Spend 10 jazz- and blues-filled days and nights in the Greater Reading area! Over 120 scheduled events, plus great shopping and dining, make the 28th annual Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest the perfect spring break for jazz lovers! For tickets, call Ticketmaster toll free at ticketmaster.com to order online. April 6-15, 2018
BONEY JAMES
BRIAN CULBERTSON FOURPLAY
INCOGNITO WITH MAYSA PIECES OF A DREAM
NICK COLIONNE
KIM WATERS
LISA FISCHER & GRAND BATON
CATHERINE RUSSELL & JOHN PIZZARELLI
RICK BRAUN & DAVE KOZ
ERIC MARIENTHAL
KIRK WHALUM
REMEMBERING
CHUCK LOEB
GERALD ALBRIGHT
EVERETTE HARP
JEFF LORBER
THE RIPPINGTONS featuring RUSS FREEMAN
TAKE 6
EPK featuring KEIKO MATSUI, PETER WHITE
DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER
MACEO PARKER
VICTOR WOOTEN and many more!
Karen Marsdale, Senior Editor
201 Penn Street • Suite 501 • Reading, PA 19601 berkswomen2women.com • 610.376.6766
Women2Women Advisory Council
Kelly Beaver, Vicki O Ebner, Toni Eckert, Lizette Epps, Bethany Kirkner, Susan Looney, Karen Marsdale, Julia Nickey, Mary Jean Noon, Chiara Renninger, Regina Rinehimer, Trish Shermot, Connie Skipper, Alison Snyder, Vanessa Wanshop
Women2Women encourages women to create connections, gain knowledge, open doors and build strategic alliances, and much more. Our goal is to create more women leaders in Berks County by providing a forum where women from diverse backgrounds can learn, share ideas and mentor each other. Membership is free and Women2Women Magazine is a publication of the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
We’re so thrilled to start another year with inspiring stories, powerful women, and many opportunities to make our community a better place.
This issue focuses first on this area’s Community Health Needs Assessment: the process that our local health partners use to identify and analyze the biggest health needs and priorities in our community. Why is this important to you? First — it guides hospitals and other health providers as they attempt to bring people like you and me (and our families) the service we need where we need it. Second — it’s a valuable resource for learning more about what our community looks like, whether it’s demographics or major health issues. We’ll look at each of the priorities of 2016’s CHNA in each W2W issue this year.
In 2018, your health as well as your family’s health is certainly paramount, but I also hope you’ll make helping others a priority. We don’t always know where to begin when we feel called to make a difference, and that’s why the women we feature in this issue are so important. I loved reading about the tireless work of Elise Chesson, whose work at Family Promise of Berks County helps families, youths, and individuals who are without housing. And I was inspired by Robin Ball, who was called to service after a lengthy career as a registered nurse and a clinical research associate to initiate the Clare of Assisi project. The Clare of Assisi House provides transitional housing for women ex-offenders so that they can develop life skills and build a new, independent life.
This issue is full of the stories you need to make 2018 your year. Whether you want to get organized, become a better leader, or make a difference in the lives of others — we’ve got you covered. From new apps that can help you give back to local charities (thanks, Do It Local!) to a helpful tool to help you declutter and help local families, there’s no excuse not to get moving this year.
And don’t forget to try something new in 2018. Whether it’s as bold as learning to brew your own beer like Dani Motze’s journey in this issue, or perhaps eying up a run for office, we hope you’ll join us as we continue to make our lives and the lives around us brighter, healthier, and happier.
All the best,
Karen Marsdale
Women 2Know
Community & Business Profiles, Insights & Highlights
here is a new resource in our area for women re-entering society after spending time in prison for non-violent crimes. This resource provides a home, life skills, job training and general support for those fortunate enough to be accepted into the program. It gives these women a significantly higher chance of not returning to prison; of living the fulfilling life they really want, but for one reason or the other, might not be able to achieve on their own.
This resource came by way of a “calling” to a woman who heard the message and acted on it immediately. With the support of her husband of 43 years, Rich, her sons and their families, and hundreds of volunteers, Clare of Assisi House, 325 South 12th Street, Reading, opened its doors in June. Clare of Assisi House’s mission is to provide an environment which encourages and supports each resident in her attempts toward self-sufficiency and independent living in our community.
The woman? Robin Ball. She began her remarkable professional journey as a dental assistant working at the Medical College of Pennsylvania. At that time, she and her husband were raising two small boys and she had also started her own thirty-one-year recovery in the family disease of alcohol by joining Al-Anon. Robin observed more and more women in the medical field working as doctors and dentists, and it inspired her to return to school and she became a registered nurse.
After working bedside at Phoenixville Hospital for several years, Robin changed focus and received certification as a clinical research associate from Villanova University. This led to a
MissionPossible!
Meet Robin Ball… a Woman “Called” to Action To Help Women Needing a Second Chance
By Elaine McDevitt
position in research at GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, where she was the Principle Clinical Data Scientist. During those ten years, she focused on oncology, hematology, and anti-bacterial research. She was also a recipient of a Clinical Excellence Award for success in leadership and management. Now in her late 50s, Robin was feeling a pull toward something more spiritual. She entered into a Master’s Program in Pastoral Counseling/Care at Neumann University.
Robin’s retired from GlaxoSmithKline in pursuit of an internship at Family Guidance Counseling Center, Reading, working with a diverse population. During this time, she watched a YouTube video in her Ethics class called “Prisons: Our New Asylums.” She was so moved by it; she decided then and there to get involved with prison ministry. She applied to Berks County Prison and became a religious volunteer providing spiritual direction to female inmates and bible study for men.
Then IT happened; the calling that very quickly sent Robin on a new career path as Founder and Executive Director of Clare of Assisi House. “For me it was an awakening; an internal ‘knowing,’” Robin described. “I was sitting with an inmate that day, talking, and it hit me that there was a big relapse and re-incarceration issue. I couldn’t understand why anyone would do anything that would force them back into this forsaken place! But then I realized: without support, what choice did these women have? Right then I said out loud, ‘We need a Mission!’ I knew I was using the wrong word, but I left the prison that day with a strong inner conviction: I was being called to start a transitional home for previously incarcerated women.”
Q. Once “called,” how did you first initiate the Clare of Assisi project?
A. I read a lot of journal articles and talked to a lot of people about the need for such a facility in our area. I also visited “homes” with similar concepts in Pennsylvania and New York and Delaware. The Marian House in Delaware was especially helpful in providing information that gave me good insight into what our facility should look like including resident handbooks and procedure manuals. These documents helped save us a lot of time, too.
Q. What has been the most difficult part of this process?
A. There have been a few obstacles, like the building we occupy. We are currently leasing it; however, it is for sale. Our plan is to secure funds to purchase it, and we are looking at various revenue streams to make it happen.
Q. What have you been most pleasantly surprised about during the process?
A. When you are “on a mission,” doors open quickly! There has been overwhelming generosity and support from the community, our churches, and our area businesses. They realized this kind of facility was needed in our community and came forward. They have donated time, skills, and funds to make it a reality. When you are working on a true vocation, a true mission, people show up in your life to make it happen. They bring the spirit of God to help others. The mission becomes contagious!
Q. What skills from your previous careers have you used as Founder of Clare House?
A. Leadership, delegation, collaboration, commitment, flexibility, ability to recognize strengths and talents in others and tapping into that. I don’t have to know everything; other people have gifts, talents and skills I can tap into and they are willing to share. That inspires me to motivate them!
Q. What is your definition of personal SUCCESS for this project?
A. I feel I have already achieved success because I took an idea and brought it to fruition. Early on, I thought about future and success and I decided I wasn’t afraid to try something new. I never saw it as a possible failure. I knew I would never know unless I tried!
Q. What is most misunderstood about women in prisons or coming out of prisons?
A. Why they were there in the first place. Obviously, there are women in prison who deserve to be there. But many of them live in poverty and they are there because they cannot pay child support. Some are there for probation violations, domestic violence situations, and even trauma situations for which they were unable to get help for and in the end led to problems like drug and alcohol abuse and mental disorders.
Q. What are some reasons other people give for wanting to help female inmates?
A. Everyone deserves a second chance. The women we minister to really want to change; they want another chance. Many times they are undereducated, lack skills, and have no outside support. Some are intelligent and hold degrees but are addicts and that got them into trouble. I think we can all relate to them in a way and many of us have family members or friends we would have liked to have helped along the way.
Q. What is next?
A. Our first inmate arrived in June. We are interviewing for more as we currently have six rooms available, soon to be twelve. Clare House will house each individual for a period of 12–15 months. Again, these women are non-violent and are homeless. They have no place to go. Now, they can have a home with the support they need to live a worthy life outside of prison walls.
Self-sufficiency for each resident coming out of transitional housing relies on many moving parts; thus, short term goals for the Clare of Assisi Home are many! The first goal, of course, is to provide a safe residential environment. Other goals also include helping residents get access to public and faith-based services for basic necessities, as well as providing training and skills from financial literacy to addictions support to general life skills. Supporting residents in finding employment, giving them a sense of personal accountability and helping to build community and family relationships are also important objectives of the program.
Long-term goals for the program include a reduction of recidivism, crime, and victimization. A reduction in law enforcement, court, and incarceration costs, and a reduction on the reliance on state and county social service programs would also be objectives by which everyone could benefit.
The story of Robin Bell’s career, educational and volunteer choices, and finally, her calling to do something totally outside of the box is awe-inspiring! It is yet another shining example of what one very receptive, resourceful person with a “can do” attitude can accomplish when supported by an army of giving, compassionate volunteers on a mission to help better the lives of others…needing that second chance.
