GREENSBURG PA – Three Berks County shelters that serve individuals and families facing homelessness and domestic violence have been awarded grants by the Greensburg-based FirstEnergy Foundation to continue their efforts.
The foundation supports non-profit organizations across the five-state service territory of electricity utility company FirstEnergy Corp. The grant awards, to a total of 14 Pennsylvania organizations, were announced Friday (Oct. 30, 2026).
Individual amounts were not mentioned. On average, however, they amounted to about $8,000 per recipient. In addition to Berks, presentations also were made to groups in Northampton, Blair, Erie, Mercer, Centre, Monroe, Warren, and York counties.
The money is intended to “help them build capacity, strengthen outcomes and deliver lasting impact.” Foundation priorities include “housing stability, hunger relief, workforce development and STEM initiatives that reflect community needs and the company’s strategic focus,” it stated.
Photo by Matt Collamer on Unsplash, used under license
Local Grant Recipients
Two general shelters within the county receiving grants were Opportunity House, 43 N. 2nd St., Reading; and Hope Rescue Mission, 645 N. 6th St., Reading. A domestic violence shelter that also received a grant was Safe Berks, 255 Chestnut St., Reading.
All were recognized for providing “critical housing assistance and supportive services.” FirstEnergy Pennsylvania President John Hawkins said the company and foundation were proud to support the non-profits’ missions.
The Pennsylvania grants are part of what FirstEnergy Foundation said is its expanded “Shelter, Safety and Stability” initiative. The foundation increased funding for the initiative five-fold this year, expanding support from $100,000 to $500,000.
Since 2020, the foundation reported it has donated more than $1.6 million to help people in need of shelter or a place to call home. Nearly $700,000 of that was directed specifically to organizations that support domestic violence survivors and their families.
Our local reporting includes news about businesses, and the business of commercial and non-profit ventures, within or that affect residents of Montgomery, Berks, and Chester PA counties. Find more business articles here.
MCCC Presents Nov. 14 Koresh Dance Performance ‘Never/Mind’