This article originally appeared in Good Day, Berks — Spotlight PA’s free daily newsletter for Berks County and your daily dose of Berks County essentials. Sign up here.
This week’s Community Spotlight honoree is Suzanne Harteg, 71, who has coordinated her church’s efforts to benefit Family Promise of Berks County. Since its founding 20 years ago, the nonprofit has worked with a network of area churches to provide temporary housing and other services for families.
This conversation, conducted in person, has been edited for length and style.
Good Day, Berks: Where do you live?
Suzanne Harteg: Brecknock Township.
Tell us a little about your family.
I have two wonderful children, their spouses, and four grandchildren.
Tell us about your work and what you like about it.
I’ve been the Family Promise volunteer coordinator at my church, Grace Evangelical Lutheran in Shillington, since Family Promise was founded in 2006. The work is meaningful to me because Family Promise works with various churches throughout Berks County to enable families to stay together and get some help while they’re navigating rocky times. My job has changed because the model of care Family Promise uses has changed, but it’s rewarding to be able to help families get some assistance and be able to stay together as they work to regain stability.
Tell us about a challenge you faced.
We’ve had to keep adapting our volunteer efforts as Family Promise’s model of care has changed. Families were hosted in area churches until the pandemic, which forced Family Promise to come up with a different way to assist them. The agency now rents housing from the Reading Redevelopment Authority and families stay in those locations while working to get back on their feet. Grace Lutheran used to partner with another church, but that partnership ended and we decided to continue on our own. But I have a great team of helpers, and we’ve managed to keep supporting the program in meaningful ways.
What’s your favorite place to eat in Berks County?
I like Gino’s Cafe in Shillington. The prices are good and the veal piccata is excellent.
Where would you take a visitor to in Berks and why?
I’d take them to any of our area farmers’ markets and to Penn Avenue in West Reading. There’s always something going on there, and lots of good places to eat.
Is there a book, poem, or piece of art that speaks to you?
I’ve always been a Billy Joel fan, and I very much enjoy the exhibits in the Reading Public Museum. I’m a member and visit there quite often. It’s a great place to introduce children to the arts.
Who has had the greatest influence on your life?
My husband, Blaine. He opened a different world for me through travel and food and other experiences. He had a great work ethic, and he fully supported me in all my efforts. He gave me confidence, and that changed things for me. He has passed, but he’s very much still alive in my daughter, Valeri, who’s very much like him.
This positive news for Berks County is made possible thanks to a generous grant from the United Way of Berks County, which is celebrating 100 years of service to the community. Learn more here | Become a supporter of Spotlight PA here.
