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Our Programs
Not that many years ago, this shelter
and most others offered a basic service to homeless individuals that
faced extreme exposure during the cold winter months. It was
simply a Band-Aid for a greater problem, but we were there to offer a
"hand-out" to those who had no other alternative. And undoubtedly many
lives were saved as a result.
However, due to changes in the homeless
population in recent years - large increases in families with young children -
the original services were no longer acceptable. It was time to meet their needs
head-on and offer real solutions.
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The first three inhabitants
of permanent housing -
Joe, Carol and Richard. |
We began to focus on offering our guests a
"hand-up". No longer are we just offering a bed and a warm meal. Your
contributions, and those of many like you - past, present and future in the form
of donated goods, volunteer time and monetary gifts - have enabled our staff to
focus on many of the reasons why an individual or family finds it difficult to
become and remain self-sufficient in Reading and Berks County. We now provide:
- The Shelter - since
1984
Operational
24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Meets the immediate physical needs of
the homeless while also offering intensive counseling, goal planning,
life-skills education, money management training and aftercare services.
- Second Street Learning
Center (SSLC) - since 1996
The SSLC is the first childcare center to be recognized by the State of
Pennsylvania as a 24-hour per day, 7 day a week program. We provide
care for over 300 children per week from infancy through school-age years
including those with special needs; in addition to meeting transportation
needs to and from all Reading elementary and middle schools.
- Supportive Housing - since
1998
*Transitional Housing
for families who have successfully completed the shelter programs but
are in need of “hands-on” training before they can successfully move back into
the community.
*Permanent housing for
families and individuals with a
disability who seek direction to becoming independent in our community.
- Children's Alliance
Center (CAC) - since 2004
A child-friendly environment that provides many different services to
help children and their families cope with the impact of sexual abuse.
Focusing on children with immediate attention by specially trained
professionals and medical staff.
Opportunity House is located in Reading, Pennsylvania and serves residents of Berks County. Our goal is to help families and adults become and remain independent members of our community.
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