CHOR and Sanctuary

Our three year long time of preparation and Sanctuary implementation draws to an end.  On November 9th and 10^th of this year, CHOR will participate in the credentialing process.  Staff from the Sanctuary Institute will be on campus meeting with staff and clients, observing interactions and applications of our commitments, and reviewing our growth and change over the past few years.  They’re going to look at the practice and application of Sanctuary principles in all areas of our work, from policies and paperwork, to the internalization of our commitments by staff.  Each department will share with them a binder documenting all the changes we have made and how Sanctuary has been applied to arising issues. Our credentialing process will reflect where we’ve been and the improvements we have made. 

CHOR on BCTV about the field of dreams

Click on the link below to watch the staff from the Children’s Home talking about the field of dreams project the clients develop to improve the baseball field and basket ball court at the Children’s Home of Reading. 

http://www.bctv.org/special_reports/basic_needs/vmix_0a901bb6-c1c3-11df-b98a-001cc4c03286.html

Become a Foster Parent

For over 125 years, The Children's Home of Reading has been meeting the needs of children and teenagers from Reading, Berks County, and the surrounding counties. As The Children's Home continues to grow and expand services, the need for good foster homes is also growing.

 

Our society is based on the belief that the family is the cornerstone to good development. Throughout this area there are many children unable to live with their birth families because of abuse, neglect, illness, family crisis, and sometimes, their own behaviors. We are looking for people to provide family living experiences for these children.

As foster parents, you can touch a child's life in a positive and lasting way. Although foster parents represent a broad range of backgrounds, the common and unifying characteristics among them are love and respect for children, and a basic belief in the importance of good parenting for a child's healthy growth and well-being.

The role of foster parents has changed over the past years, and the changes are good - good for the children who need sensitive care; good for the troubled parents who need positive role models; and good for our agency who depends more and more on your skills and involvement to make appropriate and realistic treatment plans.

Our objective is to provide a treatment oriented program in a family setting. In order to meet this objective, the foster family must be willing to accept the following responsibilities:

• Help the child maintain or improve relationships with his/her birth

    family, school, and peers;

• Encourage and support the child as he/she grows physically,

    academically, socially, and emotionally;

• Maintain an attitude of respect and understanding toward birthparents,

    who are important to the child in care;

• Work closely with your social worker in order to develop and implement

    therapeutic treatment plans for the child;

• Continue to meet the needs of your own family while sharing your home

    and family with the child in your care and;

• Participate in on-going training relative to the special needs of these

    children.

If you feel that you and your family have something to offer a child in need, consider the challenge. Please contact The Children's Home of Reading and find out how you can become a part of a professional team who cares, and help us to make a difference in someone's life.

The History of The Children's Home of Reading

The Children's Home of Reading was established in 1884 as a day nursery for working mothers and was located at 237 Franklin Street in Reading.  A widow and five children were placed there. When a motherless child was accepted on a full-time basis, the Home exhibited a trait that would characterize it throughout its history - adaptability to meet the needs of the community. And so, although it had originally been intended to serve as a day nursery, the Home served a dual purpose in the community as both a temporary shelter for children and a day nursery.

As the home began to grow and change, it needed guidance and direction. The first Board of Directors was organized in 1886; members were drawn from throughout Reading and Berks County. In 1888, the Board decided to erect a building on Centre Avenue and Spring Streets because of the increasing number of children residing in the Home. The "Home For Friendless Children" was incorporated at that time as a privately-owned, charitable organization. As the years passed and more children came through its doors, the Home built two identical annexes in 1903 and 1906 respectively. These annexes were the gift of Mr. William D. Smith, a prominent iron manufacturer and member of the Board of Directors.

The Home continued its custodial care for the next 25 years, adding the services of a licensed nurse to that of the matron who lived on the premises and cared for the children. The Home's function and atmosphere was changing, and by 1947, the name of the Home for Friendless Children was officially changed to The Children's Home of Reading to better describe its atmosphere and purpose. By 1955, the Home began expanding its services beyond temporary shelter and custodial care to deal with more acute societal problems; those resulting from family abuse and neglect.

The 1960's and 1970's offered even more transitions and changes. During this time, new buildings were constructed and new programs were implemented. The Home began to expand its programs to offer treatment oriented care rather than custodial care. The Board of Directors amended The Children's Home Charter in 1974 to expand its function and accommodate more children with different and more serious kinds of problems such as abuse, neglect, truancy, and drug abuse.

Today, The Children's Home of Reading continues to provide a treatment oriented residential environment for children and teenagers. Its broad spectrum of services includes an Acute Partial Hospitalization program, an Alternative Education program, a case management program for chemically addicted moms and their babies, a CHOR Day Academy, community based services, a Residential Treatment Facility, a Specialized Foster Care program, and a Specialized Residential Treatment Facility.

The programs at The Children's Home of Reading have expanded and grown, and its facilities have changed, but one basic element remains the same - the offering of 125 years of quality care to children.

Specialized Foster Care Success Story

Tiffany was placed in our Specialized Foster Care program in July 2002.  She was placed in a foster home along with her 2 year old daughter, Tasha.  She has been a very good mom and has exceptional parenting skills.  She has done very well in her placement.  She graduated from Reading High in the Spring.  She will be discharged next month and plans to move in with a previous foster parent with whom she has become good friends.  Tiffany has been accepted to Reading Area Community College with a scholarship. Most of her schooling is paid for with financial aid and a scholarship.  Currently, she is not employed, but is actively seeking employment.

BPSC Client Success Stories

Nancy was a client in BPSC for 2 ½ years. During that time she became pregnant and stopped using drugs and alcohol because of her pregnancy. Although she delivered several weeks early due to pre-eclampsia, her baby was born healthy.  

Nancy did relapse twice during her time in BPSC, however she did continue attending treatment and AA meetings. While working part-time and caring for her daughter, Nancy completed trade school and is now employed full time. Her determination and motivation has helped her complete her goals.