SAFE Berks

Recovering from Financial Abuse. Angie Gilmour, Economic Sustainability Advocate at Safe Berks, describes financial abuse, and the free services she offers survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault who have suffered from financial abuse. Services include financial education, budgeting, credit repair, and financial goal planning.

Volunteer Jennifer Denny shares information about Moms Demand Action, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the nation and in the state. Safe Berks is proud to partner with Moms Demand Action on many initiatives to prevent gun violence.

Tom McDevitt, volunteer at Safe Berks, describes the process of
planning and creating the new Safe Berks Playground. Many donors, volunteers
and staff members worked together for more than a year to raise funds and build
the new Safe Berks Playground.

Letty Vazquez nueva coordinadora del programa MAPP se presenta como la nueva anfitriona para el programa de Safe Berk versión en español. Letty presenta a una de sus compañera Maria Mateo representante de Safe Berk para el Coordinadora de Sanación Segura. Un programa que se enfoca conectar a las familias y jóvenes con los recursos con en nuestra comunidad.

Letty Vazquez new MAPP program coordinator introduces herself as the new host for the Safe Berk program in Spanish. Letty introduces one of her co-worker Maria Mateo, representative of Safe Berk to the Coordinator of Safe Healing. A program that focuses on connecting families and youth with resources in our community.

Macy Lengle, Medical Advocacy Partnership Program (MAPP) Advocate at Safe Berks, describes this new program and how she and other MAPP Advocates serve survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault at local hospitals and health centers.

Lisa De La Cruz, Community Educator at Safe Berks, shares information about Camp Safe Berks. Forty-seven teens from throughout Berks County spent a week of July together at Camp Safe Berks, focusing on social justice issues, bonding with new friends and allies, and having fun.

Jonathan K. Del Collo, Berks County Prothonotary, shares good news about the new free App recently released by his office. This new App provides information about the process of requesting a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order, as well as a direct link to the SafeBerks website.

Oumar Kallo, Children’s Alliance Center Coordinator at Safe Berks, describes his work assisting children and their families after they have suffered the tragedy of sexual abuse. Oumar also shares information about the Safe Berks Teen Support Group and Men’s Support Group, which serve survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Mandy Acuna, Safe Berks Board member and co-chair of the Walk For
NO MORE, shares information about this major fundraising and awareness event.
The Walk For NO MORE will take place on Sat., June 15, 2019, and will kickoff
Art on the Avenue in West Reading. To register, visit www.SafeBerks.org, and
click on Events.

Natasha Turczynski, Primary Prevention Specialist at Safe Berks, shares information about Camp Safe Berks – A Teen Alliance to End Violence. This free day camp, which will take place July 15-19, 2019, is open to local teens.

Beautiful Murals in the Safe Berks Safe House. Artist Marcia Graff Rowe shares the story of how she transforms space with her vivid nature paintings. Rowe serves as a volunteer at Safe Berks, painting beautiful murals in the Safe Berks Safe House.

Teena Lee, Chair of the SANE Team at Tower Health/Reading
Hospital, explains how the SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) Team serves
survivors of sexual assault. She also discusses the partnership between the SANE
team and Safe Berks.

Christine Price, of Kutztown University, shares information about campus events in April, in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Safe Berks is partnering with many local colleges and organizations to offer activities to help survivors and prevent these crimes.

Safe Berks is partnering with many local colleges and organizations to offer activities during April, in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Autumn Fritz, of Penn State Berks, shares information on events she has planned.

English: Lisa De La Cruz, the Community Educator at Safe Berks, discusses the importance of goal planning and shares tips on how to make SMART goals, keep track of your goals, and being flexible with your goals.

Spanish: Lisa De La Cruz, la Educadora Comunitaria de Safe Berks, habla sobre la importancia de la planificación de objetivos y comparte consejos sobre cómo hacer objetivos intelligentes (SMART), hacer un seguimiento de sus objetivos y ser flexible con sus objetivos.

English: Lisa De La Cruz, the Community Educator at Safe Berks, discusses the various barriers that exist that prevent someone from getting help in a Domestic Violence situation in the Latinx community.

Spanish: Lisa De La Cruz, la Educadora Comunitaria de Safe Berks, analiza las diversas barreras que existen para evitar que alguien reciba ayuda en una situación de violencia doméstica en la comunidad de Latinx.

Arianna Sanchez, the Children’s Advocate at Safe Berks, shares information about trauma-informed services provided for children. Activities include the Nature Explore Garden, the Ready to Read Program, parties, games, homework help, arts and crafts, and more!

Steve Ohnsman, a member of the Safe Berks Board of Directors and a volunteer for many years, shares his passion for the Safe Berks mission of serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Rhonda Bates, Case Manager in the Safe Berks Safe House, describes the free services and support offered to residents. The Safe House provides shelter for up to 50 adults and children who have fled their homes due to domestic violence.

Jay Mahoney, a member of the Safe Berks Board of Directors and long-time advocate, recalls the history of Safe Berks and how the organization has grown and evolved over the years.

Danielle Palermo, Director of Counseling, shares information about the free, trauma-informed counseling services offered by Safe Berks.

