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Reading, PA (August 25, 2025) – Health and Human Services Program Officer of Berks County Community Foundation, Cindy Milian, gave the keynote speech at the Community Wellness Department of Reading Hospital Tower Health’s “Voices for Health” event. This event launched the Community Wellness Department’s week-long celebration of community health workers. Tanieka Mason, MPH, Director of Health Equity at Tower Health, asked Cindy to address the health needs of Berks County residents, impart her expert knowledge, and provide a testimonial to the vital services our community health workers provide.

Event attendees and speakers included Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank’s President, Jay Worrall; Reading Hospital President and CEO, Dr. Charles F. Barbera, MD, MBA, MPH, FACEP; Secretary of Human Service of the PA Department of Health, Dr. Valeria Arkoosh, MD, MPH; Executive Deputy Secretary of the PA Department of Health, Kristen Rodack; Senator Judy Schwank; various local health service and pharmaceutical providers, and of course, a cohort of dedicated community health workers who serve Berks County.

According to the Tower Health website, “Reading Hospital’s Community Wellness Department works to identify and address key health issues in the community by leading a variety of programs and initiatives, collaborating with community partners, and investing in the overall health of our community.”

Cindy Milian’s keynote speech for the Community Wellness Department of Reading Hospital Tower Health’s “Voices for Health” event can be found below. Please note that certain photographs and last names of individuals have been omitted to maintain anonymity.

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“Thank you to the Community Wellness Department of Reading Hospital Tower Health for having me as a speaker for this event.

It is an honor to address esteemed hospital leadership, the stewards and officials of our local community, and of course, the cohort of community health workers present today.

My name is Cindy Milian, and I am the Health and Human Services Program Officer at Berks County Community Foundation. After 25 years of working as an Early Intervention Specialist, Therapeutic Staff Support, Home Health Aide Supervisor, Caseworker, and Casework Supervisor in Pennsylvania, I decided to take a well-deserved break by joining the foundation and overseeing hundreds of grants for individuals, public health initiatives, and human services initiatives.

Before I talk to you about community health, patient advocacy, or social determinants of health, I want to talk about my grandson.

This is Alexander (image omitted). He loves Baby Shark, Reggaeton, and being carried on my husband’s shoulders. If anyone here has a one-year-old child in their lives, then you know that they assert themselves and their needs loudly and with conviction. Alexander is no exception to this—we always know when he’s hungry, or wants Papa, or isn’t feeling well. Being a grandmother to Alexander means witnessing community health initiatives in action; it means fielding a lot of requests for help and hugs; it requires the inspection of the tangible and intangible world around him, and evaluating how it will affect his mental, physical, and spiritual health.

But the real inspection I want to conduct today is on the health of Berks County. My current work with the Community Foundation places me in a position of power and privilege: the power—or burden—of saying no to grant applicants, and the privilege of witnessing the life-changing impacts our donors have on their fellow Berks residents.

With the foundation, I’ve met with Hamburg community leaders who are struggling to identify mental health clinics for their at-risk populations; in Reading, I’ve guided a monolingual, Spanish speaking resident through the process of applying for a grant that could save her child’s life; and all over Berks County,

I’ve talked with countless individuals who are one paycheck away from homelessness. They are our neighbors, our coworkers, our friends. They are the patients we see in our offices, clinics, at-home visits and hospital beds every day.

Before we can talk about community health, we must talk about the community. In 2023, the United Way’s ALICE Report, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, showed that over 40% of Berks County households earned less than the county’s basic cost of living. This means that more than 47,000 Berks County working households are one paycheck away from a severe financial crisis, and more than 18,000 households are living in poverty.

For those 18,000+ households, the cost of a survival budget is unattainable. Meaning 12% of Berks Countians cannot afford the following:

So, what budget item would you cut to make ends meet? Would you call out from work and miss a paycheck because you couldn’t afford the bus fare? Would you skip a mammogram appointment to pay your rent this month? These aren’t hyperbolic questions designed to scare you – these are questions that tens of thousands of our community members ask themselves every day.

