United Way of Berks County

Live United

 Welcome to the Volunteer Center 
of United Way of Berks County!

Our mission is to link individuals and groups to community service and volunteer opportunities throughout BerksCounty. We also provide various training opportunities to nonprofit organizations who want to learn more about how to effectively recruit and work with volunteers who are involved with their agencies.

The Volunteer Center offers a variety of volunteering opportunities to suit your interests and schedule.To find volunteer opportunities, search our on-line volunteer matching service by clicking on Volunteer Now.  To search for volunteer opportunities supporting programs and initiatives addressing issues in United Way of Berks County's community priority areas, click the following links:

  Education

  Income

  Health

  Safety Net Services

Why volunteer? There are a number of benefits of Volunteering:

  • Feel needed
  • Share a skill with others
  • Learn new skills
  • Be a role model for others
  • Get to know your community
  • Make new friends
  • Be challenged
  • Gain leadership skills
  • Explore a new career
  • Be part of a team
  • Build your resume
  • Make an impact
  • Have fun
  • Feel good about yourself

Give an hour. Give a Saturday. Give your skill.  Volunteer.

Give Now
$

Community Impact Contacts

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

 

 

UWBC Initiatives and Programs

United Way Initiatives and Programs

Right From The Start

Care for Kids Coalition

CASA Program

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

Did You Know?

Berks County faces many challenges each day that impact the present and future quality of life for many of its residents. Did you know…………..

  • In 2007, 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.
  • In 2006, only 63% of pregnant women in the City of Reading received early prenatal care, the lowest percentage of any major municipality in the state.
  • In 2008, it was estimated that over 11% of adults in Berks County did not have any kind of health insurance.
  • Over 13% of Berks County families with children under the age of 18 were living below the poverty level in 2007.
  • An average of 11,000 people in Berks County were unemployed during a single month in 2008. This number continues to increase in 2009.
  • Between 2008 and 2009, there was a 13.3% increase in the number of Berks County residents who received Food Stamps.