past Media Resources

For media requests for information or interviews, please contact:

Francine M. Scoboria

Safe Berks Communications Coordinator

Email: FrancineS@SafeBerks.org 

Phone: 610-370-7812

Links to Recent Media Coverage of Safe Berks

Reading Eagle, Nov. 10, 2020, “Toyota Dealership Donates Winter Clothing to Safe Berks”

https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/toyota-dealership-donates-winter-clothing-to-safe-berks/article_e9f04b3c-2392-11eb-9a35-a3afc7e2fc4c.html

BCTV, Nov. 12, 2020 “Performance Toyota Delivers Warmth to Children of Safe Berks”

https://www.bctv.org/2020/11/12/performance-toyota-delivers-warmth-to-children-of-safe-berks/

Berks Weekly, Nov. 19, 2020, “Lonnie Walker IV Foundation Distributes Thanksgiving Meals to Local Non-Profits,” Safe Berks included in article and Safe Berks staff in photo

https://berksweekly.com/nonprofits/lonnie-walker-iv-foundation-distributes-thanksgiving-meals-to-local-nonprofits/

NBC Philadelphia, Nov. 20, 2020, “Domestic Violence Hidden in a Pandemic,” Safe Berks contributed stats and info to this research article.

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/investigators/the-dirty-little-secret-that-is-keeping-domestic-violence-hidden-even-in-a-pandemic/2601071/

 

WFMZ Channel 69, Sept., 17, 2020, “Safe Berks Takes Nearly IK calls to Legal Dept. since March,” interview and video with Safe Berks CEO Beth Garrigan

https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/berks/safe-berks-takes-nearly-1k-calls-to-legal-dept-since-march/article_48f9c5de-f929-11ea-9aa6-4b38511852f5.html

BCTV, Sept. 22, 2020, “Safe Berks Announces New Board Officers”

https://www.bctv.org/2020/09/22/safe-berks-announces-new-board-officers/

BCTV, Sept. 30, 2020, “Safe Berks Silent Witness Project”

https://www.bctv.org/2020/09/30/safe-berks-silent-witness-project/

Women2Women Summer 2020 Magazine, a publication of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA):

https://www.nxtbook.com/hoffmann/Women2Women/Women2WomenSummer2020/index.php#/p/26

Reading Eagle Newspaper July 10, 2020 front page photo of Peaceful Stand Against Racism, Safe Berks staff in photo, from left, Arianna Sanchez, Tara Wall, Mayra Morales, Tara Anspach, and Coach Tyrone Nesby, Muhlenberg High School basketball coach and organizer of the Peaceful Stands:

https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/peaceful-stand-group-rallies-in-reading-urges-the-time-for-action-is-now/article_7421960a-c239-11ea-8de8-d3e9a8c52316.html

WFMZ Channel 69, July 10, 2020, Danielle Palermo, Director of Counseling, interviewed as part of story about tragic domestic violence homicide in Boyertown:

https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/berks/man-charged-in-fatal-shooting-of-brother-in-colebrookdale/article_ed104a44-c2b0-11ea-8056-1f12486441d5.html

Kutztown Live, radio station of Kutztown University, June 2, 2020, interview with Safe Berks CEO Beth Garrigan by Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXaSBt2GqBE

BCTV website, June 2, 2020, Safe Berks Announces New Leaders:

https://www.bctv.org/2020/06/02/safe-berks-announces-new-coo-director-of-residential-services/

BCTV website, June 3, 2020, Organizations Stand up Against Hate:

https://www.bctv.org/2020/06/03/nearly-70-reading-community-leaders-condemn-anti-lgbt-hate-incident/

Reading Eagle newspaper, June 14, 2020, Safe Berks Director of Counseling Danielle Palermo interviewed about Lonnie Walker courageously sharing his story of surviving child sexual abuse:

https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/child-sexual-abuse-thrives-in-shame-and-secrecy-experts-say/article_8363210c-adbb-11ea-8d36-af6f55193cac.html

WFMZ Channel 69, June 13, 2020, Safe Berks Director of Counseling Danielle Palermo interviewed about Lonnie Walker courageously sharing his story of surviving child sexual abuse:

https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/berks/lonnie-walkers-haircut-reveals-more-than-shaved-head/article_c56e2886-acfc-11ea-a9e1-539b1d8b757c.html

