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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:

A beer distributor might not be the first business you would expect to make regular contributions to Berks County Community Foundation. Tom Derr’s family has owned West Lawn Beverage since 1951, and Tom is still working at age 93. Many years ago, he started organizing a golf tournament and gave the proceeds to various local charities. In 2020, Tom began directing those proceeds to the Cystic Fibrosis Fund of Berks County Community Foundation in honor of a long-time customer’s child, who suffered because of the disease. Distributions from this fund support cystic fibrosis research or the treatment and care of individuals and/or families impacted by cystic fibrosis. 

On Sunday, September 29th, 124 golfers gathered at Manor Golf Course to participate in this year’s tournament. Tom called the Community Foundation in October to let us know that he had the check from this year’s proceeds, and he was proud to report that it was the biggest check to date – $4,667. Tom presented the check to Cindy Milian, Health & Human Services Program Officer, and posed for a photo. Cindy oversees grants for individuals, public health initiatives and human services initiatives.  

“This collaboration between a community member and a donor’s fund is a great example of what the foundation is all about, working together to improve the lives of our neighbors in Berks County,” Cindy said. “It all started with a family’s wish to honor a loved one who suffered from cystic fibrosis, leading to community members wanting to help and continuing to make a difference, years later.” Applications are now being accepted for both the treatment and care of individuals and families impacted by cystic fibrosis and research. To learn more about the fund, click here.  

Individuals or families, small businesses or large corporations – anyone can give to Berks County Community Foundation, either to an established fund as in Tom’s case, or by creating a fund of your own to meet your charitable goals. For more information on how to give, please email me at mollyr@bccf.org or 610-685-2223. 

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.  

Reading, PA – October 9, 2024 – Berks County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the conclusion of its 3rd quarter grant cycle, which has successfully distributed vital funding to local nonprofits and initiatives dedicated to improving our community. 

In this quarter, the foundation awarded grants to a diverse range of projects focusing in areas of environment and energy, education, health and human services, arts and culture, and neighborhoods and economic development; supporting the impactful work of local organizations that improve the lives of Berks County residents.  

These numbers are a testament to the Foundation’s commitment to its mission to promote philanthropy and improve the quality of life for the residents of Berks County. 

“Grants awarded are made possible by generous donors who give back to the community they love,” stated Molly McCullough Robbins, Vice President for Philanthropic Services. 

Moving forward, community members are invited to join the Community Foundation in sparking change. Here are two ways to get involved: 

  1. Give to an Existing Fund: Your contributions can help sustain the important work of established funds addressing specific needs within Berks County. 
  1. Create Your Own Fund: Whether you want to honor a loved one or support a particular cause or organization, the Foundation can help you to create a fund that reflects your passions and philanthropic goals. 

For more information on how to give or create a fund, please visit www.bccf.org, email Molly McCullough Robbins at mollyr@bccf.org, or call (610) 685-2223. 

About Berks County Community Foundation 

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. 

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Berks Teens’ pregnancy prevention initiative, a program of Co-County Wellness Services, announced a significant decrease in teen birth rates in Berks County. Carolyn Bazik, Executive Director, recently shared the exciting news with funders in the community. This announcement is based on the newest data that has just been received from the Department of Health, from 2022. 

A community health needs assessment done in 2012 clearly outlined the need to do something impactful. Berks Teens, formerly Berks Teens Matter, was formed in 2014 to reduce teen pregnancy by 40% by 2022. Modeled as a collective of private and public stakeholders and as an initiative of Co-County Wellness Services, the goal was to develop and implement a plan, programs, and practices to reduce teen pregnancy. Many community partners lent support to the initiative from its inception including Berks County Community Foundation, United Way, Wyomissing Foundation, The Kindness Coalition, and Senator Judy Schwank. 

Since the program began in 2014, the teen birth rate has declined by 60.3% in the city of Reading and 56.5% in the county.  

“There had never been any programs in our community aimed at primary teen pregnancy prevention,” said Bazik, “or programs that taught youth the importance of postponing pregnancy until they were emotionally and financially capable. But there were a lot of programs that assisted teens after the birth of their child.”  

