In the News
Berkshire Farm, House of Good Shepard Form Partnership
ALBANY | Two of the largest and most impactful nonprofit child welfare organizations in New York, Berkshire Farm Center and The House of the Good Shepherd, have formed a strategic alliance to better serve the more than 11,000 families the organizations provide care and programs to and offer a broader array of services along an expanded continuum of care. The collaboration benefits the child welfare system as a whole, the more than 1,100 dedicated staff members in both organizations, and, most significantly, the children and families of New York and the communities in which they live.
“Simply put, together we will be able to help more children and families — in more and different ways — in a larger portion of our state. The operational efficiencies we hope to see will translate into real-world benefits for our organizations, which, in turn, provide benefits to our communities, strengthening the children and families within them,” said Brian Parchesky, Berkshire Farm Center’s president and CEO.
The two organizations will remain two separate entities with separate operating boards while forming a joint parent company, Stronger Communities NY (SCNY). The parent company structure will combine some administrative services and maximize the strategic planning capabilities of both organizations.
An additional critical benefit of the partnership will be to enhance the organizations’ ability to attract and retain a more diverse and skilled workforce, allowing for more high-quality programs and resources for the welfare of children and families.
While headquartered in New York’s Capital Region, Berkshire Farm Center’s operations span much of New York State and, combined with the Central New York-based programs and services of The House of the Good Shepherd, the two partner agencies will have a combined operating budget of nearly $115 million annually, employ 1,100 people and serve approximately 11,000 New York families.
“Empowering positive change within our communities and profoundly impacting the lives of countless children and families stands as a united commitment between The House and Berkshire,” said Brian McKee, President and CEO of The House of the Good Shepherd. “Through collaboration and strategic implementation, we are forming an alliance that will focus on leveraging our strengths to better serve those entrusted to our care.”