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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.

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First Class of Nurse Aide Trainees Honored by Berks Latino Workforce Development Corp

The state-approved program was offered in partnership with Reading Area Community College.

The recently formed Berks Latino Workforce Development Corp., also known as Berks Tec Centro, honored 10 graduates who made up the first class of its inaugural job-training program.

The graduates of the nurse aide training program were recognized in a ceremony Thursday in the auditorium of the Berks Tec Centro office at 450 S. Sixth St.

Berks Tec Centro is modeled after a successful workforce development corporation in Lancaster.

Nurse aide graduates are equipped with basic skills to provide care for patients, residents and clients in a health care setting. They completed the Pennsylvania Department of Education-approved program provided in partnership with Reading Area Community College.

The program entails 120 hours of training that includes 54 hours of clinical instruction at a Berks County area long-term facility.

Students graduating from the program are prepared to take the nurse aide certification examination administered through the Department of Education.

Violet Emory, program director at Berks Latino Development, said the program is just a start of what is to come. She said the organization plans to phase in other job-training programs and has partnered with other organizations to provide other bilingual education and skills training in Reading.

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

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BLWDC Acquired its New Headquarters

Original Source

Berks Latino Workforce Development Corp

Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation acquired its new headquarters

By Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation, July 19, 2021

Congratulations to the BLWDC board members and staff. Today the Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation acquired its new headquarters building that will serve as a workforce development center for the City of Reading and surrounding areas.

Our senior leadership closed on a $432,000 mortgage financed by Community First Fund. Thank you, Jonathan Encarnacion, John Weidenhammer, Darleen Garcia, and Carlos Graupera for making this happen!!! Major philanthropy was provided by key community partners like the Wyomissing Foundation, United Way of Berks County, and Berks Alliance among others.

Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation is a newly formed Nonprofit that will provide essential job training services to the underemployed and unemployed members of the Reading community. For a very modest fee, participants will be able to acquire skills. knowledge and certifications to enter the workforce in the healthcare, hospitality, culinary, construction, welding, and computer programing industries and earn a living sustainable wage.

In addition, the center will provide literacy programs in English, math, and occupations. The Berks Latino Workforce will touch hundreds of low-income individuals each year, improving their lives and the community in which they reside. This organization has already received significant support from businesses and individuals in the Berks County region.

Pictured (L-R) Jonathan Encarnacion, Darleen Garcia from BLWDC, and Dan Beck, Community First.

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Community leaders announce the formation of Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation

The BLWDC will serve as a platform to foster cooperation and investment between the community, business, government, education, and philanthropy sectors.

Community leaders announce formation of Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation

