From Berks Encore
River Rock Academy and Berks Encore are celebrating a unique community partnership that is bringing generations together under one roof and demonstrating the impact that can happen when local organizations share more than just a building.
River Rock Academy recently purchased the Amity Township building that is home to Berks Encore Douglassville Senior Center. While the two organizations serve very different populations, sharing the space has created opportunities for interaction, connection, and a growing sense of community.
One recent example of that relationship came when River Rock Academy staff joined Berks Encore participants for a friendly game of pickleball. What may have seemed like a simple activity became a snapshot of something much larger — the relationships and sense of connection that have developed between the two organizations.
“It has been amazing and an honor to watch this partnership grow between our two organizations. The feedback that we get from the people at Berks Encore is nothing but positive, and it truly is a community within a community at the Amity Campus,” said Aaron Anders, Campus Director for River Rock Academy Amity Campus.
For Berks Encore, the partnership provides more than a location for programs. It offers an environment where older adults can remain active, engaged, and connected to their community.
“We are grateful for the relationship we have developed with River Rock Academy and for the welcoming environment they have helped create,” said Sharon Pedrick, Berks Encore Douglassville Senior Center Manager. “Moments like playing pickleball together may seem small, but they represent exactly what community is about — people connecting, enjoying one another, and learning from each other.”
The relationship between River Rock Academy and Berks Encore demonstrates how organizations with different missions can share space, resources, and experiences in ways that benefit everyone involved.
As both organizations continue their work in the Amity Township community, they look forward to finding additional opportunities to connect and build upon this partnership.
About Berks Encore
Berks Encore is dedicated to helping older adults live well later in life through programs and services that promote independence, wellness, connection, and aging with confidence. Berks Encore delivers Meals on Wheels, operates six senior centers, offers Medicare counseling, health and wellness programs, and other resources for older adults throughout Berks County.
About River Rock Academy
River Rock Academy is committed to providing the internal power to change, affect and improve the lives of the students it serves. It serves students from the Central, South Central, and Eastern counties of Pennsylvania.
