February 8, 2025

Bizbrief: 2nd Street Second Chances elects board members

BY Berkshire Eagle

PITTSFIELD — 2nd Street Second Chances has elected Gabriela Leon, Annie Maurer and Jason Vivori to its board of directors.

2nd Street supports formerly incarcerated persons in Berkshire County and connects them with the tools, programs and support they need to successfully reenter their community.

Leon

Leon is an outreach coordinator and recovery coach at Berkshire Connections, specializing in supporting pregnant and postpartum women with a history of, or active, substance use disorder. A formerly incarcerated woman in recovery, Leon’s personal journey has fueled her passion for helping others transform their lives.

In 2019, after serving as a recovery specialist at the local Clinical Stabilization Services unit, Leon enrolled in Berkshire Community College’s Human Services Transfer Program, continuing on to the advanced placement program at Elms College. She is scheduled to receive her bachelor’s degree in social work in May and plans to earn a master’s degree. Leon holds certificates in addiction and human services, an associate degree in human services and is a state certified recovery coach.

Maurer

Maurer is a staff attorney in the Pittsfield office of Community Legal Aid, where she represents individuals facing criminal record–related barriers to housing and employment. Before joining Community Legal Aid, Maurer worked for more than a decade as a public defender. She was previously employed at the Committee for Public Counsel Services in Pittsfield, The Legal Aid Society in New York City, and the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender, where she managed a regional office of 25 lawyers.

Maurer graduated from Tufts University and New York University School of Law. She serves on the board of Housatonic Youth Basketball and lives in Great Barrington.

Vivori

Vivori is a lifelong resident of Berkshire County whose commitment to community engagement has included numerous volunteer and professional endeavors. In 2003, Vivori joined the Berkshire Museum as a volunteer, eventually becoming an employee. He has served the museum in several professional roles and in 2016, he moved into his current position as collections manager.

Vivori joined the Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition board of directors in 2008, serving as vice president, president and currently as chair of the organization. He also served on the Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade Committee for several years.