Helping Vulnerable Populations Meet Basic Needs
When basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter are not in place, the consequences may be severe. This is why part of United Way of Berks County’s mission is to ensure that the basic necessities of life are available for those in need.
Whether someone is a victim of a disaster or other type of personal crisis, the existence of supportive services helps people’s basic needs to be met. Through United Way partnerships and funded programs, these services provide a crucial safety net for vulnerable populations to quickly access help and receive the support they need to have a better quality of life, both now and in the future.
Community Outcomes and Partner Agency Programs
Following is a list of community-level outcomes that have been established for the focus area of Safety Net Services, and a list of partner agency programs receiving funding to address each particular outcome. For a full description of these agency programs and contact information, click here.
BASIC NEEDS
Outcome: Disaster victims and people in crisis throughout Berks County, have their basic needs quickly met
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Funded Programs
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Partner Agency
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Program
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American Red Cross-Berks County Chapter
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Disaster Services and Preparedness
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Jewish Family Service of Reading, PA
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Case Management
Food Bank
Transportation Services
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Salvation Army-Reading Corps
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SHARE Program
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Salvation Army-Service Extension Units
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Community Welfare Programs
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Outcome: People who are homeless or experiencing a housing crisis have their emergency housing needs met
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Funded Programs
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Partner Agency
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Program
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Opportunity House
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Shelter Program
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Outcome: Families and military personnel who are separated in time of war have access to communication and other support services
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Funded Programs
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Partner Agency
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Program
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American Red Cross-Berks County Chapter
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Armed Forces Emergency Services
Veterans Services
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United Service Organization-USO
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Programs to Support Military Personnel and their Families
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Outcome: Victims of interpersonal violence are ensured of safety and supportive services
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Funded Programs
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Partner Agency
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Program
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Berks Women in Crisis
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Hotline/Rapid Response
Shelter
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Outcome: People are easily able to locate accurate information and appropriate and available health and human services
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Funded Programs
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Partner Agency
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Program
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Berks TALKLINE, Inc.
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Telephone Listening
Information and Referral
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Outcome: Individuals are able to receive culturally and linguistically appropriate health and human services
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Funded Programs
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Partner Agency
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Program
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Centro Hispano Daniel Torres, Inc.
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Social Services
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United Way Initiatives
HelpLink Network
The goal of United Way's Financial Stability initiative is to help hardworking, but struggling, individuals and families move forward on the road to financial independence. However, the current economic conditions require us to first address the more immediate financial stresses on working people (or those recently laid off) to meet their basic needs.
Because many people currently in need have never been in this situation before, they are unsure of what supports exist and how to access them. Therefore, United Way has established the HelpLink Network, a group of nonprofit agencies who are serving as designated "HelpLink Sites," which can assist clients in accessing community services and financial supports, including public benefits for which they may be eligible to receive. HelpLink sites are operated by trained staff and volunteers who use a web-based software program called Benefit Bank to screen clients for benefit eligibility and assist clients in submitting applications to receive these benefits. Benefits that clients can apply for include food stamps, child care subsidies, energy assistance, cash assistance, adult and child health insurance and a variety of other programs. HelpLink volunteers also make referrals to other community agencies and programs based on the clients' needs.
The agencies serving as HelpLink sites are Berks Community Action Program, Berks Coalition the End Homelessness, Berks Connections/Pretrial Services, Berks Encore, Boyertown Area Multi-Service, Catholic Charities, Centro Hispano Daniel Torres, Inc., Friend, Inc. Community Services, Opportunity House, the Salvation Army: Reading Corps, and United Community Services.
Learn more about HelpLink or find a HelpLink site near you.
Special Funded Programs
Greater Berks Food Bank
There is an increased need for food among members of the Berks County community with the downturn in national and local economic conditions. Many of these people are families who find themselves in need for the first time in their lives.
Due to this growing need for food, beginning in Fall 2009, United Way of Berks County is providing special annual funding of $60,000 to the Greater Berks Food Bank to address current and future food needs throughout our local area.
An additional component of this partnership between United Way and the Greater Berks Food Bank was our participation in the 2009 Hunger in America Study. This was a national project through Feeding America, where surveys were conducted with agencies who distribute food, and with clients accessing food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. United Way trained approximately 100 volunteers who conducted interviews with clients at food distribution sites across the area to gain a better understanding of the lives of people who are in need of food.
Results from this study were released in early 2010. Some highlights from the research include:
- About one in ten people in Berks County seek help with food assistance at least once a year
- 36% of the household members served by the Greater Berks Food bank are children under 18 years old
- 43% of households who visit food pantries have at least one employed adult
To learn other highlights of the research findings, read the Hunger in America 2010 summary report.
The results of this study are helping us in planning future responses to address food insecurity in Berks County.