BCTV website, June 17, 2020, Safe Berks Response to Courageous Statements by Lonnie Walker:

https://www.bctv.org/2020/06/17/safe-berks-response-to-courageous-statements-by-lonnie-walker-iv/

Reading Eagle newspaper, June 23, 2020, Safe Berks Director of Counseling Danielle Palermo interviewed about how COVID-19 increases risk of child abuse:

https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/lack-of-child-abuse-reports-amid-coronavirus-crisis-worries-experts/article_ab467718-b0c8-11ea-8f88-1319714ff510.html

Reading Eagle newspaper, May 19, 2020, Safe Berks handling abuse calls during Pandemic:

https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/safe-berks-staff-handling-abuse-calls-during-coronavirus-pandemic/article_35fc2d9a-99f3-11ea-9e45-2f83ec36f2dc.html

Reading Eagle Newspaper, May 20, 2020, Domestic Violence tragedy in Reading, free services available at Safe Berks:

https://www.readingeagle.com/news/crime/murder-suicide-suspect-in-reading-recently-released-from-prison-for-violating-abuse-order-police-say/article_11861818-99e4-11ea-92a1-bf075caef1a0.html?fbclid=IwAR2cBPcxv77uvuNwHBNiQwUtbnrf9TUpSVsU2eZKD2qz-F3AlRgHzfJDyPI

Reading Eagle newspaper, May 30, 2020, Safe Berks Promotes Two Leaders, new COO and Director of Residential Services:

https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/safe-berks-promotes-2-leaders-mereliss-colon-ortiz-and-aleida-rodriguez/article_ad831702-a1cd-11ea-b62c-abdb4add0ee8.html?fbclid=IwAR3kPHMmkamgJbs78IMSgPhF_cpcXeKtwbVUlsZyT0qErprHBxWVeU_CMEs

NBC News, May 18, 2020, “It’s Hard to Flee Your Abuser during Coronavirus Lockdown,” Safe Berks included in survey for this national article:

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-care/it-s-hard-flee-your-domestic-abuser-during-coronavirus-lockdown-n1205641?fbclid=IwAR1NCSeHyDoQpReaR1eKeQTYx8lsMIgpYGbaUasLPRYSZFjpSTkbxo1dan8

WFMZ Channel 69, Spanish Edition, May 8, 2020, “Recuros para victimas de violencia domestic durante la pandemic”:

https://www.wfmz.com/espanol/recursos-para-v-ctimas-de-violencia-dom-stica-durante-la-pandemia/article_456ec118-90aa-11ea-b38b-4f12c2ac7c35.html?fbclid=IwAR0Ma5C8Eo_Xb6kEEkHDV22ZZB4Uz9gDwuIdgBqqFSl0jS4vIAFDFRGTAos

WFMZ Channel 69, May 19, 2020, “Safe Berks Reports Uptick in Domestic Violence Calls”:

https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/berks/safe-berks-reports-uptick-in-domestic-violence-calls/article_33bf81ee-99d0-11ea-8e79-9b7342434dfe.html

BCTV website, May 11, 2020, “Emerging Leaders United Plan Special Mother’s Day Activities for Safe Berks Residents”:

https://www.bctv.org/2020/05/11/emerging-leaders-united-plans-special-mothers-day-activities-for-safe-berks-residents/

BCTV website, May 21, 2020, “Safe Berks Responds to Domestic Violence Tragedy”:

https://www.bctv.org/2020/05/21/response-to-domestic-violence-tragedies-in-berks-county/

Reading Eagle newspaper, April 12, 2020, how social distancing can increase danger for adults and children who live with abusers, and how Safe Berks can help:

https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/staying-at-home-during-pandemic-has-downside-for-those-in-danger-of-abuse/article_a19aa034-7b4b-11ea-948d-8b3fc56d1f8f.html?fbclid=IwAR0D75-nfRAT0oIcR3nSJQNQ8z4fW8gEGUQHr6eRqTPMvMjrbxlSF4O-vEI

Reading Eagle newspaper, April 23, 2020, Announcement of New CEO Beth Garrigan:

https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/beth-garrigan-named-ceo-of-safe-berks/article_9f3ebf70-84bd-11ea-b436-370580c14840.html

 WFMZ-News Channel 69, April 22, 2020, Announcement of New CEO Beth Garrigan:

https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/berks/safe-berks-chooses-coo-as-organizations-new-leader/article_5c2daac2-84bb-11ea-892c-4b4ffc5de91e.html

