A new initiative is changing lives one word at a time. In March of 2024, the Literacy Council of Reading Berks launched its Overcoming Barriers Project. The goal of this project is to provide resources such as bus passes to enable female program participants the opportunity to participate in Literacy Council classes. Students will learn to read and write proficiently, become productive citizens, prepare for work, and achieve success at their jobs.
The Literacy Council of Reading-Berks is dedicated to eradicating illiteracy by teaching students to develop job skills, become a better parent, and to give back to the community. Their mission is to help adults better communicate, collaborate, and contribute to their families, workplaces, and communities.
The Overcoming Barriers Project addresses a critical need in our community. The classes go beyond reading and writing; they’re stepping stones to helping these females break barriers that are preventing them from being successful. The program provides a monthly BARTA bus pass for English as a Second Language (ESL) students, high school equivalency certification classes, GED preparation materials and exam fees, and a gateway to citizenship program. “The answer to being productive in life, work, and the community is the ability to communicate, collaborate with, and contribute to others’, explains Beverly Hirneisen of the Literacy Council. “Those who are illiterate find that impossible to do.”
The Power of the Purse (POP) Fund of Berks County Community Foundation provided support for the Overcoming Barriers Project. “The Power of the Purse Fund’s support is invaluable,’ says Beverly Hirneisen. “It allows us to focus on what we do best -teaching literacy skills – while ensuring our female students have the means to attend classes regularly.”
As women improve their literacy skills, they become more effective advocates for themselves and for children in schools and other public institutions. The program also serves as a gateway to higher education and increased community involvement.
“Women benefit in earnings from increased literacy skills,” Hirneisen notes. “Participation in literacy programs leads to a significant increase in participation in other community organizations.” The Literacy Council’s efforts are already bearing fruit. Students are progressing through ESL class levels, passing GED exams, and even gaining U.S. citizenship. These achievements are measured through post-testing results, exam passing rates, and tracking students’ progression through various educational levels.
One of the partners of the Literacy Council is Reading Area Community College (RACC). The partnership with a community college is crucial. Literacy Council helps RACC with professional development, student transfers, the Keystone Education Yields Success (KEYS) program, and admission assistance.
The Council also provides ESL and high school equivalency classes through Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation, and Connections Work. The Overcoming Barriers Project is more than just a literacy program; it’s a program that provides hope. The impact of this program is immense. For each woman who learns to read, write, and communicate effectively, the program is not just changing one life-it is transforming families and strengthening our entire community.
The Literacy Council of Reading-Berks, through its Overcoming Barriers Project, is writing a new chapter in the story of Berks County. It’s a tale of empowerment, resilience, and the power of lifelong learning.
POP is a women’s giving circle with a focus on providing grants to programs that break the cycle of poverty by eliminating or addressing barriers for Berks County girls and women who want to enter or re-enter the workforce or seek the education they need to do so.
In 2024, POP awarded a total of $75,000 to the following organizations:
- $10,000 to Connections Work for a program to provide transportation, ID’s, and work-related clothing to remove any barriers to employment for individuals with justice involvement.
- $8,500 to Hannah’s Hope for staff training in Trauma Informed Care.
- $3,000 to John Paul II Center for Special Learning for their Girl Talk 101 program that creates a safe space for female students ages 10-45 with any disability to talk about their bodies, rights, safety, and self-advocacy with staff and community experts.
- $5,000 to Literacy Council of Reading to supply resources such as bus passes to enable female participants the opportunity to participate in Literacy Council classes.
- $3,750 to Mary’s Shelter to provide housing and supportive services to homeless unaccompanied youth.
- $15,000 to Opportunity House to offer financial assistance to empower women and ensure entry into permanent housing.
- $10,000 to Reading Science Center to provide STEM opportunities through hands-on programming for girls in Berks County.
- $15,000 to Safe Berks to help eliminate barriers that survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault face in obtaining and/or maintaining employment by providing direct support and financial assistance for education and employment needs.
- $4,750 to VOiCEup Berks to send Berks County youth to a national youth leadership conference to foster leadership skills.
In Fiscal Year 2024, Berks County Community Foundation distributed $5.4 million in grants and scholarships to support the community. The year was filled with innovative projects, impactful programs and a strong commitment to our mission.
