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Upcoming Events
Nov
18
November 1811:30 am – 01:00 pm
Community Forum Program | Oakbrook Community Center
Reading Housing Authority recently celebrated the groundbreaking of the Oakbrook Homes Center for Community Services. The goal of this project is to increase access for residents and neighbors of Oakbrook Homes to important services, that will enable them to be more self-sufficient. Two existing buildings were re-purposed to create a Neighborhood Resource Center and a Family Services Complex. The Neighborhood Resource Center includes a food pantry, small grocery store, two large common spaces intended for educational and vocational programs and a senior center, kitchen, business center, and shared office space for human service agencies. The Family Services Complex offers an on-site childcare and early learning center. As Stacey Keppen, the Executive Director of the Reading Housing Authority, recently remarked, “Despite being the largest community in our public housing stock, Oakbrook Homes has long been both physically and socially adrift from the broader network of services in the Greater Reading area.” To help bridge the gap between the community and public housing, this project engaged a number of community partners including the Oakbrook Resident Council, the United Way of Berks County, Opportunity House, Centro Hispano, El Encanto Grocery, Berks Community Health Center and Helping Harvest. The center will provide education and training for workforce development, English-language learning, higher education, access to social service providers, and programming for youth and older adults. There are 530 residential units in the Oakbrook Housing Development, home to over 1,500 residents. Over 90% of the residents are considered ethnically diverse and financially at-risk; over 75% earn less than the area’s median household income; many residents are single parents. Join us for our next Community Forum Program to learn more about the Oakbrook Community Center and its goal to support and empower our community. Tickets not required to attend; the recording of the event, however, will be sent to all who purchase a free ticket. Before joining the event, please authenticate your personal Zoom account; accounts that have not been authenticated will not be permitted to join. The community forum series aims to engage Berks County residents on pressing issues affecting their lives.
via Zoom
Dec
10
December 1011:30 am – 01:00 pm
Community Forum Program | Berks History Center
History doesn’t change. What we learn from the past helps us understand the world that we live in; it offers context. The past informs the present, and at present, the Berks History Center is facing a crucial moment. The Center, founded in 1869 to preserve and celebrate Berks County’s Cultural Heritage, is located in the Centre Park neighborhood of Reading. It needs structural changes to improve the building, enhance the exhibits, and make it a more engaging public space. The collection needs to portray the unique story of Berks County and its diverse population, creating a more inclusive and engaging understanding of this community. Already, improvements have been made to the facilities, and a broader element of the community has started to use the buildings, underscoring the diversity of our region. The Center is focused on reimagining Berks County’s history by including more contemporary stories that truly reflect the history, legacy, and diversity of our region. And now, the Center has a new Executive director, Amanda McCoy. Join us to learn what is new at the Berks History Center during our next virtual community forum. Tickets not required to attend; the recording of the event, however, will be sent to all who purchase a free ticket. Before joining the event, please authenticate your personal Zoom account; accounts that have not been authenticated will not be permitted to join. The community forum series aims to engage Berks County residents on pressing issues affecting their lives.
via Zoom
Nov
19
November 1905:30 pm – 07:30 pm
Annual Meeting 2025 | A Night At The Theater
Please join us for the 2025 Annual Meeting! This event will feature updates about our grantmaking and initiative work over the past year and provide a unique opportunity to highlight one of our initiatives: attracting and retaining college students in Berks County. Remarks will be provided by Community Foundation President, Kevin Murphy; VP for Programs & Initiatives, Monica Reyes; and Lifelong Learning Program Officer, Kim Sheffer. In addition, we will be treated to an informal performance by two Broadway professionals, Jane Brockman and Tim Shew, who will entertain us and share stories of their workshops and preparations for a spring musical with students from all over the county. Hors d’oeuvres, wine, and refreshments will be provided. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. Please select the number of tickets in your party. Parking information will be provided to individuals who register one week before the event.
WCR Center for the Arts 140 N. 5th Street, Reading PA
