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.
More than $995,000 has been donated or pledged to the West Reading Disaster Recovery Fund since it was established on Saturday, March 25. Donations and pledges have been made by thousands of individuals, families, and businesses across Berks County and the country.
To assist with urgent, immediate needs, more than $450,000 has already been distributed to the families of those who died and to those displaced from their homes.
“Out of respect for the families, we will not be providing specific details regarding those distributions,” said Kevin K. Murphy, president of Berks County Community Foundation, which created the fund in partnership with the United Way of Berks County at the request of West Reading Borough Council. “Our hope is that the funding will ease their burden as they cope with their loss.”
The West Reading Disaster Relief Fund will continue to accept donations until May 31, 2023, at which time it will sunset, with all remaining funding to be held for immediate and future needs related to the following priorities:
- Support to the families of individuals killed in the explosion for immediate financial losses.
- Support to individuals displaced from their homes as a result of the explosion.
- Support to organizations helping individuals displaced from employment as a result of the explosion.
- Support to the Borough of West Reading for planning and/or implementation of historical commemoration of the explosion (including, but not limited to the creation of a memorial to those lost).
“We are grateful to everyone who has given to the fund, including so many of our local businesses,” said Tammy White, president of the United Way of Berks County. “The outpouring of support of neighbor helping neighbor has been inspiring. We continue to thank everyone for the kind generosity.”
Intergenerational dialogue is a great way for individuals to learn and understand each other. Besides, with our families, there aren’t many opportunities for young and older adults to talk to each other about life. Twin Valley Community Education wanted to create a space where children can practice this at school and teach the importance of these connections through hands-on experience. With funding from Berks County Community Foundation, they implemented a new educational project entitled Bridging Generations.
The main purpose of this project is to bridge the gap between generations to promote better communication from different walks of life. Twin Valley Community Education Foundation wanted students to learn about handwritten communication, while simultaneously connecting them with a generation outside of their own. The funding for this program came from the Hawley and Myrtle Quier Fund. This fund makes distributions to improve the quality of life for Berks County residents, with emphasis on the arts, education, women’s issues, children’s issues, and animal welfare. This program was created to foster human connections in our community.
A group of second-grade students at Robeson Elementary Center who were not behind on their schoolwork, and who had an interest, were paired with a participating older adult whom they could become local pen pals with. This program was intended to fill a gap and provide students with an older adult and vice versa. According to Lynn Weller, the program coordinator, “This program was successful in bringing Berk’s older individuals and elementary students together to learn from each other and form friendships in a safe and meaningful way.”
Not only did this program succeed in connecting two different generations, but it also succeeded in teaching children the importance of letter writing and written communication. Weller reported that “before this program, 32% of participants reported that they were unsure how to write a letter, and 79% were unsure how to address a letter.” The program proved to be a positive experience for the older adults who participated as well. Many participants were elated to teach children about the importance of writing. Additionally, it gave them an outlet to share stories and life advice, which they really enjoyed.
Weller mentions that more students will be encouraged to participate in the future, not just those who are ahead with their studies. In addition to this, there is a hope that an event will be hosted at the end of the program where the participating children and their families can meet the senior citizens in person.
While this grant opportunity is no longer available, you can still donate to the Hawley and Myrtle Quier Fund for new future programs by visiting www.bccf.org. If you are looking for funding for your next project, check out other funds that are available at www.bccf.org.
The Power of the Purse in Berks County (POP) in Berks County held its 2022-2023 kickoff meeting at Berks County Community Foundation. POP is a women’s giving circle where donations are pooled to create an impact in the Berks County community. In the meeting, there was a discussion on how to improve the lives of women and girls that included explaining The University of Pennsylvania’s Center for High Impact Philanthropy’s XX Factor Framework. Based on this framework, there are five dimensions that women look to thrive in their community: health, education, economic empowerment, personal safety, and legal rights.
- Health: Women are free from disease and pain and able to live full, flourishing lives.
- Education: Women have access to knowledge and education opportunities to cultivate learning and expand their possibilities in life.
- Economic Empowerment: Women are enabled to achieve economic success and have agency over financial decision-making.
- Personal Safety: Women are free from violence and other harmful practices that undermine bodily autonomy and well-being.
- Legal Rights: Women have rights under the law that enable them to thrive (including in the other four dimensions).
“Collectively, if there is not an impact on all five, women cannot thrive. Progress in one will create a domino effect with the other dimensions,” explains Katherina M. Rosqueta, Founding Executive Director for the Center for High Impact Philanthropy, School of Social Policy & Practice, University of Pennsylvania.
