2020 Life Improvement Awards Celebration
Celebrating 45 Years of Service to Our Community
45 years ago, members of our community came together because they saw the need to change how we viewed incarcerated individuals. From its roots as the Prison Society of Berks County Prison Society to today’s Berks Connections/Pretrial Services, the common denominator has always been the vision that everyone deserves a second chance, and when given to tools to take the next steps, people will be more successful.
Click below to join in celebrating the BCPS Life Improvement Awards!
Each year we honor the men and women who have stepped up as volunteers, employers, and community members, who are living our vision of giving second chances, and to recognize past clients who are succeeding in life because of those opportunities. Although we were not able to hold our annual Life Improvement Awards event in-person this year, we wanted to ensure the awardees were, indeed, honored.
Donate before midnight on October 23rd and we will DOUBLE YOUR DONATION! Thanks to our amazing Match Donors, donations received before midnight on October 23rd will be MATCHED dollar for dollar – up to $15,000!
Our goal is to raise $45,000 – to commemorate our 45th Anniversary! If you missed this window, you can still make a donation, andgive a second chance!
Meet our 2020 Awardees!
2020 Life Improvement Ambassador
Dr. Ann T. Gundry
Professor Emerita and Former Director of
Kutztown University Women's Center and Women's Studies
BCPS is proud to recognize Dr. Ann T. Gundry as the 2020 Life Improvement Ambassador. Since our organization was founded, 45 years ago, Ann has been dedicated to improving the lives of incarcerated women.
In the early 1970’s Ann and Connie, Ann’s wife of many years, learned of the need for programming and support for women incarcerated at the Berks County Jail. They enlisted the help of their Women’s Action group at Kutztown University to visit the Women’s quarters at the Jail every Monday night for Volleyball and punch and cookies. The Women’s Action group later became FMLA – Feminists Majority Leadership Alliance which focuses on issues such as self-empowerment. At its conclusion, Ann began volunteering as a mentor for women at the Jail.
Ann has demonstrated a significant dedication and commitment to our organization, and has championed our cause and furthered our mission of inspiring hope and supporting second chances.
2020 Life Improvement Achievement Award Recipients
BCPS is proud to introduce our Life Improvement Achievement Award Recipients! Please click the button below each picture to view the award presentations.
Pictured in order: Jesus, Jay (BCPS Employee), Brian, Roberto, Chad (BCPS Employee)
Paul J. Hoh Life Improvement Award Recipients
Thank you to our Sponsors
Our Life Improvement Sponsor
Create OPPORTUNITIES Sponsors
Building HOPE Sponsors
Provide SECOND CHANCES Sponsors
DoubleTree by Hilton, Reading
Emerald Advisers, LLC
UGI Energy Services
Strengthen CONNECTIONS Sponsors
Humane Pennsylvania
Penn State Health St. Joseph
Penske Transportation Solutions
Weik Capital Management
Friend of BCPS Sponsors
Tompkins VIST Bank, Fox Rothschild LLP, Inperium, Morgan Stanley, Champion Personnel, Council on Chemical Abuse, East Penn Manufacturing Co., Queen City Family Restaurant, PrimeCare Medical, Inc., SHRM Berks Chapter #179, University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute, Complete HeathCare Resources-Eastern, Inc.
Thank you to our match donors!
Jeanne & Eric Savage, Queen City Family Restaurant, Dr. Ann T. Gundry, Craig & Melissa Poole, Scott & Yvette Rehr, Stone Financial, Spark Solutions & Support, Althea Harmon, Rentschler Law, LLC
2019
Life Improvement Ambassador
Megan Huesgen
Pastor, Immanuel United Church of Christ
Paul J. Hoh
Life Improvement Award Recipients
2019
Linda A. Bell
Mary Thomas
Richard Durina
Walter R. Gensemer
Boscov's
Champion Personnel
Empire Group of Reading PA
Magisterial District Judges of Berks County
University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute
2018
Pennsylvania Credit Union Foundation
BIG Vision Foundation, Inc.
Millwod, Inc.
Marc J. Goldstein
George J. Vogel, Jr.
Sydney Malick
Mary Lee Davis
2017
City Light Ministries
Linda S. McCrea
S&S Structures, Inc.
Monterey Mushrooms, Inc, -- Temple, PA
2016
Cheri Burkert
Gary Hawkins
Hope Rescue Mission
YMCA of Reading of Berks County
PA Family Support Alliance
Cougle's Recycling, Inc.
BCPS Mentors