ELAINE MCDEVITT
Elise Chesson has High Hopes for Family Promise of Berks County
By Susan Shelly
Elise Chesson firmly believes that caring for those who have the least is a strategy that, in the long run, strengthens communities and makes everyone better off.
“Let’s reach out to each other and work together,” she said. “At the end of the day, we all need each other, and we all benefit when everyone is doing well.”
Since April, Chesson, 36, has served as executive director of Family Promise of Berks County, an organization founded in 2006 that works to help low-income families and families who are without homes achieve stability and independence.
Family Promise teams up with area congregations to provide living space and meals for displaced families, and, when funding is
available, offers rent and utility assistance to low-income families at risk of losing their homes.
More recently, the organization through its U-Turn program has addressed the growing problem of teenagers and young adults who do not have secure housing.
Along with case management services, the program offers a drop-in for youth at the Family Promise Day Center at 325 N. Fifth St. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 6 p.m., during which visitors have access to information, as well as showers, washers and dryers.
Family Promise receives about 100 calls a year from liaisons in Berks County school districts who are seeking help for a student who is without a home.
“It’s a significant problem, and it’s not just a city problem,” Chesson said. “There are students all around Berks County who don’t have a permanent home. There are many people and organizations working on this issue, but it’s very challenging.
Her job is rewarding and yet often trying, Chesson shared, as funding is always tight and she deals constantly with a fragile
“Let’s reach out to each other and work together. At the end of the day, we all need each other, and we all benefit when everyone is doing well.”
population who face a great deal of uncertainty and pressure.
“It can be difficult work, but at this point, I can’t imagine doing anything else. There are many issues that need to be addressed and problems that need to be solved.”
Chesson, who grew up in Montreal and moved to Virginia after being married in 2001, does not back off from addressing issues or championing the underdog. In fact, she thrives on those challenges.
While working for the Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Services in Lancaster, Chesson was bothered by the fact that refugees were having trouble enrolling in the public high school within the School District of Lancaster.
Instead, they often were directed toward a privately run school that was populated with students who presented severe disciplinary problems.
“These refugees would never ever get access to a good education,” Chesson said. “Someone needed to speak up for them, so I did.”
Her advocacy for immigrant students resulted in legal action taken against the School District of Lancaster. The matter was eventually settled, and an agreement approved by the school board in March said that immigrant students would be placed in a “Newcomer” program at the district’s main high school instead of the alternative school.
“So, all of these kids now have a right to free public education, as they should have all along,” Chesson said.
A resident of Exeter Township since 2007, Chesson was drawn to the Family Promise
position because she thinks she can — again — make a difference.
She dreams of a residential facility for teens and young adults who do not have housing, or perhaps pairing them with the families who are being housed by area congregations to provide them with support and structure. She dreams of funding that would enable a conversion of blighted properties through renovation projects to address housing needs and create thriving neighborhoods.
She dreams of a community in which everyone has enough.
“We have a lot of really valuable programs in Berks County, and people need to recognize that they should get behind them and support them,” Elise said. “If we get big stakeholders who really invest in their community, then everyone benefits.”
One of Chesson’s major goals is to spread the word about Family Promise of Berks County and the work that it does.
So far in 2017, the program has provided safe housing with congregations for 18 adults and 42 children. Family Promise additionally assists four or five families each month by connecting them with jobs, donations of furniture, food or other items; or financial assistance.
Staff members also work tirelessly behind the scenes to connect families with other organizations that may be able to provide some type of assistance or direction.
“It’s all about getting people connected and talking,” Chesson said. “We need to educate people about where to go for various types of help so they can get back on track.”
Once someone has been educated and directed toward the proper resources, he or she has a chance of tackling whatever barriers are standing in his or her path.
“And when people can do that, then they can get back on their feet and start being productive,” Chesson said. “Our goal is to enable change in someone, and then expect that they’ll enable change in someone else.”
In coming years, Chesson would love to see Berks Countians from all walks of life come together to address issues that affect the community.
It’s her hunch that there are underused community resources, and that more could be done to support people who need help.
“If we come together, embrace our differences, and recognize all the wealth and resources that we have, right here, that’s the point that this area will start to turn around,” Chesson said. “And, that’s something everyone would benefit from.”
Meanwhile, she remains hard at work with the day-to-day operations of Family Promise, all the while keeping her eye to the future and her hopes high.
“My hope is that January will bring a whole lot of new beginnings for Family Promise,” she said.
“It’s all about getting people connected and talking. We need to educate people about where to go for various types of help so they can get back on track.”
Family Promise — How to Help
Family Promise of Berks County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and an affiliate of Family Promise National. It serves families, youth and individuals who are without housing, also providing rent and utility assistance when funding is available.
In addition, Family Promise has started U-Turn, a program geared specifically to address and help homeless teens and young adults, which is an issue of growing concern in Berks County and other areas.
Family Promise is funded by grants; public funding; fundraising events and donations from individuals, businesses, foundations and local congregations. The organization has five paid staff members, along with two paid van drivers. Much of the work it does depends on volunteers from area congregations, which serve as hosts for families in the program.
Elise Chesson, who became director of Family Promise of Berks County in April, said that, in addition to financial gifts, the organization and the families it serves would benefit from the following:
• Workshops for families on specific topics such as budgeting, landlord/tenant issues, job preparation or achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle presented by people with expertise in those or other areas
• Skill-based volunteers to assist the organization in areas such as marketing or fundraising
• Leadership or mentorship for families, teens, young adults or other individuals who are struggling with housing or other issues
• Contributions to the organization’s rent and utility assistance program, for which funding fluctuates
• Donations of toiletries, diapers, feminine hygiene products, bus passes and gift cards
• Big-picture ideas for providing supervised housing for teens and youth who are without permanent homes
• Increased community involvement
You can learn more about Family Promise of Berks County by emailing Chesson at EChesson@ FamilyPromiseOfBerks.org or calling her at 610373-3323, ext. 24. Family Promise’s website is www. familypromiseofberks.org, and you also can find the organization on Facebook and sign up for its newsletter to stay current on Family Promise news.
Growth 2Go
Finance, Mentoring & Education
A Unique Internship Opportunity: INTERGENERATIONAL EXPERIENCE
By Jodi Gibble
Josh Harmes and Eric Moran, students at Alvernia University, had barely settled into their new apartment at The Highlands at Wyomissing in late August, but residents of The Highlands at Wyomissing, a continuing care retirement community located in Wyomissing, couldn’t wait to welcome them.
Moran is pursuing a double major in theology and history at Alvernia, while also working toward a master’s degree in secondary education. Harmes, a fifth-year Master of Science in Occupational Therapy scholar, currently works with residents who need rehabilitation. Moran is volunteering his time by providing spiritual wellness to the residents. They both plan to assist residents with technology or simply spend time with them socially.
The student intern-senior residential program, which has been modeled in parts of Europe and a few areas in the United States, is intended to provide an exchange of learning and promote better understanding between different generations.
Kevin P. DeAcosta, a 2000 Alvernia graduate who is President and CEO of The Highlands at Wyomissing, said that having Harmes, 23, and Moran, 21, at the retirement community benefits both residents and the students.
“It’s a great idea for a senior living community like The Highlands to participate in intergenerational opportunities,” DeAcosta said. “The residents are just excited about being with young people, and it’s a good opportunity for the students to learn about giving back and about the generations that came before them.”
Moran and Harmes, who were selected for the program based on academic achievement, campus involvement and personal character, signed a student intern residence agreement with The Highlands that, in exchange for room and one meal a day, they would share at least one meal a week with residents, and provide 12 to 16 hours of service related to their majors, each month.
Just a couple of weeks after moving in, Harmes and Moran had already dined in some residents’ homes or apartments and were well on their way to forming friendships.
Jodi Gibble, Director of Marketing at The Highlands, said partnering with Alvernia on this opportunity made sense as the retirement community and the university have worked together in the past.
In exchange for room and one meal a day, the students share at least one meal a week with residents, and provide 12 to 16 hours of service related to their majors each month.
“We already have a strong connection with Alvernia through the university’s Seniors College,” said Gibble. “It’s been a wonderful partnership; our residents can attend classes for free at the university or on The Highlands campus. More than 50 residents participate in the Seniors College classes each semester and some of our own residents have even taught the courses.”
While the student intern program is new, the intent of both The Highlands and Alvernia is to have it continue.
“We fully intend to do it every year,” said DeAcosta. “This first year is a trial year, and we need to make sure that we get it right to get the most value for us, the students and the university.” Kevin DeAcosta is impressed with how the program is progressing so far, and confident that Harmes and Moran are the right fit for the trial year.
Opportunities for students and beyond:
[ Volunteering at Penn State Health St. Joseph ]
Volunteers contact the health system for a variety of reasons, including a desire to give back, educational requirements, or a desire to check out the medical field before committing to healthcare as a career. We work with applicants to try to create a match between their gifts and volunteer goals and the needs of the medical center. We now also offer self-scheduling options in many areas.
Volunteer roles include patient services volunteers, clerical, nursing transport, cafeteria help, Information Desks, Book Cart, pet therapy, and many others. While Penn State Health State Joseph does have limited opportunities for 14- and 15-year old volunteers, the majority of our volunteer roles are for those age 16 and older.
The hospital also has educational affiliations with many colleges and universities for medical students and internships in order to provide the students with practical work experience in their field. Some of these include Anesthesia, Certified Nurse Midwife, Dietetic, IT, Medical Assistant, Medical Lab Tech, Nurse Practitioner, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Radiology and Security.
