Law Foundation of Berks County

The Law Foundation of Berks County provided $52,500 in grants to non-profit, community-based organizations. These grants provided critical support to at-risk youth and families in need of temporary financial support to avoid homelessness and retain jobs. In addition, funding assisted with efforts to interview victims of child abuse and neglect and to prosecute perpetrators. And grants supported initiatives to expand access to justice for immigrants, children in foster care, victims of domestic violence and discrimination, and those seeking to become u.s. citizens. While the exact number of individuals served is unknown, the organizations who received funding have reported that hundreds, if not more than 1,000, members of the greater reading area have benefitted from programs supported by the Law Foundation of Berks County. Finally, the Foundation's book 'em program provided more than 1,500 books to students attending pre-kindergarten and kindergarten in the 17 elementary schools in the reading school district. Approximately 80 volunteer readers visited the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classrooms to read to the students during book 'em week in may.