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Support Us
Opportunity House
Financial Facts
Our
Mission Statement: Opportunity House is a
multi-service organization that improves the quality of life for
families, adults and children who face various obstacles to
independence, and supports their efforts to achieve and maintain
self-sufficiency.
Services Provided to the Community
Children’s
Alliance Center (CAC)
Job
Quest/STRIVE (Job Readiness)
Second
Street Learning Center (24/7 Child Care)
Shelter &
Housing (Emergency, Transitional, Permanent)
Opportunity House, like most
not-for-profit organizations depends on the support of our community
to maintain and strengthen programs which are provided to the public.
The agency began in the early 1980s (known then as The Reading-Berks
Emergency Shelter) with the promise to offer shelter for those
individuals who are homeless (specifically men) and to feed the
hungry. Today, programs at Opportunity House include services to men,
women, children and families. While the agency continues to provide
the support it was originally designed to, the addition of new
programs has built a larger and more active organization than ever,
which benefits thousands of people throughout the Greater Reading
area. The following list includes some of the costs of services that
Opportunity House incurs; and, ways that the extended community can
assist in maintaining and supporting the growth of one of Berks
County’s largest and well respected organizations.
$10,000 The cost
to run the CAC
for one month.
$3,000 can provide shelter and supportive services to
10 men for 25 nights.
$2,500 The cost for one adult to participate in
STRIVE’s three week Job Quest Program.
$2,000 The cost to provide supportive services to one
family of four for one month. Or… the cost to
provide an apartment for a family in transition for
2 ½ months.
$1,500 The approximate cost to house a family in
a transitional apartment for four months.
$1,000 is equivalent to one month of child care
for a family with two young toddlers.
Or… for a family with two school
aged children.
$500 provides meals for 25 residents
for 20 days.
Or… offers a mother and child shelter and
supportive services for two weeks.
How Can I Help?
Financial
Gifts.
Financial
support from people like you is essential for the continued operation
of Opportunity House. For generous
gifts to the agency, special event
information, or Planned Giving opportunities to ensure these services
for future generations, please contact Lorri Oziri at 610-374-4696
ext. 226.
Donor clubs Special
members-only benefits for donations of $1,000 or more.
Include Opportunity House in your Estate
The Annette Painter
Society
Donate directly from your IRA
On Aug. 17, 2006, the president signed the
Pension Protection
Act of 2006 which contains a provision that permits
owners of IRAs and other forms of qualified retirement plans to make
unlimited tax-free lifetime transfers from such plans to charity or to
split-interest charitable gift planning vehicles such as charitable
gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts. For
more information
click here or contact Lorri Oziri (info. at top).
Recurring Gifts - ACH Debit
Opportunity House now offers the convenience of ACH Debit to our
donors. This optional avenue of giving may be used for those
contributors who would like to commit to giving to Opportunity House
on a “recurring basis.”
What is ACH Debit?
Electronic Funds Transfer, also known as Automated Clearing House or
ACH Debit is a method which allows you (the donor) to transfer
funds by instructing an agency to electronically debit a bank account
you control for the amount that you report to the agency. Your account
will be debited only upon your authorization (appropriate forms must
be signed and submitted to Opportunity House and your banking
institution) for the amount you specify on the specific dates you
agree to.
What are Recurring Gifts?
A recurring gift is one that has been offered by an individual or
business and continues to give on a regular cycle. The cycle can be
determined by the contributor (donor.) Some recurring gifts are
committed to on an annual basis (one time per year, each year
indefinitely), quarterly (four times per time repeating year after
year on this basis), or monthly, too, in a similar manner.
What makes a recurring gift different from a pledge?
Primarily, the gifts have no predetermined end-date. Donors are not
simply making large pledges and paying them off over time. Rather,
they are faithful supporters of the work at Opportunity House and wish
to demonstrate that commitment with regular, ongoing gifts. When
signing up for recurring gifts, donors give Opportunity House
permission to charge their credit cards every month (or predetermined
time-frame) for a set amount or automatically withdraw donations from
their bank accounts.
Why Might A “Recurring Gift” Appeal to You?
Recurring giving supports your desire to know your hard earned money
is going to programs instead of fundraising costs.
Recurring giving supports The Agency’s need to have a reliable source
of income that helps our programs make long-term commitments to
projects, producing sustainable change over time.