These limited internship opportunities fill up quickly, so applicants are encouraged to send their requests early.
For the safety and protection of our patients, volunteers and students are required to provide criminal, child abuse and FBI clearances, health immunization information, orientation education, confidentiality, and other paperwork.
A screening of LITTLE STONES at RACC’s Miller Center
FROM A GRAFFITI ARTIST IN THE FAVELAS OF BRAZIL raising awareness about domestic violence, to a choreographer in India using dance to rehabilitate survivors of human trafficking, Little Stones profiles four women, each of whom are contributing a stone to the mosaic of the women’s movement through their art. Featuring interviews with leading women’s rights experts in government, philanthropy, technology, public health and education sectors, Little Stones is a powerful showcase of how art can create positive change for women and girls around the world.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22 @ 6:30 PM
MILLER CENTER FOR THE ARTS at READING AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE 4 N 2nd St, Reading Tickets: $5, available at millercenter.racc.edu/little-stones Call 610-607-6205 with questions
BUILDING LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY
By Toni Eckert, Associate Director of the O’Pake Institute
for Ethics, Leadership & Public Service and
Director
of Leadership Berks, Alvernia University
Acommunity’s greatest currency is measured not by dollars and cents, but by how it invites, welcomes, and encourages groups, organizations, and individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, education, and experiences to find their place at the leadership table.
Since 1985, Alvernia University’s Leadership Berks Program has been inviting people to the leadership table through its mission: to develop, support and connect leaders — for life. One of 3,400 community leadership programs nationally, the program boasts more than 850 alumni representing all walks of life, and over 175 service learning consulting projects for area nonprofit and community organizations.
For up to 35 individuals annually from September–June, Leadership Berks’ unique 9-month leadership model, provides best practices in organizational leadership — both for-profit and not-for-profit — as well as board governance, greater sensitivities for inclusion of diverse populations and viewpoints, and an intimate familiarity about the community’s assets, challenges, and issues. Including site visits, tours and learning sessions held at locations throughout the community, the program is designed to engage and empower each individual to develop deep relationships among peers from different socio-economic backgrounds and cultures, an introduction to a broad network of over 75 influential leaders and content experts, and a comprehensive, issues-based and physical orientation to Greater
Reading and Berks County. Moreover the program provides a platform by which participants are invited, encouraged, and guided to put their leadership, community issues, and governance education into practice by assuming project and class leadership roles, and upon completion, make meaningful, volunteer leadership commitments to serve area nonprofit and community organizations. Throughout their learning experience, individuals are provided the opportunity for personal reflection regarding their perceptions about themselves and their community, how they have grown personally and professionally, and the ways in which their efforts have had an impact in all aspects of their lives.
For sponsors and employers, the program develops individuals who are prepared to return to work with increased organizational, leadership, and problem solving skills as well as an expanded network of professional contacts and relationships with key leaders. These competencies serve to enhance workplace projects and initiatives through an enhanced ability to make better-informed decisions and lead and manage more effectively.
For not-for-profit organizations and the community at large, the program provides capacity-building through the completion of volunteer service learning consulting projects valued at $6–$10,000, and a pool of highly qualified, and well-informed volunteer leaders
For not-for-profit organizations and the community at large, the program provides capacity-building through the completion of volunteer service learning consulting projects valued at $6–$10,000, and a pool of highly qualified, and well-informed volunteer leaders…
who in the first year after completion alone, contributes over 1,800 volunteers of broad-based servant leadership with area employers and among the most prominent nonprofit boards and community organizations and initiatives across Greater Reading, Berks County, and beyond.
For alumni, the program provides direct access to area organizations seeking volunteer board and community leaders as well as opportunities for ongoing leadership and professional development at Alvernia including special workshops, forums, and lectures, and adult, undergraduate degree completion programs, and a 20% discount on graduate degree programs offered through the University’s School of Graduate and Adult Education.
As Greater Reading and Berks County’s premier resource for developing, educating, and connecting leaders for life, Leadership Berks measures its community currency by playing a critical role, by partnering with other organizations both on and off campus to host forums to highlight assets and positive things happening in our community such as Reading Rising, the Reading Collegiate Scholarship Program, the Berks Executive Leadership Council for CEOs and School Superintendents, the Nonprofit Institute, Women2Women, and the Berks Early Learning Investment Coalition. Leadership Berks is proud to serve as a leading, anchor organization, dedicated to leveraging the power of leadership education, deep relationship building, volunteer service in action, and personal reflection, to ensure Reading and Berks County may reap the benefits of the richness that comes from the diverse individuals, organizations, and employers that make up the community.
For more information about Leadership Berks and its associated initiatives, individuals, alumni, employers and community organizations will be invited to attend an invitation-only reception on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at the beautiful Stirling Mansion and Guest Hotel. For an invitation, and more information about Leadership Berks, please contact Toni Eckert, Associate Director of the O’Pake Institute for Ethics, Leadership and Public Service and Director of Leadership Berks at Alvernia University, 610-790-1930 or toni.eckert@alvernia.edu or visit www.leadershipberks.org. For more information about adult degree and graduate programs including discount or partnership rates, please contact Hillary Saylor at 610.796.5611or Hilary.Saylor@alvernia.edu or www.alvernia.edu.
Left untreated, glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness and the leading cause of preventable blindness. That’s why regular eye exams are so important. Fortunately, two of the best glaucoma specialists in the region are right here at Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania.
When it’s glaucoma, count on the glaucoma experts. Right here in Wyomissing.
Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania is the leading ophthalmology practice in the region, with experienced specialists in glaucoma, cataracts, retinal disease, LASIK, pediatrics and more. And our glaucoma specialists — Dr. Mehul Nagarsheth and Dr. Abhishek Nemani — are Board-Certified and Fellowship-Trained. That’s experience you can trust. When it’s glaucoma, don’t take chances. Insist on Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania. Learn more at EyeConsultantsOfPA.com.
Call 610-378-1344 for an appointment.
|
1 Granite Point Drive, Wyomissing
Abhishek K. Nemani, MD
Mehul H. Nagarsheth, MD
READING COLLEGIATE SCHOLARS PROGRAM Cultivating learners and leaders for life
By Toni Eckert, Associate Director of the O’Pake Institute for Ethics, Leadership & Public Service and Director of Leadership Berks, Alvernia University
The mission of Alvernia University is to cultivate engaged citizens and ethical leaders with moral courage. As the hub for curricular and co-curricular leadership programs, the University’s O’Pake Institute for Ethics, Leadership and Public Service has defined that the path to leadership is intentionally paved by serving as a catalyst to address community issues and public dialogue on leadership, public policy, and community engagement and service to others.
With 37% of the City of Reading’s population living below the poverty line, the largest concentration of English Language Learners in the state of Pennsylvania, and approximately only 60% of Reading High School students receiving high school diplomas, Alvernia University made a commitment to increase the number of graduates attending and succeeding in college. Through the generosity of university resources and individual donors, Alvernia launched the Reading Collegiate Scholars Program, RCSP, that awards up to 10 full tuition student scholarships to qualified students who apply and are accepted to Alvernia.
The RCSP includes two parts:
First — the High School College Exploration portion housed in the Holleran Center for Community and Global Engagement that targets students in grades 9 through 12 by providing students with the tools they need to graduate from high school and attend a college of their choice. The program helps high school students understand college funding and scholarships, application processes, and degree program exploration.
Second — the College Student Readiness program, housed in the O’Pake Institute for Ethics, Leadership and Public Service. Uniquely designed for Reading High School graduates who have been accepted to Alvernia, this portion of the program begins with a Summer Bridge intensive cohort experience that prepares accepted Alvernia students to begin the transition from high school to a university setting. During Summer Bridge, students learn more about themselves, their style of learning, and their way of addressing problems. Students also participate in workshops on leadership, self-advocacy, conflict resolution, and study skills, diversity & inclusion, work/student-life balance, and financial literacy.
At the close of Summer Bridge, scholars meets the community mentors that have been assigned to partner with them one-on-one during their tenure at Alvernia. The community mentors assist students in the transition to college, support them throughout their college career, and ultimately help students with their job search. In addition, each cohort is assigned a faculty mentor who also lends support to help students learn strategies for how to communicate with faculty, study skills, and other student support services available on campus. RCSP students are required to participate in service projects and annually, working with their faculty mentor, to develop an educational program or event for their cohort and another for the campus.
Given the vast majority of RCSP students come from families who are not necessarily fluent in English, in 2017, the RCSP undertook an intentional effort to specifically recruit Spanishspeaking community mentors by leveraging its partnership with the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance’s Women2Women and De Mujer a Mujer programs that resulted in 5 of the 10 community mentors coming from this special partnership.
“De Mujer a Mujer program provides a platform for Latina women to share their successes in creating a path to better themselves, their families, and their communities. Alvernia’s Reading Collegiate Scholars Mentor Program allows me the opportunity to extend my role with De Mejur a Mujer to the next generation of leaders in my community. I am proud to be a part of such an amazing program for our community,” said Liz Epps of Carpenter Technology Corporation.
For more information about the Reading Collegiate Scholars and Community Mentoring Program, please contact Toni Eckert, Associate Director of the O’Pake Institute for Ethics, Leadership and Public Service, at 610-790-1930 or toni.eckert@alvernia.edu or visit us at http://www.alvernia.edu/about/ethics-and-leadership/ .
GET TO KNOW: ROMY NEWMAN & FAIRYGODBOSS
WHAT IS FAIRYGODBOSS?
