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Safe Berks Expands Partnerships To Serve More Survivors

by Safe Berks

Jun 14, 2022
Safe Berks

Thanks to new and expanded partnerships, Safe Berks Advocates are now meeting with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault on-site at three new locations: Salvation Army Hamburg Services Center; Easy Does It, Inc., Leesport; and Clare of Assisi House, Reading. These three new partnerships join a growing number of Berks County organizations who welcome Safe Berks Advocates to provide free services and educational programming within their facilities.

“We know that meeting with survivors where they are already comfortable helps to alleviate barriers in receiving services,” said Stacey Jordan, Managing Director of Community Engagement at Safe Berks. “We are rapidly expanding our ability to place Safe Berks Advocates at partner sites throughout Berks County.”

The new Community Outreach & Response (COR) Department at Safe Berks was recently formed to bring together programs designed to serve survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault out in the community. COR staff also provide educational and awareness programing to organizations throughout Berks County.

COR staff members provide on-site support services to the following community partners: Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center, Bern Township, and downtown Reading facility; Reading Hospital Tower Health; Berks Community Health Center; Berks County Courthouse; Berks County Jail System; Children’s Alliance Center of Berks County; Friend, Inc. Community Services, Kutztown; LGBT Center of Greater Reading; Easy Does It, Inc., Leesport; Salvation Army Hamburg Services Center; Clare of Assisi House, Reading; Berks Technical Institute; Reading Area Community College; Kutztown University; Alvernia University; Albright College; and Penn State University-Berks Campus.

The new COR Department is led by Co-Managers Meghan Sager and Marissa Pham. In addition to these new roles, Sager continues to provide oversight to the Medical Advocacy Partnership Program (MAPP), and Pham continues to act as the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Coordinator. Other COR staff includes MAPP Specialists, Rapid Response/MAPP Advocates, and Community Response Specialists. Safe Berks staff provide services and support to survivors at all local healthcare facilities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Salvation Army was originally founded in 1865 in England, and grew throughout the world, now serving in 131 countries, including the United States. The Salvation Army Hamburg Service Center has been active since the mid-twentieth century serving those living in 35 zip codes in Berks County, providing emergency food, shelter, clothing, financial assistance, disaster response, Christmas gifts, and camp scholarships to people in need. Last year, the office and volunteers helped over 2,000 residents with $125,000 with direct financial help. The Hamburg Salvation Army’s mission is to serve those in need in our community without discrimination.

“It has been our goal to create a true community resource center in Hamburg, so those in the rural community don’t have to travel into Reading to get help,” said Rebecca Netznik, Regional Manager, The Salvation Army. “We are excited to bring Safe Berks to the Hamburg Salvation Army so more people can access their critical services without having to travel to do so. In addition, Safe Berks clients will be able to benefit from the Hamburg Salvation Army Family Store next door.”

Easy Does It, Inc., Leesport, (EDI) founded in 1989, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals in Berks County recovering from the effects of substance use disorder and chronic homelessness. EDI provides safe and supportive housing to individuals as they engage with a pathway to recovery, achieve goals and obtain permanent safe housing.

“The partnership Easy Does It has with Safe Berks allows residents to obtain services, education and support they may not have experienced otherwise,” said Scott Althouse, Executive Director of Easy Does It. “EDI residents may have experienced significant trauma and abuse throughout their lives and working with Safe Berks allows them to safely process these events and learn skills to walk through their experience instead of avoiding it. It is a pleasure to work with Safe Berks and their team in hopes of making positive impacts in the lives of those who need it the most.”

The Clare of Assisi House, Reading, which accepted its first resident in 2017, provides transitional residential living and important life skills training to non-violent women with a history of domestic violence and/or substance abuse upon their release from prison. While living in a safe, sober, and home-like environment, the women find the encouragement and support they need to put the pieces of their life back together.

“Because many of our women have been victims of domestic violence or have other traumatic experiences related to their relationships with others, our connection with Safe Berks is very important,” said Pam Mills, Executive Director of Clare of Assisi House. “In our program, we offer evidence-based, trauma-informed, and gender-specific classes and groups, but Safe Berks provides further resources to our women as they need them. For example, starting in June, advocates from Safe Berks are holding a class with our women to teach them about healthy relationships and recognizing red flags and toxic behavior. We are grateful for all the support that Safe Berks has provided our program, and all the ways that our connection with them will continue to benefit our women.”

Safe Berks is always seeking new partnerships to assist more survivors. Please contact Stacey Jordan at [email protected] or 610-373-1206 ext. 141, to discuss collaborating with Safe Berks.

“Our trauma-informed and victim-centered support services help to empower survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault,” said Jordan. “We are truly grateful to our partner agencies for helping to make our free services more accessible to a greater number of local survivors.”

Safe Berks, founded in 1976 as Berks Women in Crisis, provides free and confidential services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Services are available in English and Spanish and will be translated into any other language needed. Each year, Safe Berks provides services to thousands of local survivors. Services include shelter, a 24-hour hotline and text line, counseling, legal services, community outreach and response, medical advocacy, systems advocacy, and education. The Safe Berks 24-hour hotline is 844-789-SAFE (7233) or text the words SAFE BERKS to 20121.

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