Latest news with #ConnectionsWork
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Letter: Interviews offer key insights on reforming criminal justice
Here are a few observations about the criminal justice system after reading 'Inside look' (Reading Eagle, May 25). The people interviewed did us a favor by sharing insights on how they lost their way in life. One said he received little to no moral guidance from his 'checked out' parents and then realized he lacked the moral authority to guide his own offspring. He then decided to change and receive help in getting that to happen. Congratulations to him for mentoring youth in the fundamentals of life and showing them a better way. Thanks to Real Church, Connections Work, Treatment Court and employers willing to risk hiring those on the edge, opportunities do exist. I have found over the decades that most who work in the system do care and offer their best, though sadly there are a few exceptions. Until the person fears consequences and prison enough to want internal change, many good opportunities will fall short. Due to COVID-19 prisons cut back on programming like Yokefellowship Prison Ministry, in which volunteers entered weekly to model and teach good living. They have not been invited to reenter and resume their successful outreach. All good efforts locally and statewide deserve an open door to serve all of us for a better, safer, godly future. This report reminds us how our influence, good and bad, impacts all of us, like a stone sending ripples on the surface of a quiet lake. Psalm 1 gives good advice for today. John Rush Cumru Township
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bulletin board: Berks Armed Forces Day Parade set for Saturday
The 77th Berks County Armed Forces Day Parade will be held Saturday, May 17, starting at 10 a.m. The parade will step off on Penn Avenue at Eighth Avenue, go east on Penn into West Reading, turn right on to South Third Avenue, turn right on to Spruce Street and turn left on to South Seventh Avenue. This year's parade will highlight the Pennsylvania National Guard. The reviewing Officer is Col. David B. Marous. The parade marshal is retired Command Sgt. Maj. Michael W. Werley. Relay for Life The American Cancer Society is holding a Relay for Life fundraiser on Saturday, May 31, from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Berks County Fairgrounds, 1216 Hilltop Road, Bern Township. The day will feature a vendor fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a cornhole tournament at 11. An opening ceremony and closing luminaria display will bookend the event, and a large raffle featuring more than100 baskets and items will take place. Learn more and register at Genealogy meeting The Berks County Genealogical Society monthly meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the society library on the fourth floor of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St., Reading. Guest speaker Evan Goodling will speak on early immigrants. Doors open at 6. All are welcome, and admission is free. Meditation talk Soul Cafe presents 'Ashram Life and the Art of Meditation: Practicing the Presence of God,' on Tuesday, May 20 at 10:30 a.m. at West Lawn United Methodist Church, 15 Woodside Ave. Speaker Charlie Curtis will describe ashram life and the health benefits of daily meditative practices. Spirit on Tap Spirit on Tap presents a celebration of Connections Work, a nonprofit organization marking its 50th anniversary, during its program at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Reading May 27 at 7 p.m. Connections Work supports people involved in the justice system, most notably in workforce development services. There is no charge for the program, and all are welcome. Fleetwood history The Fleetwood Area Historical Society will have an open house on Wednesday, May 21, at 7 p.m. in its museum at the Fleetwood Community Center. The public is invited to see the improvements in the recently renovated school room. The society is considering participating in the Fleetwood Community Carnival in July. Ideas and participation from the community are encouraged. Flea markets • Lincoln Park United Methodist Church will hold its annual flea market on Saturday, May 17, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Items include books, household items, toys, jewelry boutique, vintage collectibles, garden center, outdoor items and food. • The Muhlenberg Township Parks and Recreation Department is holding its spring flea market Saturday, May 17. Rain date is May 18. Spaces for sellers cost $15 and are 20 by 20 feet deep. Tables are not provided. Setup begins at 6 a.m. and is first-come, first-served. Do not arrive before 6 a.m. The sale of food or drinks of any kind is prohibited. For more information, call 610-929-4727 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Popup sale A spring popup sale is scheduled for Saturday, May 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Exeter Community Library, 4569 Prestwick Drive, Exeter Township. Items include puzzles, DVDs, CDs and audiobooks. Chorus concert The Greater Reading Encore Chorale will present its 'Don't Let The Music Stop' concert on Sunday, May 18, at 3 p.m. at Alsace Lutheran Church, 2201 Kutztown Road, Muhlenberg Township. Admission is free. Car show The Marion Township Community Association is presenting the fifth annual Jim Keppley Memorial Car Show Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. along main street in Stouchsburg. The event is rain or shine. Cars, trucks and motorcycles are welcome. There will be a Chinese auction from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a drawing at 2 and awards presentation at 2:30. Pre-registration is $10. Make checks payable to MTCA and mail them to Eileen Heydt, 41 