Berks County Community Foundation helps donors fulfill their charitable desires. The Foundation was established in 1994 as a non-profit, public charity to provide a locally managed resource for establishing endowments. We have program officers on staff who are experts in their focus areas – energy & environment, lifelong learning, health & human services, the arts, and neighborhood & economic development. They steward these charitable funds to ensure that the grants and scholarships awarded from them are making an impact and fulfilling our donors’ wishes.
“The work we do isn’t only about working with donors to establish funds. Nor is it just about awarding grants and scholarships. The team at the Community Foundation convenes local leaders, research national and local trends, and chooses initiatives on which to focus so community conversations get moving and big ideas are discussed”, Kevin Murphy, president says.
The Annual Report highlights our mission of promoting philanthropy and improving the quality of life for the residents of Berks County. The team works hard to bring organizations and individuals together for collaboration to spark change in the community. This year’s Annual Report provides detailed stories and data behind these achievements, underscoring the powerful impact of donor support in the community.
To read the full report, take a look below.
Over our 30-year history, we have had the opportunity to meet with hundreds of people who wanted to make a difference in their community – to give back in support of a cause about which they cared deeply or in honor or memory of someone they loved or admired. Thousands of grants representing millions of dollars have been distributed in Berks County thanks to the foresight of those donors who trusted Berks County Community Foundation with their charitable gifts.
Every year or two, we update the Funds for Grants and Scholarships brochure, which lists the funds currently available for grantmaking and scholarship awards. Feel free to browse the brochure to learn more about how donors have supported individuals and organizations in our community – everything including animals, arts & culture, education, environment & energy, health & human services, neighborhoods & economic development, public safety, scholarships, and youth sports. You may find an opportunity for funding or inspiration for establishing your own fund.
Change starts with a spark. Your spark. We’re here to help – please reach out with any questions or ideas.
The generosity of our donors allowed us to award $610,000 in scholarships in 2023. Each scholarship has specific eligibility criteria based on the donor’s intention when the scholarship was created. Our scholarship application opens on January 1 each year. The deadline to submit all applications is 11:59 P.M. on March 1. Applications cannot be edited or submitted after the March 1 deadline. To maintain a fair process, we cannot make exceptions.
All of the scholarship opportunities currently offered by the Community Foundation are available to students with no need for any documentation from FAFSA for this year only.
How do I apply? Create an account in our online portal using a personal email address. Do not use your school address. Once you create an account, this account will serve as a hub for your universal application. Ensure you have ample time to complete the application, as it may require up to an hour.
What’s a universal application? It’s a single form that matches your answers to the scholarship(s) for which you may qualify.
How do I know if I am eligible for a scholarship? After submitting your application, check your dashboard for additional questions or requests that need to be considered for the matched scholarship.
Where is my dashboard and how do I access it? Click here to watch a video guide on accessing your dashboard.
Should you have questions during the application process, our FAQ section provides helpful information. We wish you the best of luck. If you have questions, you can email scholarships@bccf.org or call us at 610.685.2223 and ask for Kim Sheffer, Lifelong Learning Program Officer.
READING, PA (June 8, 2023) – The Gilmore | Henne Fund of Berks County Community Foundation has awarded $9,500 in grants to five parks. The Gilmore | Henne Community Fund was created by Wilson High School Graduates and NFL players John Gilmore and Chad Henne to support the costs of park programs and recreational improvements.
Grants were awarded to the following applicants:
- $2,000 to Muhlenberg Township for the purchase of three Automated External Defibrillator (AED) units for the Muhlenberg Park System. These AED units will help keep staff and visitors safe in the time it takes for first responders to arrive.
- $2,000 to Bernville Borough for the cost of sealing the basketball court at Umbenhauer Park. These renovations will restore one of few existing basketball courts in the Bernville area.
- $2,000 to Berks County Parks & Recreation Department for the purchase of snowshoe equipment to benefit both pre-existing and future snowshoeing programs in Berks County.
- $1,500 to VOiCEup Berks towards its Stand Together Against Racism (STAR) Summer Playground Program, which will work to educate children about accepting differences and being an ally for others.
- $2,000 to the Borough of Mohnton for the costs of renovations to Mohnton Memorial Park off Wyomissing Avenue. Renovations will include but are not limited to mulching, trash cleanup, painting, and general repairs.
“I am elated to support projects that will make our parks safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable for visitors,” said Emily Smedley, environment and energy program officer. “These improvements will revive some of our local green spaces and create a healthy environment where residents can share special moments with one another.”
The Gilmore | Henne Community Fund was created in 2010 with the goal of improving the community and the quality of life for Berks County children through park improvements. To learn more about the Gilmore | Henne Community Fund, visit https://bccf.org/funds/gilmore-henne-community-fund/.