Berks Teens created a peer education group at Reading High School and a virtual group throughout the county. The Youth Ambassador program focuses on educating teen volunteers on things like consent, healthy relationships, birth control, and sexual health and follows the principles of comprehensive sex education. The Youth Ambassadors educate their peers and other youth throughout the community. They work with adolescents at programs like the Olivet Boys and Girls Club and create health campaigns at school.  

Berks Teens also started a Health Resource Center, funded by Access Matters, and based in Reading High School. They also conduct educational training in the community on things like “Giving the Talk”, “Supporting LGBTQ Youth”, and “Being an Askable Adult”. 

These numbers show that the investments that have been made and continue to be made are paying off!  Through increased education and awareness, birth rates are impacted, and for the first time in 12 years, the county’s rate is better than that of the United States. 

Carolyn Bazik said, “We knew when we began that the results would be slow in coming, but with continued efforts at raising awareness, the support of other community organizations, and the growing success of the Health Resource Center at the high school, we are making a difference.” 

This initiative was funded in part by support from multiple funds, including Arrow International Scholarship Fund, Bill Woolworth Memorial Fund for Berks Teens, Community General Hospital Fund, Hawley and Myrtle Quier Fund, Home Health Care Foundation Fund, Kim and Kevin Murphy Fund, and the Power of the Purse Fund, all managed by Berks County Community Foundation. For more information on Berks Teens or Co-County Wellness Services, contact info@cocounty.org.

Imagine the daily challenges faced by a mother trying to provide the best for her child with disabilities. Accessibility issues can turn simple tasks into daunting obstacles. For one local mother, the dream of a reliable vehicle and a lift hoyer* seemed out of reach, but thanks to the Arthur O. and Clara M. Schlegel Memorial Fund of Berks County Community Foundation, this dream has become a reality.  

The purpose of the fund is to help to defray the costs of treating and correcting physical differences in children residing in Berks County who are either without parents or whose parents are unable financially to meet such expenses. Clara M. Schlegel originally established a trust fund in 1984 which required using an Advisory Board to award grants. The structure of the fund made it difficult to administer; at that time, prior to the creation of Berks County Community Foundation in 1994, there was no well-known charitable organization model in Berks County with an affiliated group to identify community needs.   

By August of 2000, an advisory board was created, including Kevin Murphy, president of Berks County Community Foundation, as a member. Kevin’s involvement on the advisory board included transferring the fund over to the foundation to start facilitating the distribution of grants. Since the time the Foundation has been managing the fund, the Arthur O. and Clara Schlegel Memorial Fund has distributed over 1.1 million dollars in grants in Berks County, overseen by the advisory group and Community Foundation staff members, myself included.   

Recently, a mother submitted an application to request an electric lift hoyer and assistance with purchasing a reliable vehicle. Jayvien, a 13-year-old male diagnosed with sickle cell anemia and Lowe syndrome, travels to Philadelphia every 3-6 months to see a specialist.  Due to recent car problems, appointments were missed and/or rescheduled. Jayvien also requires total assistance with transportation transfers and daily life activities. Jayvien’s mother and his grandmother have been helping, but using a manual lift is unsafe.   

After reviewing the request, I knew that this application should be presented to the advisory board for consideration. The Community Foundation has a solemn obligation to honor the donor’s intentions set forth when establishing their fund. I knew this fund could make an impact on this family.  

The committee approved the grant with the instructions to find a car through a dealership rather than a private owner and send the funds directly to the dealership towards the purchase of a reliable car, so that Jayvien can safely and reliably make his appointments in Philadelphia. The committee also approved the grant request for the electric lift hoyer.   

I met with Jayvien’s mother at the dealership, and she was grateful for the funding that was available to help her family. She said, “I truly appreciate all that you guys do. It has left a huge imprint in my heart, not so much the material things, but the root core of what the foundation stands for. The fact that this will help Jayvien as well as my family means the world to me, and I hope to be able to give back to the foundation to forward the help to families like mine. My family and I are forever grateful. Thank you so much!”   

The recent funding provided to the mother in need for her son with disabilities is a powerful testament to the ongoing impact of the Arthur O. and Clara M. Schlegel Memorial Fund. It’s a story of compassion and sparking change in the community.   

You can spark change in the community by creating a fund. Learn how you can do this by clicking here. To give to the Arthur O. and Clara M. Schlegel Memorial Fund, click here.   

