CHOR’s Night at Texas Roadhouse

Please join us at CHOR’s Night at Texas Roadhouse, 2803 Papermill Road, Wyomissing.  Tuesday, August 14th from 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm.  The Children's Home of Reading will receive 10% of all sales that night.

Summer Parrot Daze

The Parrot Head Club of Berks County's summer party with a purpose is benefitting the Children’s Home of Reading. The Summer Parrot Daze is on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at Reading Liederkranz.  The Doors open at 2pm on Saturday and there will be a band playing from 4pm to 6pm and from 8pm to 10PM.  There will be a live auction at 7pm.  Tickets are $20 if you are not a member of the Parrot Head Club ($15 if you are) For more information or tickets, please contact the development office at the Children's Home of Reading 610-478-8266

Sorrelli Jewelers is hosting a donation drive to benefit The Children's Home of Reading

Sorrelli Jewelers, located at 125 West Main Street in Kutztown, PA is hosting a donation drive to benefit The Children's Home of Reading. Customers who donate items from CHOR’s wish list will receive a 15% off voucher for each item donated from June 23 - June 30. The vouchers can be used for any in-stock item.

For a list of CHOR’s wish list items, please visit our website at www.childrenshomeofrdg.org  A CHOR Representative will be at Sorrelli Jewelers from 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm this Saturday, June 23 with information about our programs and services.

CHOR Got Talent

CHOR held its first CHOR got Talent show, and our residential boys did a great job in the competition displaying their talent.  We hope to have many more in the future.   A special thanks to Kenny Mitchell a case manager at CHOR who organized the event and help the boys prepare for the event

Annual Academic Awards Ceremony

We had our annual Academic Awards Ceremony for our residential clients yesterday at the Crowne Plaza Reading.  Congratulations to all of our award winners. You have all worked so hard and your academic achievements show it. Everyone at CHOR is so proud of you all!

A great thank you to Craig Poole and the staff of the Crowne Plaza Reading for giving our students a wonderful banquet. As always, the food and service was outstanding. Your generosity and support truly make our residents feel extra special!

Intro to The Work Place CHOR preparing students for the workforce

 CHOR is planning to visit the Crown Plaza again on the 11th, 18th, and 25th of May for our program Intro Into the Work Place. Overall our first visit went very well. The students took a tour of the Crown Plaza and its different departments and participated in mock interviews with various department heads. The students were prepared with completed application in hand, well dressed, polite, and respectful and presented themselves as mature young adults. I was very proud of them.

Our next visit will consist of meeting with their HR person to review the many pre-employment documents (tax forms, code of conduct, and policies, etc.) they supplied us with earlier. Students will also have some time to observe and assist with some of the entry level jobs.

Thanks to all of you who have supported this opportunity to enrich our students experience here at CHOR.

Mike Progansky
Teacher, Children's Home of Reading

CHOR Holds Mock Primary

On Tuesday, April 24th, students and staff participated in a mock
 rimary election. Several weeks prior, students began studying our electoral system and how they can participate.  Students filled out a practice voter registration form, learned the difference between a primary election and the general election, and followed the news as Pennsylvania's Rick Santorum dropped out of the race a week before the election. On Election Day, students manned the polling place (the library conference room) where a voting booth was set up.  The students manned the different stations, helping people sign in to vote, checking their IDs, informing them how to get behind the curtained off voting area, and collecting the paper ballots afterwards.  Virtually all students voted, including one who knew he was to be away on an appt that day that left an absentee ballot to be counted with the others. Many staff, teachers, clinicians, and other CHOR employees also voted with us.

The next day, students counted the ballots and analyzed them according to class and overall, and comparing them with the election results as reported in the Reading Eagle. This is always one of the most popular and engaging of the social studies units each year.

By Jim Vogelgesang

Teacher, Children's Home of Reading

Centre Avenue Academy Update

Education continues working positively at the main campus' Centre Avenue Academy as the school year enters the final marking period. As with all PA schools, CHOR students in grades 6-8 and 11 participated in the PSSA's. Results received in the summer will be forwarded to the home school districts.

Teachers continue to use Compass Learning for standards based computerized educational lessons. In addition, CHOR has purchased 6 Promethean Active Boards for interactive academic work in the classrooms.  The students have responded enthusiastically to being able to get up and use these.
In addition, students continue to be admitted to CHOR, and placed in the proper educational class based on records received, diagnostic testing upon admission, and teacher observation. Teachers also make recommendations to home school districts as to the best placement for students approaching discharge.