Some people in Berks County might hear these numbers and think, “well, that’s just a City of Reading issue.” This belief is false.

In 2023, the local government released the Study of the Delivery of Health and Public Health Services in Berks County, a comprehensive report that identified four health priorities that are specific to Berks and affect every school district in the county:

  1. The need to improve access to equitable care, particularly for marginalized populations
  2. The need to provide behavioral/mental healthcare to both adults and youth
  3. The need to focus on health education and health literacy, especially resources and information tied to wellness and disease prevention
  4. The need to address health disparities and increase the focus on health equity

Based on the information provided in this report, I’d like to share with you a story that highlights the need for these improvements. Last names have been omitted to maintain anonymity.

Ms. Susan is a grandmother, just like me.  She lives in Boyertown, and, like so many families in our county, has been tasked with the guardianship of her grandson, who was diagnosed with Joubert Syndrome at birth. This genetic disorder affects part of the brain that controls balance and coordination. The disorder requires extensive therapy and services to manage daily living. Missing these appointments can have severe impacts on health – so why would Susan skip them? Ms. Lauren, a community health worker assigned to Susan’s family, noticed a trend of skipped appointments and decided to check in with the family.

Lauren found that Susan’s husband is wheelchair bound and in need of constant care, just like their grandson. Between providing 24/7 care for both her husband and grandson, Susan struggled to manage the paperwork and scheduling necessary for her grandson to attend school and therapy. Lauren discovered that the family didn’t have readily available access to a computer, where most of this paperwork could be found. That’s when Lauren reached out to the foundation.

For less than $200, Jess’s Sunshine Fund provided a laptop for Susan to manage her grandson’s care. The no more missed appointments led to no more unnecessary declines in her grandson’s health. Susan’s grant is one of the smallest distributions made by Jess’s Sunshine Fund, but it was profoundly impactful.

This technological barrier reveals a much larger truth: when we have a dedicated community health worker committed to the recognition, investigation, and improvement of the conditions that people are born, raised, and grow in, we can work together to create a healthier future.

Stories like Susan’s are just one of hundreds that I’ve been a part of at Berks County Community Foundation. Our relationships with community health workers in the county allow us to allocate donor dollars to essential health initiatives.

I’d like to give you another example of how collaboration with a community health worker made a positive impact on a family.

In 2024, a Berks County community health worker, Ms. Bobbi, noticed that Ms. Carmen, whose son has sickle cell anemia and Lowe syndrome, often rescheduled or missed her son’s necessary, recurring appointments in Philadelphia. After talking with Carmen, Bobbi discovered two things: first, Carmen’s car was in constant need of repair and wholly unreliable. Second, Carmen is a single mom, tasked with providing constant care for her son. As a young boy who is blind, non-verbal, and non-ambulatory, Carmen’s son has total dependence on his mother.

With Bobbi’s help and a written letter of recommendation, Carmen applied for our Arthur O. and Clara M. Schlegel Memorial Fund and was awarded the grant money needed to purchase a reliable vehicle. In Carmen’s case, and too often in Berks, non-medical factors impede our community’s health. We’ve all heard the cliché statement of, “I can’t afford to get sick right now.”  Right now, it is our job to make a healthy life attainable and affordable for all.

Addressing the social determinants of health in Berks decreases health issues and lessens the burden on our community. Having a community health worker on your care team to identify both non-medical and medical needs is vital to ensuring positive health outcomes.

Berks County is a beautiful, diverse, and complicated region. We speak different languages, experience different life stressors, and hold vastly different beliefs. But our personal health is fundamentally interconnected with our community’s health. We need community health workers in our offices, clinics, hospital rooms, and mobile health services. Now more than ever, for ourselves and for future generations.