by Community First Fund

(Reading, PA): A group of Berks County community leaders has announced a newly created non-profit organization called the Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation (BLWDC). The mission of the BLWDC is to move Latinos out of poverty by providing self-awareness, education, and workforce development training and empowering them to create greater economic wealth. The BLWDC will serve as a platform to foster cooperation and investment between the community, business, government, education, and philanthropy sectors. The purpose is to resolve the Latino workforce development gap for marginalized individuals. “This organization will facilitate community improvement, provide culturally appropriate training and increase employment opportunities for economically and socially disadvantaged members of our community,” says Board Chair Jonathan Encarnacion. The BLWDC plans to develop a bilingual technology center that will serve as the vehicle to provide training and increase employment opportunities for the Latino community's economically disadvantaged. The training center’s curriculum will include language development courses to advance English Language proficiency, adult education that allows students to achieve their high school equivalency certificate, job readiness training to facilitate entering the workforce, and practical skills training for high demand occupations. It is expected that training programs and other supportive services will be provided in collaboration with other local educational and non-profit organizations. The Wyomissing Foundation has awarded $450,000 to the new organization, distributed over three years. The funds will be used to conduct a market analysis, hire administrative staff, and secure a facility that will serve as the bilingual workforce development center's location. “We are pleased to play a part in the establishment of this effort,” says Karen Rightmire, president of The Wyomissing Foundation. “Helping our community develop skills that will allow them to increase their wages and be able to support their families is our goal. Providing additional training to workers will help companies fill open positions. Having individuals and families earning an adequate income will go a long way to creating a vibrant, healthy city and county. The best social service intervention is a good job.” Santander Bank has also granted $100,000 to support the formation of the BLWDC, providing funds to complete crucial first-year goals necessary to establish the new organization. “We understand the importance of providing educational and workforce development training to help people in Berks County build better lives for themselves, their families, and the community,” said Seth Goodall, Executive Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Santander Bank. “The support and services provided by the BLWDC will address local needs, drive prosperity, and create new growth opportunities.” The organization has launched a regional search for an Executive Director and is projected to begin providing services by the second quarter of 2020. Board members for the newly formed BLWDC include: BERKS LATINO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jonathan Encarnacion (Board Chair), Administrative Director, UPMC Nereida Villanueva (Board Vice Chair), HR Director, Berks Community Health Center Jobany Bedoya (Board Secretary), Coordinator Latino Outreach, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance Bill Jennings (Board Treasurer), President and CEO, Reading Hospital Daniel Betancourt, President and CEO, Community First Fund Dayana Blandon, Human Resource Generalist, Reading Truck Body Lizette Epps, Director of Impact and Engagement, Visions Credit Union Angel Figueroa, CEO, I-LEAD Charter School Carlos Graupera. President, Spanish American Civic Association Dr. Susan Looney, President, Reading Area Community College Ramon Melecio, CEO, LinkTech Pamela Shupp, EVP & COO, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance John Weidenhammer, President, Weidenhammer Systems Incorporated

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RACC President Dr. Susan Looney appointed to the board of newly formed Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation

RACC President Dr. Susan Looney appointed to a board

RACC President Dr. Susan Looney appointed to board of newly formed Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation

News by RACC

Reading, PA – On Wednesday, December 18, 2019, a group of Berks County community leaders announced a newly created non-profit organization called the Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation (BLWDC). The mission of the BLWDC is to move Latinos out of poverty by providing self-awareness, education, and workforce development training, and empowering them to create greater economic wealth. Recently appointed to the board of directors is Reading Area Community College President Dr. Susan D. Looney. “It is an honor to be selected to serve on the board of an organization with a mission that so closely ties in with Reading Area Community College’s mission of building communities of learning which are committed to educational growth and the economic vitality of our region,” Dr. Looney says. The BLWDC will serve as a platform to foster cooperation and investment between the community, business, government, education, and philanthropy sectors. The purpose is to resolve the Latino workforce development gap for marginalized individuals. “This organization will facilitate community improvement, provide culturally appropriate training and increase employment opportunities for economically and socially disadvantaged members of our community,” says Board Chair Jonathan Encarnacion. The BLWDC plans to develop a bilingual technology center that will serve as the vehicle to provide training and increase employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged in the Latino community. The training center’s curriculum will include language development courses to advance English Language proficiency, adult education that allows students to achieve their high school equivalency certificate, job readiness training to facilitate entering the workforce, and practical skills training for high demand occupations. It is expected that training programs and other supportive services will be provided in collaboration with other local educational and non-profit organizations. The organization has launched a regional search for an Executive Director and is projected to begin providing services by the second quarter of 2020. Board members for the newly formed BLWDC include: Jonathan Encarnacion (Chair) Administrative Director, UPMC; Nereida Villanueva (Vice Chair) HR Director, Berks Community Health Center, Jobany Bedoya (Secretary) Coordinator Latino Outreach, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance; Bill Jennings (Treasurer) President and CEO, Reading Hospital; Daniel Betancourt, President and CEO, Community First Fund; Dayana Blandon, Human Resource Generalist, Reading Truck Body; Lizette Epps, Director of Impact and Engagement, Visions Credit Union; Angel Figueroa, CEO, I-LEAD Charter School; Carlos Graupera, President, Spanish American Civic Association, Ramon Melecio, CEO, LinkTech; Pamela Shupp, EVP & COO, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, and John Weidenhammer, President, Weidenhammer Systems Incorporated To learn more about the Berks Latino Workforce Development Corporation, call 610.207.3691.