A Reading-based organization that specializes in community transformations is calling on supporters to join its cause.
Leaders of Barrio Alegría, known for its free public art and financial empowerment programs, are looking to neighbors, artists, businesses and foundations to take action as the state and national budgets are tangled in political deadlock.
Anthony Orozco, director of operations for the organization, says there is too much at stake for residents and Barrio to stand idly by.
“Our community needs us more now than ever; and inversely, we need our community like never before,” Orozco said. “We are challenging the status quo to bring meaningful, tangible change to our city – but we can’t do it alone. ”
Orozco pointed to the more than $100,000 small loans it has made available to people with no credit or bad credit, a facade improvement program coordinated by the South of Penn with the Wyomissing Foundation, and the dozens of neighbor-inspired clean ups Barrio has coordinated.
Just this year, Barrio has worked with the City of Reading to implement a Spanish-speaking environmental outreach fellow to educate and listen to city residents on quality of life issues; raised thousands of dollars for a survivor of needless violence; dozens of free bilingual community art workshops; and storytelling and story preservation projects.
Barrio Alegría is inviting the community to support its annual fundraiser gala, Barrio Lights. The event will be held on Oct. 15, from 6-9pm, at the WCR, 140 N. 5th Street. Tickets for the event and donations can be purchased at: https://www.barrioalegria.com/events/barrio-lights-2025.
Tickets are $20 each and include dinner, a cash bar, performances, live music and more. The money raised from the event will go directly toward Barrio’s work. Entities that have already supported Barrio’s gala include Visions Federal Credit Union, Quaker Maid, Maidencreek Church, Cathleen and David Myers, and East Penn Manufacturing.
“Grants and support from state agencies is getting a lot harder to rely on,” Orozco said. “But no matter what, we can always rely on our people.”