The Power of the Purse in Berks County Fund of Berks County Community Foundation awards grants to programs that break the cycle of poverty by eliminating or addressing barriers for Berks County girls and/or women who want to enter or re-enter the workforce or seek education they need to do so.
The deadline to apply is January 24, 2023.
This funding is made possible by the generous women who are members of the Power of the Purse in Berks County, which was started in 2012 to improve the lives of local women and children.
You can learn more about POP, how to apply for a grant, how to donate to the group, and what grants have been previously awarded at https://bccf.org/pop/.
Apply for a grant directly at http://bccf.link/grants. The deadline to apply for funding is January 24, 2023.
READING, PA (June 13, 2022) — A program that encourages teens to develop an interest in philanthropy and volunteering has awarded grants totaling $15,000 to four Berks County organizations that address mental health issues among youth.
For the 2021-2022 school year, the volunteers of the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) identified mental health as a major concern for students in Berks County.
This year’s Youth and Philanthropy Fund grants:
- $5,000 to Immanuel United Church of Christ for Music & Mental Health, an initiative meant to increase access to mental health support for youth by creating opportunities, increasing accessibility, and developing programs that reflect the needs of our community, in partnership with a music therapist/counselor.
- $4,030 to Bethany Christian Services of Central Pennsylvania to provide equine therapy for young people recovering from trauma, anxiety, depression, and other conditions.
- $3,911 to Aevidum to unite schools across Berks County for a countywide launch of student-driven suicide prevention and mental health efforts through the Talk, Aevidum’s signature high-energy, student-facilitated, interactive workshop.
- $2,059 to EMPOWERMENT Behavioral Health LLC for Move the Body, Heal the Mind, a trauma treatment program aimed at healing physical symptoms of trauma in youth.
YAB annually awards grants from the Youth and Philanthropy Fund of Berks County Community Foundation. From 1998 to 2022, the Youth and Philanthropy Fund of Berks County Community Foundation distributed 117 grants totaling $368,258. Learn more here: https://bccf.org/youth/
YAB is a program of Berks County Community Foundation and the Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading. The program combines lessons about philanthropy and awarding grants from the Community Foundation with opportunities for service-learning and volunteering provided by the Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading. This year’s YAB had 39 members from schools across Berks County.
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Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that serves as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing, and distributing charitable funds aimed at improving the quality of life in Berks County. More information is available at www.bccf.org.
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Jason Brudereck, Director of Communication, jasonb@bccf.org, 610.685.2223
READING, PA (December 22, 2021) – Nine organizations have been awarded grants totaling $227,300 for programs that address health-related issues among residents of Berks and nearby counties.
The Home Health Care Foundation Fund of Berks County Community Foundation awarded the grants. This fund will again accept applications for another round of funding from January 1 until March 15, 2022.
The Home Health Care Foundation Fund provides grants to organizations and programs that do one or more of the following:
- Help residents recover from illness or disability at home.
- Support preventative healthcare for residents and overall community health.
- Provide health-related charity care to residents.
Grants are awarded to organizations and programs that serve Berks County and/or those counties that are contiguous to it. Preference is given to Berks County organizations.
The maximum amount available per organization is $40,000.
To apply, visit bccf.org and click on “Apply for a grant” under “Scholarships + Grants” in the website menu or go to http://bccf.link/grants. You must create an account to access the application system.
The Home Health Care Foundation Fund has distributed more than $500,000 since it was established at the Community Foundation in 2020.
The grants for this round of funding:
- $114,000 over three years to Berks Teens Matter, a program of Co-County Wellness Services. The funding will support social media work to spread messages intended to reduce teen pregnancy. Berks Teens Matter educates youth and the community about the accessibility of sexual health resources. The program also advocates a healthy approach to adolescent sexual health.
- $27,600 to United Disabilities Services Foundation for residents in need to be given stairlifts at no cost. This will allow those residents to remain safely in their own homes.
- $25,000 to Alvernia University to support pro bono, high-quality physical therapy care at its Physical Therapy Center at Oakbrook. Since 2016, the center has provided physical therapy to more than 300 patients during more than 1,000 appointments. Alvernia plans to use the funding to double the amount of services provided there within two years.
- $20,000 to the American Red Cross to hold blood drives in Berks County and distribute platelets for use by patients fighting cancer.
