Transitional Living Programs

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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 5 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.

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

610-378-4706 (Men)
610-378-4747 (Women)
The Bridge House is designed to provide support to chemically dependent men and women  to help them work toward becoming self-sufficient.

Twin Peaks

610-378-4716
The Twin Peaks 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.

Honor House

610-378-4716
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.

Y-Haven

610-378-4781
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.

Camp Joy

484-926-2308
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.

SAFE House

610-378-4750 (Men)
610-378-4747 (Women)
The SAFE House is designed to assist chemically dependent men and women who are involved with the Berks County criminal justice system to continue Staying Addiction Free and Employed.

Y-Passages

610-378-4706
The Y-Passages program is designed for men who are in need of added support to fully achieve their goals.

DUI-II Program

610-378-4703 (Men)
610-378-4781 (Women)
This program is designed specifically to meet the needs of men and women who have been charged with their 2nd Driving Under the Influence offense. A two-phase program, Phase I mandates partial confinement in our housing program for 90 days and aftercare participation for 4 months. Family members are involved in both components.

Hacia Adelante

610-378-4706
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.

Housing Application - English
Housing Application - Espanol

Reconnection Program

610-378-4758
This program covers transportation costs for homeless individuals and families to help them reconnect with supportive services and loved ones outside the Berks County area.