“My mom taught me how to keep fighting and not to give up. My dad taught me to dream.” Those traits are part of her DNA that has helped her survive abuse, homelessness, and despair. Today, as Tara* is rebuilding her life, her internal motivation drives her while her...
Category: Holly Wolf
Seeing Herself as a Homeless Woman–Opportunity House
When Amy* came to Opportunity House, she was looking for far more than shelter. She was looking to change her life. The biggest challenges she faced were her perceptions of homeless people. That’s what happened to addicts and lazy people—it wasn’t what she ever...
Meals Made with Love–Opportunity House
Making home-cooked meals is both her joy and her ministry. For Bernice Holmes Hopkins it started with Frances Powers, a fellow member at New Hope Baptist Church in Reading, PA asked her to help prepare a meal for Opportunity House. Mother Powers and other members of...
Kindness Coalition Works to Help End Homelessness–Opportunity House
John and Karen Arnold, Founders of Kindness Coalition share why they are passionate about helping others. They are dedicated to helping the homeless through their support of Opportunity House. Why did you start the Kindness Coalition and what is the purpose of the...
Reuse & Recycle at Opportunity House
One of the cornerstones of Opportunity House is its Reuse & Recycle Program. This program has helped to reuse, repurpose, and recycle over a million pounds of material including clothing, furniture, books, CDs, DVDs, shoes, belts, bedding, housewares, and small...
6th Annual Teddy Bear Trot Scheduled–Opportunity House
6th Annual Teddy Bear Trot Benefits Opportunity House Reading, Pennsylvania…On Saturday, February 10, at 10 am Berks County runners and walkers will begin the 6th annual Teddy Bear Trot sponsored by Fleet Feet, West Reading to benefit Opportunity House. Runners and...
The Power of Life Skills Training–Opportunity House
A vital part of the S.M.I.L.E. program at Opportunity House is working to equip clients with valuable life skills training and abilities. Self-reliance is key for success and clients must be ready for the day they re-enter and start their journeys to become stably...
From Chronic Homelessness to Chronically Hopeful-Opportunity House
“I wanted to come to a shelter and get myself right on my own terms.” This has been the guiding light for Joey’s journey from chronic homelessness to stable housing. For Joey and his sibling, chronic homelessness was a way of life for nearly a decade. After...
Opportunity House Opens Short-Term Housing for Families
With the impending winter storm, Opportunity House will provide a safe and warm place for homeless families to live this winter. Opportunity House announced that it has begun operating a short-term housing program on January 2, 2024. Recognizing the Need for...
Finding Hope and Growth with the Help of Opportunity House
Opportunity House has a profound impact on the lives of homeless and low-income families in the greater Reading and Berks County areas of Pennsylvania. We provide emergency shelter, meals, and housing to support to men, women, children and Veterans who are homeless....