- $15,000 to Safe Berks to rapidly expand its prescription medication assistance program for victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
- $10,000 to Planned Parenthood Keystone for its Rapid STI Testing & Treatment Program. The program combines testing, education, and treatment in the same visit. This approach increases STI treatment rates, reduces community spread, decreases long-term health consequences, and creates more access to care.
- $9,100 to the YMCA of Reading & Berks County to provide mental health first-aid training to parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens to help adolescents who are experiencing a mental health crisis or addiction challenge.
- $4,000 to Fleetwood Community Bus, a nonprofit 25-seat bus run by volunteers, to transport local seniors to the grocery store.
- $2,600 to the John Paul II Center for Special Learning to purchase CPR “manikins,” AED practice devices, and updated CPR and first-aid teaching manuals. This will allow for in-house training to reduce ongoing CPR costs while allowing staff to practice their CPR skills more frequently.
Below, Alvernia University’s Physical Therapy Center at Oakbrook provides pro bono, high-quality service to hundreds of patients.
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Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that serves as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing and distributing charitable funds aimed at improving the quality of life in Berks County. More information is available at www.bccf.org.
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Jason Brudereck, Director of Communication, jasonb@bccf.org, 610.685.2223
READING, PA (November 23, 2021) – Two grant programs that address issues affecting local youth, women, and girls will accept applications from Berks County organizations until January 24, 2022.
To apply for a grant, use Berks County Community Foundation’s online application system. You must create an account to access the system: http://bccf.link/grants
Details about the programs:
- The Youth and Philanthropy Fund of Berks County Community Foundation provides grants to Berks County programs that address youth-related issues that are considered critical needs by the Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Board, which is managed in conjunction with the Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading, a program of VOiCEup Berks. The Youth Advisory Board has decided that it will award grants this school year to organizations that, through education or programs, promote the awareness/importance of mental health, serve/support those who are struggling with their mental health, or create preventative solutions to decrease the scope and severity of mental health issues.
- The Power of the Purse in Berks County Fund of Berks County Community Foundation awards grants to programs that break the cycle of poverty by eliminating or addressing barriers for Berks County girls and/or women who want to enter or re-enter the workforce or seek the education they need to do so. For many women, employment is not only a matter of empowerment; it’s a matter of survival. Barriers such as the ability to afford adequate childcare, a lack of transportation, a gap in skills, limited access to dental care or healthcare, or a lack of information about their options keep some women and girls from reaching their full potential. If your organization makes a difference in the lives of women and girls in Berks County by helping them discover or navigate their way to gainful employment, and ultimately, self-sufficiency, we encourage you to apply for a grant from the Power of the Purse in Berks County Fund.
The Power of the Purse is a program of Berks County Community Foundation. Learn more here: https://bccf.org/pop/
Applications will be accepted from 11/23/21 until 1/24/2022 for both programs.
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Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that serves as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing and distributing funds to meet existing and emerging community needs. More information is available at www.bccf.org.
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Jason Brudereck, Director of Communication, 610.685.2223, jasonb@bccf.org
BOYERTOWN, PA (July 9, 2021) – Berks County Community Foundation has several funding opportunities available for nonprofits and families in the Boyertown area.
Two programs for nonprofits serving residents of the Boyertown area have an application deadline of August 16, 2021:
- The Boyertown Area Charitable Program provides grants to organizations, programs, or initiatives that improve the quality of life for the residents of the Boyertown Area School District.
- The Boyertown Community Center, Inc. Fund provides grants to nonprofit organizations, including governmental entities, that manage a building or buildings that serve as community centers within the geographic boundary of the Borough of Boyertown and make their space available to other community organizations.
To apply for either of these opportunities (and organizations may apply to both), use the Community Foundation’s new online application system at http://bccf.link/grants. You must create an account to access the system.
For inquiries regarding these opportunities for nonprofits, contact Heidi Williamson, Senior Vice President for Programs and Initiatives, at heidiw@bccf.org or 610-685-2223.
Two programs for families caring for loved ones with medical needs also have funding available:
- Jess’s Sunshine Fund provides grants to support families who are residents of the Boyertown Area School District with dependent adult or minor children who have special needs arising from a long-term catastrophic illness or injury.
- The Margaret B. Moeller Memorial Fund for Alzheimer’s Home Care Companions provides grants for families living in the Boyertown Area School District with individuals who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia to obtain the services of in-home care companions, aides, or other providers of respite care. Applications from Berks County families outside of the Boyertown Area School District will be considered if no families within the district apply for assistance.
To apply for either of these opportunities, use the Community Foundation’s new online application system at http://bccf.link/grants. You must create an account to access the system.
