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Capital Blue Cross Boosts Berks Tec Centro Facility Improvements

Insurer announces significant contribution to help Reading-based Berks Tec Centro expand its occupational training offerings.

Capital Blue Cross announced a significant financial commitment to help Berks Latino Workforce Development Corp., also known as Berks Tec Centro, undertake much-needed renovations at its facility in Reading to allow the nonprofit organization to grow its occupational training offerings.

The support is through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program under the component titled Special Program Priorities. Contributions to a single project meeting special programs requirements qualify for a 75% tax credit.

Violet Emoy, executive director of Berks Latino Workforce Development Corp., said her organization was approved for $200,000 for renovations focused on the basement of its facility at 450 S. Sixth St. BLWDC has commitments from four donors for that amount, she said.

In 2022, Berks Latino Workforce Development Corp launched a state-certified nurse’s aides training program in partnership with Reading Area Community College and plans to expand its job training offerings to include medical assistant, phlebotomist and construction trades.

The organization plans fit-out construction of classroom space as it expands its trades programs, she said.

“We’re grateful for our donors because it will help us start serious renovations that are needed as we phase in our programs,” she said.

The organization’s mission is to move Latinos out of poverty by providing self-awareness, education, a pathway for youth, training and workforce development, economic development, and empowerment to create economic wealth and opportunities in Berks.

Capital Blue Cross officials said those values align with their own organization.

“Increasing our communities’ overall health and well-being, in part by closing existing gaps in access to opportunity, is among the ways Capital Blue Cross goes the extra mile every day,” said Susan Hubley, vice president of corporate social responsibility. “It’s difficult to imagine an organization that mirrors those values more closely than Berks Tec Centro. That’s why we’re so proud of this contribution, which will help provide additional pathways to education and professional development for Latinos in Berks County.”

The original article by Steven Henshaw in the Reading Eagle can be found here.

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Breaking the Cycle of Latino Poverty and Empowering

Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation (also known as TecCentroBerks)is a nonprofit organization established in 2019 in Reading, Pennsylvania. Part of our mission is to empower the Hispanic population in Berks County.

Our focus is education and workforce development that leads to family self-sufficiency. When a family is self-sufficient, it breaks out of the cycle of poverty and empowers the next generations, enriching the foundation of our communities. Our vision is a better Reading free of poverty and economic barriers, providing quality jobs and economic equity for all Latinos in Berks County.

At Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation, we offer services such as English as a Second Language Classes, Computer Classes, and Occupational Courses. For example, we have the Nursing Assitant Program, Phlebotomy Program, Virtual Training through IBM SkillsBuild, Financial Education, and Employment. The services are free of cost (FREE), and we have always had open enrollment and the availability to offer our employment services.

For more information, you can visit our office located at 450 S. 6th Street Reading, PA 19601, or call us at (484) 513-3344 / (484) 513-3347.

The original article can be found in the December 2022 issue of Palo Magazine.