      
This year we do not have any graduating seniors for the end of the year, though for one senior student, we were able to work with the home school district and assemble enough credits for the student to receive his diploma during the summer.

Students have appreciated having a rotating schedule throughout the year of art, music, tech ed, and gym.  They have also been able to choose from such electives as Horticulture, Japanese Mythology, Song writing, and Entomology.

By Jim Vogelgesang

Teacher, Children's Home of Reading

Full time Job Opening

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 full time Youth Care staff.  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

 

Murals on the King House at CHOR

The murals were designed by CHOR staff member Ray Camacho-Torres  and painted by him and the clients on King House.

Open House at the new Centre Avenue Academy

CHOR is very proud of our newest recourse to help child the Centre Avenue Academy.

20th Annual Benefit Golf Tournament

Combine Your Love of Golf With Your Support For Kids!  Join us at the Moselem Springs Golf Club OR Berkshire Country Club on Monday, April 30, 2012

Click on the link before for more information http://www.childrenshomeofrdg.org/files/Golf%20Reg%202012%20Flyer.pdf

Texas Roadhouse supports CHOR

Texas Roadhouse in Reading would like to invite you to join them this April to help support The Children's Home of Reading. 

Just come in from April 2nd - April 16th, bring in a pack of diapers in any size and receive a free appetizer*!
We're honored to support such a worthwhile cause and look forward to seeing you here!

*Offer valid April 2nd-April 16th only. Valid for one free appetizer with purchase of an entrée and with donation of a pack of diapers. Combo appetizer excluded. Not valid with any other offer. One per table. Dine-in only. No cash value. No substitutions. Redeem at the Reading, PA location only. 2803 Papermill Road Wyomissing, PA 19610   610-373-9600

Reading Hospital and Medical Center employees volunteering at CHOR

The Children’s Home would like to thank the Reading Hospital and Medical Center employees for volunteering their time to help paint a large mural on the 2nd Floor of our residential building (Carole and Ray Neag Center). Special thank you to Dave Hartranft for designing the mural.

CHOR takes part in African Mask painting

Kenny Mitchell , as part of a Case Manager’s group last week, took his clients to Alvernia College for African Mask painting as part of Alvernia's multicultural initiatives in celebration of Black History Month. The trip and activity were mentioned in the Reading Eagle to read the full article please click on the link below:

http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=367022

New Boy Scout Mural at CHOR

Here is the latest addition to the Boy Scout room at The Children’s Home of Reading where Troop 125 of the Hawk Mountain Council meets each week. 

Thank you to the Berks Karma Yoga Club

The Children’s Home of Reading would like to thank Rachel Sammon and the Berks Karma Yoga Club for offering free yoga classes for our residential boys.

Children’s Home of Reading has part time positions

If you are a person who enjoys working with children and making a difference in the life of a child, and only need to work a few hours a week then we might have a position for you. 

The residential program at CHOR has openings for part time on call Youth Care Workers for 1^st shift, 2^nd shift and 3^rd shift.  The position works directly with our male residential clients who range in age from 12 to 18.  Veterans are encourage to apply.   For more information, including job requirements and how to apply, please click on the following link:  http://www.childrenshomeofrdg.org/employment.html

Boy Scout Troop 125 Prepares to Re-charter

Our Boy Scout Troop 125 is preparing to re-charter for its 3^rd year as a part of the Boy Scouts of America's Hawk Mountain Council. Troop 125 (established in the CHOR's 125^th year) has been blending the ideals of the Scouting movement with the targeted clinical outcomes of our programs. The boys in our troop are expected to not only know the Scout Law ("A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent), but to practice it at all times while at CHOR. In addition, our Scouts have learned proper flag etiquette, and have worked on the Public Speaking, Railroad and Woodworking Badges. Many of our clients, when they hear of our Scout Troop, want to be a part of it. Because our troop size is limited (we may have only 12 boys in it a one time), there is always a waiting list to join. According to Dennis O'Brien, a CHOR Board Member and person who has had a long and close affiliation with the Hawk Mountain Council, "I am very pleased to see the troop continuing and give all of the credit for its success to CHOR staff members Jason Raines, our Troop Committee Chairperson and Carrie Hehn, our Troop Scoutmaster."