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Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation serving as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing, and distributing charitable funds to improve the quality of life in Berks County, PA. More information is available at www.bccf.org.
Media Contact: Erica Caceres, Communication Manager, Phone: 610-685-2231, Email address: ericac@bccf.org
Reading, May 26, 2023 – The Power of the Purse in Berks County Fund of Berks County Community Foundation recently awarded $56,000 in grants to seven organizations. The Power of the Purse Fund supports organizations and projects that focus on women’s education, economic empowerment, safety, rights, and health.
The following grants were awarded:
- $11,000 to Clare of Assisi House to support a grief counselor, nutrition/wellness/yoga instructor, and to purchase program supplies.
- $15,000 to Safe Berks to help survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault with education and employment needs.
- $8,000 to Hannah’s Hope Ministries to support transportation and childcare to eliminate barriers to education, healthcare access, and employment.
- $10,000 to Berks Connections Pretrial Services for programs to help women with criminal records in Berks County get jobs and housing.
- $2,000 to John Paul II Center for Special Learning for its Girl Talk 101 program.
- $3,500 to Mary’s Shelter for the STRONG program, which helps youth develop independent living skills.
- $6,500 to VoiCEup toward its Stand Together Against Racism (STAR) program, which addresses racism and injustice through education, dialogue, and projects which are started, supported, and facilitated by youth.
“These grant recipients exemplify the spirit of the Power of the Purse initiative, which aims to uplift and empower women in our community,” said Cindy Milian, health and human services program officer. “The Power of the Purse Fund was established with the belief that women play a pivotal role in driving positive change and shaping the future of our society.”
Power of the Purse Fund was created in 2012 as a women’s giving circle. For more information, visit https://bccf.org/funds/power-of-the-purse-in-berks-county-fund/.
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Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation serving as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing, and distributing charitable funds to improve the quality of life in Berks County, PA. More information is available at www.bccf.org.
Media Contact: Erica Caceres, Communication Manager, Phone: 610-685-2231, Email address: ericac@bccf.org
READING, PA (February 6, 2023) – Berks County Community Foundation and Reading Pride Celebration (RPC) recently distributed the first round of grants from the Reading Pride Celebration Gives Back Fund. The grants support local programs that align with the fund’s mission of promoting diversity, inclusion, and equality in the Berks County area.
The following organizations received grants:
- Berks Career and Technology Center, East received a $1,000 grant to start a program that brings LGBTQ+ and anyone straight together to participate in activities such as an event in the spring for Pride Day.
- Family Promise of Berks County, received a $1,000 grant for its U-Turn program to buy bus passes for transitional-aged youth ages 17-24. The goal of the program is to minimize barriers to achieving independence.
- Planned Parenthood Keystone received a $1,000 grant for Spectrum a Reading-based LGBTQ+ program whose mission is to provide an empowering environment for youth ages 13 to 21. The program offers meetings in a free and confidential space.
- Reading School District received a $950 grant to create an after-school club for students who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. The goal of the club is to provide social support and a safe space for students.
- Yocum Institute for Arts Education received a $1,000 grant for a theater production based on inclusion that celebrates what makes each of us unique and worthy.
“Our LGBTQ+ youth are the future leaders of our community and we hope that these funds help educators create programs and provide much-needed resources that benefit them while promoting inclusive environments and communities,” said Enrique Castro, Jr, RPC’s Executive Director.
Each grant will be used for outreach, education, and advocacy efforts aimed at creating a more inclusive community for everyone.
“We are delighted to support these organizations through the Reading Pride Celebration Gives Back initiative,” said Cindy Milian, Health and Human Services Program Officer at Berks County Community Foundation. “Their work is essential to promoting equality and understanding in our community, and we are honored to support their mission.”
The Reading Pride Gives Back Fund was created with a portion of the proceeds from the Reading Pride Celebration Festival 2022.
Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation serving as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing, and distributing charitable funds to improve the quality of life in Berks County, PA. More information is available at www.bccf.org.
Reading Pride Celebration is an organization that has the mission of promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by building a community that embraces and supports differences and seeks to eliminate racial oppression, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and other oppression. Every dollar raised through our Pride festival or other fundraising initiatives goes directly back to support our mission and programs.
Media Contact: Erica Caceres, Communication Manager, Phone: 610-685-2231, Email address: ericac@bccf.org