Recurring gifts are convenient and easy for you by eliminating the
need for checks, cutting down on direct mail and telemarketing calls
you receive.
Finally, by committing to a regular “recurring” gift, you are making a
very strong long-term commitment to Opportunity House, our programs,
and the betterment of our community.
For additional information about “recurring gifts” and/or to sign-up
for “ACH Debit” benefits with Opportunity House, please contact Lorri
Oziri, Vice President for Development at 610-374-4696, ext. 226 or
loziri@opphouse.org.
Donate online
Click here
to give a donation online.
Save-A-Tape Program
Redner's is committed to the communities that it is a
part of, and wants to help out the non-profit organizations whose
members shop in our stores. In this interest, Redner's developed
their 1% Save-A-Tape program.
Here's how it works:
Groups and Individuals can save the tapes…….
When you shop at any Redner’s market
stop at the store office or Customer Service area to get a Save-A-Tape
card. By using this card each time you purchase merchandise at
Redner's Warehouse Markets, your receipt will be designated as a
Save-A-Tape customer receipt. Save up all your receipts and on a
regular basis that is convenient for you send them to Opportunity
House at 430 North Second Street, Reading, PA 19601 (attention:
Development Dept.)
An example of how your tapes can help
raise dollars for Opportunity House: Let's
say your group has 50 families with an average of $75.99 per week in
supermarket expenditures. If it was all spent at Redner's Warehouse
Markets, and you saved tapes for a year, Opportunity House would
receive a check for $1,950. There is no time limit and no dollar
limit.
If you start saving tapes today, you
will begin to help Opportunity House for tomorrow. Thank you!
Speakers Bureau: Invite us to speak at your
company, organizational or religious meetings.
There is so much to share and so many pre-conceived ideas about “shelters” that need to be overcome in our community. We have many talented staff members and volunteers who enjoy the opportunity to share about the challenges and successes seen at the Opportunity House! Call
Lorri Oziri at 610-374-4696 ext.
226 to schedule a speaker for your next meeting!
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For Gifts
of Time and Gifts-in-kind,
please call our In-Kind Hot Line at 610-374-4696, ext. 237. Opportunity House is not accepting
clothing at this time. For furniture or other items not
listed below, please call our hotline to arrange an approved
drop-off date/time. |
Volunteer
- Gifts of Time
Approximately 60 religious, business and civic volunteer groups provide supper meals to
Shelter clients and are scheduled up to a year in advance for their "duty"
nights. Additionally, many groups provide weekend breakfasts and lunches.
Click
here for more information and to
volunteer.
BRIDGES: the young leaders of
Opportunity House
The mission of BRIDGES is to help ensure the future of Opportunity
House. Young professionals in the community have joined together in
this mission to help Opportunity House reach their goals. This group
assumes a leadership role in planning special charitable and social
events at the agency. If you are a motivated, young leader and would
like more information, please contact Susan Stalnecker at 610-374-4696,
ext. 231 or
sstalnecker@opphouse.org.
Gifts-in-kind
 Even beyond financial support, the Shelter always needs help with everyday supplies. As you think of ways you may be able to contribute, please keep everyday necessities such as these in mind:
- Constant needs:
- Personal hygiene products, especially sample or
"hotel" size shampoos and soaps
- Deodorant
- Feminine products
- Razors
- Toothpaste & brushes
- Combs
Infants
- Diapers (size L and XL)
- Lotion
- Soap
- Shampoo
Adults/Children
- School uniforms (Reading Schools)
- Socks, underwear
- Over the counter medicines for allergies, fever, upset
stomach
Household Items (new or used)
- Utensils, dishes, pots and pans, pillows, sheets and
pillow cases, towels and wash cloths
- Small appliances, alarm clocks, hair dryers, cleaning
products, paper products.
Shelter Kitchen
- Lids for pots, sharp knives, hot pads and mitts, spice
rack, medium sized pots, table knives, spatulas, quart and gallon size
storage containers, dish towels, large serving spoons.
Who to contact
- Childcare opportunities: Vickie Moll...610-374-4696, ext.
240
- Shelter Maintenance/Organization - 610-374-4696, ext.
247
- Meal Preparation - Delia
McLendon.- 610-374-4696, ext.
230
- Office Assistance - Gail
Focht
- 610-374-4696, ext. 222
If you would like more information about volunteering opportunities,
click here to fill out a form and submit it. You will be contacted with volunteering information.
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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