Community Resources
Various resources in our area that offer a wide variety of services:
PA-211
If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, PA 211 is a great place to start. From help with a utilities bill, to housing assistance, after-school programs for kids, and more, you can dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 to talk with a resource specialist for free.
https://www.pa211.org/
Berks Community Action Program
Provides services to low-income families and individuals, including financial assistance, workforce development, family education, mentoring services, mortgage assistance and other services for those who are financially eligible.
645 Penn Street, 3rd floor
P.O. Box 22
Reading, PA 19601
610-376-6571
https://bcapberks.org/
Centro Hispano Daniel Torres/Hispanic Center of Reading and Berks County
The mission of the Hispanic Center is to support and enhance the acculturation of the Latino population in the Greater Reading area through collaborative initiatives designed to enable individuals to improve their quality of life and the quality of life in their communities.
501 Washington Street
P.O. Box 8652
Reading, PA 19601
610-685-1265
https://www.centrohispano.org/
Heating Assistance/Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps families living on low incomes pay their heating bills in the form of a cash grant. Households in immediate danger of being without heat can also qualify for crisis grants.
https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/LIHEAP.aspx
Olivet Boys and Girls Club
Our programs address the region’s most pressing and immediate youth issues of education support, after school programming, and mentoring – all of which are
provided by caring and knowledgeable staff.
https://www.olivetbgc.org/
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army provides programs and services for hungry individuals and families, homeless people, at-risk kids, senior citizens, pregnant and parenting teens, disaster survivors, victims of domestic violence, drug addicts and alcoholics and so much more.
301 S 5th Street
Reading, PA 19602
(610) 373-5208
https://pa.salvationarmy.org/Reading/Programs-and-services
Spike's Pet Pantry
As part of the efforts of the Healthy Pets Initiative, Spike’s Pet Pantry is making sure that no pet in Berks or Lancaster County ever goes hungry, and that no one ever has to make the heartbreaking decision to give up their pet because they can’t provide basic care. To do that, we make pet food available to every Berks and Lancaster County resident, regardless of income or economic status – if you need food for your pet, we are here to help!
Stop by our Humane Pennsylvania Community Resource Center (CRC) at 1350 Schuylkill Avenue, Reading, PA 19601 on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 2-6 PM.
https://humanepa.org/services/spikes-pet-pantry/
Xfinity Internet Essentials
Fast, reliable, free — get Internet Essentials or Internet Essentials Plus at no cost when you qualify for and enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/internet-essentials
YMCA of Reading and Berks County
The YMCA is the leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community by empowering young people, improving the health and well-being of people of all ages and inspiring action in and across communities.
https://www.ymcarbc.org/
Youth Advocacy Program (YAP)
Youth Advocate Programs— YAP for short— is a national nonprofit advocating for and delivering evidence-based services in homes and communities as a more effective and racially equitable alternative to youth incarceration, congregate child welfare, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities placements, and neighborhood violence.
2851 Centre Avenue, Reading, PA 19605
610-921-9070
https://www.yapinc.org/
