If you’re wondering how you can best help the homeless population of Pennside, PA, consider the volunteer opportunities at Opportunity House.
Introducing Opportunity House
Opportunity House is an emergency shelter for homeless men, women, children, and Veterans of Berks County. We operate around the clock to meet the needs of every individual who needs our services. On average, we serve 500 individuals each year.
In addition to a place to rest, we offer all of the following:
- Shelter
- Three meals and a snack each day
- Shower access
- Laundry facilities
- Hygiene and self-care essentials
- Clothing
- Case management to identify and secure appropriate supportive services
- Transitional and permanent housing units.
The support services needed by the homeless population vary as much as the individuals themselves. Each resident’s case manager will identify the assistance required and work toward helping secure it. Examples of service include:
- Securing identification
- Obtaining a license
- Seeking treatment for alcohol or substance addiction
- Seeking mental health treatment
- Seeking medical care
- Attending life skills classes
- Attending educational courses
- Supplying child care through the learning center
- So much more!
As clients work toward becoming stably housed, we support our residents.
The Second Street Learning Center is an essential offshoot of our work at Opportunity House. The learning center provides care and educational services for children aged six weeks through 13. These services allow parents to pursue academic, career, and housing opportunities while their children participate in programs designed for infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age learners.
Another offshoot of our operations is our reuse/recycle program, consisting of the OppShop thrift store and the recycling warehouse. OppShop is a retail thrift store location where the community finds low-cost treasures, our residents can use a voucher system for buying essentials, and the profits go toward the work of the Opportunity House emergency shelter.
From the shelter to the learning center and thrift store operations, you can imagine the need for financial gifts and volunteering opportunities abound.
Volunteering with Opportunity House
Lend a hand toward the work of the emergency shelter to most directly fulfill the needs of the homeless population. As an individual or part of a church, school, or civic group, we welcome and appreciate the assistance of volunteers. Roles for volunteers include any of the following:
- Meal Service – preparing and serving a meal for residents at the shelter.
- Fundraiser Committee Service – planning, logistics, and event service are all needed for the various fundraisers that we hold every year, including:
- Souper Bowl
- Wine, Women, and Shoes
- Golf Event
- Garden Party.
- Day of Service – Work on the day-to-day tasks that go into Opportunity House, from creating welcome kits to weeding the garden, painting, or cleaning.
- OppShop service – volunteer your time stocking merchandise on shelves, greeting customers, or working at the thrift store to support our work at Opportunity House.
Volunteer opportunities focused on helping the homeless population of Pennside, PA, abound with Opportunity House. We provide a plethora of ways that your actions can further our work. Additional ways to help include gifts of money, fundraiser attendance, donations of new or used items, and more. Click here to contact us about becoming a volunteer.
