Calling on all students who want to be part of the national YVC youth movement addressing racial inequality in our communities – “Stand Together Against Racism!” Youth Volunteer Corps is launching a virtual youth-directed series of discussions on racial equity which will culminate in a session on youth action. The six-part series will be held on Saturdays in March and April from 2:00-3:30 ET/1:00-2:30 CT beginning March 6. Be part of the conversation – listen, share, learn and create change. No matter where you are on your learning journey, don’t be afraid to participate and talk to like-minded youth! The sessions will be led by students from YVC Reading and YVC Kansas City. To register, visit https://www.yvckc.org/volunteer.html. For questions or more info contact christi@voiceupberks.org. Session 5/6: A Call to Action – Part 1 and Part 2 (Saturday April 10 and 17, 1:00-2:30 CT/ 2:00-3:30 ET) In this two-meeting session we will brainstorm action item that can be taken to help illuminate the problem and help address it. Youth are the key to change. Youth have a strong voice and are encouraged to use it. Like a pebble thrown into a pond, the work of this group will ripple outwards into the community, spreading acceptance of differences and igniting the call for change.

Reading, PA

4/17/21 2:00 PM

Do you have 3 friends, a passion for social justice, and an internet connection?!? If you answered yes, you can be part of the #StandTogetherAgainstRacism youth movement by joining us for this virtual event! Youth Volunteer Corps students will be hosting Stand Up & Stand In for Social Justice via Instagram Live (@yvcreading) on Saturday April 24 from 2-3:30 PM. Join the broadcast to hear from students around the US as well as messages from YVC Founder David Battey, Social Activist Icon Jane Elliott, PA State Senator Judy Schwank and more! For additional information click HERE. HERE'S HOW TO GET INVOLVED: Form your team of 2-15 people and register HERE. Choose a location for your team to meet on 4/24. Tune into Instagram Live (@yvcreading) at 2:00PM EST . Create your #StandUpStandIn Sidewalk Chalk Mural (or any other mini-project of your choosing) during the live stream while listening to our playlist and guest speakers. (More details to follow.) Submit a video/photos of your project HERE for a chance to win a $100 prize! Celebrate with us during wrap-up at 3:15PM EST. Questions? Email info@voiceupberks.org

Reading, PA

4/24/21 2:00 PM

Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is the largest youth service and civic action event in the world and the only one that celebrates and builds the capacity of all youth to help our communities and democracy thrive by working together for the common good. Now in its 33rd year, GYSD is celebrated in over 100 countries world-wide. Join the Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading as they host Global Youth Service Day 2021 in City Park, Reading, PA on Sunday, April 25th! We will be planting, painting, cleaning, and CELEBRATING our youth volunteers during this event. All materials (paint, brushes, gloves, trash bags) will be provided, so sign up to help make City Park sparkle!

Reading, PA

4/25/21 1:00 PM

In this project, youth leaders from our Stand Together Against Racism project will discuss the the 2nd episode of the Netflix Docu-series “Amend: The Fight for America.” The series, hosted by Will Smith, takes a look at the evolving, often lethal, fight for equal rights in America through the lens of the US Constitution's 14th Amendment. Adult and youth participants welcome. (The episode should be viewed prior to the discussion.)

Reading, PA

5/4/21 7:00 PM

Structures created by youth during Canstructure event at the Berkshire Mall will be taken down. All cans used for the structures will be packaged and donated to the Helping Harvest (formerly the Greater Berks Food Bank) to help fight hunger in Berks County! Saturday, May 8, 2021 from 7:00am - 9:00am. Email YVC Program Director Lindsay Sites at build@voiceupberks.org for more information.

Wyomissing, PA

5/8/21 7:00 AM

In this project, youth leaders from our Stand Together Against Racism project will discuss the the 3rd episode of the Netflix Docu-series “Amend: The Fight for America.” The series, hosted by Will Smith, takes a look at the evolving, often lethal, fight for equal rights in America through the lens of the US Constitution's 14th Amendment. Adult and youth participants welcome. (The episode should be viewed prior to the discussion.)

Reading, PA

6/1/21 7:00 PM

The Dream League baseball field was designed to give those with physical and mental disabilities the chance to enjoy the game of baseball on a custom built field created to meet the needs of those players. Join in on the fun as we ensure that those playing have a safe and enjoyable time! Masks are to be worn at all times to ensure the safety of all participants.

Temple, PA

6/5/21 9:00 AM

Join us, virtually, as we create cards and letters to be sent to Berks Heim in Leepsort, PA. Berks Heim has become our "Nursing Home Adoptee" which means we will be working together, virtually, throughout the course of the year to create cards and letters to be shared with the residents who live at Berks Heim. Since March of 2020 seniors have, as a result of Covid, been isolated from friends and family. This is our way of providing connection and love during a time of great difficulty.

