Low-income families experiencing homelessness in Reading, PA, can rely on Opportunity House for help.
About Opportunity House
Opportunity House, established in 1984 as Reading Emergency Shelter, operates around the clock, every single day. We serve all homeless individuals, even parents with families, providing emergency housing as well as transitional and permanent housing programs, early childhood learning programs through the Second Street Learning Center, and a reuse/recycle program through OppShop and our warehouse.
Meeting Housing Needs
Approximately 500 members of the homeless population receive services from us each year. Opportunity House welcomes clients with a kit of essentials, including toiletries, shower essentials, and bedding. While here, clients receive safety and shelter, 3 meals and a snack each day, access to shower and laundry facilities, and critical services.
The clients at Opportunity House receive more than basic needs. Every client has a case manager who will help identify the client’s challenges in achieving and retaining housing. Our ultimate goal is to see clients in long-term, stable housing, and we provide support and transitional and permanent housing options.
Providing Early Childhood Educational Needs
The Second Street Learning Center is another measure of assistance that Opportunity House provides for low-income families in the area. One of the most effective predictors of homelessness is being a single mother with difficulty finding affordable child care, particularly when children are younger than school age.
This center qualifies as a Keystone 4 Star Learning Star, indicative of the incredible quality of curriculum and staff the center offers.
Children aged 6 weeks to 13 years old participate in programs here, and we serve about 200 children each year. Programs offered include:
- Infant;
- Toddler;
- PreK Counts;
- Preschool;
- School-age;
- Summer camp.
Affordable Clothing and Other Essentials
OppShop is a retail thrift store operated by Opportunity House. We accept donations of gently used items and resell them to the community to support the shelter’s mission. Not only do our clients receive vouchers to shop at OppShop, but we also provide the community an avenue to shop for the goods they need at discounted prices.
Items found within the OppShop inventory include those deemed appropriate for donation, including men’s, women’s, and children’s articles of clothing; CDs, DVDs, VHS, and other media; kitchen utensils and cookware; cutlery and dishware; holiday items; furniture; jewelry; flat-screen TVs; purses and bags; shoes; and toys.
Help Further the Mission of Opportunity House
If you’d like to help Opportunity House in our service to the homeless population of Berks County, we gratefully accept all sorts of donations – of money, time, and items.
Donating financially directly contributes to our efforts, allowing us to target spending to the areas of most need. You may send your gift directly or participate in one of our many annual fundraising events.
Your time is a valuable asset. From preparing and serving a meal to serving on an event committee, a day of service, or helping at OppShop, the roles of volunteers are many.
If you’d like to donate items, we welcome your gently used donations to OppShop. Any items must be new and unused if you contribute to the shelter.
The help Opportunity House provides for low-income families in Reading. PA extends from shelter for the homeless to early childhood education services and a source to buy items at a much lower price. If you’d like to donate to our efforts, follow this link.
