Pat Giles, Senior Vice President, Community Impact
610-685-4567
patgiles@uwberks.org
Marlene Wilson, Vice President, Allocations
610-685-4552
marlenew@uwberks.org
Zach Kline, VISTA/Volunteer Center Coordinator
610-685-4575
zachk@uwberks.org
Ethel Kramer, Community Impact Executive Assistant
610-685-4555
ethelk@uwberks.org
Sharon Mast, Director of Volunteer Engagement
610-685-4574
sharonm@uwberks.org
Jane Moyer, Childcare Program Director
610-685-4577
janemoy@uwberks.org
Jen O'Brien, Director, Community Research & Planning
610-685-4586
jennifero@uwberks.org
United Way Initiatives and Programs
Right From The Start
Care for Kids Coalition
HelpLink Network
Prescription Costs
Community Collaborations
Berks Money in Your Pocket Coalition
Special Funded Programs
Greater Berks Food Bank
Stable Rental Housing
Runaway and Homeless Youth
English as a Second Language Program
The Wellness Center
Berks County faces many challenges each day that impact the present and future quality of life for many of its residents. Did you know…………..
- Between 2009 and 2010, there was a 19% increase in the number of Berks County residents who received Food Stamps.
- Over 50% of the Food Stamp Recipients in Berks County are below the age of 18.
- Over 14% of Berks County families with children under the age of 18 were living below the poverty level in 2008.
- The City of Reading is ranked as one of the nation’s poorest cities, having the highest poverty rate in Pennsylvania and the sixth highest in the country. (among cities with a population above 60,000)
- In 2008, almost 17% of the Berks County adult population did not possess a high school diploma.
- The Reading School District estimates that 70% of children entering kindergarten lack one or more skills needed to be successful in school.
- The City of Reading has one of the highest rates of births to teen mothers in the state of Pennsylvania.