In closing, I want to leave you with one final thought. At Berks County Community Foundation, we have a quote on the wall of our boardroom from local philanthropist and industrialist Louis R. Thun; that reads,

“We remind ourselves constantly that we are heirs of an exceptional past, custodians of a challenging present, and architects of a limitless future.”

I believe that together, we can rise to the challenges presented to us today. I believe that we can build a more equitable, healthy, and vivacious Berks County. And to the community health workers of Berks County – thank you. Your work is invaluable and necessary. True change can start with a single spark, and we need yours.

Thank you.”

Talking is hard – and for girls, having a safe space to discuss feminine issues can make those conversations easier. John Paul II Center created Girl Talk 101 so girls with special needs could meet monthly. There, girls can discuss topics they may not feel comfortable discussing in front of male classmates or at home.  

Girl Talk 101 received a grant from the Power of the Purse (POP) in Berks County Fund of Berks County Community Foundation. The grant was awarded so that the club can continue to meet and provide resources for participants. POP awarded the club $3,500 for 2025-2026 to financially support the club’s endeavors. The “girls only” club is available for JPII female students ages 10 to 21 and meets monthly. There, the girls discuss topics like feminine health, personal hygiene, bodily changes, relationships and more. Girl Talk 101 participants also cultivate social skills and self-assurance, so those who can enter the workforce do so with confidence.

John Paul II Center’s mission is to serve “children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing diversified programs.” The center believes in the Catholic Church’s teachings on the sanctity of human life, which guides programming. John Paul II Center acknowledges the dignity of all learners while they realize their full potential.   

POP is a women’s giving circle established in 2012 to support causes that improve the quality of life for women and children in Berks County. Chiara Sockel Renninger, a financial advisor who had taken part in something similar in Lehigh Valley, brought the idea to the Community Foundation.  

“I wanted to start a group that would give local women a place to pool their charitable resources to improve the lives of women and girls in our community,” Renninger said. Since its inception, POP has provided more than $581,000 to local organizations, including JPII for Girl Talk 101. 

To learn more about the Power of the Purse Fund of Berks County Community Foundation, please click here. 

One of the most pressing issues facing Berks County – and many communities across the country – is poverty. Poverty is not just an individual struggle–it is a community-wide concern. While poverty is often viewed as a stand-alone issue, the reality is that it’s deeply interconnected with many aspects of our lives, including physical and mental health, family relationships, cognitive development in children, and the risk of homelessness and violence. 

To address these complex issues and spark meaningful conversation, we invite you to a Poverty Simulation. This unique, interactive workshop is designed to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by families living in poverty, and more importantly, to inspire action toward solutions. 

What is a Poverty Simulation? 

The Poverty Simulation is a role-playing exercise where participants are assigned a new persona and family profile that reflects the realities of low-income families. Over the course of the simulation, participants navigate through daily tasks—tasks that many of us take for granted, such as paying bills, buying groceries, and finding transportation. 

However, the experience isn’t just about completing these tasks—it’s about realizing how hard it can be to meet even the most basic needs when financial resources are limited. The outcomes of the simulation are unpredictable, and participants are often surprised by how difficult it is to make ends meet.  

According to the 2020 Census, over 11.1% of Americans live in poverty while in Berks County, over 11.9% of our residents face this daily challenge.  

The Poverty Simulation offers participants a rare opportunity to walk in the shoes of someone facing these challenges. It helps participants see firsthand how factors like limited access to resources, transportation, and support networks can impact the ability to thrive. The hope is that by experiencing this, individuals will gain empathy and a deeper understanding of the barriers that many in our community face. 

After the simulation, participants engage in meaningful discussions about how our community can address these challenges. They are prompted to think critically about the systems in place and explore how we can all work together to create solutions that lift people out of poverty and support families in need. Participating in the Poverty Simulation is an opportunity to not only gain insight into the realities of living in poverty, but also to be part of a larger movement toward change.  

