Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) of Reading collected two awards at this year’s National YVC Summit and presented a workshop on youth mental health. YVC of Reading is a program of VOiCEup Berks, a fund of Berks County Community Foundation that was established in 2016.
Berks County Community Foundation would like to formally congratulate the Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading on their impressive appearance at this year’s National YVC Summit in Kansas City.
YVC of Reading is a program of VOiCEup Berks, engaging youth ages 11-18 in meaningful service projects that address community needs while fostering teamwork, leadership, and compassion.
Three of the corps’ Youth Mental Health Ambassadors led a powerful workshop at Summit focused on mental health education, bridging gaps, and fostering connection. The session was both highly attended and rated among the workshop participants.
YVC of Reading leader and Oley Valley alum, EliAnna Bermudez, was named the Youth Volunteer Corps 2025 Distinguished Alumni of the Year, an honor awarded across YVC’s international network. EliAnna was celebrated for her commitment to service, justice, and global citizenship. EliAnna is a co-founder of Stand Together Against Racism (STAR), a collective of VOiCEup and YVC volunteers focused on raising awareness and sharing anti-racist resources for Berks youth. Now, EliAnna is a nursing student serving communities globally; she continues to mentor local youth and volunteer with VOiCEup’s Generation Impact initiative. Read more about EliAnna here.
YVC of Reading was also named International Affiliate of the Year, the top honor among more than 30 YVC programs across the U.S., Canada, and Uganda.
VOiCEup Berks was founded in 2016 as a fund of Berks County Community Foundation. In less than a decade, the YVC of Reading has accomplished more than we could have initially hoped. The foundation looks forward, in confidence, to the future its young changemakers are creating in Berks County.
Congratulations to the Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading on this well-deserved recognition.