Main St., Stouchsburg, PA 19567. Registration on the day of the show (open from 9 to 11 a.m.) is $15. Proceeds benefit the MTCA playground and Lebanon Humane Society. For more information, call Maryanne Keppley at 610-413-3168 or Doug Hoover at 484-256-5455. Taps ceremony The Bugles Across America Echo Taps ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 17 at 11 a.m. at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. It is part of the observance of Armed Forces Day. The ceremony starts with a traditional three-volley rifle salute by the Vet 21 Salute Honor Guard of Lancaster. The sequential sounding of taps throughout the cemetery grounds will immediately follow. This responsive playing of taps is known as Echo Taps. It will be performed by a corps of buglers from across the region. The buglers will perform a musical tribute at the cemetery's Pennsylvania Veterans' Memorial following the sounding of Echo Taps. The program will include each of the military service branch songs. Family members and friends will be invited to sign a memorial book dedicating the occasion to loved ones interred at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Farmhouse tour The Historic Dreibelbis Farm near Virginville will be hosting farmhouse tours on Sunday, June 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. Guides will lead visitors through the unremodeled Civil War-era house. The tour will highlight the home's furnishings and a collection of Native American artifacts found on the farm. A special feature on this tour is lessons on old-fashioned quilting from the Hopewell Quilters group and a chance to have a close look at some of the historic quilts in the farmhouse. There is a $6 tour fee. Parking is free. The tours will be held rain or shine. Future Sunday Open Houses will be held July 13 and Sept. 7. The farm is located on Route 143 south of Virginville in Richmond Township. GPS Address: 356 Hard Hill Road, Hamburg. To learn more, visit 'Historic Dreibelbis Farm' on Facebook or call 610-451-1193. Pride bus trip, tags The LGBT Center of Greater Reading, in partnership with Reading Pride Celebration, is holding a World Pride Bus Trip on Saturday, June 7. Participants will depart from Boscov's North parking lot in Muhlenberg Township at 10 a.m. sharp, heading to a World Pride experience that promises community, celebration and unity. This trip is open to all supporters of LGBTQ+ equality and visibility. To register or learn more, visit or contact the center at 484-345-5765. The center is selling Pride tags through May 30. Each tag symbolizes solidarity and support for the LGBTQ+ community and unlocks discounts at participating local businesses. Tags are available for purchase at Spring Fest Swamp Lutheran Church in Reinholds is hosting its annual Spring Fest on Sunday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a free community event open to everyone. There will be free food and games for children of all ages. The Spring Fever Band will perform World War II-era swing music and will be dressed in military garb for the time. There will be a silent auction benefiting the Stocking for Soldiers shipping costs program and Wreaths Across America for the Swamp Church Cemetery. The church is located at 275 Swamp Church Road in West Cocalico Township, Lancaster County. For additional information, call 717-738-2849. Send items to news@
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Connections Work hosting second-chance career fair in Reading
Connections Work will hold its Spring Career Fair on March 31 for those involved in the criminal justice system. The job fair at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Reading from 9 a.m. to noon is for anyone who is on probation or parole or has past involvement in the criminal justice or domestic relations systems. 'In my ongoing conversations with local employers across all industries, the need to attract and retain talent in a challenging labor market remains their major barrier to current hiring needs and future growth,' Dan Fogarty, chief operating officer of the Berks County Workforce Development Board, said in the organization's event announcement. Fogarty said employers will be able to meet with a diverse group of eager job-seekers who might be a good match for their current and future needs. Connections Work anticipates about 30 area employers will attend, including Morgan Truck Body, Tower Health, Brentwood Industries and New Castle Lawn & Landscape, along with several local social service providers. Officials said the participants offer second-chance employment opportunities that can be life-changing. Volunteers will help job seekers fill out applications, conduct mock interviews and provide general job readiness coaching. The Berks County Library System will provide laptops so job seekers can complete online applications. The organization partners with employers to learn about their specific operations and provides referrals of people who are a good match for their hiring needs. 'Like any other individuals, individuals who have had involvement with the justice system can add value to the workplace,' said Nikki Schnovel, co-executive director. 'In fact, in some cases, employers find they are more motivated and eager for success than their counterparts. 'They are ready to make a change and live a productive life and are very appreciative of those who help make that happen.' Employers interested in attending the job fair should contact HelpWithHiring@ or call 484-260-3860 extension 3024. People with criminal justice involvement who are looking for help finding a job can call 484-260-3860, go to or stop by the office on the fourth floor of 19 N. Sixth St., Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, and programs and services are free.