Whether you’re a business leader, educator, healthcare professional, or simply a concerned citizen, your involvement in these discussions can help make Berks County a more equitable place for everyone. After participating in the poverty simulation, community leaders will be equipped to make decisions in their work while keeping the barriers faced by the people they serve in mind. Join us in this vital effort to make a difference. You can stay up to date on all the foundation’s events by clicking here.

As we age, maintaining strength, balance, and flexibility becomes essential for staying active and independent. Recognizing this need, the Home Health Care Foundation Fund of Berks County Community Foundation provided a grant to support older adults in their wellness journeys. Through a grant awarded to the TriCounty Active Adult Center’s Fitness Program, older people in the community now have greater access to a variety of fitness classes designed to improve their overall health, reduce the risks associated with falls, and provide general elder care. 

The TriCounty Active Adult Center, formerly known as the Pottstown Area Seniors’ Center, is a nonprofit community center dedicated to serving individuals aged 50 and above across western Montgomery, northern Chester, and eastern Berks counties. With nearly 100 programs each week, many free or at a minimal cost, the center provides ample opportunities for elder care, so older adults can stay active, learn new skills, and connect with others.  

“I decided to go to a class to check it out. It was then that I realized what I had been missing. I’ve met new friendly people and there are many things to do. It filled the void in my life. I felt I had a new life now. Something to look forward to,” one participant mentioned after attending a class.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021 falls caused 38,000 deaths among those age 65 and older. The center offers a variety of classes for all abilities to help people over 50 improve their strength, stamina, flexibility, and balance to avoid falls and to reduce the severity of injuries when falls do occur.

The grant from the Home Health Care Foundation Fund of Berks County Community Foundation supports programs and organizations that benefit the health of residents in Berks County and surrounding counties.  Since 2019, this fund continues to be a crucial resource for supporting health and wellness efforts across the region, ensuring that older adults have the tools and resources they need to age well. You can read more about the fund by clicking here.  

Together, we can build a stronger, healthier future for all!

Police K9 units play a vital role in keeping our communities safe. These hardworking dogs help officers track suspects, find missing people and detect illegal substances. But, maintaining a skilled and effective K9 unit requires continuous funding for training, equipment and proper facilities. That is where the Darrell and Gloria Rank K9 Corps Fund of Berks County Community Foundation can help. 

This fund provides grants to help train, purchase and maintain K9 units for governmental entities in Berks County. Right now, applications are open for organizations that need funding to support their K9 teams. 

How was the fund created? Darrell and Gloria Rank dedicated their lives to making Berks County a safer place. Darrell was the first executive of the Berks Earned Income Tax Bureau and took action when his community needed him most. He once rescued a woman from a flooded car in 1972 during Hurricane Agnes and helped bring a dangerous criminal to justice after witnessing an assault.  

When Gloria passed away in 2012, she left most of her estate to Berks County Community Foundation, ensuring that their commitment to public safety would continue. Today, the Darrell and Gloria Rank K9 Corps Fund honors their legacy by providing essential resources for K9 units in the county. 

How is this fund making a difference?  A recent grant was used to update and maintain two K9 facilities where police dogs are housed and trained. These facilities are critical for keeping the unit efficient and ready for duty. The grant covered the cost of materials and labor to complete much-needed improvements, ensuring the facilities are still safe and functional for years to come. 

The project was delayed due to circumstances such as switching contractors. However, the team worked hard to overcome challenges and keep the upgrades on track. Thanks to this funding, K9 handlers and their dogs now have a safer and more effective training environment. 

The Darrell and Gloria Rank K9 Corps Fund of Berks County Community Foundation is currently accepting applications to help provide essential funding for K9 training, equipment, and facility maintenance. To apply, click here.  

Receiving a grant from Berks County Community Foundation marks an exciting milestone in your organization’s journey. It’s more than just funding – it’s a boost of confidence in your vision and the impact you make in our community. Let’s walk through what happens next and how to make the most of this opportunity. 

