If you are a person who enjoys working with children and making a difference in the life of a child, then we might have a position for you. The residential program at CHOR has openings for part time on call or full time Youth Care Worker. The position works directly with our male residential clients who range in age from 12 to 18. For more information, including job requirements and how to apply, please click on the following link: http://www.childrenshomeofrdg.org/employment.html
For 127 years, The Children’s Home of Reading has responded to the needs of children and families in crisis in Berks County and the surrounding communities. While the needs and programs have changed, one thing remains the same, caring for the needs of children and families in crisis and preparing them for success in life.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
CHOR wishes to thank the Red Knights
The Children's Home of Reading wants to thanks the Red Knights for taking part in the toy run and for their generous donates to the clients at the Children’s Home.
Please click on the link below for the full story and photos of the event on chesterfire.com http://chesterfire.com/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=3886
CHOR wishes to thank the BROS for thier toy run
The Children's Home of Reading had some special visitors who came with gifts Thank you to the BROS for their generosity and support this past weekend. We hope it was as rewarding for you as it was for us.
Please click on the link below to read more about the event on the wfmz website.
Please click on the link below to read more about the event on the wfmz website.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
CHOR Celebrates First Anniversary as a Certified Agency
On Friday, October 7th, The Children's Home of Reading hosted an event to mark the first anniversary of our Sanctuary Certification.
To commemorate the occasion, State Senator Judy Schwank presented a Certificate of Recognition to our President and CEO, Dr. Vince J. LaSorsa. Senator Schwank commented on the progress. The Children's Home of Reading has made since her last visit eight years ago. 
The Children's Home Of Reading helps kids get creative
Author: Dwayne Parker, Reporter, dwayne.parker@wfmz.com
Posted On Oct 17 2011 11:52:04 PM EDT
For some students at The Children's Home of Reading, poetry is like a life line. Every week they get together around a table and recite poetic lines that allow them to cope with their emotions.Some have been victims of abuse, or suffer from behavior challenges.
The program is called Pen to Paper. It was created by writer, Nancy Kauffman.
"Sometimes the young boys that I think, this is really going to be a struggle, they end up writing things that are just simply profound," said Kauffman.
A few students were willing to read their poetry for 69 News. Due to the trauma that some have sustained 69 News is protecting their identities.
"I'm waiting to be lit, to be alive, to be in the world, to be helping someone see in the dark," read one student.
"Me and myself, what do you think about me?" read another student. "That's all people see is the outside of me."
"Have I gone crazy? I see people flying in mid air at the school play," reading another student.
Since the program began, the staff at The Children's Home of Reading say they have also noticed a change in the writing students.
"Their self-esteem is much higher. There's much more of a positive outlook. It helps them overcome some of the childhood traumas they have," said Jason Rains, Director of Residential Services and Admissions.
"The things that come from their heart, I don't know if it surprises them as much as it surprises me," said Kauffman.
Below is the link to the video news thread.
http://www.wfmz.com/news/Childrens-Home-Of-Reading-helps-kids-get-creative/-/121458/3917300/-/2e32hqz/-/index.html Source: WFMZ, Reading, PA
Monday, May 9, 2011
Wells Fargo gives Children's Home coach rides and grant
The Children's Home of Reading accepted a $15,000 grant from Wells Fargo. The Children's Home will use the grant to enhance its services, which are offered to about 500 children. Programs include foster care, residential treatment programs for teen boys, a school and a mental health program for children.
To read the full story from the Reading Eagle please click on the link http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=305853
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Children's Home Boys Stand Firm Against Bullying(as seen in the Reading Eagle)
Wearing lime green T-shirts, the 50 or so boys living at the Children's Home of Reading stood side by side and read an anti-bullying pledge during a recent pep rally.
In booming voices, they vowed to "stand up" against bullying, not simply stand by.
Part of the pledge reads: "I think being mean stinks. I won't watch someone get picked on. Because I am a do-something person, not a do-nothing person. I care. I can help change things. I can be a leader. In my world there are no bullies allowed."
The Children's Home has not had an increase in bullying reports. However, administrators said they believed that creating an anti-bullying campaign was a proactive way to address the issue and its effects, which have garnered national attention in recent months.
"As an organization, we take bullying seriously," said Vincent J. LaSorsa, president and chief executive officer of the Children's Home. "It's a critical issue that affects the kids."
Interest in the issue began when clinician Phyllis Lawler showed the video "Bullied," which is part of the Southern Poverty Law Center's Teaching Tolerance program, to a group of boys this past fall. The boys then discussed bullying: whether they had been the aggressor, victim or bystander.
