The Second Annual Berks County Luminary Awards brought together community leaders, financial institutions, and workforce advocates on April 9 to highlight the connection between workforce development and homeownership in Berks County.
Hosted by Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Berks in partnership with Tec Centro Berks, the sold-out, invitation-only event was held at Tec Centro Berks in Reading. Organizers said the gathering focused on addressing workforce housing challenges while recognizing individuals and organizations working to expand opportunities for local residents.
The program featured keynote speaker Joe Theismann, a Super Bowl XVII-winning quarterback, who returned after attending the inaugural event last year. According to organizers, Theismann spoke about leadership, perseverance, and the importance of community impact, while also acknowledging progress made in Berks County over the past year.
Several community leaders were recognized during the event for their contributions. John Weidenhammer received the Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr. Khalid Mumin was honored with the Visionary Award, Rick Perez received the Community Impact Award, and Rosa Julia Parra was presented with the Community Catalyst Award.
A major highlight of the evening was the announcement of more than $10 million in combined investments aimed at expanding access to homeownership across Berks County. Contributions included $3.25 million from Customers Bank, $3 million from Ephrata National Bank, $2 million from M&T Bank, $1.2 million from the City of Reading, $300,000 from Berks County, and $500,000 from the Community Workforce Fund. Organizers described the funding as a coordinated effort to strengthen communities and support first-time homebuyers.
Speakers emphasized the link between workforce development and housing stability throughout the event. Steve Gieringer, CEO of NHS of Greater Berks, said the path to homeownership begins with opportunity rather than financing alone. “Workforce housing doesn’t begin with a mortgage it begins with opportunity,” Gieringer said. “When we invest in people, we create pathways to sustainable homeownership and stronger communities.”
Violet Emory, executive director of Tec Centro Berks, echoed that sentiment, highlighting the long-term impact of workforce training. “When individuals gain the skills to earn, they gain the ability to own. That transformation creates generational impact,” Emory said.
Organizers also highlighted the role of NHS of Greater Berks as the only organization in Pennsylvania offering both financial education and second mortgage lending to support first-time homebuyers. Since 2017, the organization has assisted more than 2,000 families in achieving homeownership, with more than 97% remaining in their homes.
The Luminary Awards event, organizers said, reflects a broader collaborative effort among public, private, and nonprofit partners to expand access to housing and create long-term stability for residents across Berks County.
