Emergency Shelter for Youth Ages 14 to 17 From Mary's Shelter in Reading
Mary's Shelter runs the YESS Residential Program, a short-term emergency shelter in Reading for young people who have nowhere to stay, open to youths ages 14 to 17 of any gender for up to 21 days. You can come in through a referral from an outside service, by calling ahead, or as a walk-in.
The program grew out of work by Mary's Shelter with the Berks County Intermediate Unit, Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) and the Berks Coalition to End Homelessness Youth Committee, which together sought solutions for homeless and runaway youth in Berks County. Mary's Shelter received several grants to open the YESS (Youth Empowerment Support Services) Residential Program and Drop-in-Center for young people living on the streets.
While staying there, you get a place to sleep in a home-like setting with a laundry room, gym equipment, recreational activities and a full kitchen. There is on-site computer access for school, work or recreational needs. Classes to build social, vocational or life skills are offered weekly, and there is one-to-one counseling and tutoring as needed. Staff make referrals to outside services and help with applications for benefits, housing, services or another program.
Mary's Shelter also runs a separate 18-month housing program called STRONG for youths ages 16 to 21 of any gender, which adds case management and help with job searches, college applications and career planning.
Mary's Shelter is at 615 Kenhorst Blvd, Reading, PA 19611. The phone number is 610-376-1973.
The page does not say what the program costs or what hours someone can arrive, so ask when you call. It also does not say whether beds are available at any given time.
Source: marysshelter.org/residential, read September 18, 2026.
The details
In Mary's Shelter’s words
Mary’s Shelter received several grants to open the YESS (Youth Empowerment Support Services) Residential Program and Drop-in-Center to address the immediate needs of young people living on the streets. Short-term, emergency shelter for up to 21 days
Organization
Mary's Shelter
Organization profile in our directory →About this listing
This listing summarizes publicly available information from marysshelter.org/residential. Last recorded review: September 18, 2026. Contact the provider to confirm eligibility, hours and availability before you go. If something here is wrong, tell us.