Originally published in The Berkshire Eagle

PITTSFIELD — Healthy Families of Berkshire County was presented the Public Relations Award by the Children’s Trust at its annual Celebration Day in Boston.

The Children's Trust is dedicated to ending child abuse and neglect in Massachusetts. 

The Public Relations Award is given annually to a program that assists the Children’s Trust in getting the message of family support out to the public and demonstrates creativity, collaboration and relationship-building to engage legislators through participant stories and program impact.

Berkshire County Healthy Families, a free pregnancy and parenting program, was recognized for its annual child abuse awareness event, Step Up for Kids, held in collaboration with local state legislators.

Fifty-six pairs of shoes were displayed on the front steps of Pittsfield City Hall to represent the average number of confirmed child abuse and neglect cases in Berkshire County every month. Speakers included a former program participant.