The Safe Berks Celebration of Peace and Walk For NO MORE will take place on Saturday June 18, 2022, from 9 to 11 a.m. The Awards Presentation will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will include a message from a courageous survivor. Following the Awards Presentation, the Award winners will lead the group as we Walk For NO MORE to the 400 block of Penn Avenue. This walk may only cover a few blocks, but it makes an enormous statement. We are saying together, as a community: NO MORE domestic violence! NO MORE sexual assault!
- Date: Saturday, June 18, 2022
- Time: 9-11 a.m.
- Location: Under the tent at the corner of Penn Avenue & Park Road, Wyomissing
- Cost: Free and open to the public; donations appreciated
- Register: www.SafeBerks.org, click on Events
- More info: contact Mindy McIntosh, Director of Development, at [email protected] or 610-468-9637
The Safe Berks Celebration of Peace and Walk For NO MORE serves as the kickoff of Art on the Avenue in West Reading.
Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center and Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading & Berks County have been chosen to receive the Safe Berks Voices for Change awards. This award honors individuals and institutions whose work makes a significant contribution to furthering the mission of Safe Berks.
“Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center helps Safe Berks and survivors in so many ways,” said Meghan Sager, Co-Manager of the Community Outreach & Response (COR) Department at Safe Berks, which includes the Medical Advocacy Partnership Program (MAPP). “They welcome our MAPP Specialists into their facilities to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and they understand the importance of patients connecting to our services. We also have the opportunity to provide education to healthcare professionals about these important issues and help prepare them for situations when survivors disclose abuse.”
In addition, the Penn State Health St. Joseph Foundation has donated office furniture to Safe Berks and has coordinated a Back-To-School Donation Drive, providing new backpacks and school supplies to the children of Safe Berks. The Foundation has also assisted Safe Berks by covering the costs of prescription medications for our clients who do not have these costs covered by insurance.
The Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading & Berks County has also helped Safe Berks in many ways.
“The Olivet Boys & Girls Club provides free memberships and free summer camp experiences to the children of survivors working with Safe Berks,” said Arianna Sanchez, Lead Residential Children’s Advocate at Safe Berks. “These positive educational and social activities help children and teens heal from the trauma of experiencing or witnessing domestic violence. Their dedicated staff work closely with our staff to coordinate care whenever we need help, even if it is last minute.”
“In addition to all the help these two amazing organizations provide to Safe Berks, we chose to honor them because of the support they provide to the entire Berks County community,” said Beth Garrigan, Safe Berks CEO.
In addition to attending the June 18 event, everyone is invited to help Safe Berks raise much-needed funds by starting a Walk For NO MORE team, joining an existing team, donating, or participating as an individual fundraiser. All these options are available online at www.SafeBerks.org, click on Events. Anyone who registers to start a new Walk For NO MORE Team will receive an email from Safe Berks within a few days with additional information.
All donations will help Safe Berks continue to provide free services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
After the Walk For NO MORE, Safe Berks will offer information about our free services from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the 400 block of Penn Avenue, as part of Art on the Avenue. Safe Berks staff and volunteers will be present all day, sharing information about the free and confidential services we offer survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. In addition to raising funds to support Safe Berks, we will also raise awareness about these important issues.
“In June 2021, hundreds of people participated in the Safe Berks Celebration of Peace and Walk For NO MORE, and it was an amazing day,” said Garrigan. “In addition to helping a great cause, it is also a fun day for families and people of all ages. Safe Berks is honored to once again kickoff West Reading’s Art on the Avenue which offers a full day of shopping, food, and music along Penn Avenue. It is a great opportunity to help support Safe Berks, support our local businesses in West Reading, and just have fun!”
Safe Berks provides a safe haven and support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault through education, advocacy and a relentless commitment to prevent abuse. Safe Berks services include shelter, a 24-hour Hotline and text line, counseling, legal services, community outreach and response, medical advocacy, systems advocacy, and education. Safe Berks services are free and confidential. Services are available in English and Spanish and will be translated into any other language needed.
Safe Berks served more than 4,000 clients in the last fiscal year. Our 24-Hour Hotline number is 844-789-SAFE (7233), or text SAFE BERKS to 20121.
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