Opportunity House

Agency Description
Opportunity House provides a wide array of services to homeless, formerly homeless and low-income families and individuals with the ultimate goal of self-sufficiency. In addition to services that meet basic needs of the homeless (shelter, meals, showers, laundry) services are provided to help individuals become and remain independent, responsible members of our community. These services include: case management, life skills classes, aftercare case management for individuals and families moving back into the community, short- and long-term transitional housing programs, and permanent housing for individuals with disabilities. Community services available to both homeless and low-income families and individuals include: 24 hour a day, 7 day a week childcare services through the Second Street Learning Center for children age 6 weeks through 12 years. The Children's Alliance Center(CAC) focuses on children who are victims of sexual abuse, and their families, by giving immediate attention through specially trained professionals and staff, in a child-friendly environment at CAC. In early 2010 the CAC took over responsibility of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program, which was originally run by the United Way of Berks County. The CASA program acts as a third party (training volunteers) to help/assist children who are involved with the Foster Care program in Berks County and make sure that the decision for home/family care is appropriate.