Fairygodboss is a marketplace where professional women looking for jobs, advice, and the inside scoop on companies meet employers who believe in gender equality. Reaching hundreds of thousands of women, the Fairygodboss community crowdsources hard-to-find and hard-to-ask information from each other ranging from maternity leave policies, to corporate culture around pay and promotion for women. Fairygodboss works with Fortune 500 employers such as Apple Dell, Deloitte, General Electric and Johnson & Johnson to create transparency about workplaces and to support their efforts to improve the workplace for women.
It’s a real life, professional version of your fairy godmother: getting you the scoop on what you need to know to be a success at home and at work. It’s a safe space for women to share workplace experience, advice, and support on topics that are important to them.
WHO IS ROMY NEWMAN?
Romy Newman is president and co-founder of Fairygodboss. Before founding Fairygodboss, Romy was with the Wall Street Journal for seven years in sales and operations, last holding the title of Head of Digital Advertising. Earlier in her career, she held marketing positions at Google and Estee Lauder. A graduate of Yale and Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, she’s a frequent contributor to Fortune, Huffington Post, and Inc. Romy holds a B.A. in American Studies from Yale University and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University. She is also a proud mother of two, wife to a very supportive husband, devoted yogi and crossword puzzle lover.
WHAT MOTIVATES ROMY?
Romy is motivated by helping other women have the same fantastic career experiences
— supported by both great female and male colleagues — that she has had. She strives to make the workplace work better for women.
WHAT MAKES FAIRYGODBOSS SO NECESSARY?
“When we’ve conducted interviews with Fairygodboss members, we hear constantly how isolated they feel as women in the workplace,” says Newman. Fairygodboss found that 65 percent of women they surveyed felt uncomfortable asking about benefits like maternity leave during interviews, and may not even fully understand their employer’s policy before signing an offer letter. Transparency about any companies’ policies and culture is key for any improvements in the workplace for women. Whether you’re a job seeker or looking to negotiate better things for yourself or the women around you, you might need knowledge and advice to feel confident about your decisions.
On September 20, 2017 Carpenter Technology held its first ever Impact Awards. Lizette Epps, Senior Corporate Buyer at Carpenter Technology, a member of the Women2Women Council, and Chair of Women2Women’s Latina Initiatives Committee, was named as one of the first twenty inductees into the Carpenter Hall of Leaders. The Hall of Leaders recognizes those within Carpenter who have demonstrated leadership above and beyond their work within the company.
Lizette was specifically recognized and awarded for her work with women’s initiatives, most specifically her passion for women of Carpenter to take part in our Leadership Development program, known as Lean In Circles, a national initiative founded by Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and award winning author of the book “Lean In, Work, Women and the Will to Lead.”
Her impact statement reads “After participating in an external leadership development opportunity for women professionals called Lean In Circle, Liz volunteered to lead the coordination of the program for the benefit of her co-workers in Reading to help women learn, grow, and support each other in an atmosphere of confidentially and trust. After participating in the first Lean In Circle in 2015, Liz organized the membership, coordinated the process and encouraged participation in 2016 and 2017.”
Women2Women is both proud and honored to have this inspiring interview with Liz and learn a bit more about the woman, Lizette Epps!
W2W: Liz, this was an amazing honor and surprise as we discussed earlier. My question, why was it such a surprise to you?
Initially, the awards ceremony was going to be recognizing teams for their impact within the organization. There was no inclination that individual awards would be presented. As I sat, honored to be there to support my colleagues, and heard our CEO state that 20 individuals would be receiving an award for the impact they have made; I was excited knowing that individuals would be recognized for going above what was expected of them. I had no idea that I was going to be one of the recipients, not because I didn’t feel deserving, but because I never really stopped to think that I was doing things above and beyond.
When the CEO called my name, I was shocked. The first thought that came to mind was, “Why am I getting an award?” When I found out that it was for the support of the women’s initiatives with the Lean-In Circles, I was very proud. I have never been someone who
takes things on just to receive recognition for it. I really want to help others make a difference in their own lives. I like to see others win and I am passionate about helping other women be successful in their careers. So for me, I was bringing something to the women of Carpenter that would help them develop and better themselves and that brought me great satisfaction.
You have been at Carpenter a relativity short time; does this award typically go to an individual who has not had a tenured career at the Company?
This was the first ever Impact Awards Ceremony held by Carpenter and it is my understanding that this will be an annual event. The focus of the award was not based on tenure, but rather the positive impact an employee has displayed that goes above and beyond their everyday duties.
Leadership at Carpenter obviously recognizes your talents and abilities. How did you distinguish yourself in such a short timeframe?
I am a strong personality, a hard worker, and I don’t shy away from a challenge. I think that the way I have been able to apply these traits within the organization to advance the procurement vision has been witnessed and well received. I can perform the tasks at hand and I embrace tasks that take me outside of my comfort zone. I take initiative in my career and have reached out to leaders in the organization, such as our CFO, to express my interest in taking on other tasks that are completely different from my procurement duties.
As a young female in a company that has many male leaders, how have you managed that dynamic and not made that the issue in terms of your obvious success?
Carpenter is a manufacturing company that has been around for 128 years and as such the gender make-up of the organization is predominately male. To take a lesson from the Lean-In Circles, I learned to walk the tightrope, well before walking the tightrope was a talked about thing. I treat people the way that I expect to be treated and expect that same respect whether or not we see eye to eye. I handle professional confrontation well and do not get intimidated by others. Additionally, I am not afraid to state my opinion when I feel that it is warranted. At the end of the day being a woman in the workplace does not make me any more or less than my male counterparts. We each show up every day to perform our duties in order to help the organization reach its goals.
People are receptive to the advice that I give because I don’t tell people what they should be doing. I share my personal and professional experiences with them, my failures and my successes. If something I have been through can help them avoid pitfalls and mistakes that I have encountered myself or help get them a win, then that’s all that matters.
You earned the award for your passion around women and the opportunities that Carpenter obviously believes in regarding the empowerment of women. Do you find yourself mentoring or guiding other women to focus on self-improvement? And, importantly, are they open to your advice?
I do mentor women in our community, a few in the workplace, and most recently became a mentor with the Reading Collegiate Scholars Program. I want to see women win and a win for each of us looks completely different depending on where we are in our lives. Too often women spend time tearing other women down. I was a product of an environment where I had no female support for a long time. So, helping to uplift other women is very near and dear to my heart.
People are receptive to the advice that I give because I don’t tell people what they should be doing. I share my personal and professional experiences with them, my failures and my successes. If something I have been through can help them avoid pitfalls and mistakes that I have encountered myself or help get them a win, then that’s all that matters.
You recently shared your personal story at a De Mujer a Mujer event; it was so powerfully received, that you received, I believe, three standing ovations…this is not as typical as one may think. How has that either inspired or changed you?
Sharing my personal story during the De Mujer a Mujer event was both an experience that changed me and has greatly inspired me. To be standing in the Crowne, before a room that was overflowing with people waiting to hear about how I’ve come to be where I am in life,
was extremely touching. The change that this brought about was coming to the realization that my experiences can make a difference for many people who keep their personal struggles locked away.
In regard to being inspired, I most definitely am. I have been truly amazed by the outpouring of questions and the want to know more from the men and women who attended my event. The response since my speech has been overwhelming; even now, I am still being contacted by people who want to know if I will speak again. I’m hoping that I get the opportunity to share this story with our Women2Women Community.
An attendee at the event asked me what was next for me. At that moment I didn’t have a clear vision, but after some reflection I realized that I want to continue speaking and share my story and life experiences to help others all across the globe. With that I have applied to start my own business and am looking forward to starting a motivational speaking and life skills training company. So to the people who have asked me to continue speaking, I will!
So last but not least, what advice you would give to a young woman who might feel she’s working hard, giving her all, but not being heard in her workplace? I ask because many women give up rather than dig deep into themselves for that answer.
This is probably the easiest of all the questions that I’ve been asked… Don’t give up, EVER! Giving up is easy and if everything we encountered in life was easy, there would be nothing to work for or accomplish. Continue to work hard, be confident in your abilities, know your strengths, keep learning and build a good support system for yourself. Dig deep when you need to and get outside of your comfort zone from time to time. Additionally, don’t work hard just for recognition, work hard for yourself so that you can be happy, successful and satisfied, both personally and professionally. The best experiences are out there waiting for you on your journey, so don’t give up!
Lizette Epps is a Senior Corporate Buyer with Carpenter Technology Corporation where she procures IT & Professional Services. She has been employed in both the private and public sector of business for the last 22 years, with a career spanning various roles, ranging from a legal secretary to a procurement professional. She holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and has called Berks County home for the last seven years.
Lizette has a passion for community involvement as well as women’s and children’s initiatives. In addition to chairing the Latina Initiatives Committee and serving as a member of the Women2Women Council, she mentors women in the Reading Collegiate Scholars Program as well as in the community at large.
Work 2Life
LHelping Others, Helping Yourself
et’s face it. Nearly all of us have closets that are crowded with clothing we no longer wear, handbags we no longer use and scarves that we no longer like. And then, there’s the basement!
And yet, somewhere in Berks County, there’s a family with five children on the verge of getting an apartment of their own after experiencing a period of homelessness. And, guess what? They’d love to have that desk that your son has been storing in your basement since he graduated from college five years ago.
They’d be thrilled to have the down comforter that you haven’t used since upgrading from a queen to a king-sized bed, or the kitchen items or the lamps or the pillows that are stored in a box in a closet somewhere.
Donating items or making financial contributions before the end of the year makes sense for a lot of reasons. As in most communities, there are people in Greater Reading who are in need of assistance and waiting for help. Your donations can go a long way in making life easier for someone who needs a hand up.
