OVERVIEW
In this sector, we examine abuse, food insecurity, residential segregation, poverty, and immigration and ask questions on the availability of resources and services, discrimination, and safety.
Comparable counties are available for some of these indicators by selecting them from the geography filter.
INDICATORS
SURVEY RESULTS
Survey respondents felt most services and resources served the community somewhat or very well. Areas that served us not well include homeless shelters (31%), public housing (28%), childcare (26%). Healthcare, job training, rehabilitation housing, services for people with disabilities, and child protective services all received 15-17% of respondents saying they did not meet the needs well.
Fifty to seventy-five percent of survey respondents do not feel discriminated against; however, there are slightly higher amounts of discrimination based on income levels, age, and gender. Higher-income respondents report less widespread discrimination than lower-income. People of color responded that they experience more discrimination among all categories, especially related to race or national origin, income, and gender.
Two out of three survey respondents stated they feel safe or very safe around police officers. As income goes down, the feeling of safety decreases, with half of the respondents who make less than $35,000 feeling not at all safe or only somewhat safe. In comparison, only one in four of higher-income respondents reported feeling not safe or only somewhat safe. For people of color, feeling safe around police officers drops even more, with two out of three feeling not at all or only somewhat safe, and only one in three feeling safe or very safe.
Four out of five survey respondents overall feel welcome in the community. As income decreases, respondents feel less welcome, dropping to half. People of color feel welcome at a lower rate, with only two in five feeling welcome.
Overall, survey respondents felt connected and cared for within their community, but one in ten respondents did not. This percentage goes up if you are a person of color.
CURRENT EFFORTS
Berkshire Youth Development Project works through the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition and the Railroad Street Youth Project to promote positive youth development through strategic resources, program and activity support across Berkshire County. Together we rely on the Risk and Protective Factor Model using Prevention Needs Assessment Surveys to guide our independent and joint efforts toward greatest positive results. https://www.berkshireunitedway.org/berkshire-youth-development-project