Feature
A Room
with a (new) View Tompkins VIST Bank employees brighten room at Mary’s Shelter for kid in need
T
he staff of Tompkins VIST Bank’s Wyomissing branch this year donated $2,000 to refurbish a bedroom at Mary’s Shelter in Berks County and did much of the work themselves.
“I knew our staff could make the most of the funds by putting our own muscle into the project,” said Susan Belfer, branch manager.
The room was part of a 17,000-square-foot renovation that Mary’s Shelter conducted this year to house the growing number of homeless youth ages 16 to 21 at its facility. “The financial strain of the pandemic has caused a lot of family conflict, which prompts kids to run away or be kicked out of their homes,” said Christine Folk, executive director. The project included 20 bedrooms as well as a kitchen, living room and other rooms and offices.
16 COMMERCE QUARTERLY WINTER 2022
Lauren Boone, Universal Banker, puts some finishing touches on the room the bank renovated at Mary’s Shelter.
