton Interfaith Community (BIC), a fellow MCAN affiliate.  “I hired Sean at BIC, because of his clear analysis of the world, his honesty and his willingness to be vulnerable, all important traits of a community organizer,” said William Dickerson II, MCAN Co-Executive Director. “Sean has a fire for justice and a heart for supporting others to step into their power as their own leadership emerges. As an avid researcher, Sean is also good at sniffing out the truth, a skill we need to learn more about and will have a chance to do so as he is an incredible trainer as well. I am really happy that Sean is continuing to grow in his leadership within the MCAN network and believe that the leaders of BIO are in good hands.”

As part of the MCAN Network, BIO joins the following affiliates across the state which are also working on housing Brockton Interfaith Community, Essex County Community Organization, Pioneer Valley Project (Springfield), United Interfaith Action of Southeastern Massachusetts, and Worcester Interfaith, as well as affiliates I Have A Future (Boston) and Prophetic Resistance Boston. MCAN partners at the national level with Faith In Action.

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