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Upcoming Events
Oct
24
October 2411:30 am – 01:00 pm
Community Forum Program | Berks County Children And Youth Services
Berks County Children and Youth Services was created to protect children under the age of 18 from abuse and neglect. Berks County Children and Youth Services’ mission is to protect children and assure their well-being. In 2024, the organization received nearly 10,000 reports of child abuse or neglect, the most they have received since they started recording this information in 2008. A third of those 2024 cases resulted in an investigation. Berks County Children and Youth Services provide services to families where abuse or neglect has occurred to help ensure that the affected child can safely return to their home. Some children are placed into services outside of their home, returning when it is safe for the child. And in some cases, the parents’ rights can be terminated, and the child is placed in an adoptive setting. COVID-19 saw a spike in disaffected youth across Pennsylvania. It also affected the staff at Berks County Children and Youth. Between 2019 and 2023, 3,500 children and youth caseworkers across the state left their positions. In 2024, Berks County had its lowest number of filled caseworker positions. They had to adjust and adapt. Berks County Children and Youth Services has used community-based services providers to assist in their work. They have revamped the organization and hired new staff. And they are working to make this challenging job more attractive and ensure that children receive the assistance that they need in order to not just survive but thrive. Join us to learn more Berks County Children and Youth’s vital service for Berks County children and their families. Tickets not required to attend; the recording of the event, however, will be sent to all who purchase a free ticket. The community forum series aims to engage Berks County residents on pressing issues affecting their lives.
via Zoom
Sep
18
September 1811:30 am – 01:00 pm
Community Forum Program | Elevate Berks
Elevate Berks supports entrepreneurs and small businesses across Berks County. In 2022, Berks County released the IMAGINE Berks Strategic Economic Development Action Plan, focusing on creating a more vibrant regional economy. One highlight from this plan was the finding that Berks County lagged behind the national and state birth rates for new businesses; and trailed all of its neighboring counties except Lebanon and Schuylkill. The report also mentioned the formation of Elevate Berks, a coordinated network of service providers supporting entrepreneurs and start-up businesses. With support from the Wyomissing Foundation, this network of service providers created a strategy to foster young businesses. Over a dozen organizations, including partners and business service organizations collaborate to support start-up businesses. Together they offer: Funding opportunities Growth strategies Human Resources Information and Technology Support Legal Services Marketing Product Development Start-up Basics Elevate Berks hosts periodic events to bring together the various partners to focus on topics of importance to entrepreneurs. They also share the programs and services that each of the partners offer to assist young businesses secure the assistance that they need. And they will be launching an introduction to business basics to help people who want to explore starting a business. Join us to learn more about Elevate Berks and the impact it has on our region. Tickets not required to attend; the recording of the event, however, will be sent to all who purchase a free ticket.
via Zoom
Aug
21
August 2111:30 am – 01:00 pm
United Way Of Berks County’s Ready.set.read! Initiative
Children learn to read through the end of third grade; when they enter fourth grade students read to learn. This is why United Way of Berks County’s Ready.Set.READ! initiative focuses on kindergarten readiness and reading proficiency by the end of third grade. As part of its Ready.Set.READ! efforts, United Way partners with Reading School District to deliver a phonetics-based curriculum called Read Alliance in nine elementary schools. The dual impact program, based on a New York Read Alliance model, recruits and trains high school students to serve as tutors for first graders. Teens gain valuable leadership and work skills thought this paid work experience; elementary students gain measurable reading progress. The results have been significant: • 462 second grade students have completed the program. • 76% of them made at least a one-year improvement in their reading skills; and • 323 high school teens gained paid employment work experience. With the success in Reading School District, United Way is now expanding the READ program, creating a greater impact for area teens and young students. Join us on August 21st at 11:30 to learn more about this work. Please register to receive a Zoom link. The recording of the session will be sent to all who register.
via Zoom
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