As part of the community foundation’s commitment to increase civic engagement and improve access to local news, we are proud to announce the appointment of Dave Myers as our newest Senior Fellow. Myers will be leading a series of community forums designed to engage Berks County residents on pressing issues affecting their lives.
Dave Myers, a seasoned leader with deep roots in Berks County, brings a wealth of experience and a passion for the Foundation’s mission. With a career dedicated to serving his community, Myers has long been recognized for his ability to unite people, facilitate constructive conversations, and turn ideas into tangible action.
Dave’s extensive background and unwavering commitment to the community make him an ideal person to lead this important initiative. We are confident that his work will spark conversations that will drive positive change.
As part of his role, Dave Myers will host a series of community forums that aim to provide an open, accessible space for residents to engage with one another and discuss issues that matter most to them. The topics to be discussed will cover a broad range of local issues. Most forums will be held over Zoom, but some will be hosted in-person.
“These forums are an opportunity to bring people from all walks of life together,” Myers shared. “Whether we’re talking about issues that impact our schools, our economy, or our healthcare system, it’s crucial that we create an environment where everyone feels comfortable participating.”
Please check out our News and Events for updates on the forums to be part of the conversations.
On November 6, Berks County Community Foundation held its Annual Meeting at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Reading. More than 100 civic leaders and community members attended the event, which focused on the evolving landscape of local journalism. The event started off with Kevin Murphy, president, and Monica Reyes, vice president for programs and initiatives, addressing the audience before introducing the keynote.
Reyes said, “I’m proud to say that one of the Community Foundation’s largest philanthropic initiatives to date is our work on increasing local journalism.” Reyes’ remarks included details on how Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom based in Harrisburg that is dedicated to investigative and public service journalism for Pennsylvania, will launch a Berks news bureau in 2025.
The event’s keynote speaker, Jim Brady, has been vice president of Journalism at John S. and James L. Knight Foundation since 2021 and oversees Knight’s journalism portfolio of more than $200 million. During his tenure, Brady has been instrumental in developing the strategic framework behind Press Forward, a $500 million effort to revitalize local news in the United States.
Brady highlighted several successful examples of innovation in local journalism, including nonprofit news models, audience engagement strategies, and the rise of local reporting initiatives that cater specifically to each community. He stressed that developing trust between journalists and their audiences is essential for rebuilding the public’s faith in the media.
Following Brady’s address, attendees had the opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer discussion and shared insights on how Berks County’s news landscape is evolving.
Overall, the event was a success, sparking meaningful conversations and new ideas for supporting local journalism in Berks County and beyond. To learn more about Spotlight PA, click here.
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.
- Q3 total grants awarded: 549
- Q3 total dollar amount awarded: $1,459,851
- Q3 number of organizations impacted: 275
“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:
- Give to an Existing Fund: Your contributions can help sustain the important work of established funds addressing specific needs within Berks County.
- 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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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.
READING (November 1, 2022) — Berks County Community Foundation announced today that it has promoted Monica Reyes to Vice President for Programs and Initiatives. Reyes previously served as the Community Foundation’s Health and Human Services Program Officer.
As Vice President, Reyes will manage the Community Foundation’s team of program officers and oversee grant distributions from more than 370 charitable funds.
“Since Monica joined us in 2017 as our first specialized program officer, she’s demonstrated a keen understanding of the Berks County community and its needs,” said Kevin K. Murphy, Community Foundation president. “Through her health and human services portfolio, she’s emerged as a trusted leader on key local initiatives, including the Berks County Government COVID-19 Health Advisory Panel. As the Community Foundation continues to grow, this promotion reflects her role as a key member of our management team.”
Prior to joining the Community Foundation, Reyes worked for State Senator Judy Schwank’s office, where she specialized in health and human service issues, coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies. In this role, she participated in community boards and social change initiatives in Pennsylvania’s 11th senatorial district. She also maintained a supervisory position with a national research company.
Reyes earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a minor in French from Kutztown University, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from West Chester University.
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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, PA. More information is available at www.bccf.org.
