Modesto Fiume, President and CEO of Opportunity House, has announced he will retire effective June 30, 2025, concluding a three-decade career leading the nonprofit organization.
Fiume shared his plans with the Opportunity House Board of Directors in May 2024 to ensure a smooth leadership transition. “I wanted the Board to have time to select my successor,” he said.
Fiume was hired in October 1994, and during his tenure, Opportunity House evolved from a shelter serving single adults into a comprehensive multi-service organization addressing homelessness, early childhood education, and housing insecurity.
“It’s amazing to look back and see the impact this organization has had on the thousands of men, women, and children who have benefitted from walking through our doors,” said Fiume.
Under his leadership, Opportunity House responded to the community’s changing needs, launching the Second Street Learning Center in 1996 to provide childcare for low-income families. The facility has since grown into a Keystone 4 STAR center and now includes three PreK Counts classrooms.
Addressing housing insecurity was another priority for Fiume. The organization introduced Linkages, a supportive housing program for families, in 1997, followed by New Beginnings in 1998. In 2003, the nonprofit changed its name to Opportunity House to reflect its expanding services.
The Children’s Alliance Center, once operated under Opportunity House, provided services to over 400 children annually impacted by childhood sexual abuse. That program transitioned to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office in 2021.
Fiume also led the organization into new ventures, including a partnership with the St. Vincent DePaul Society of Eugene, Oregon, to sell donated clothing and books online. That effort laid the groundwork for the 2015 opening of OppShop, a thrift store in Muhlenberg Township that now operates as part of the Reuse & Recycle Program. “The program created jobs, reduced waste in the landfill, and generated revenue to reinvest back in the organization’s mission,” Fiume said.
Most recently, in partnership with the City of Reading, Fiume helped establish additional short-term housing at Eckert House to support families facing homelessness. In 2023, Opportunity House received a $3 million, two-year grant to assist 150 individuals previously living in an encampment in the greater Pottstown area.
In a statement, the Opportunity House Board of Directors praised Fiume’s leadership: “He has led the organization through 30 years of strategic growth, moving the Opportunity House from only a shelter to the many life-changing programs such as the housing program, case management, the early learning center and the OppShop, to name a few. These programs have had and will continue to have a lasting positive impact on the lives of the people Opportunity House serves. Mr. Fiume, we are grateful for your inspiring service and wish you success in your retirement.”
Alyssa Bushkie to Assume Leadership Role
The Board has named Alyssa Bushkie, the organization’s Chief Operations Officer since 2022, as Fiume’s successor.
“Alyssa was the first COO of Opportunity House. Since joining us in 2022, she has been instrumental in the growth and expansion of our programs and services,” Fiume said. “I am confident that Opportunity House will continue to grow under Alyssa’s leadership.”
Bushkie is a Berks County native with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Penn State Berks and a Master’s in Strategic Human Resource Management from St. Joseph’s University. She also holds a Nonprofit Leadership Certification from LaSalle University. Before joining Opportunity House, she served as Director of Operations at the YMCA of Reading and Berks County.
The Board expressed confidence in her leadership, stating: “In her previous role as COO, Alyssa demonstrated excellent knowledge of the operations and strategic direction for Opportunity House, and we look forward to working with her as Opportunity House continues to strategically respond to the needs of the homeless and early education children who attend the Opportunity House early learning center.”
