Where to Get Help in the Local Community

North Adams City Services

Building Inspector: City Hall, Main St., North Adams, (413) 662 3014. 

When inspecting an off campus apartment you should make sure it has a Certificate of Occupancy.  If you feel that your apartment has something wrong with it, you should first ask your property owner to remedy the problem. If your property owner refuses, you should then call the building inspector to see if your apartment should be inspected. Should the inspector find a violation of the Sanitary Code he will inform your property owner that the problem must be fixed within 14 days.

Health Department: 10 Main St., North Adams, (413) 662 3020.

The Code Enforcement Officer inspects off campus apartments and issues Certificates of Occupancy.  A building will have a Certificate of Occupancy if the Code Enforcement Officer has inspected the apartment in accordance with Chapter 2 of the State Sanitary Code.

City Clerk: City Hall, Main St., North Adams, (413) 662 3015.

The City Clerk issues dog, hunting, fishing, and marriage licenses. They can also provide you with a form to register as a North Adams voter. If you are from out of state and wish to vote, then you should note that there is no minimum length of time in residence to become a Massachusetts voter.

Health Related Services

AIDS and HIV Information and Testing:  Testing and counseling can be arranged at the Berkshire Medical Center, 725 North Street, Pittsfield (413) 447-2000.  Free testing is available at the State Clinic, 510 North Street, Pittsfield (413) 447-2654.  National AIDS Hotline (800) 342-2437 (English), (800) 344-7432 (Spanish).

Brien Mental Health Center: 333 East Street, Pittsfield, MA (413) 499-0412, (800) 252-0227 (24 hours).

Northern Berkshire Counseling Center: 25 Marshall Street, North Adams, MA (413) 664-4541.

Counseling Center in the Berkshires: 111 North Street, Williamstown, (413) 458 3279, and 34 Depot Street, Suite 201, Pittsfield, (413) 499-4090. 

A pastoral counseling center, providing individual, couple, and family psychotherapy, including work with stress and anxiety related issues, grief management, and self destructive behavior.  Most major insurance and HMO plans accepted.

Tapestry Health Systems (formerly known as Family Planning): 77 Hospital Avenue, Ambulatory Care Building, North Adams, (413) 663-8846. 

The agency provides gynecological diagnostic services, birth control supplies, and all types of counseling concerning contraceptives, problem pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other areas of human sexuality.  Fees for gynecological exams, pregnancy and HIV testing and referral services are based on a sliding scale and Medicaid is accepted.  Schedule of services varies, call for information or appointments. Tapestry Health Clinics are also located in Pittsfield, (413) 443-2844) and Great Barrington (413) 528-4238. Web site: www.tapestryhealth.org.

Liferight: 57 Main St., Room 208, North Adams, (413) 664 4106.

Pro-life group offering counseling and pregnancy tests. The agency assists with maternity care and baby items, financial assistance, home placements, and alternatives to abortion.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of the Berkshires: 25 Marshall Street, North Adams, (413) 664-4541 (24 hours). 

This agency provides many services such as crisis, psychiatric, outpatient and continuing care; child and adolescent care; and substance abuse services.

North Adams Regional Hospital: Hospital Ave., North Adams, (413) 663 3701.

Students utilize the NARH emergency room for medical emergencies and when the College Health Services are not available. Students can receive free care on campus including assessment, various cultures and medication and should avoid use of the hospital emergency room for non emergency care.

Northern Berkshire Mental Health Association: 25 Marshall St., North Adams, (413) 664 4541 (24 hours).

This agency provides many services including individual, group and family therapy; marriage counseling; a chemical dependency unit, and vocational services.

STD Information Hotline: (800) 227-8922

Women's Services and Rape Crisis at the Elizabeth Freeman Center: 85 Main St., North Adams, (413) 663 9709, 24 hour services are available at 43 Francis Avenue, Pittsfield, (413) 499 2425. 

Provides support group for women in transition, job and career counseling, and short term crisis counseling and rape victims counseling and advocacy. Assists with legal problems, especially concerning divorce and separation and serves as a liaison with a lesbian support group in the area.  Also sponsors the Hand-in-Hand program for children who witness domestic violence.  (413) 663-9709 is a 24-hour hotline.

Legal Assistance

Massachusetts Bar Association, Regional Office: 15 Gothic St., Northampton, MA (617) 654-0400 or (800) 392-6164, www.massbar.org/lawhelp. 

A referral source for students who need legal assistance in civil and/or criminal proceedings.

Victim's Assistance Program, Berkshire County District Attorney's Office: 42 West St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. 

Victim's Assistance Advocates from the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office automatically contact and assist persons identified as victims in police reports.  Call the Hotline at (413) 442-6000.

Western Massachusetts Legal Services: 85 Main St., North Adams, (413) 664 4531. Specializing in poverty law.

You must be income eligible to use this service (income at 125 percent of poverty level). Legal Services can assist with benefits and housing and be a possible resource for you if you do not have adequate heating.

Other Services

Berkshire County Consumer Advocate:  150 North St., Pittsfield, (800) 540-9128. 

Mediates consumer/business problems and landlord/tenant problems and helps individuals to understand their rights.

Information and Referral Services Berkshire United Way, Inc.: 200 South Street, Pittsfield, (413) 442-6948.

Northern Berkshire United Way: 85 Main Street, North Adams, MA (413) 663-9062.

Massachusetts Division of Employment and Training: 46 Summer Street, Pittsfield, MA (413) 499-1797. 

The Job Matching Center, staffed by professional placement interviewers, is a good resource for students who are looking for summer, part-time, or full time jobs. 

Northern Berkshire Community Action: 85 Main St., Suite 628, North Adams, (413) 663-3014.

This agency provides fuel assistance for those who are eligible. The eligibility guidelines differ from year to year. Dependent students are not eligible for assistance.

Registry of Motor Vehicles: Main Street, North Adams, (800) 858 3926.