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Safe Berks 14th Annual Celebration of Peace

by Safe Berks

Dec 05, 2019
Safe Berks

The Celebration of Peace is the largest event of the year for Safe Berks. In addition to raising much-needed funds, we honor individuals and institutions who help Safe Berks achieve our mission: to provide safe haven and support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as provide education to prevent abuse.

This fun and festive celebration also brings together Safe Berks staff, board members, volunteers, donors, and supportive community members, to rededicate ourselves to our goal of building a Safe Berks.

Safe Berks is honored to present Jim Boscov and Boscov’s Department Store with our Vision for Peace Award. Safe Berks has only awarded the Vision for Peace Award three times, to Carolyn Holleran in 2006, to Susan Fromm in 2009, and to Dr. Thomas F. Flynn, former President of Alvernia University, in 2018. The Vision for Peace Award recognizes individuals who have made justice and peace their life’s work.

In addition to helping and supporting Safe Berks throughout many years, Jim Boscov and the Boscov family have generously supported numerous local non-profit organizations that provide human services, healthcare, education, and artistic opportunities for the people of Berks County.

To honor the memory of his wife, Cindy Boscov, a devoted Safe Berks volunteer, Jim Boscov and the Boscov family created the Cindy Boscov Safe Berks Scholarship Fund in 2019. This summer, for the first time, children staying at Safe Berks had the opportunity to attend the South Mountain YMCA Bynden Wood Day Camp. Thanks to this scholarship, the children, who are healing from the trauma of domestic violence, experienced the joy and freedom of camping in a safe and beautiful environment.

The Celebration of Peace will also honor our Voices for Change Award Winners,

Moms Demand Action and Timothy Marks, MSN, MBA, RN, CEN, NEA-BC. This award honors individuals and institutions whose work makes a significant contribution to furthering the mission of Safe Berks.

Moms Demand Action, powered by passionate volunteers, is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country and in the state. In Berks County, there are 200 active members. Moms Demand Action led a successful lobbying effort to pass the PA Domestic Violence Protection Act, signed into law Oct. 12, 2018 as Act 79, which quickly disarms domestic abusers and safely secures their firearms.

Timothy Marks, a former member of the Safe Berks Board of Directors, played a pivotal role in the growth of the Healthcare Advisory Committee and the Medical Advocacy Partnership Program (MAPP). Safe Berks now employs three full-time MAPP Advocates, who are integrated into local hospitals and health centers. The MAPP Advocates provide direct, compassionate services to victims; help connect victims to Safe Berks and other community resources; and deliver training to medical staff on topics related to domestic violence and sexual assault. Formerly the Associate Vice President of Nursing at Tower Health/Reading Hospital, Marks currently serves as Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Tower Health/Chestnut Hill Hospital.

Date: Mon. Dec. 16, 2019

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Reading

Purchase tickets online: www.SafeBerks.org, click on Events/Celebration of Peace

Or contact Safe Berks to register: 610-373-1206 or [email protected]

The public is invited to register to attend this event.

Safe Berks services include a Safe House for up to 50 adults and children who are in danger, a 24-hour Hotline and text line, trauma-informed counseling, support groups, legal services and advocacy, and education and outreach programs. We also provide transitional housing for up to six families. Our services are free, confidential, and available in English, Spanish or any other language needed. Our services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Safe Berks served more than 4,000 clients in the last fiscal year. Our Safe House provided a haven to more than 800 people in the last fiscal year, including approximately 400 children.

Safe Berks is located at 255 Chestnut St., Reading, PA, 19602. Our 24-Hour Hotline number is 844-789-SAFE (7233), or text Safe Berks to 20121. To reach our office, email Peace@ SafeBerks.org or call 610-373-1206.

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