YMCA of Reading & Berks County Completes Renovation for Residential Treatment Court Programs, Made Possible by Community Donors and Berks County District Attorney’s Office

The assistance of the County of Berks, Berks County District Attorney’s Office, the City of Reading, and the Council on Chemical Abuse has made it possible for the YMCA of Reading & Berks County to complete renovations of one of its residential living spaces at the Reading branch, which houses the participants of the Treatment Court Program.

The renovation began in 2018 when District Attorney John Adams approved a donation that would improve the living quarters for the participants of the Treatment Court Program in the Reading YMCA branch on Washington Street, Reading, PA. Due to funding setbacks and the effects of COVID-19, the project was delayed until fall 2023, when the renovations began.

“The District Attorney’s Office was a crucial part of making the renovations possible for the Treatment Court Program residents. From funding the initial program improvements to helping to close the final funding gap, the DA was instrumental from start to completion,” said Chief Operations Officer Ken Borkey, Jr., YMCA of Reading & Berks County. “Having a safe, comfortable, and modern living space contributes to improving lives. The environment that people live in helps create a foundation for making better choices and opportunities for success.”

“Not only does the Treatment Court Program help individuals who need a safe, supportive space to be successful living in sobriety, but it also benefits the entire community by keeping the cost of incarceration to a minimum. Treatment Court is a solution-oriented program that directly addresses the root cause,” said John T. Adams, District Attorney of Berks County.

The Treatment Court program provides treatment for nonviolent individuals who were arrested and struggle with substance use disorder (SUD). Through SUD treatment and life-changing resources, including sober living housing and life-skills education, the program helps individuals build a solid foundation they need to get back on track. The results have a ripple effect on their families and the socioeconomics of the community. It is one of the primary reasons Berks County organizations collaborate to create the right conditions and resources for positive outcomes.

Over the course of the renovation, the District Attorney’s Office contributed a total of $316,923 toward the renovations for the Treatment Court Program. With the final contribution of $136,923 in December 2024. In 2018, a donation of $100,000 initiated the project with architectural planning, pre-construction supplies and project costs. This also accounted for upgrades to Wi-Fi, enhancing job search capabilities.

In addition to the investments made by the YMCA of Reading & Berks County to renovate the space for the residents of the Treatment Court Program, the following funds were donated from key community partners who were also vital:

$41,676 from the Council of Chemical Abuse (COCA)
$200,000 from the City of Reading
$403,739 Berks County’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) Grant

Case management and house management services are provided by the Treatment Access and Services Center (TASC) for the Treatment Court Recovery Program located at the YMCA of Reading and Berks County.