Noticing an interest, administrators decided to address bullying in an educational and entertaining way.
The first step was hosting a kickoff pep rally in December that included talks from staff members and community members, as well as the pledge. The boys all wore the anti-bullying T-shirt, which features the words "Stand Up" in blue print, to represent unity, said Mindy McIntosh, development coordinator at the Children's Home.
In the coming months, the Children's Home will have monthly discussion groups that focus on bullying, additional pep rallies to keep morale high and special T-shirt days. The main goal is for the boys to break the cycle of bullying, make speaking up a habit and seek positive resolutions to bullying.
"The crux is we want them to be a do-something person and say 'I will not stand by.' We're focused on that," said clinician Kristin Huntzinger. "When they live here, it's our own little community, but we hope that they take this with them wherever they go next."
In booming voices, they vowed to "stand up" against bullying, not simply stand by.
Part of the pledge reads: "I think being mean stinks. I won't watch someone get picked on. Because I am a do-something person, not a do-nothing person. I care. I can help change things. I can be a leader. In my world there are no bullies allowed."
The Children's Home has not had an increase in bullying reports. However, administrators said they believed that creating an anti-bullying campaign was a proactive way to address the issue and its effects, which have garnered national attention in recent months.
"As an organization, we take bullying seriously," said Vincent J. LaSorsa, president and chief executive officer of the Children's Home. "It's a critical issue that affects the kids."
Interest in the issue began when clinician Phyllis Lawler showed the video "Bullied," which is part of the Southern Poverty Law Center's Teaching Tolerance program, to a group of boys this past fall. The boys then discussed bullying: whether they had been the aggressor, victim or bystander.
Noticing an interest, administrators decided to address bullying in an educational and entertaining way.
The first step was hosting a kickoff pep rally in December that included talks from staff members and community members, as well as the pledge. The boys all wore the anti-bullying T-shirt, which features the words "Stand Up" in blue print, to represent unity, said Mindy McIntosh, development coordinator at the Children's Home.
In the coming months, the Children's Home will have monthly discussion groups that focus on bullying, additional pep rallies to keep morale high and special T-shirt days. The main goal is for the boys to break the cycle of bullying, make speaking up a habit and seek positive resolutions to bullying.
"The crux is we want them to be a do-something person and say 'I will not stand by.' We're focused on that," said clinician Kristin Huntzinger. "When they live here, it's our own little community, but we hope that they take this with them wherever they go next."
Boy Scout Troop 125 Update
Being a Boy Scout teaches camaraderie, loyalty, and success; therefore, it is no surprise that Troop 125, CHOR's Boy Scout troop, has inspired the boys. The Boy Scouts continue to work on earning merit badges, in order to obtain more of the 122 merit badges needed to become an Eagle Scout. Troop 125 is currently working hard toward earning three new badges: Public Speaking, Woodworking, and Disability for Awareness. Jason Raines, Residential Service Director, and Carrie Hehn, Scout Master, aid the boys in accomplishing their goals. Earning these badges allows the boys to work hard individually and together. They actually get to see their completed projects which is rewarding.
CHOR Educational Update
Well, we have managed to get through the holiday season and are now looking forward to the second half of the school year. The CHOR education programs have some exciting initiatives during the upcoming months geared to expand and improve the quality of educational services provided as well as meet State educational standards.
First, we have applied for a license to be a private school for both special education and regular education students. Currently we are operating as a private provider of educational services but do not meet certain requirements to be a licensed school. In order to comply with regulatory standards, one of the areas to be addressed is our physical building characteristics, needing to comply with ADA standards. We have renovations scheduled for the spring of 2011 and anticipate completion by mid- summer. With these renovations, we will secure an E-Occupancy required for an educational institution which will allow us to provide services not only to our residential students, but also to the community.
In addition to the building renovations, the education department is looking to introduce technology to the classrooms which will enable the teachers to individualize the student experience and to more effectively educate the residential clients. With the use of laptops and new educational software, the education staff will be more effective at determining the educational needs of our students, measuring and monitoring student progress toward state standards, and ultimately making education a rewarding experience for the children we serve.
We hope that you share in our excitement as we are continuously attempting to improve the services we provide to children and families. If you have any questions about the education programs or initiatives, please contact Ron Spitz, Vice President of Programs at 610-478-8266, X: 433 or via email at rspitz@childrenshomeofrdg.org.
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