For inquiries regarding these opportunities for families, contact Monica Reyes, Health and Human Services Program Officer, at monicar@bccf.org or 610-685-2223.
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Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that serves as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing and distributing charitable funds aimed at improving the quality of life in Berks County. More information is available at www.bccf.org.
NEWS RELEASE
READING, PA (July 8, 2021) – Berks County Community Foundation has awarded $3,600 from the Albany Township Tomorrow Fund to three organizations for programs that will benefit the entire Albany Township community.
The Albany Township Tomorrow Fund supports community organizations and initiatives that benefit the residents of Albany Township, Berks County. This fund was created in honor of Pauline Levan Hamm and Gloria Longenberger Hamm and their lifelong efforts to support and improve the Albany Township community. Since the fund was established in 2019, it has awarded $11,800 to local organizations.
This year’s grant recipients, award amounts, and programs supported:
- Kempton Community Center: $1,500 for the Youth Livestock Education Program, which cultivates agricultural skills in the youth of Albany Township by providing opportunities to learn and demonstrate livestock skills.
- Eastern Berks Kutztown Tennis Association: $1,100 for tennis clinics, open tennis nights, and tournaments.
- New Bethel Church: $1,000 for the annual community-wide Easter Egg Hunt.
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Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that serves as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing and distributing charitable funds aimed at improving the quality of life in Berks County. More information is available at www.bccf.org.
NEWS RELEASE
READING, PA (June 7, 2021) – Seven organizations have been awarded grants totaling $146,600 for programs that improve the health and well-being of residents in Berks and nearby counties.
The money was awarded from the Home Health Care Foundation Fund of Berks County Community Foundation.
The Home Health Care Foundation Fund has another round of funding available now for organizations and programs that benefit the health of residents of Berks County and the counties that are contiguous to it. Preference will be given to Berks County organizations.
Applications are due August 16. The maximum amount available per organization is $40,000.
To apply, visit bccf.org and click on “Apply for a grant” under “Scholarships + Grants” in the website menu or go to http://bccf.link/grants. You must create an account to access the application system.
This was the second round of grants that have been distributed from the Home Health Care Foundation Fund, which was established at the Community Foundation in 2020. The fund distributes money twice per year. The total amount distributed so far has been $287,900.
“This fund has two grant cycles per year, investing nearly $300,000 annually in local programs that will have a powerful impact on the health of residents in the region,” said Monica Reyes, Community Foundation Health and Human Services Program Officer.
The organizations, grant amounts, and programs that received funding in this round:
- Berks Community Health Center: $40,000 to implement the “Hypertension: Awareness UP, Pressure DOWN” program, which will use additional staff and remote blood pressure monitoring devices to increase the number of patients whose blood pressure is controlled.
- Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank: $27,000 to expand its cold storage capacity.
- Epilepsy Foundation Eastern Pennsylvania: $25,000 for seizure recognition and first-aid trainings to improve the safety and social climates for persons experiencing seizures by educating students, school staff, emergency personnel, caregivers, and the general public in Berks, Chester, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, and Schuylkill counties.
- Berks Encore: $20,000 to provide education about preventing falls among older Spanish-speaking and limited-English residents. Death rates from falls among older Latinos have been climbing in recent years. Berks Encore notes there is a scarcity of evidence-based fall-prevention programs designed for Latinos.
- Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading and Berks County: $20,000 for Olivet Hubs of Hope, which provides hygiene packs, clothing, shoes, backpacks, bed sets, grocery gift cards, and mental health counseling to youth who have lost a parent or guardian.
- Greater Reading Hearing the Call: $10,000 to provide communication and hearing solutions on a reduced-fee basis for low- to moderate-income residents in Berks County who otherwise would not have the financial ability to obtain assistance for hearing loss.
- Alzheimer’s Association: $4,600 for efforts to increase the accurate and timely diagnosis of people living with Alzheimer’s and to increase the number of people with dementia and caregivers who receive affordable, high quality care, and support. Many of these efforts will target diverse communities disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s to ensure they are aware of available resources and support groups.
The Home Health Care Foundation Fund provides grants to organizations and programs that do one or more of the following:
- Promote the general health and wellness of residents.
- Help residents recover from illness or disability at home.
- Provide health-related charity care to residents.
- Support preventative healthcare for residents and overall community health.
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Berks County Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that serves as a civic leader for our region by developing, managing and distributing charitable funds aimed at improving the quality of life in Berks County. More information is available at www.bccf.org.
NEWS RELEASE