  * A hoyer lift is a patient lift used by caregivers to safely transfer patients. It can be used for lifting patients from the floor or onto a healthcare bed. The lift also can assist in other surface-to-surface patient transfers, such as moving from a bed to a bath or chair.  

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.   

Thanks to the DentaQuest Fund of Berks County Community Foundation, an elementary day care center was able to provide a dental care program for their students.  

The grant will provide reimbursement to a dental professional for providing oral health services, on-site, to children enrolled in Riverview Christian Early Learning Center (RCELC) as part of an Oral Health Story Kit pilot program. While the Oral Health Story Kit provides oral health education to childcare staff, children, and families, there is a need for direct services and for families to obtain a dental home for ongoing oral care. A dental professional has agreed to provide the direct services described. 

Jenn Angstadt, Executive Director and Minister of Mentoring and Outreach of RCELC says, “I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to provide exceptional dentistry at our school through generous funding. We are overjoyed through faith and community partnerships that this was able to be accomplished and provide so many little ones with quality care. We owe it all to God who has paved the way for our success and growth.” 

The benefits of this program extend far beyond the immediate provision of dental care. Healthy teeth and gums contribute to better nutrition. Moreover, the presence of a dentist at the day care center opens opportunities for community engagement and education. Parents and caregivers receive valuable information on maintaining oral health at home, and the day care center becomes a hub of health and wellness in the community. 

Berks County Community Foundation, Berks Community Health Center and the Early Childhood Resource Center are working together to make this program available to other early learning facilities, but we need dental professionals. If you are a dental professional and would like to be part of the program, please email me at cindym@bccf.org.  

In March 2023, the Berks County Commissioners released a study about public health in our community. The report had four recommendations on how Berks County can support a healthier community. Leading the conversation are T.J. Huckleberry  and Dr. Michael Baxter. I sat down with the two and had questions for them about the report’s recommendations. Get ready for insightful answers from experts in their field.

Dr. D. Michael Baxter practiced medicine for over 30 years in Berks County. He was the chair of the department of family and community medicine at Reading Hospital and a director of the Reading Hospital family medicine residency program.

T.J. Huckleberry is the Executive Director of Berks County Medical Society. Berks County Medical Society serves members and the residents of Berks County, PA, with physician, hospital, and health-related information

Q: The commissioners released a report that provided four recommendations on how to create a healthier Berks County. What were your initial reactions to the report?

 T.J.: This is the first tangible approach our county leadership has made towards addressing public health and wellness. It’s a great first step!

Dr. Baxter: The authors, Health Management Associates (HMA) of Philadelphia, did outstanding work reviewing the health problems and needs of Berks County.  Their review and comparison of major health issues confronting Berks and five neighboring counties as well as comparing Berks with Pennsylvania and U.S. data was particularly enlightening.

Four recommendations:

1. Create a Berks County Health Director position to lead public health collective action and coordination and serve as a trusted communicator about public health information.
2. Establish a Public Health Advisory Panel and appoint members who can advise on public health assessment, assurance, and policy activities.
3. Support the establishment of a “Healthy Berks” coalition to serve as a coordinating body for public health efforts in the county.
4. Create a Berks County Health Data Analyst position to improve Berks County-specific public health data completeness and accuracy

Q: Why do you think it is important to educate the community on the report and its recommendations?

T.J.: These four pillars provide a blueprint for how we as a community can address and take control of our public health issues.

Q: If you had a magic wand, what are the top three wishes you would fulfill for Berks County to make it healthier?

Dr. Baxter: If I had to only choose three, I would like to see:

T.J.: In addition to what Dr. Baxter mentioned, I’d also like to see increased avenues for mental health awareness and services.

Q: What initiatives can be implemented to improve healthcare access for individuals in Berks County?

Dr. Baxter: Access for all health services is a top priority.  Increase the number of primary care and mental health providers as previously noted, and implement approaches (involving our health care institutions, schools, and others) to make such access available and affordable.  Explore school-based clinics as a high priority for the physical and mental health challenges, especially facing children and youth.

Q: In what ways can we address healthcare disparities among different communities within Berks County?