First Things First: The Grant Agreement 

Before the fund is distributed, there’s one crucial step that must be taken: completing your grant agreement form. This document outlines the responsibilities between your organization and the Community Foundation, ensuring clarity and setting expectations. You’ll need to submit this through our third-party online portal within 30 days of receiving your email offer. 

Sharing Your Success 

Once your grant agreement is squared away, consider sharing your achievement with the community. Here’s how to do it effectively: 

Take a moment to acknowledge the dedication and hard work that brought you here. Your team’s commitment deserves recognition, and this grant validates their efforts. 

Consider sharing your journey and plans across your communication channels. Whether that is through your website, social media, or newsletter, let your supporters know about this exciting program. It’s about inspiring others and showing the positive changes happening in our community. 

When sharing news about your grant, please include proper acknowledgment of the funding source. Use the following format: 

“Support for this project was provided by the [XYZ Fund] of Berks County Community Foundation.” 

Click here to download a comprehensive resource to help you navigate this journey. Click here to find detailed guidelines for using our organization’s name and logo, templates for various communications and more! 

This grant is just the beginning. We’re excited to see how your project develops and the positive change it brings to our community. Remember, our team is here to support your success every step of the way. 

Have specific questions about promoting your funding? Email me at ericac@bccf.org. 

The Community Foundation expanded its team in recent years to include expert program officers who manage grantmaking in each of our community initiatives. Cindy Milian is the Health and Human Services Program Officer. Cindy oversees grants for individuals, public health initiatives, and human services initiatives. Cindy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and over 25 years of experience in roles related to family support and intervention. Before joining the Community Foundation, she worked at Berks County Children and Youth Services for two decades. As a first-generation American-born Latina with a diverse life experience and a strong background in community involvement, Cindy is well-equipped for her work in health and human services.   

Some of Cindy’s initiative work includes support for rural communities in Berks County. The United Way’s ALICE Report (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) shows that 41% of Berks County households are one paycheck away from a financial crisis. In analyzing the data further, Cindy found that 49% of households in the Hamburg Area School District met the ALICE report’s criteria for living in poverty. This information led her to reach out to community leaders in the Hamburg School District Area to discuss the needs in the community. Many leaders noted the lack of social services in rural communities like Hamburg. These conversations, along with supporting data from the United Way’s ALICE Report, led to Cindy’s new initiative work. This work will focus on helping community leaders work together to develop a strategic plan with action steps to meet the community’s needs. 

To help us build a collective strategy of and by the community, the Foundation will work with Dianne Russell from the Institute for Conservation Leadership (ICL). During ICL’s 30-year history, they have assisted organizations with community building and community engagement, specializing in building coalitions, alliances, partnerships, and strengthening communities. Community leaders who would like to participate but have not yet connected with Cindy are encouraged to contact her.

To learn more about Cindy, view the video below.

For more information about Cindy’s grantmaking and initiative work, please reach out to her directly: cindym@bccf.org. 

Who is Berks County Community Foundation? 

Berks County Community Foundation was founded in 1994 to help individuals, families, organizations, and businesses achieve their charitable objectives. Our mission is to promote philanthropy and improve the quality of life for the residents of Berks County. The 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. The foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors and is run by professional staff with expertise in identifying the community’s needs. Today, more than 900 community foundations serve towns, cities, and geographic regions across the United States.  

Berks County Community Foundation currently manages nearly $142 million in charitable assets, which provided more than $6 million in grants and scholarships in our last fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. Our program officers specialize in their areas of focus and oversee our grantmaking, ensuring that the grants we award meet the needs of the community while honoring the intentions of the donors who established funds with the Community Foundation.   

What do we do?  

We help Berks Countians structure their charitable giving. The Community Foundation helps individuals, families, and their professional advisors determine the best way to meet their charitable goals. This often includes honoring the memory of a loved one or supporting a cause about which the individual or family cares deeply. In either case, a member of the Community Foundation’s staff works with the people involved to determine the best way to meet their charitable objectives.  

