Dear Neighbor & Estimado Vecino,

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For Spanish readers, please read the full Spanish-language version of this email?here.

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I hope you are well. I would like to share important information about my ongoing work. As always, please feel free to reach out to my office for help with any state-related issues. To stay informed,?visit my official page. You can also check your?preferences?to make sure you're signed up for?my emails.?

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Para los lectores en?español, lea una versión completa de este boletín electrónico?en su idioma?aquí.?

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Espero que estén bien. Me gustaría compartir información importante sobre mi trabajo en curso. Y no olvides?visitar mi página oficial?para mantenerte informado.?También puede verificar sus?preferencias?para asegurarse de que está registrado para recibir mis correos electrónicos. 

Every year as legislators, our job is to deliver an annual budget. The Senate Republicans are failing to show up to do their jobs. The House has sent over five bipartisan bills with our proposed budget. The House has voted several times to send a budget and funding over to the Senate, and the Senate has not come in to do this important work; they have remained on summer vacation. This didn’t have to happen; this shouldn’t have happened. If the PA Senate took this work seriously, we would not be running into funding problems. Being faithful to compromise and the negotiating process, House Democrats submitted a second budget to the Senate that was $1 billion less than the Governor’s proposed budget, all in an effort to work with those in the Senate to reach an agreement that works for everyone. Tell the Senate Republicans to come to work and show up for you – the time to act is now. Ask your family, your friends, your coworkers, your employees and your program's participants to reach out to these GOP Senators. Tell them to PASS THE FUNDS and DO THEIR JOB!

• • Joe Picozzi (PA-5): 215-281-2539
  • Tracy Pennycuick (PA-24): 215-541-2388
  • Frank Farry (PA-6): 215-638-1784
  • Joe Pittman (PA-41): 724-357-0151

The state has a handy tool to help you search for grants. Visit this page to search for grants or visit my website for the most recent list of grant programs open for application.

Reading’s famous Franklyn's Breakfast, Burgers & Shakes has re-opened after a recent makeover! Thank you to everyone who came out for the re-opening and we're wishing a successful year ahead for this business!

Super Natural & Fresh Produce III and Finanta (formerly Community First Fund) have opened a new supermarket in Reading. Finanta, a nonprofit advancing economic opportunity in low-income neighborhoods, allocated $6 million in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) to support the development of this new, full-service grocery store at 243 N. 4th St. in Reading. This project will bring fresh, healthy, and affordable food to one of Reading’s most important neighborhoods. Leopoldo Sanchez, the project’s leader, will also hire and train local residents, creating dozens of jobs within the community. Thank you for your work, Mr. Sanchez!

Thank you to everyone who reached out to wish me well for my birthday, I am eternally grateful.  My husband, family and friends surprised me with a get together at 3rd and Spruce.  Thank you for helping me celebrate another year of life.

On Sunday, September 7, at 10 AM at Alvernia University, the Youth Volunteer Corps will host a 5K Walk for Compassion. This is a powerful community event where youth, families, and supporters come together to promote compassion, service, and leadership in Berks County. This is a movement for youth empowerment! Register via the QR code on the flier above.

Reading Area Community College is hosting FREE English conversation classes on Monday, September 11 from 5 PM – 6 PM in Berks Hall, Room 503, and Thursday, December 11, from Noon – 1 PM in Berks Hall, Room 511. Reading Area Community College is located at 10 S. 2nd St. in Reading. For more information, contact ehammes@racc.edu.

This fall, residents of Wyomissing, West Reading, and Spring Township will have the opportunity to step behind the scenes of local law enforcement through the return of the joint Citizens' Police Academy. The Academy will run on Tuesday evenings from September 16 to November 3 from 6 PM - 9 PM. Please review the flier above for more information. 

West Reading’s Annual Fall Fest will be on Saturday, September 20 from 11 AM – 7 PM, spanning the 400-700 blocks of Penn Avenue. The streets will be closed so festival goers can indulge in 200 craft and retail vendors, including a wide array of food and beverage choices, and live music on three stages!