When you make a monetary gift or contribute items to a recognized charitable organization you can, at least for now, get a charitable deduction against your income tax if you itemize deductions.
Donating unused furniture and other items helps to keep your living space organized and comfortable, and knowing that you acted to help others will make you feel good.
Berks County is home to various organizations that accept donations of clothing, furniture and other items. You can learn more about most of them by checking websites or social media platforms.
Knowing Where to Give
If you’ve ever wondered how to choose a charity to which you’ll donate, or how the money you donate is being used or how effective the work of the charity is, you’re in good company.
Charity Navigator, an organization that rates charities, provides these tips for getting started with charitable giving:
Be Proactive in Your Giving
Identify the causes that are important to you and look for charities that match your interests. For instance, if finding a cure for a particular disease is important to you, you’ll need to identify agencies that work to address that issue.
Research Before Giving
• Make sure the charity you’re considering is a bona fide, tax exempt 501(c) (3) public charity. All charities evaluated by Charity Navigator meet that criteria.
• Take a look at the charity’s finances to make sure they are healthy, thereby giving the charity the ability to pursue its charitable mission.
• Ensure that the charity is transparent and accountable by examining the information it makes available.
Discuss Results and Impact
Talk with a representative of the charity to learn about its goals and what it has been able to accomplish. A charity should be willing to put a potential donor in touch with someone who will personally answer questions or address any concerns.
Consider the Way You Give
Generally, it’s best to let a charity that you trust decide how to use your donations. Giving unrestricted donations is generally more helpful to the organization you’re trying to assist. Also, consider spacing out your gifts throughout the year so that the impact of giving is not felt all at once.
Follow Your Investment
Follow up with the charity six months to a year after contributing to find out how your money is being used. You’re not looking for an itemized list of expenses, just a progress report. This enables you to see if the charity is responsive and able to communicate its progress. If you’re happy with the charity you’ve supported, consider committing to a long-term relationship,
Where to Give
Salvation Army — Eastern PA and Delaware
pendel.salvationarmy.org or satruck.org (for pick up info)
301 S. 5th St. Reading, PA 19602 610-373-5208
Rudden Family Foundation (TRFFI)
theruddenfamilyfoundation.org 16 Pacific Ave. Reading, PA 19608 610-207-9257
Hope Rescue Mission/ Hope Outlet
hopeoutlet.org or hopeforreading.org
745 N. 6th St. Reading, PA 19601
Reading Store: 610-741-1641
Donations or Delivery: 610-741-1640
Opportunity House/OppShop opphouse.org
Admin. Offices:
430 N. 2nd St. Reading, PA 19601 610-374-4696
OppShop: 3045 N. 5th St. Hwy Reading, PA 19605 484-509-2087
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
HabitatBerks.org
ReStore: 5370 Allentown Pike
Temple, PA 19560
General: 610-373-3439
ReStore: 610-921-1315
Goodwill Stores/ Goodwill Keystone Area
yourgoodwill.org
Stores in Shillington, Muhlenburg and Exeter Twp.
Check website for contact info. for stores in local area.
Donations Accepted Quotable
Clothing, furniture, automobiles, household goods, and appliances
Good quality items: beds, furniture, kitchen items, linens, etc. (See website for more details)
“When you donate goods to the Salvation Army, those goods are then sold through our SA Family Stores… Proceeds from these purchases are used to fund our adult Rehab Centers.”
“Every dollar generated by our Family Thrift Stores is used to fund our Adult Rehabilitation Centers.”
“TRFFI provides small, short-term financial support for education, transportation, healthcare or housing issues.” ”Donated good quality material items are given to individuals/families to assist in their transition out of homelessness.”
“Precision Assistance, Personally Acknowledged”
Items in sellable condition, however, they do not accept baby furniture, used safety equipment, medical devices or tube TVs
“Every dollar of every sale at Hope Outlet supports Hope Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter in Reading.The Mission provides four residential programs that men can work their way through to transition back into the community.”
Notable
Red kettle donations are used all around the world, feeding more than 4.5 million people at Christmastime.
Please see extensive list on website: opphouse.org
Check which items both OppHouse and OppShop may need
Small and large donations of new or gently used furniture, appliances, housewares, building materials, etc.
“OppShop is an addition to Opportunity House’s Reuse &Recycle Program. We sell gently used treasures to the Berks County community.”
“Supports people who are receiving assistance from the multiple services of Opportunity House.”
TRFFI works with existing charities to help identify those individuals who are committed to improving their lives, yet still are unable to fully support themselves.
Hope Outlet has been a part of the Mission since the early ’90s and continues to provide support to Hope Rescue Mission today.
Last year alone, 55,300 tons of books and 33,000 tons of clothing were recycled through Opportunity House/ Opportunity Shop.
Extensive lists on website under donar guidelines — check E-Cycle guidelines for electronics
“Money raised by Habitat ReStores helps families build a decent and affordable place to call home.”
“When the items you donate…are sold, the money helps families achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better future.”
“Goodwill works to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and helping people in need reach their full potential through learning and the power of work.”
Habitat ReStores have been operating for over 25 years. Local communities currently rely on the proceeds of more than 930 of these donation centers and stores.
Many businesses, schools and community groups organize Donation Drives. See website for details.
Count on HEALTHSOUTH
She’s counting on you to pass down family recipes, be a good teacher, enjoy long walks, spoil the grandkids.
After an accident, injury or illness, count on HealthSouth Reading Rehabilitation Hospital so that she can count on you.
Get Organized in 2018 (at home & at work!)
By Paula J. Ziegler, Communications Manager, the Berks County Bar Association and Law Foundation of Berks County
Computer Organization at Work
Think of your computer as a storage area. Within this area, you can have individual folders for each specific job. Within each job folder, you can have sub folders for different components of the job. Much of my work involves scheduled communication with Bar Association members, promoting and marketing our Mandatory Continuing Education Seminars for attorneys, advertising our events, producing the final copy of the Berks County Law Journal, handling social media venues and communicating with sponsors of our yearly events. I need to work fast and easily identify which job folder that I need. It sounds simple, but I have seen many who, instead of using folders, have all of their documents and images in one long, unorganized stream. Also, resist the temptation to save your work to your desktop. In the event of a server failure, your desktop information will not be saved.
Organize your main folders. I have a folder for each task or event which is named strategically so that I can easily find it. Do not name every folder starting with the name of your company! Everything will look too similar. Eliminate spaces in the folder names so that they are easier to read and take up less visual space. For example: AnnualMeeting is the name of the folder for one of our annual events. Without the spaces, the name is quickly read and the folder will easily be found since the folders are in alphabetical order.
Organize your sub folders. Each main job folder contains sub folders. My AnnualMeeting folder will have a sub folder for each year. 2017, 2016…. Within those year folders I will have subfolders for the marketing files for that year such as the brochure, html advertisements and Excel file mailing lists. This makes it easy for me to pull brochures from a few years before if, for example, we might want to look up a speaker who was particularly good.
Include a Word document (or similar) in each job folder which contains complete instructions for the task. Since many of my jobs are once a year events, I find that it is extremely helpful to type all notes on a Word document and save to my job folder.
There may be specific details such as how to print a particular brochure to our Konica Minolta printer. I can now open the folder for AnnualMeeting and then open the Word document titled AnnualMeetingInstructions. The details of the event such as printing information, steps to take for querying our database and information that I need to provide to other staff members is readily available. Not only is this a great reminder on the details associated for the task or event, but it is also a great way to document the job in case someone else needs to take over in my absence.
Learn Microsoft Excel. All marketers and communicators will benefit by taking basic and advanced classes in Excel. Excel files can be used for addresses, payment and attendance information and event coordination. For example, I maintain sponsor relationships for our large events. My Excel files will have columns for contact names, mailing and e-mail addresses, and phone numbers. I also have columns for invoice sent, invoice paid, informational brochure sent, advertising in, and banner in. Keeping this one Excel file updated leading up to the event allows me to check for missing ads or payments. I also have a record that I sent the required information to sponsors. Set up these files so that you can easily sort by last name and company name. Excel can also be used to make detailed charts. Learn how to use Word and Excel in conjunction with each other and you create merged letters or send html documents to a select e-mail list. The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance often has Excel classes listed.
Computer Organization at Home
Organizational folders can be used on home computers as well. I have a folder for finances, a college folder for each of my daughters and a folder for any activities that I enjoy such as gardening. Within my financial folder, I have an Excel file dedicated to keeping track of bills. Each company is listed along with a column for BillDueDate, password (for online bill paying), BillPaidDate, and any other pertinent information. After paying bills, I will update the due date and sort that column. The next bills due will be at the top of my Excel file so that I am always looking
ahead of schedule. Highlight the due dates with a bright color for an extra reminder. Here are a few easy but strategic tips:
I firmly believe that the key to successful marketing and design is organization and keeping the message simple. Think ahead and answer these main questions: who?, what?, where?, and when? Then add any details.
1 ) Your website and your e-mail signature should contain your complete contact information. Whether it is your home page or your e-mail, include the company address and phone number. Keep your e-mail signatures professional looking and try to have all members of your company adhere to the same look. It is so helpful to have all contact information readily available in case there is a question or follow up needed.
2 ) Stick to a schedule for your e-mail/html newsletters and notices. Your recipients will know when to expect the notices and they will be less likely to feel intruded upon by miscellaneous messages.
3 ) If you are the administrator of a company Facebook site, start a professional administration page. Your administration page can be simple, perhaps sharing your professional background information, similar to your LinkedIn page, and can be used to manage multiple company Facebook sites if necessary. No need to involve your personal Facebook!
