The Children's Home of Reading

The Children's Home of Reading Youth & Family Services, commonly shortened to CHOR, is a non-profit organization based at 1010 Centre Avenue in Reading, Pennsylvania. The agency works with children, teenagers and families across Berks County and the surrounding region, providing behavioral health treatment, residential care, foster care and related support services. It operates as a licensed provider rather than a private practice, which means most of its programs are accessed through referrals, county agencies, schools, courts or medical assistance and insurance plans.

The organization's roots reach back to the nineteenth century, when it was established to care for orphaned and displaced children in Reading. Over the generations, the mission shifted away from traditional orphanage care and toward licensed behavioral health treatment, family preservation and foster care, reflecting broader changes in how Pennsylvania serves children in need. The Centre Avenue campus remains the organization's main base of operations and houses both residential and clinical programs.

Programs and Services

CHOR's work generally falls into several connected areas of service for young people and their caregivers:

• Residential treatment for children and adolescents who need structured, round the clock care while working on mental health and behavioral goals.
• Group home and community based residential settings that provide supervision, daily routines and supportive staffing in a smaller household environment.
• Outpatient behavioral health services, including individual and family therapy, psychiatric evaluation and medication management.
• Foster care and permanency services, including recruitment, training and ongoing support for resource families, along with reunification and adoption planning.
• Independent living and transition support for older teens and young adults preparing to leave care, covering practical skills such as budgeting, employment readiness and housing.
• Educational and on-site academic support for residents, delivered in coordination with school districts so that young people continue their coursework while in treatment.
• Case management and family support that connects households with community resources, school teams and medical providers.

Day to day programming is structured. Residents typically follow a schedule that includes school hours, therapeutic group sessions, clinical appointments, chores, recreation and evening routines. Group sessions focus on practical topics such as emotional regulation, conflict resolution, communication, substance use, trauma recovery and independent living skills. Clinical staff, direct care staff, teachers and psychiatric providers coordinate around individual treatment plans, and families are generally involved through regular meetings, phone contact and visits where appropriate.

Recreation is treated as part of treatment rather than an extra. Seasonal activities, community outings, sports and on-campus events are built into the program calendar, giving young people opportunities to practice social skills in real settings and to earn privileges tied to their goals.

Who the Organization Serves

CHOR primarily serves children and adolescents from Berks County, though placements and referrals may come from other Pennsylvania counties depending on the program and available openings. Referral sources commonly include county children and youth agencies, juvenile probation, behavioral health managed care organizations, school districts, hospitals and parents or guardians seeking outpatient care. Because eligibility, funding and waiting lists vary by program, families are encouraged to call the agency directly at +1 610-478-8266 to discuss which services may apply to their situation and what documentation or authorizations are required.

Foster parent recruitment is an ongoing part of the agency's work. Prospective resource families in Berks County can contact the organization to learn about the approval process, which in Pennsylvania generally involves background clearances, home study visits, pre-service training and ongoing education once a child is placed. Staff support continues after placement, including respite, caseworker visits and help navigating medical, educational and court related appointments.

Location, Parking and Accessibility

The Centre Avenue campus sits on the north side of Reading, within reach of Route 61 and the Warren Street Bypass, and is accessible from most parts of Berks County by car. On-site parking is available for families, visitors, referral partners and job applicants, which is a practical advantage in a city where street parking can be limited.

The property includes a wheelchair accessible entrance, a wheelchair accessible restroom and accessible parking spaces, so caregivers, relatives and visitors with mobility needs can attend meetings, treatment team conferences and visits without arranging alternate accommodations. Visitors who have questions about entry points, scheduling or security procedures can call ahead, since residential facilities typically require advance notice and sign-in for anyone entering the building.

Inclusive Environment

The organization is identified as LGBTQ+ friendly and as a transgender safe space. For a provider that houses and treats adolescents, that designation carries practical weight: young people in care often come from unstable situations, and clear expectations around respect, names, pronouns and privacy are part of maintaining a therapeutic setting. Staff training and program policies are oriented toward serving youth of different backgrounds, identities and faiths within the same campus community.

Employment and Community Involvement

As a non-profit employer in Reading, CHOR hires for a range of roles, including direct care and youth care workers, clinicians and therapists, case managers, nurses, teachers, foster care specialists and administrative staff. Many direct care positions involve shift work, including evenings, overnights and weekends, since residential programs operate continuously.

The agency also depends on community support. Donations, volunteer time, holiday gift drives and in-kind contributions of clothing, school supplies and recreational equipment help fund activities and comforts that public funding does not typically cover. Local businesses, congregations, service clubs and individuals interested in supporting the organization can contact the main office to learn what is currently needed.

Contacting CHOR

The Children's Home of Reading Youth & Family Services is located at 1010 Centre Ave, Reading, PA 19601. The main phone line is +1 610-478-8266, and callers can be directed to intake, foster care, outpatient scheduling, human resources or administration. Families in crisis should be aware that the agency's programs are scheduled services rather than emergency care, and that urgent situations may require contacting local crisis intervention or emergency services first.