PITTSFIELD -- Cancer patients reeling from a life-threatening cancer diagnosis or emotionally challenging treatments can now turn to Pittsfield-based MOMENTS House for a new innovative mentorship program that allows patients to provide support to one another.
Co-founder Alice Trumbull, who runs the nonprofit geared toward helping all those afflicted with cancer -- struggling family members and siblings included -- said she’s also exploring providing free acupuncture services.
With a recently settled 1,600-square-foot office on Fenn Street, MOMENTS House is expanding support services that were impossible back when it was an ambitious vision with a nonprofit status marketed on a simple Facebook page.
"It really has become everything that we thought it would be quicker than we thought it could happen," Trumbull said.
MOMENTS House, which was started in 2011, now has a physical presence in Pittsfield after renting the Fenn Street location this June, thanks to individual donations and a discounted rent rate. There is also an expanding slate of support services for those afflicted by cancer.
On Saturday, the nonprofit will be holding its monthly Arts with Heart Program, an event that brings together volunteers on the first Saturday of every month to make trinkets aimed at brightening the day for those at the Berkshire Hema tology/Oncology center.
There will also be a community Christmas party Dec. 13.
Trumbull, who co-founded the nonprofit with daughter Danielle Trumbull, said MOMENTS House is progressing toward being a "center point for everybody" dealing with cancer.
There are hundreds that have come through the doors, Trumbull said, to take advantage of workshops that include jewelry workshops, art classes, meditation or restorative yoga classes.
There is a wig bank, nutrition classes and many other emotional, recreational and physical support services.
"Whatever the community asks for, we start a program," Trumbull said. The cancer patients and many others impacted by cancer that stop by the office come on referrals, she said.
The Arts with Heart Program is also expanding to Egremont Elementary School and the KidZone as the nonprofit broadens its reach in the community.
Trumbull said the nonprofit is receiving individual donations, but hopes one day a company will support it.
"We started off as an idea," Trumbull said. "We’ve made this idea a reality to this point. We are in a [1,600-square-foot building] and our ultimate goal is to use a whole house that can have multiple things happening at the same time."
Some of the work made in the art classes are being saved to decorate a larger office space or house, she said, which would be the fulfillment of a dream.
For more information on MOMENTS House, call 413-443-6800.
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