4 ) Keep the sponsors and vendors of your events updated. I send a welcome packet in the form of a PDF document to sponsors and vendors, which includes an invoice, instructions for the day of the event, advertising sizes and due dates, and contact information. I try to answer all questions within this document. This document should make the sponsors feel included and also gives your organization a professional image. Sponsors also appreciate a reminder if materials are due before a printing date.
AAre You Ready to Run?
re You Ready to Run? For office that is! Have you ever asked yourself this question, “What would our world look like if more women raised their hand and said YES to serving in office?” Would outcomes change? Would civility return to the public square? Would our communities look different? These are provocative questions that will be a part of our lively discussion — Effecting Change — It’s Not Just About Running for Office, scheduled for January 31, 2018.
At this session, led by Julia Klein, Chairwoman and CEO of C.H. Briggs, she will moderate a lively discussion with a number of women who have run for an office. The panel will be comprised of women who have taken the challenge head on and are serving in a variety of public positions locally and regionally. This is a diverse group, but the common bond they all share is the passion to make a difference in the places they serve. Panelists include:
• Sandy Graffius, Berks County Controller
• Carissa Johnson, Berks County Magisterial District Judge
• Michelle Kichline, Chester County Commissioner
• Olga Negron, Bethlehem City Councilwoman
This is not just a tutorial session on the process of running for office, judgeship, or beyond. Rather it will be a look inside what made these women stand up and say YES! to the call. You will leave with takeaways that will make you think differently, and maybe you will see yourself “Ready to Run” or able to assist a woman who takes on the challenge.
We will also use this evening to provide you with some great tools that are available regionally for those who might be inspired by this session.
Here are some facts that you may find of interest about our state of PA:
• In the Pennsylvania General Assembly, there are a total of 45 women.
• Of that 45, 36 are members of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives; they make up only about 17.7% of the House.
• The State Senate has 50 members; 9 are women, putting the percentage of women in the State Senate at 18%.
• IN TOTAL, ABOUT 17.8% OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ARE WOMEN.
When you view the information on women in government in visual form, it’s startling. This data that informed the infographic below is
from an organization called Catalyst; their mission is to “accelerate progress for women through workplace inclusion.” Take a look, they have an excellent website with great information for men and women. About two years ago, the Pew Research Center did a study of 3,341 adults who had at some point run for office. This wasn’t just about Congress; Pew looked at those who had pursued anything from school board slots to county government positions to national office. Only a quarter of this group was female. Other studies, like a research project performed by Jennifer Lawless at American University, demonstrate that women consistently underestimated their qualifications and perceived themselves differently than men. This mirrors the ongoing thought process of many women, not only about political office, but about their role in professional positions.
Here in Pennsylvania we have an excellent resource that has assisted women with resources and a support system to prepare them for running for office. Ready to Run — Pennsylvania provides bi-partisan political training to encourage women to run for government leadership positions. Their day-long program targets women considering or recently deciding to run for political office, providing training and mentoring by campaign professionals, political women, and officeholders. Ready to Run — PA is part of a National Training Network of the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University (NJ). As a matter of fact, there is an upcoming session in Philadelphia. Women2Women will be offering two scholarships to this important workshop, and details are:
Date: Saturday, February 17, 2018
Time: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Location: Jefferson University (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University), Home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College
So, are you interested in learning more and hearing from a wonderful group of women who have raised their hands? Join us on January 31st, it may just change your life!
“
CLOCALS HELPING LOCALS: SHOP AND SUPPORT!
ompared to other fundraising options, the coupon book was always a no-brainer, even when I was in school,” explains Heather Brady, Co-Founder & Dreamer of the Do It Local mobile. “However, like everything, it’s time for an upgrade! Do It Local prides itself by modernizing, simplifying, and localizing the old national coupon book fundraiser. Modernization by putting the deals at your finger tips through a mobile app which enables new deals to be added all year long. Simplification through online purchasing of memberships (avoiding money collection and delivery of goods). Localization by only featuring locally owned businesses in our community. When you shop local, 300 times more revenue stays in your local economy than when you shop at a national chain store. Not to mention we also offer customization for each of our charity partners!”
Local charities can help local business owners, and local business owners can help local charities by cross promoting each other using the Do It Local Mobile App. The Berks County Do It Local Mobile App was created to modernize, simplify, and localize the old national coupon fundraiser. It’s more than a mobile deal app, it’s a movement driving locals to help locals.
Local Berks County Charity Partners can sell annual memberships online at www. doitLOCALfundraising.com to raise funds. Each charity has a goal ranging from 200 memberships to 10,000 memberships annually based on their needs and their supporter base.
At present, Do it Local has 17 Charity Partners:
• The Opportunity House
• Animal Rescue League of Berks County
• The American Cancer Society of Berks County (Relay for Life Teams)
• BCTV.org
• Berks County Medical Society
• Bethany Children’s Home
• Children’s Alopecia Project
• Genesius Theatre
• Little Acts of Love
• Greater Reading Young Professionals
• Colebrookdale Railroad
Community Education through Libraries, Summer Programs, and Preschools:
• Teachers in the Park
• Governor Mifflin Education Foundation
• Reading Public Library
• Oley Valley Library
• Exeter Community Library
• Robeson Lutheran Preschool
“I developed this app with a true win-winwin attitude,” says Heather. “Members win by feeling good about donating to a local charity and saving money all year round. Local businesses win by having a mobile fundraising platform that promotes shopping and buying local at locally owned businesses. Charities win by raising funds through membership sales, by strengthening their relationships with local business owners, and by having a mobile app that enables them to communicate upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, or donation needs directly to their supporters while providing value to their supporters through awesome deals!”
If you’re looking to become a charity partner, the process is easy: simply fill out an online form at https://www.doitlocalfundraising.com/charity-partners. An ideal charity partner would benefit from having a custom mobile app to communicate their events and needs throughout the year to their members while offering deals at locally-owned businesses. Charities can grow a reoccurring revenue stream through membership sales.
Chiara Sockel Renninger
Does it All!
By Susan Shelly
Chiara Sockel Renninger has been a member of Women2Women since its founding in 2010, and has served on the Women2Women Council since January 2015.
As a young professional in the early days of the program, Chiara was inspired by the women she met and the speakers who taught her about life-work balance, the challenges women face in the workplace and the importance of forming supportive relationships.
“As a young person, I especially liked the Women2Know series,” Chiara said recently during a break from her schedule as a wealth advisor with Buckingham Strategic Wealth in Wyomissing. “It was inspirational for me to hear women who had done it all speak about their lives and their strategies for success. I would listen to them and think, ‘I can do that.’”
Currently 42, Chiara is following closely in the footsteps of those women who have “done it all.”
In addition to her career and serving on the Women2Women Council, she is the mother of a 12-year-old son, Cole, and an eightyear-old daughter, Saray. She coaches Cole’s basketball teams and keeps up with Saray’s activities.
She founded the Power of the Purse Fund, an organization that provides funding to help break the cycle of poverty by reducing barriers for women who want to enter or re-enter the workforce. Since 2012, Power of the Purse has donated more than $100,000 to Berks County programs and organizations that assist women and children.
Chiara also is a member of the board of directors for Berks Nature and LedgeRock Golf Club. She has been recognized for outstanding achievement in her field by receiving a “Top 40 Under 40” award from Investment News.
We asked Chiara, who was a high school and college basketball standout, about the strategies she employs for balancing her many obligations and activities. The secrets, she said, are to be very organized, to prioritize, and to ask for help when necessary.
“I have a team of people who help me, including my in-laws, my parents, my husband, and some really good babysitters,” Chiara said. “I’ve learned that it’s okay to ask for help and that I don’t have to do everything myself.”
There are periods of time, she said, when work is consuming and other activities must take a back seat. Other times, however, are devoted to her family.
“I’ve learned that sometimes my life is 100 percent work,” she said. “But there other times, especially on weekends, that it needs to be 100 percent family. On weekends, I put the phone down, put the technology down, and make it family time.”
Chiara and her husband, Ryan, enjoy being outdoors with their children, and time at the beach as a family.
Chiara’s involvement with Women2Women also is important to her, as she enjoys the diversity of the group and the encouragement it provides to women at many different phases of life and work.
“In essence, we’re trying to get women to become leaders in whatever way they’d like to,” she said. “I really appreciate the diversity of both the membership and the programming of the group.”
Local.
When David and Cindy Wolfskill decided to expand their dairy farm, they switched to Tompkins VIST Bank.
“They’re different,” says David. “When you need something, Tompkins VIST is there immediately.”
Says David: “They really go above and beyond.”
Need a local decision? Call 888-238-3330 or visit VISTBank.com.
David Wolfskill Mar-Anne Farms
Health 2Wellness
Mental, Spiritual, Physical Health & Wellness
THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT:
Targeting the Wellbeing of Berks County
How does a community get — and stay — healthy? It determines what its biggest issues are and develops strategies to address them.
Every three years, Berks County’s local health partners conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment that identifies key health issues in the county. The partners then use the information gathered to implement initiatives that address our region’s most-pressing health needs and determine ways to eliminate barriers to care. These initiatives are based on the needs of our community, including families like yours, to ensure health partners have the programs and interventions necessary to meet your needs.
What is a Community Health Needs Assessment?
A Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) is a systematic process that identifies and analyzes any community’s health needs as well as its assets so that health providers can prioritize needs of a particular community,
especially those needs that aren’t currently being met. Why is this process completed?
