ECYEH
ECYEH- Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
The Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program (ECYEH) is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and is based on the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This federal legislation ensures that homeless children and youth have access to a free, appropriate public education.
Your student may qualify if your family is:
Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar circumstance
In a place not designated as regular housing such as vehicle, park, hotel or campground
In a homeless/domestic violence shelter
Outside of your home without parent (Unaccompanied Youth)
Awaiting foster care
Please contact your child's high school if you are experiencing homelessness and would like more information about ECYEH.
Other Resources
Berks Coalition to End Homelessness
BCEH is a nonprofit that includes over 60 agencies, businesses, and individuals, working toward preventing, reducing, and ending homelessness in Berks County.
610-372-7222
https://bceh.org/
Family Promise of Berks County
Family Promise of Berks County is a nonprofit that partners with local communities and networks of volunteers to provide services to homeless families, youth and individuals facing a housing crisis.
325 N 5th Street
Reading, PA 19601
610-373-3323
https://www.familypromiseofberks.org/rent-utilities/
Hope Rescue Mission
Hope Rescue Mission provides for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the homeless of Berks County. Case managers identify & coordinate support for the wide range of factors that led to each man's homelessness that include mental health, addiction, legal and financial struggles.
645 North Sixth Street
Reading, PA 19601
610-375-4224
https://www.hopeforreading.org/
Mary’s Shelter
Mary’s Shelter is a multifaceted comprehensive housing and social service agency that addresses pregnancy, parenting and youth homelessness through proactive preventative work, crisis intervention services and stabilization back into the community.
615 Kenhorst Blvd
Reading, PA 19611
610-376-1973
https://marysshelter.org/
Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Berks
Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Berks provides guidance and creates opportunities for people who want to purchase and maintain their homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities. We offer homebuyer education, counseling, and lending services. We also work throughout the year to empower residents to become leaders.
213 North Fifth Street, Suite 1030, Reading, PA 19601
610-372-8433
https://nhsgb.org/
Opportunity House
Opportunity House provides an emergency shelter that operates year-round and serves men, women, children, and veterans who are homeless, living on the streets, in abandoned buildings, or in cars. Doors are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help those in need. Successful clients stay at the shelter for approximately 30-60 days and meet regularly with their case managers to rebuild purposeful, self-sufficient lives. Their goal is to give them the tools they need to maintain a safe, stable and secure future for themselves.
430 N 2nd Street
Reading, PA
610-374-4696
https://opphouse.org/
Reading Housing Authority
The Berks County Housing Authority (BCHA) is a governmental Public Housing Agency that operates several different programs to assist families in Berks County, including public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
1803 Butter Lane, Reading, PA 19606
610-370-0822
https://www.berksha.org/