Blogs
Second Street Learning Center Selected As Silver Champion Winner for PA Equity in Early Childhood Education Awards
by Kate Alley | Mar 28, 2022 | News, Announcements, Second Street Learning Center
Opportunity House learned that the Second Street Learning Center was selected as a SILVER champion winner for the Pennsylvania Equity in Early Childhood Education Awards by The Pennsylvania Key, an organization that supports Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development...
New year, new look, new website!
by Kate Alley | Jan 18, 2022 | Announcements, Blog, News
Last year we began a strategic planning process that changed the way we look at our organization, who we are and where we are going. We took time to look inside ourselves to answer the question: What is the big dream we share for our organization and for the people we...
Donor Spotlight: Carole Neag
by Kate Alley | Aug 27, 2021 | Blog, News, Spotlights, Uncategorized
How did you get involved with Opportunity House? My late husband Ray and I have been involved for two decades. We were drawn to the organization when we saw what good things were being done to help adults and children in Berks County. Everything Opportunity House does...
Reading boy, 7, asks Santa for $1,000 for homeless shelter
by Julia VanTine | Aug 10, 2020 | News
Like many 7-year-olds, Javien Ortega wanted a puppy or kitten for Christmas. But Javien has cystic fibrosis, a hereditary disease that affects his lungs, his mother, Sara Vidot of Reading, said, and a pet is not advisable. Javien understood Santa might not be able to...
From Homelessness to Homeowners
by Julia VanTine | Jun 25, 2019 | Blog, News
Several years ago, their eyes locked across the garden area where our clients relax. Kevin had arrived at the shelter first; Monica, a month later. It was love at first sight, and their feelings were definitely not encouraged. “You’re not supposed to date here,”...
Spotlight on a Long Time Donor: Quaker Maid Meats
by Julia VanTine | Jun 15, 2019 | Blog, News
“We live here, we give here.” —Serge Szortyka, President, Quaker Maid Meats How and when did Quaker Maid get involved with Opportunity House? We’ve been donors since 1995, when your organization was still The Reading Berks Emergency Shelter. We wanted to help a local...
Volunteer Spotlight Jennifer Dinatally
by Julia VanTine | Jun 6, 2019 | Blog, News
When did you start to volunteer at OppHouse? I (Jennifer Dinatally) started to think about doing “something” in the community 6 or 7 years ago. Because I love to cook, and food is love to me, I really felt pulled to serve meals here. I finally stopped procrastinating...
What Opportunity House Does for Vets
by Julia VanTine | Nov 26, 2018 | Blog, News
The world had seemingly given up on Scott, a Navy veteran. But with your help, this vet built a new life from scratch: a rewarding job, his own little place, and a meaningful, productive life. After a normal life and 20 years of full-time employment in warehouse work,...
Second Street Learning Center at Opportunity House Attains 4th Star
by Julia VanTine | Dec 22, 2019 | Blog, News
Second Street Learning Center at Opportunity House Attains 4th Star Opportunity House Second Street Learning Center has been awarded 4 STARS (highest honor) by the Keystone STARS program. Established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Keystone STARS...
Client Profile: John Grundowski
by Julia VanTine | Jan 21, 2016 | News
John Grundowski, age 54, is a lifelong resident of Berks County. At the age of 9, Grundowski and his eight siblings lost their mother to cancer, and he and his youngest brother spent the rest of their childhood in foster homes and child care. Grundowski attended both...
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SUCCESS STORY
SSVF Veteran from Homeless to Homeowner
“It wasn’t easy, but I was determined,” said Nathan W., sharing his path to homeownership. This former Army Veteran and Supportive Services for Veteran Families graduate, knows the value of hard work and perseverance. Nathan grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania and enjoyed track and field, and cross country during his time at Reading High […]