The 2010 Affordable Care Act requires that all 501(c)(3) hospitals conduct a community health needs assessment and subsequent implementation plan every three years.
But the requirement is also a valuable opportunity for health providers to collect useful data about our community, including community demographics, socio-economic factors and health service utilization trends. What’s more, it’s a unique opportunity for a variety of groups to come together, including major hospitals, focus groups, community coalitions, and surveys. The greater the number of invested partners in a CHNA, the better the likelihood that any initiatives that are developed as part of a CHNA can address the real needs
of a community, and improve a community’s overall health.
2013’s CHNA
To date, two full CHNA cycles under the ACA mandate have been completed in Berks County. The first CHNA, completed in 2013, was jointly sponsored by the Berks County Community Foundation, Reading Health System, St. Joseph Regional Health Network (now Penn State Health St. Joseph), and the United Way of Berks County and involved a countywide Advisory Committee.
Berks County was defined as the community for the purposes of the local CHNA. Berks County includes a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas with distinct populations and health resources. The CHNA identified some
Community Health Needs Spotlight: Access to Care
When local partners conducted the 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment, one of the key health issues to emerge was access to care.
In other words, too many people in Berks County lacked access to quality medical care, most often due to social determinants such as poverty, homelessness, mental illness or language barriers. To improve access to care, local health partners have worked — and continue to work — to implement and strengthen initiatives that eliminate barriers to care. These initiatves are wide-reaching and collaborative, a hallmark of the programs that have come from the CHNA.
One example of improving access to care is the Reading Hospital’s Street Medicine Program, a community initiative that brings medical care directly to some Berks County individuals by providing care at shelters, soup kitchens, Hispanic Center and tent sites. Reading Hospital physicians and providers work together to treat patients and provide traditional healthcare services as needed. In 2016, the program successfully treated more than 500 underserved residents in Berks County. The program helps to reduces hospital stays and provides medical care to people who might otherwise not seek treatment.
The Street Medicine Program reaches out to people who are homeless by providing care in non-threatening and easily accessible environments for patients. The collaboration between medical providers helps create a multidisciplinary approach that provides social services as well as medical care to local individuals.
Bringing care to those who need spurred a variety of creative and thoughtful approaches. Penn State Health St. Joseph (PSHSJ) created the HealthOne Mobile Health Initiative, a doctor’s office on wheels that was launched with the Giorgio family of companies at the end of 2016. The van will be staffed with nurse practitioners, a medical technician and assistant. For employees who might not be able to prioritize or make time for a physical or other appointments, this mobile clinic can provide valuable health services.
Reading Hospital and community partners also will be reaching out to people in need through a program that positions Reading Hospital as a “hub” that will help bridge the gap between medical care and social services for local Medicare and Medicaid patients. Via a grant, this program will help test the federal agency’s Accountable Health Communities (AHC) care model. The model is designed to increase Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries’ access to and awareness of available services and to ensure that community partners are aligned to provide patients with necessary services and support.
The goal of the program is to enhance Medicare and Medicaid patients’ health by identifying their unmet social needs and aligning them with agencies that can provide those services.
Reading Hospital has partnered with the Berks Community Health Center and numerous community social services agencies to create the Berks Accountable Health Communities Consortium. Under the five-year pilot program, which began in May 2017, Reading Hospital and the
Berks Community Health Center will offer a quick survey to Medicare and Medicaid patients who receive medical treatment. If a patient’s answers indicate they have unmet social needs, a Reading Hospital community navigator hired specifically for this initiative will work to link patients with the appropriate social services. Reading Hospital is formulating its processes and procedures during the first year, and survey distribution and work with patients will begin in Spring 2018.
The category of access to care is far-reaching in our county. Penn State Health St. Joseph (PSHSJ) has utilized the findings to expand breast cancer screening for the underserved, including recent grants from the Susan G. Komen Foundation at the national and state level. The hospital’s efforts to assist uninsured urban and Latina women were recently recognized and funded by the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
Access to care also includes dental care. The PSHSJ Downtown Campus dental clinic recently wrapped up a two-year PA Department of Health Community Based Health Care Program (CBHCP) grant to enhance and expand access to children and adults with little or no insurance. PSHSJ also works actively with the Berks County Oral Health Task Force on a comprehensive public awareness and education strategy around the importance of preventative dental care in early childhood. The hospital is also active on a task force subcommittee currently studying the feasibility of mobile dental services for hard to reach patients in urban and rural areas.
“Studies show that patients’ medical outcomes are better when social needs such as housing stability, food availability and transportation are met,” says Desha Dickson, Director of Community Health and Engagement, Reading Hospital. “We are working with our community partners to meet residents where they are to address social needs to improve their health.”
Spotlights on the rest of the CHNA health issues will appear in future issues of Women2Women.
important data points about the region. For example, the population of Berks County is relatively homogeneous overall, except for the City of Reading, where many residents (almost 60 percent in 2010) are Latino. The City of Reading also has a younger population than the county as a whole, and its residents are poorer than the county as a whole. In fact, at the time, the City of Reading had the largest share of its population in poverty among cities in the U.S. with a population of 65,000 or more.
Overall, Berks County residents were found to be in good health when compared to many other areas of the state and nation. However, reflecting national trends in health status, heart disease was the leading cause of death, followed by all forms of cancer and stroke. In addition, many adults in our region suffer from obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and untreated mental health conditions.
Based on these findings, two broad-based recommendations emerged: increase access to care and enhance personal health behaviors. These recommendations are relatively broad, so a community-wide Advisory Committee was tasked with further analyzing the findings and prioritizing areas of opportunity. From
Foundation, United Way of Berks County, Berks Community Health Center and Penn State Health St. Joseph — identified four local health priorities through this process:
• Obesity
• Mental health
• Chronic illness
• Access to care.
These priorities impact a significant number of Berks County’s population.
During the Community Health Needs Assessment process, Franklin & Marshall College and Holleran Consulting provided research support by gathering statistics and qualitative feedback that provided the information the partners used to identify the priorities.
Since 2016, initiatives have been implemented that target these challenges and improve services for people who experience conditions such as poverty, food insecurity, unemployment and lack of transportation — all of which can be barriers to care.
In addition to the Community Health Needs Assessment, partners like Reading Hospital and Penn State Health St. Joseph (PSHSJ) developed Community Health Implementation Plans, which outline goals and strategies for addressing each of the four health priorities.
Addressing obesity means targeting ways to reduce it, including offering education on healthy eating, increasing community members’ access to healthy food, and promoting physical activity and exercise — outside the workplace and also through workplace wellness programs.
Addressing mental health is another community priority. In Berks County, 20 percent of residents experience anxiety or depression, and suicidal ideation is a top health concern. Each health partner recognized that in addition to strengthening mental health services, it is critical to reduce people’s stress levels by enhancing people’s quality of life with adequate housing, safe neighborhoods, access to jobs, high-quality education, and access to quality healthcare.
Chronic conditions like diabetes have hit troubling levels in the United States, and Berks County is no exception. Managing those conditions is of utmost importance, and therefore new programs and support are necessary here in Berks.
Access to care is another priority identified in the Community Health Needs Assessment. People may lack access to care for a variety of reasons, including lack of health insurance, language barriers, lack of transportation to appointments and inability to pay for outof-pocket expenses, to name a few.
Obesity is a top health priority in Berks County. The Community Health Needs Assessment identified that about two in three residents in Berks County, or 200,000 adults, are overweight or obese. Obesity can contribute to serious medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer.
No matter who you are in this region, it’s likely one of these issues impacts your and/or your family’s health. While health providers are making shifts to ensure the wellness of Berks County can be improved, it’s vital we stay in the know regarding new programs, changes, and the ways we can work together for better overall community health.
By: Dawn Wivell
Look your Best in 2018
New Year, new you! This is the time of year many of us commit to getting in shape. All the lavish dinners and luscious desserts of the holidays are behind us, and we’re ready to get back to the gym. But what the heck is up with that stubborn tummy pooch or that little extra fat on your thighs that just won’t go away?
Sandy Wagner, L.M.T, owner of Sensory Concepts in Wyomissing and Leesport, calls it squishy fat, but says the technical term is subcutaneous fat. Unfortunately, for many women, diet and exercise alone won’t get rid of that squishy fat, but there are other options.
Visceral vs. Subcutaneous Fat
Before you can get rid of extra fat, you need to understand the two basic types of fat: subcutaneous and visceral. They do share some similarities. For example, they both grow when you consume more calories than you burn, both can add inches to your waistline, and both shrink in size when you lose weight.
Visceral fat is located around your abdominal organs. It is considered an “active fat” and has better access to your blood supply than subcutaneous fat. Too much visceral fat increases the risk of a number of health problems including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and breast cancer. Visceral fat is usually the result of an unhealthy lifestyle. Fortunately, because it is so active, visceral fat usually responds well to diet and exercise.
Subcutaneous fat (aka squishy fat) is another story. It is the fat just under your skin. Your body stores this type of fat to prepare and protect you from starvation, emergencies, and childbearing. It is far less dangerous than visceral fat, but it can be unsightly and doesn’t always go away with diet and exercise.
To get rid of this subcutaneous fat, there are a variety of options.
Tummy Tucks
For years, many women have turned to tummy tucks (aka abdominoplasty) to surgically remove loose skin, tighten muscles, and get rid of that stubborn squishy fat. Tummy tucks can provide more dramatic results than non-surgical procedures, but it is surgery and with it comes the drawbacks of surgery: recovery time (up to six weeks), an incision, swelling, discomfort, sometimes pain, and time out of your busy schedule. Plus, tummy tucks typically cost more than non-surgical options.