Hispanic Heritage Month coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of several Latin American nations. The Berks County Hispanic Heritage Month calendar of events can be found below:

 

12th Annual Berks County Latino Chamber Night at the Reading Fightin Phils

Friday, Sept. 12 | 6:45 PM

FirstEnergy Stadium Gates open at 5 PM

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the Reading Fightin Phils and the Berks County Latino Chamber of Commerce at this annual community night.

 

6th Ward Block Party

Saturday, Sept. 13 | 12 PM - 5 PM

Lauers Park Elementary

251 N. 2nd St., Reading PA

 

Penn State Berks Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff

Monday, Sept. 15 | 12:15 PM – 1:30 PM

Perkins Student Center, 1st Floor Multipurpose Room

Celebrating the start of Hispanic Heritage Month on Mexican Independence Day with live mariachi music, faculty remarks, and Mexican food. Rain location: Perkins Student Center, 1st Floor Multipurpose Room

 

Berks LaunchBox Talk: Connect & Inspire

Tuesday, Sept. 16 | 6 PM – 8 PM

Centro Hispano, 25 N. 2nd St., Reading, PA

A Spanish-language networking and inspiration event for entrepreneurs. Registration required.

 

RIZE & Berks Stands Up Present: Trouble Makers Café Bachata Night

Wednesday, Sept. 17 | 5 PM – 6 PM

GoggleWorks Center of the Arts, 201 Washington St.

An evening of music, movement, and community. Register here.

 

Reading Public Museum HHM Community Celebration

Saturday, Sept. 20 | 1 PM – 4 PM

Reading Public Museum

 

Berks County Latino Chamber of Commerce Gala

Saturday, Sept. 20 | 6 PM

Abraham Lincoln Hotel

 

Penn State Presents Javier Ávila: Embracing the Past and Present

Wednesday, Sept. 24 | 5 PM

Luerssen 222

Award-winning poet, novelist, and professor Javier Ávila presents on cultural identity and heritage. Light refreshments will be served.

 

Pennsylvania Latino Convention 2025

Thursday–Saturday, Sept. 25–27

Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown

A statewide gathering of leaders, advocates, and community voices. Register: pennsylvanialatinoconvention.com.

 

Berks Cultural Diversity Festival

Saturday, Sept. 27 | Noon – 6 PM

City Park, 1044 Washington St., Reading, PA 19601

 

El Boricuazo

Sunday, Sept. 28 | 1:00 PM

Puerto Rican Civic Society, 233 S. 4th St., Reading, PA

The Sixth Annual Berks Cultural Diversity Festival will be in Reading City Park at Washington Street and North 11th Street on Saturday, September 27 from Noon – 6 PM. There will be live music, performances, food from all around the world, information on available resources, and more!

As always, my team and I are here to help you navigate state programs and services. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas. If you can't make it into my district office, you can visit one of my satellite offices! Find my office information below: 

 

Centro Hispano Casa Senior Center

25 N. 2nd St., Reading, PA, 19601

every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

 

Spring Township Municipal Building

2850 Windmill Road, Sinking Spring, PA, 19608

1st and 3rd Friday from 9 a.m. to Noon 

 

100 N. Front St., Reading, PA, 19601

1st and 3rd Monday from 9 a.m. to Noon 

 

Glenside/Hensler Homes O'Pake Community Center

880 Avenue A, Reading, PA, 19601

2nd and 4th Monday from 8:30 a.m. to Noon 

 

We also host D.A.V Services (Disabled American Veterans) in my office

1111 Penn Ave., Wyomissing, PA 19610

Every other Monday from 9 a.m. to Noon 

Pennsylvania State Capitol

104-A East Wing Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 772-1858

District Office

1111 Penn Ave.
Wyomissing, PA 19610

(484) 577-2756