We professionally manage charitable dollars.  

The Community Foundation manages the money in the charitable funds. Funds are created after a simple fund agreement is completed and an initial donation is received. The money is then pooled with the foundation’s other funds and professionally invested to ensure grants or scholarships – and the  individual’s or family’s legacy – continue in perpetuity.  

We distribute grants and scholarships and measure their results.  

Our program officers are experts in their fields. The program team conducts site visits and researches pressing issues not only at the county level, but also regionally, nationally, and internationally to ensure grants and scholarships are improving the quality of life in Berks County.   

Though donor-driven, much of our grantmaking falls within the following areas of expertise:  

Arts, Culture, and Humanities  

Our funds and programs celebrate the humanities and connect residents to the many artistic and  

cultural activities that take place in our community.  

Environment and Energy  

Our funds support projects and programs that recognize the value of climate resiliency, which include  

promoting energy efficiency, caring for farmland and open space, and reducing our impact on the planet.  

Health and Human Services  

We work to ensure our community members have access to the health information and quality of life services they need to function at their best.  

Lifelong Learning  

We are here to help build a community of life-long learners through a variety of professional development programs and scholarships.  

Neighborhoods and Economic Development  

We manage funds to enhance the places people care about in Berks County.  

Types of Charitable Funds  

Berks County Community Foundation helps people determine the type of fund that best suits their charitable goals. Nearly all our funds are customized in some way to help our donors achieve their philanthropic vision.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we distribute millions of dollars in grants and scholarships each year to nonprofits and individuals in our community. If you are interested in learning more about starting a fund with the Community Foundation, please reach out to give@bccf.org. 

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. 

Imagine a place where young girls with disabilities come together, not just to talk but to build confidence, friendships, and life skills. That’s exactly what Girl Talk 101 has been doing since its founding in 2022 at the John Paul II Center for Special Learning. Designed for girls ages 10-21, this program offers more than just conversation—it offers a community. Here, they learn to stand up for themselves, practice safety, and support one another, using skills that will last a lifetime.

Melissah Jablonski, the program’s leader explains, “What makes this group unique is the deep sense of connection the girls share. Watching the girls care for each other is a gift and that care is transforming not just their lives, but the lives of their families and friends.”

One highlight of the program this year was a horse therapy trip that made a big difference for Jailys, a new member. Jailys was nervous about joining the group. However, the other girls welcomed her, and she quickly felt accepted. This moment showed how Girl Talk 101 helps every girl feel valued, no matter their abilities. The program gives girls a sense of belonging that they might not find elsewhere.

John Paul II Center for Special Learning is a school that has been helping children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1982. The center’s mission is to support students as they grow and succeed in different areas of their lives. Through programs like Girl Talk 101, the center focuses on teaching life skills that help students become more confident and independent. This supportive environment helps participants reach their full potential.

In 2023, Girl Talk 101 received a grant from Power of the Purse of Berks County Community Foundation, which allowed the program to expand. The girls were able to learn more about managing their emotions and standing up for themselves. They also had the opportunity to make new friends and try new activities, like the horse therapy trip. This support made it possible for the program to include some of the most vulnerable girls, ensuring that everyone felt valued and included.

Local women leaders established the Power of the Purse Fund through the Berks County Community Foundation to support programs that help break the cycle of poverty by removing barriers for individuals looking to enter or re-enter the workforce or pursue the education they need. Thanks to this fund, Girl Talk 101 has been able to grow and help more girls each year. Programs like this are essential for giving girls the tools they need to become strong, confident individuals. With continued support, Girl Talk 101 will keep making a difference in the lives of girls with disabilities, helping them reach their full potential.

To Learn more about Power of The Purse Fund of Berks County Community Foundation: click here.

For grant opportunities currently accepting applications, click here.