Housing
Transitional Living
Homelessness affects people of all ages, races, genders, and ethnicities, and has a variety of causes, including chemical dependency, unemployment, and domestic abuse. For this reason, the YMCA of Reading and Berks County has a number of transitional living programs which serve a variety of populations. Each program provides case management in an effort to address the root causes of homelessness. Program participants learn living skills, budgeting and employment skills as they work towards self-sufficiency.
Eligibility Criteria
- Homeless or sleeping in an environment not suitable for occupancy.
- Drug and alcohol free for at least five consecutive days.
- Interested in achieving financial self-sufficiency.
- Motivated to remain clean and sober.
- Committed to setting goals and working to achieve them.
- Able to participate in outpatient counseling.
Housing Application
Click here to apply online.
Click here to access a PDF version of our housing application. Please return your completed application to 631 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601.
Partners
Programs are collaborative projects of the County of Berks, City of Reading, Department of Public Welfare, Council on Chemical Abuse, Service Access Management, Inc., Housing and Urban Development, Federal Home Loan Bank, and Berks County Probation Department. The Bridge Houses and SAFE Houses are funded, in part, through the Pennsylvania Department of Health, County of Berks and the Single County Authority.
Bridge House (Men's)
The Bridge House is designed to provide support to chemically dependent men to help them work toward becoming self-sufficient.
Contact Info:
Gary Matthews
610-378-4706
Bridge House (Women's)
The Bridge House (Women’s) is designed to provide support to chemically dependent women to help them work toward becoming self-sufficient.
Contact Info:
Tajuana Destin
610-378-4747
Registration Information
Available Sessions
Date(s) | ||
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11/01/23 - 11/30/23
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Register at front desk |
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12/01/23 - 12/31/23
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Register at front desk |
Camp Joy (Men's)
The Camp Joy Housing Program of the YMCA of Reading is located at 1120 Berks Road Leesport, Pa 19533 and is designed to provide transitional housing for men with substance use disorder who are also involved in the Berks County criminal justice system. Camp Joy is a newly remodeled twenty bed facility that provides safe housing and support services to allow residents to become productive and self-supporting members of our society.
Registration Information
Available Sessions
Date(s) | ||
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11/01/23 - 11/30/23
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Register at front desk |
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12/01/23 - 12/31/23
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Register at front desk |
Dual Diagnosis (Men's)
The Dual Diagnosis program is a supportive housing program designed for men who are chemically dependent with a co-occurring mental health disorder. Applicants must be stabilized on their medications and able to abide by program guidelines.
Hacia Adelante
Hacia Adelante is designed to provide support to men and women with substance use disorders to help them work toward becoming self-sufficient.
Substance abuse does not discriminate and affects people of all ages, races, genders, and ethnicities, and walks of life. For this reason, the YMCA of Reading and Berks County has a new transitional living and recovery program, Hacia Adelante, to support the Spanish speaking community of Berks County. Hacia Adelante provides case management in an effort to address the root causes of homelessness. Program participants learn living skills, budgeting, employment skills and take ESL classes as they work towards self-sufficiency.
Hacia Adelante está diseñado para brindar apoyo a hombres y mujeres dependientes de sustancias químicas para ayudarlos a alcanzar la autosuficiencia.
El abuso de sustancias no discrimina y afecta a personas de todas las edades, razas, géneros y etnias y ámbitos de la vida. Por esta razón, el YMCA de Reading y el Condado de Berks tiene un nuevo programa de transición y recuperación, Adelante está aquí para apoyar a la comunidad de habla hispana del Condado de Berks. Hacia Adelante brinda administración de casos en un esfuerzo por abordar las causas fundamentales de la falta de vivienda. Los participantes del programa aprenden habilidades para vivir, presupuestan clases de ESL y habilidades laborales mientras trabajan para alcanzar la autosuficiencia.
Registration Information
Available Sessions
Date(s) | ||
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11/01/23 - 11/30/23
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Session is Full | |
12/01/23 - 12/31/23
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Register at front desk |
Honor House
The Honor House program is for veterans who are chemically dependent. To be eligible for the Honor House program, applicants must be deemed as a benefit eligible veteran through the Lebanon VA.
Contact Info:
Gary Matthews
610-378-4716
Registration Information
Available Sessions
Date(s) | ||
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11/01/23 - 11/30/23
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Register at front desk |
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12/01/23 - 12/31/23
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Register at front desk |
Safe House (Women's)
The SAFE House (Women’s) is designed to assist chemically dependent women who are involved with the Berks County criminal justice system to continue Staying Addiction Free and Employed.
Contact Info:
Tajuana Destin
610-378-4747
Registration Information
Available Sessions
Date(s) | ||
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11/01/23 - 11/30/23
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Register at front desk |
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12/01/23 - 12/31/23
|
Register at front desk |
Single Room Occupancy (General)
The YMCA offers rooms for rent to single men and women. Residents are exempt from the program eligibility requirements, although the Y strives to maintain a recovery atmosphere.
Registration Information ($100.00 One time registration fee)
Available Sessions
Date(s) | ||
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11/26/23 - 12/02/23
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Register at front desk |
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12/03/23 - 12/09/23
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Register at front desk |
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12/10/23 - 12/16/23
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Register at front desk |
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12/17/23 - 12/23/23
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Register at front desk |
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12/24/23 - 12/30/23
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Register at front desk |
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12/31/23 - 01/06/24
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Register at front desk |
Single Room Occupancy (Serenity Hall)
The YMCA offers rooms for rent to single men and women. Residents are exempt from the program eligibility requirements, although the Y strives to maintain a recovery atmosphere.
Contact Info:
Mary Halstead
610-378-4720
Gary Matthews
610-378-4706
Registration Information ($100.00 One time registration fee)
Available Sessions
Date(s) | ||
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11/26/23 - 12/02/23
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Register at front desk |
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12/03/23 - 12/09/23
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Register at front desk |
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12/10/23 - 12/16/23
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Register at front desk |
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12/17/23 - 12/23/23
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Register at front desk |
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12/24/23 - 12/30/23
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Register at front desk |
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12/31/23 - 01/06/24
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Register at front desk |
Specialty Court (SCP)
Registration Information
Available Sessions
Date(s) | ||
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11/01/23 - 11/30/23
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Register at front desk |
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12/01/23 - 12/31/23
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Register at front desk |
Y Haven (Women's)
This program is for single mothers with up to 2 children who are working towards independence. The maximum length of stay is 2 years. Y-Haven is designed in a group home setting to provide support and education to young mothers.
Contact Info:
Gena Pina Garcia
610-378-4748