By the age of sixteen, most of us have been to plenty of restaurants in our lives.
Many of us have experienced all different types of cuisine.
By that age, many of us have been to a fast-food restaurant multiple times.
Imagine a world, where–at the age of sixteen–you were invited to go to McDonalds with a group of friends…but no one had ever taken you there before in your life. An experience that most would take for granted has not ever been something that was part of your story…and now you are faced with an overwhelming decision about what to order, how to order, how to pay, and you feel overwhelmed. You hang back from your friends, just for a moment, as the enormity of the situation–how different your childhood was–comes into startling, sudden clarity.
Now imagine that you are a star athlete at your school–but you have not one person to cheer you on at your basketball games, and that is your greatest wish–just one person to cheer you on, by name, as you play.
These stories might sound improbable–fantastical even–but according to Jill Troutman, the Vice President of Advancement Marketing and Communication at the Children’s Home of Reading, they are ones that happened recently to youth in one of CHOR’s beneficial programs. “Stories like this…they really give you a reality check on the things we take for granted,” she said. And yet, for those who work for Children’s Home of Reading and CHOR Youth and Family Services, stories like this are ones they see everyday.
This year marks 140 years that the Children’s Home of Reading has been blessing Berks County and beyond with life-changing programs that benefit not just children, but individuals of all ages. “We help kids and families,” shared Ms. Troutman. “Offering support and teaching skills to our clients is the foundation of everything we do–we believe that you heal first, then you can move forward.”
Comprising several buildings and including locations in the Greater Lehigh Valley and Doylestown as well as Reading, The Children’s Home of Reading was originally founded by community members as an orphanage 140 years ago, but has evolved into a full-service institute dedicated to helping at-risk children and their families thrive. “We have grown to have over 35 programs, and we serve 4,000 clients–children, adults, and families,” said Ms. Troutman.
The different programs offered by CHOR Youth and Family Services are widespread and multi-faceted, and truly dedicated to the betterment of all individuals, regardless of age, income, gender, or socioeconomic status. Ms. Troutman shared that the programs range from Circle of Friends–a program that allows homeless individuals to have a place to eat, socialize, shower, and wash their clothes–to specialized trauma recovery programs for at-risk youth.
“We specialize in really specific treatment for trauma, and we have outpatient services that offer court mandated programming, counseling and psychiatric evaluations as well,” she said. “We are no longer an orphanage, but we do have a unit where kids can live 24/7; we are a safe space to come and be out of situations they are in. Many of these kids have suffered layers of trauma like an onion–we offer counseling, and school on campus for students who can’t be in a traditional school setting due to their behaviors.”
CHOR also is home to an acute partial hospitalization center, which, in Ms. Troutman’s words, is “a 30-day program that is a step-down from a mental health ward in a hospital”. Youth who are part of this program are able to be under a doctor’s specialized care, while still being able to live at home. “We work with families; it’s all about getting kids stabilized and acclimated back into a regular routine, we provide therapy and support to the client and their families with the goal of transitioning them back into a normal day of going to school, and being with their friends and family.”
Amongst the many other incredible programs that CHOR offers are also anti-drug and conflict resolution programs in local schools, where the kids learn how to navigate conflict and learn leadership skills that lay the foundation to build upon as they move into adulthood. Additionally, CHOR offers a Nurse Family Partnership program that is dedicated to helping pregnant women, new mothers, and babies thrive through such services as breastfeeding support. “We connect [new mothers] with the services they need in the community and we help them meet goals so they can be successful as new parents,” shared Ms. Troutman.
Currently, CHOR needs help and support to help local kids in the CYS system that get referred to their foster care program–and they are actively looking for people who are willing to open their hearts and homes to children in need. “We need foster families,” said Ms. Troutman. “There has been a huge decrease in foster families since Covid. We need all types of families–including temporary foster families and those willing to provide respite care. While reconciliation [with birth parents] is always the goal, we also offer adoption…now is the time to pick up the phone and call! In Berks County alone, there are over 200 children needing placements in a safe caring home. If you have always wanted to make a difference, as long as you can pay your bills and meet the requirements…we want to talk to you.”
CHOR also hosts corporate volunteer days, tours, meetings, trainings, and events throughout the year (such as back to school supply drives and toy drives for the holidays), and they are always looking for willing volunteers to help coordinate, participate, or donate their time. “We can’t do it alone, and have evolved and survived because of community support. We are better together!”, said Troutman.
For more information on the Children’s Home of Reading and CHOR Youth and Family Services, visit buildingkidslives.org, and for a questions or volunteer opportunities call 610-478-8266 ext.1249 or email Jill at jtroutman@choreading.org.