20-03-2025
Opportunity House leader announces retirement
After more than three decades at its helm, Modesto Fiume has announced he will be retiring as president and CEO of Opportunity House.
Fiume informed the board of directors of the Reading shelter about his plans to retire in May, and a statement issued by Opportunity House revealed Thursday that he will leave the post on June 30.
Alyssa Bushkie, Opportunity House's current chief operations officer, will replace Fiume as president and CEO.
Fiume said in Thursday's statement that he informed the board about his planned retirement early in order to provide ample time for a successor to be found, later adding that he is pleased with the selection of Bushkie.
'Alyssa was the COO of Opportunity House,' he said. 'Since joining us in 2022, she has been instrumental in the growth and expansion or our programs and services.'
Fiume was hired to lead Opportunity House in October 1994, and has guided it through a transition from a homeless shelter for single adults to a multiservice agency.
'The board of directors expresses its gratitude to Modesto Fiume for his leadership, hard work and many years of service as the president and CEO of the Opportunity House as he retires at the end of June 2025,' Thursday's statement said. 'He has led the organization through 30 years of strategic growth, moving the Opportunity House from only a shelter to the many life-changing programs such as the housing program, case management, the early learning center and the OppShop, to name a few.
'These programs have had and will continue to have a lasting positive impact on the lives of the people Opportunity House serves.'
Fiume expressed gratitude for being able to play a lead role in Opportunity House's growth.
'It's amazing to look back and see the impact this organization has had on the thousands of men, women and children who have benefitted from walking through our doors,' he said in the statement.
One of the biggest addition Opportunity House saw under Fiume's leadership was the creation of the Second Street Learning Center. Responding to a need in the community for child care, the center was opened in October 1996.
'That expanded Opportunity House's mission to include the needs of low-income families in the community,' Fiume said. 'Today, the Second Street Learning Center is a Keystone 4 STAR facility that recognizes the highest quality of our early learning programs, and houses three PreK Counts classrooms.'
Fiume said he has also been proud of Opportunity House's work to address a need for more affordable housing in the community. The Linkages program, Opportunity House's first supportive housing program for families, began in 1997, followed by the New Beginnings program the following year.
In 2012, Opportunity House began a partnership with the Oregon-based St. Vincent DePaul Society of Eugene to open an online retail business selling clothing and books. The success of that program led to the creation of the OppShop thrift store.
'The program created jobs, reduced waste in the landfill and generated revenue to reinvest back in the organization's mission,' Fiume said.
Bushkie will look to build on Fiume's legacy and continue to move Opportunity House forward, Thursday's statement said.
Bushkie is a Berks native who holds degrees from Penn State Berks University and St. Joseph's University. Before joining Opportunity House she served as director of operations for the YMCA of Reading and Berks County.
'I am confident that Opportunity House will continue to grow under Alyssa's leadership,' Fiume said.
