Berks County women’s group awards $55,400 in grants

The grants will support underserved women looking to enter the workforce or receive career education

The Power of the Purse in Berks County fund announced May 12 that it recently awarded $55,400 in grants to eight organizations in Berks County.

Power of the Purse marked its 10th year of giving with a ceremony Thursday evening at The Nature Place in Reading.

Administered by Berks

County Community Foundation, the charitable fund has donated a total of $385,983 to 24 organizations over 10 years, the organization said in a press release.

Those who give to Power of the Purse aim to support programs that eliminate or address barriers for women who want to enter or re-enter the workforce, or seek education to do so, said Franki Aitken, chief operating officer at the Berks

County Community Foundation.

For more information on the Power of the Purse, including how to join or contribute, visit bccf.org/pop.

This year’s grant recipients:

• Safe Berks, $12,000: For a program to help eliminate barriers that survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault face in obtaining and/or maintaining employment. Direct costs to be covered for education and employment needs include program or application fees, books and supplies, child care, transportation, and employment prerequisites such as photo identification, birth certificates, physicals/ health-related costs, tools, uniforms and technology.

• Berks Connections/ Pretrial Services, $10,000: To remove obstacles to employment and education for women who were formerly incarcerated. Direct costs to be covered include bus passes, money for ride-hailing services, work boots, tools and mobile phone minutes.

• Opportunity House, $10,000: For a career education and exploration program for girls who attend Opportunity House’s learning center. The program will include field trips and first-hand experiences. A financial counseling program will also be offered to parents of children who attend the center, primarily single mothers.

• Reading Science Center, $7,439: To expand its offering of female-focused STEM work with specialized programming to reach girls from underserved and underrepresented families.

• Clare of Assisi House, $6,561: For a program for nonviolent women who are transitioning into the community from incarceration.

• Hannah’s Hope Ministries, $5,400: For a program that helps mothers who are single and homeless overcome barriers to employment and financial stability by providing assistance with transportation, child care, and education and training fees.

• John Paul II Center for Special Learning, $2,000: For its Girl Talk 101 club for girls ages 10 to 21 within any disability category. The club will be a safe space where the girls will talk about anything related to their bodies, rights, safety, and self-advocacy with staff and community members who are subject matter experts.

• Literacy Council of Reading-Berks, $2,000: To increase literacy skills among women.