The Safe Berks Celebration of Peace, which took place Dec. 10, 2018, attracted more than 400 people and many generous sponsors. Koinos Community Church, Sinking Spring, and The Power of the Purse of Berks County received Voices for Change awards, and Dr. Thomas F. Flynn, President of Alvernia University, was honored with the Vision for Peace award.

Nicole Bowman of Moms Demand Action shares information about this advocacy group and their goal of encouraging common sense laws to prevent gun violence. Safe Berks and Moms Demand Action have partnered to encourage the passage of House Bill 2060, The Domestic Violence Protection Bill.

Chiara Sockel Renninger shares the story of how she founded The Power of the Purse of Berks County. This fund, managed by the Berks County Community Foundation, provides grants that help empower local women. The Power of the Purse will be honored with a Safe Berks Voices for Change award at the Celebration of Peace on Dec. 10, 2018.

It is back to school time! Developing a regular routine is very important for both children and adults. In this Spanish language podcast, Safe Berks staff Mereliss Colon Ortiz and Letty Vazquez-Pena discuss the importance of a good routine, including going to bed early, eating breakfast, and making time for homework.

Tim Diehl, Pastor of Community Life at Koinos Community Church, Sinking Spring, shares the story of how the Koinos congregation began helping Safe Berks ten years ago. Each year, they organize a significant donation drive based on the Safe Berks Wish List and deliver the items to Safe Berks.

Karima Archie, a member of the Safe Berks Board of Directors, shares why she has helped the organization as a volunteer for the past 20 years. In addition to serving on the Board for the past six years, her volunteer work has included answering the Hotline, serving on the Development Committee, and assisting with Camp Safe Berks.

Safe Berks staff members Mereliss Colon Ortiz and Letty Vazquez-Pena explain in Spanish the services available to survivors of domestic violence. Services include a 24-hour Hotline (844-789-SAFE), a Safe House with space for 50 people, counseling, and legal services. Services are free, confidential, and offered in English and Spanish.

Letty Vazquez-Peña interviews Mayra Rodriguez in Spanish, about her participation in the Safe Berks PhotoVoice Project, and the photo exhibit at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts. The exhibit was held in April, in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Mindy McIntosh shares information about the Safe Berks Walk for NO MORE Event, on June 16, 2018, and how individuals, groups, and businesses can help raise funds and awareness for this fun event. Safe Berks Walk For No More will kick off at Art on the Avenue - West Reading. #NOMORE #YourVoiceYourStory

In this Spanish language show, Letty Vazquez-Peña of SafeBerks interviews Julian Angulo about the importance of nutrition and healthy eating habits. Julian serves as Program Manager of the Community Prevention Partnership “Eat, Play, Grow Program.”

Letty Vazquez-Peña of Safe Berks interviews Julian Angulo in Spanish, about his work as Program Manager of the Community Prevention Partnership of Berks County “Eat, Play, Grow Program.” This free program works to prevent obesity in children in Reading PA and offers children between the ages of 2 and 6 a free gym membership to the Reading YMCA for their whole family, as well as gift cards and gifts of healthy food.

Amber Shamonsky, Community Educator, explains the education programs Safe Berks offers schools, colleges, and other community organizations. These free educational programs aim to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault. Amber also shares information about healthy relationships, and some of the red flags of abusive relationships.

Melissa Haydt, Vice President of the Children's Alliance Center Of Berks County (CAC), shares experiences from her more than 40-year career helping abused children. She also gives advice about how to spot signs of child sexual abuse, and how to help children who you believe might be suffering from abuse.

Ahely Espinoza shares in Spanish the story of her life journey and education, which has led to her new job at Safe Berks, where she serves as Hotline Counselor. She is often the first voice a survivor hears when reaching out to Safe Berks.

Aleida Rodriguez, Assistant Director of Residential Services and former Legal Advocate, explains in Spanish the Legal Services offered by Safe Berks. Services include assistance with Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders and Sexual Violence Protection (SVPO) orders. All Legal Services are free, confidential and available in English and Spanish.

Kate Mallow, Director of Counseling Services, explains the importance of trauma-informed empowerment counseling for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. All counseling services at SafeBerks are free, confidential and available in English and Spanish.

Police Chief Andrew Kensey, Chief of the Amity Township Police Department, shares his experiences of assisting victims of domestic violence, and the partnership between police and Safe Berks. He also invites people to support the Amity Township fundraiser for Safe Berks.

Candida Jarquin shares her commitment to the Anti-Violence Movement for the last 17 years. Candida also explains her responsibilities as a Case Manager for the Residential Services Program at Safe Berks.

Discussed having the resolution to end abuse, from the perspective of a victim, an abuser, or a community member. Also discussed the steps for a victim to leave a relationship. Our services are free, confidential, and offered in English and Spanish.

Safe Berks was founded in 1976 as Berks Women in Crisis. During the 1970s, the Anti-Violence Movement swept the nation, and shelters were opened across the country to provide a safe haven for victims. In 2016, Berks Women in Crisis announced our new name, Safe Berks, which is also our goal.