As always we are in need of uniforms, handbooks and other scouting materials. So, if you happen to have some laying around at home, don't just throw them out. Contact Carrie at 610.478.8266 ext. 447 or by email at chehn@childrenshomeofrdg.org. We all appreciate your help!

Internships at the Children’s Home of Reading

The Children’s Home of Reading (CHOR) can help fulfill your college requirements.  We offer a variety of UNPAID internships in areas such as clinical, administrative, and support staff.  If you are interested in applying for an internship, please complete the attached Internship Profile Form (pdf) and mail it to the following address:

The Children’s Home of Reading
1010 Centre Ave.
Reading, PA  19601

Upon receipt of your Internship Profile Form, a CHOR representative will contact you to set up an interview if an appropriate match has been determined.

Please note that if you are offered an internship at CHOR, you will need to provide the following information before you begin:

• Internship Profile Form (provided by CHOR)
• Copy of your school procedures and requirements governing internships
• Intern Disclosure Statement (provided by CHOR)
• Confidentiality Agreement (provided by CHOR)
• Code of Ethics Agreement (provided by CHOR)
• Proof of age *

• Criminal History & Child Abuse Clearance

• FBI Clearance - for interns who have not lived in PA within the past 5 years.

• Physical and TB test results along with a letter or note from your physician

    indicating you are free of communicable diseases.

* Some programs require you must be at least 21 years of age prior to start    date.

** Additional requirements may exist for certain internships.

The Children’s Home of Reading writer’s group

Here is the link to an article in the Reading Eagle about The Children’s Home of Reading’s writers group where clients learn how to express their feelings through writing. 

http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=357546

Book drive for the Children’s Home of Reading

The Children’s Home of Reading as a need for new and used books appropriate for boys ages 10-18 to help grow our client library.  If you are willing to donate any books, please contact Debbie Acker at 610-478-8266 ext. 429

Volunteering at The Children’s Home of Reading

Current Volunteer Opportunities Available

The Children's Home of Reading is currently looking for volunteers to serve as:

• Tutors in our on-ground classrooms during the school day
• Clerical support in our Development Office.

Volunteer Qualifications

All of our volunteers need to be 21 years of age or older. All volunteers must complete a Volunteer Application Form as well as a criminal record check and child abuse clearance form. These forms can be requested from our Development Office. 

If you would like more information on our volunteer program or to obtain the necessary clearance forms, please call Mindy McIntosh at (610) 478-8266, ext. 468.

Ways of Giving To The Children’s Home of Reading

Your contribution is a thoughtful and effective way to make a significant difference in the quality of life for the children within our community.

General Contributions
Received throughout the year, these gifts in any amount are unrestricted and vital to the ongoing work of The Children's Home. All donations can be mailed to:

The Children's Home of Reading
Attn: Development Office
1010 Centre Ave
Reading, PA  19601

To make a VISA or MasterCard contribution, please contact Debbie Acker in the Development Office at (610) 478-8266, ext. 429.

In-Kind Gifts
In-kind gifts provide us with needed items that would otherwise be purchased with Children's Home dollars. These contributions allow us to use more of our operating dollars for programs rather than having to purchase them.

Corporate Matching Gifts
If you are employed by or retired from a company with a matching gift program, you may be able to double or triple your gift dollars to The Children's Home. Contact your company's personnel or community relations office and they will provide a form for you to complete and send to us.

Honorary Tributes
Honorary Tributes will mark any special occasion, a birth, anniversary, retirement or birthday. An appropriate message indicating your thoughtfulness is sent to the person being honored.

Memorial Gifts
A special way to provide a memorial to a loved one or friend is through a gift to The Children's Home, whose caring programs touch the lives of many suffering children. Families of the person designated by the donor are notified of the memorial.

Bequests, Trusts, & Gift Annuities
Bequests, trusts, and gift annuities are planned gifts which may be arranged in whatever way accords with the donor's own estate plan and/or wishes for the gift's use. Many forms of bequests or planned gifts are available.

Please note: In planning such tax-deductible contributions, speak to your attorney, accountant, and/or the Development Office at (610) 478-8266, ext. 469.

The Children's Home of Reading has an ongoing need for various miscellaneous items. 

If you are interested in donating any new or gently-used items, please contact our Development Office at (610) 478-8266.