CoolSculpt®
In 2000, the world was introduced to a non-surgical FDA-approved procedure that targets subcutaneous fat called CoolSculpt®. This procedure uses cold energy or Cryolipolysis® to freeze the fat cells, which then die and are absorbed by your body over time and eventually passed.
Vacuum applicators draw the fatty tissue into an applicator, so you may feel some pulling, tugging, and/or mild pinching. Most patients need two to four 60-minute sessions to achieve their desired results.
CoolSculpt® is non-invasive and eliminates many of the drawbacks of surgical procedures, so it’s no surprise that it quickly became popular among women eager for a more contoured figure.
UltraShape®
Last year, a new FDA-approved, non-surgical alternative hit the scene: UltraShape®. Instead of freezing the fat cells, UltraShape® uses focused ultrasound waves that generate neither heat nor cold to remove the fat cells.
A small handheld device is moved over the targeted area and delivers pulse points to each fat cell without touching the tissue around those cells. The fat cells die and are absorbed into your body and eventually passed. There is no tugging, shocks, burns or any discomfort. Following your session, there are no visible
signs of treatment. With UltraShape®, most patients require three 45–60 minute sessions to achieve their desired results.
Wagner and her team are the only certified UltraShape® technicians in the area. Wagner notes that menopausal women are often fans of this technique, which can take off extra weight that accumulates over time.
Not an Alternative to Diet and Exercise
None of these procedures — surgical or non-surgical — are meant to be a replacement for a healthy lifestyle. They are intended for people who can’t get the sculpted body they want from diet and exercise alone. Wagner says, “If you don’t maintain a healthy lifestyle after any of these procedures, new fat will replace the fat that was removed.”
If diet and exercise aren’t removing that tummy pooch or that extra fat on your thighs, one of these options may be just what you need for a slimmer, more contoured look in 2018.
To determine if you’re a good candidate for UltraShape®, contact Sandy at 484-509-5505 for a free consultation.
Making Your Own: A Diet Discovery
By Dani Motze
By Dani Motze
“Well, that wasn’t as hard as I thought it’d be,”
I said to my best friend, visiting from out of town, and my husband, an experienced home-brewer, after making my very first beer (with their help).
On a warm October afternoon, we loaded into our car and headed out from my home in Reading to Pottstown’s Weak Knee Home Brew Supply store to continue my hands-on research of an age-old practice now trending: home fermentation.
You can ferment lots of things, but I was most curious about two: beer and kimchi. Very simply put, fermentation is the transformation of food by various bacteria, fungi and enzymes that they produce. Depending on the amount of sugar you use in the fermentation process, as well as time and temperature, the flavor of your fermented items can range from sour to tart and tangy. Fermented foods may include beneficial micro-organisms and active bacterial cultures that are good for our gut health.
Nan Reinert, founder of Chubby Pickle Farm, showed me that you don’t need a lot of space or expensive equipment to try out home fermentation; she started fermenting decades ago, first making her kimchi in an ordinary Mason jar. (The word kimchi refers to a variety of fermented vegetables, but in America, we tend to associate it with fermented cabbage.)
Nan’s robust homestead consists of her home’s first floor and small rectangular yard that she packs full in order to grow and make about 75% of her own food. She shares her experience and knowledge with others through her Chubby Pickle Farm Facebook Page.
“The mission of Chubby Pickle Farm is to help people know where their food comes from. You do not need acres and acres and a tractor. And, I’ll help you learn how to preserve your food,” said Reinert, who teaches preserving methods, like pickling and jarring, in addition to fermenting.
Fermenting vegetables can provide home gardeners a way to utilize an overwhelming garden harvest that comes in all at once (or, Nan says, you can buy fresh produce from your local farmer’s market and ferment those items, too).
Nan chuckles and shakes her head as she considers that the things she’s been doing for years are now trendy. “All these things I’ve been doing...for many years this is how I lived my life... and now I’m a hipster, I guess.”
She considers why home fermentation, among other “homesteading” efforts, have grown. “There were generations that grew up on fake food, for all sorts of reason. Now, we’re educated about
Chubby Pickle Farm
how [industrialized] food is made. Your [“Millennial”] generation is coming back to the place where my grandmother was ...by growing and making your own food.”
I have enjoyed my own kombucha (a type of fermented beverage often made with brewed tea, sugar and bacteria that’s introduced from a starter culture) and quick-pickled garden vegetables, but was determined to level up by brewing my own beer. And so, we arrived at the Weak Knee Home Brew Supplies store. Its staff made me feel comfortable even though I knew little about brewing except for a crash-course to prepare for the trip (and, of course, my imbibing preferences).
A staff member named Brenden S. greeted us, and my husband handed him our grain bill — a list naming how much of what kind of grains we wanted — that he had drafted to make a hefeweizen-style beer. And, we chose Bavarian wheat yeast, which produces clove undertones.
To brew, simply put, you need four essential ingredients: grain, yeast, hops, water. Hops are what flavors beer through aroma or bittering.
While Brenden scooped, weighed, and then crushed the grains, I asked him about the growing popularity of home brewing and his pro tips for newbies.
“Relax. Give it time. You’re not going to brew today, drink tomorrow. It doesn’t work like that. Let nature keep its course. And have fun!” he told me.
When I confessed to Brenden that I felt a little intimidated about home brewing, he echoed what Nan had told me: You don’t need to know the details of every scientific process of fermentation, or have the best gear to start. Try one thing. See how it goes. Try a second thing. And so on.
But for the newbie who still needs a guiding hand, Weak Knee does offer beginner kits, filled with all you’ll need to brew your first, and offers beginner classes.
We came home, grains and yeast in hand, and excitedly set to brewing in my driveway. (With a smaller pot, you can also use a kitchen stove top.)
First, we heated the water then added grains. This activates the enzymes from the grains and breaks down the grain starches into sugars that the yeast can eat in a process called mashing.
Waiting on mashing to complete, my friend and I took Brenden’s advice, and went for a dip in the ‘Tully,’ a beloved local creek next to which I live.
We came back, dried off, and I pulled out the bag containing the grains and held it over the pot, while my husband poured near-boiling water over it. This is called sparging and it extracts the last bit of sugar from the grains.
Then we kicked the burner into high gear and brought the liquid to a boil. Foam came spilling over the top in a process that’s called ‘hot break.’ After the foam died down, we started the timer and put in our hops, which turned the foam green, and made the whole outside smell wonderfully, like pine trees.
Then — perhaps most importantly — we poured ourselves some home-brewed cider, sat around the burner and pot, and shot the breeze, catching up and reminiscing on past adventures together.
With 15 minutes left in the boil, to sanitize a big copper tube called a wort chiller, I placed the tube in the boiling water. Then, once the boil was done, I attached it to the hose and it pumped cold water through it to rapidly cool the wort down. Then, I opened the valve at the bottom of the pot and poured the liquid into a large, sanitized plastic pail, and brought it inside. We sanitized and cut open the yeast packet and sprinkled it onto the top of the liquid in the pail. Lastly, I fastened the lid of the plastic pail and attached an airlock onto the plastic pail lid so that the yeast could do its thing.
Fermenting food or drink at home is not something to do in a rush. It takes time. Nan walked me through her timeline of making kimchi: she grew her own cabbage, carrots, onions and daikon radishes from seed and harvested them in late October. The kimchi won’t be ready to eat until December, around the same time my beer will be ready to enjoy.
But, according to Reinert, it’s worth the wait: “There’s nothing better in this world than on a cold winter day to enjoy something that you grew in your garden, and knowing where what you’re eating comes from.”
Her favorite kimchi recipe is a “Reuben sandwich”: press bread with butter, a healthy helping of the kimchi, cheese and Russian dressing in the Panini press.
My own experience with home fermentation showed me that it can offer another benefit, aside from possible improved gut health, a food storage method, or the satisfaction of knowing from where my food or drink comes — it offers the reminder to slow down and stop rushing. The reminder that some of the best things in life take time and end up tasting best when created with loved ones. A practice in delayed, but oh-so-worth-it, gratification.
I asked her about the fear I, and others, might have of unknowingly ingesting something that’s gone bad, of eating something home-fermented that can make me sick.
“You’ll know if it goes bad! You won’t be able to stomach it to eat it,” she assured me. Having had batches of kimchi go bad, she knows it’s just a part of the process sometimes, but tells me that it’s nearly impossible to miss that a batch has turned.
For beginner home fermenters, Nan also recommends making sauerkraut, “It’s a good place to start.” Cabbage is inexpensive, and you don’t need any specialty ingredients. So, if it doesn’t work out, you haven’t wasted a ton of money or preparation time.
My own experience with home fermentation showed me that it can offer another benefit, aside from possible improved gut health, a food storage method, or the satisfaction of knowing from where my food or drink comes — it offers the reminder to slow down and stop rushing. The reminder that some of the best things in life take time and end up tasting best when created with loved ones. A practice in delayed, but oh-so-worth-it, gratification.
My beer or Nan’s latest crock of kimchi may, or may not, turn out perfectly delicious (I won’t know until this has already gone to the printer), but regardless of how it turns out, I can tell you this: I feel pride in having made something with my own hands, and the memory of my efforts will linger in my heart long after my keg is empty.
Winter at the Miller Center
Arts
Performances
The Capitol Steps in “Orange is the New Barack” Sunday, January 21, 3:00 p.m.
Mr. Popper’s Penguins Saturday, February 3, 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
The Mountaintop, L.A. Theatre Works Saturday, February 10, 7:30 p.m.
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