Reading, PA

6/19/21 9:00 AM

The YVC Summer of Service Learning Institute is a week-long day camp based entirely on service learning with education on community issues through visits to local non-profit organizations and the development of a youth-led service project at the end of the week. YVC of Reading will be holding the first of two Summer of Service Learning Institutes from June 21st- June 24th, 2021, 9 AM - 3 PM daily. During this time youth will be exposed to a curriculum designed to enhance leadership abilities, expand communication and problem-solving skills, as well as engage students in direct and indirect service-learning opportunities. The first day of the Institute will be spent at the Goggleworks engaging participants in teambuilding, leadership and interpersonal activities. Participants will spend the next two days of the Institute in the community – one day at Hope Rescue Mission and one day at a local horse sanctuary -- gaining firsthand knowledge of community needs and ways in which they can help. Participants will conclude the week again at the Goggleworks, creating a service project designed to assist one of these agencies and presenting information they learned throughout the week to their parents/guardians. The camp will be open to middle school students (rising 7th, 8th, and 9th graders). The cost of the Summer of Service Learning Insitute is $125.

Reading, PA

6/21/21 9:00 AM + more

Calling on soccer players from across Berks to participate! Join us in the fight against hunger in Berks on July 3rd, 2021. Set a Goal, Get Sponsors, Juggle! All Proceeds go to Helping Harvest Food Bank The Berks County Juggle-A-Thon is a campaign to help those most affected by job loss and food insecurity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We are calling on Berks County soccer players of all ages to participate in the fundraiser by setting a goal, gathering willing donors to sponsor them, and then juggling! In compliance with social distancing policies, we ask that all participants juggle at home this year, but we want to see your skills! Join us, July 3rd on Instagram Live (@berksjuggle), for a chance to be featured in our live stream AND submit a video using #berksjuggle and tagging @berksjuggle on Instagram. Videos can also be sent directly to Simon Wang (sbwang17@gmail.com, 610 655 5047). This is the second annual Juggle-A-Thon fundraiser. It was created in 2020 by Wyomissing High School graduate and YVC member, Simon Wang, with support from Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading. The goal is to raise $5,000 to aid Helping Harvest Food Bank serve those in need this summer. For additional fundraiser details, click here. For sponsor form, click here. For questions or more information, please email sbwang17@gmail.com or christi@voiceupberks.org.

Reading, PA

7/3/21 12:00 PM

The Pagoda, built at the south end of Mount Penn, overlooks Reading, PA. The Pagoda was completed in 1908 and was intended to be the hotel/restaurant centerpiece of a luxury resort. When plans for the rest of the resort were abandoned, the 7-story wooden building was donated to Reading in 1911. The Pagoda serves as a historic landmark for the city of Reading. Join YVC as we clean up the Pagoda and the surrounding area.

Reading, PA

7/7/21 9:00 AM

We will be cleaning up Neversink Park and putting our creativity to the test as we paint hopscotch and four square! Not only will we be painting games you will have the ability to come up with positive, inspirational messages and paint them as well for all who attend the playground to enjoy!

Reading, PA

7/28/21 9:00 AM

Spend your time outdoors this summer at Rock Hollow Woods Environmental Learning Center. Rock Hollow Woods is a unique 77-acre nonprofit learning center whose mission is to provide children with outdoor opportunities to discover and learn about the natural world and empower them to protect their environment. Volunteers will be assisting with nature based summer camps for children grades K-7. Some of the camps include; Art Exploration through Nature, Wetland Investigations, Wildlife CSI and numerous others. You will be assisting teachers and the children attending the camp. Modeling appropriate behavior is important and a love for nature and children is a plus! Camp counselors are needed beginning June 14th and ending August 13th. Days/times are flexible! Training will be provided at Rock Hollow Woods prior to beginning as a Camp Counselor. For additional information please contact lindsay@voiceupberks.org

Birdsboro, PA

Through 8/13/21

Are you looking for fun, the ability to make a difference in the lives of others AND gain volunteer hours this summer?! If so, volunteer with YVC to be a Playground Leader at Baer Park! Volunteer Playground Leaders will assist Playground Leaders at Baer Park with facilitating games and sports with the youth who attend! This volunteer opportunity will run 8 weeks beginning on June 15th and conclude on August 6th. Volunteers will be needed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12:30PM-4PM. This opportunity offers flexibility and schedules will be made once all volunteers are registered to accommodate sports, vacations, etc. Training will be held prior to beginning at Baer Park. To register and/or in need of additional information please contact lindsay@voiceupberks.org

Reading, PA

Through 8/5/21

The YVC Summer of Service Learning Institute is a week-long day camp based entirely on service learning with education on community issues through visits to local non-profit organizations and the development of a youth-led service project at the end of the week. YVC of Reading will be holding the first of two Summer of Service Learning Institutes from June 21st- June 24th, 2021. During this time youth will be exposed to a curriculum designed to enhance leadership abilities, expand communication and problem-solving skills, as well as engage students in direct and indirect service-learning opportunities. The first day of the Institute will be spent at the Goggleworks engaging participants in team building, leadership and interpersonal activities. Participants will spend the next two days of the Institute in the community – one day at Hope Rescue Mission and one day at a local horse sanctuary -- gaining firsthand knowledge of community needs and ways in which they can help. Participants will conclude the week again at the Goggleworks, creating a service project designed to assist one of these agencies and presenting information they learned throughout the week to their parents/guardians. The camp will be open to middle school students (rising 7th, 8th, and 9th graders). The cost of the Summer of Service Learning Institute is $125. Please email lindsay@voiceupberks.org to register.

Reading, PA

Through 6/24/21