Dr. Baxter: One way we can address the disparity is to use the data available through this study and the Hospital Community Health Needs Assessments to address identified problems throughout the county.  This would be a priority for a County Health Director and a County Health Data analyst.

Q: How can we promote preventive healthcare measures to ensure better health outcomes for all Berks County residents?

Dr. Baxter: Health disparities which include the Social Determinants of Health must be a priority for any successful efforts to improve the health/public health of all the people of Berks County. Resources need to be coordinated between health care institutions, educational and religious groups, and the media to shine light on issues, the people most in need and the resources to meet those needs.

Q: What collaborative efforts can be made to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in Berks County?

Dr. Baxter: A top priority would be to see our major health care institutions truly work together to improve the health of our people, but I have been waiting over 30 years for that to happen.  I would hope a County Health Director, if not the full impact of a County Health Department, could help achieve that.  In addition, we have many excellent organizations including the United Way and the Berks Community Health Center that could join forces to address many of our health and social determinants issues.

Q: One of the county health report’s recommendations is to create a Berks County Health Director position. We were introduced to the functions and responsibilities of local health directors during the COVID-19 pandemic. When they aren’t addressing emergency public health issues, what are some of their day-to-day responsibilities?

Dr. Baxter: A County Health Director would collect and organize data (with the assistance of the Data Coordinator), set priorities based on needs, coordinate efforts, and energize support (including political advocacy) to get things done that make a true impact.

Q: How could the recommendations in the county’s report supplement the work of local hospitals and the community health center? How do they differ?

Dr. Baxter: Our local “not for profit” hospitals are required by law to conduct their Community Health Needs Assessments every 3 years.  They take this process seriously and perform a very valuable service. However, they are not government bodies with the resources to change policy, invest in public funding or change the dynamics of our community. While they are responsible for improving health, much of their effort is focused on the emergency and acute care needs readily addressed by a hospital.  They can assist in these public health efforts but that is generally not their primary function.

Q: About half of Pennsylvanians are served by a local or municipal health department. Why is it important for the county to have taken on the issue of public health in Berks County, when they commissioned this study?

T.J.: A public health structure in Berks County would place a magnifying glass towards the preventative health concerns facing our friends and neighbors while creating an advocate for state funding and support from Harrisburg and Washington to address these issues. Public health not only prevents and educates against the spread of diseases but promotes healthy living among our community.

Dr. Baxter: Although there are only 7 County and 4 Municipal Health Departments in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, these departments cover a large proportion of the residents of Pennsylvania and, I argue, represent, in general, the economic hubs in PA.  There is a direct link between health and economic success–healthy people in general are more economically successful and their communities are also more successful and vice versa.  It is a responsibility of government then not only to promote the economic well-being of their communities but also the health of the residents of those communities.  Government, with the support of the many resources that exist in their communities, is best poised to address the disparities and promote the policies that will build stronger healthier lives for all.

“Gaining insight into why it is important to have a County Health Department is the first step. Our goal is to educate the community on the benefits of a public health department. Fortunately, because of the Community General Hospital Healthcare Fund of Berks County Community Foundation, we were able to support a community conversation that our friends at Berks County Medical Society hosted. The conversation was held in September 2023 and gave residents a chance to ask questions about the four recommendations that resulted from the study. The study was released by Berks County Commissioners and conducted by Health Management Associates in March 2023.  You can access the report by clicking here.”

Cindy Milian, Health & Human Services Program Officer

Reading, PA (May 9, 2024) – The Power of the Purse in Berks County Fund of Berks County Community Foundation recently awarded $75,000 in grants to nine 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:

“From an outsider’s perspective, you think that there are these big mountains that you have to go over, but sometimes it’s a small amount of money or just a small gesture that can make the difference for someone being successful and getting out of poverty or getting a job,” said Chiara Renninger, founder of Power of the Purse. “I learned that just small things can really make a huge difference to people.”

“Being able to enhance the spirit of the Power of the Purse (POP) initiative is really empowering for the women in our community,” said Cindy Miliam, health and human services program officer. “POP funding for these organizations supports the belief that woman play a pivotal role in driving change and shaping the future of Berks County.”

Power of the Purse Fund was created in 2012 as a women’s giving circle. For more information, click here.

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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.