Throughout our history, people like you have made this work possible. Your support is the driving force behind everything we do. Because of you…

  • a struggling reader finds confidence with a caring tutor.
  • a family in crisis puts food on the table.
  • job seekers gain skills for a more stable future.
  • Berks Countians – of all ages and from every neighborhood – live stronger lives.
Download the report

Thank you for being part of our 100-year journey. Together, we’re building a brighter, stronger Berks County for generations to come.

2024 Annual Campaign: The Big 3

Mike Duff, Kelly Fessler and Dharma Sivasamy – representing Penske and affectionately known as “The Big 3” – led the 2024 Campaign with strong community spirit and were supported by a dedicated team of Campaign Cabinet members, Loaned Campaign Specialists, Company Coordinators and others.

We are so grateful to our community for caring so deeply about our county by raising over $10.8 million to help 190,000 Berks Countians live stronger lives. Our community is simply the best!

100 Years of Impact

One hundred years ago, our organization was formed to unite people with purpose, to improve lives and inspire hope. That commitment continues today. Thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations who believe in United Way’s work, we’re proud to share that $10.1 million+ has been raised — above and beyond annual campaign gifts. Gifts in celebration of the 100th anniversary will fuel community impact, support campaign challenge matches, support innovation, and build a legacy that will last through gifts to the endowment. 

Working Towards Common Goals

As a proud participant in the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation’s community-wide education initiative, United Way of Berks County leads the Early Childhood Education (ECE) team. The team’s goal is to ensure every child in Reading has access to meaningful experiences to support healthy development and school readiness.

Together with teams focused on After School Programming and English as a Second Language (ESL), the ECE team is driving change on critical education issues and helping to build a stronger community through:

Community Engagement

Strategic Outreach

Listening to the community

Investing in early learning

Research shows early literacy is one of the strongest predictors of academic success, economic stability, and community well-being. That’s why our Ready.Set. READ! initiative, a countywide effort powered by schools, businesses, volunteers, and donors, focuses on helping children read on grade level by the end of third grade.

It’s all about making a difference and seeing young minds learn and grow. As a volunteer who provides students with extra support in reading, it’s a rewarding experience. I witness growth in student’s reading abilities and their confidence levels.”
Natalie Brown, Volunteer

LEADERSHIP UNITED

United Way’s Leadership United programs deliver developmental experiences designed to shape community leadership. Good things happen in Berks with this work. Leadership United includes Blueprint for Leadership (BFL), Emerging Leaders United (ELU), Leadership Berks and the Volunteer Center.

A group of 30 men and women dressed in business professional clothing are standing on the steps of a hotel hallway. They are gathered together and smiling
Learn more

Learn more about our work and the accomplishments you made possible last year by reading the full report.