Boyertown Times newspaper, April 23, 2020, Announcement of New CEO Beth Garrigan:

https://www.berksmontnews.com/news/safe-berks-names-new-ceo/article_bfa14ac2-84b7-11ea-8095-933690eacd8d.html

News of Southern Berks newspaper, April 21, 2020, Safe Berks responds to Domestic Violence Tragedy:

https://www.berksmontnews.com/news/safe-berks-responds-to-domestic-violence-tragedy-in-berks-county/article_01a02584-83e5-11ea-bbfb-cf501d594816.html

Berks County Living magazine April 2020 issue, Photos from Celebration of Peace:

https://berkscountyliving.com/b-scene-photos/the-safe-berks-14th-annual-celebration-of-peace/

Berks County Living magazine website, April 21, 2020, How People Can Help Non-Profits During COVID-19:

https://berkscountyliving.com/covid-19/non-profit-needs-increase-during-covid-19/

BCTV website, April 6, 2020, Safe Berks Maintains 24/7 Services Despite Health Threat:

https://www.bctv.org/2020/04/06/safe-berks-maintains-24-7-services-responds-to-health-threat/

BCTV website, April 22, 2020, Safe Berks Responds to DV tragedy:

https://www.bctv.org/2020/04/22/response-to-domestic-violence-tragedy-in-berks-county/

BCTV website, April 23, 2020, Safe Berks Announces New CEO Beth Garrigan:

https://www.bctv.org/2020/04/23/safe-berks-announces-new-ceo/

Pottstown Mercury newspaper, April 21, 2020, Safe Berks Responds to Domestic Violence Tragedy:

https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/local/safe-berks-responds-to-domestic-violence-tragedy-in-berks-county/article_fba07b2a-9e7c-50cd-85df-3779b2928b02.html

Pottstown Mercury newspaper, April 22, 2020, Safe Berks Announces New CEO Beth Garrigan:

https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/local/beth-garrigan-named-ceo-of-safe-berks/article_98fb17c7-363e-52ec-95fd-126f8ec7279b.html

Reading Eagle newspaper, March 23, 2020, Coronavirus causes changes at Safe Berks:

https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/coronavirus-forces-changes-to-how-safe-berks-and-berks-counseling-center-offer-services/article_f8be749e-6a1b-11ea-941c-6b4cd93540fb.html

Pottstown Mercury newspaper, March 23, 2020, Coronavirus causes changes at Safe Berks:

https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/local/coronavirus-forces-changes-to-how-safe-berks-and-berks-counseling-center-offer-services/article_6e54560d-3f08-5fda-a89a-0f2be06d6b7b.html

Channel 69 WFMZ, March 27, 2020, Interview with Safe Berks COO Beth Garrigan:

https://www.wfmz.com/video/safe-berks-helps-domestic-violence-victims-during-pandemic/video_0ddab1cf-a337-5046-b175-7834562b4c80.html

Berks County Living magazine website, March 18, 2020, Services available during Pandemic: 

https://berkscountyliving.com/around-town/berks-business-covid-19-operational-updates/

News of Southern Berks newspaper, Coronavirus causes changes at Safe Berks:

https://www.berksmontnews.com/news/safe-berks-enacts-changes-amid-coronavirus/article_f8aef8fe-6d20-11ea-b9c9-4384676bcf13.html

Temporary Changes to Safe Berks Policies – Updated July 13, 2020

To protect the public health from the risk of COVID-19, as well as the health of Safe Berks residents and staff, we have enacted several changes. These changes are temporary; we hope to return to previous practices in the future. We are very grateful to the community for your support of Safe Berks as volunteers, donors and advocates, and we ask for your continued support during these challenging times.

To Request Services from Safe Berks:

Victims of domestic violence or sexual assault who are seeking crisis services, including requests for shelter or medical advocacy, please call:

Safe Berks 24-hour hotline: 844-789-SAFE (7233)

or text SAFE BERKS to 20121. Anyone in immediate danger should call 911.

For Legal Services, please call 610-373-1206, ext. 107.

For Counseling, please call 610-373-1206, ext. 606.

Donations & Volunteers:

At this time, Safe Berks is not accepting donations of used goods.

Safe Berks is seeking specific new items. The Wish List is posted on our website at: www.SafeBerks.org/donate/donate-goods/

To donate new items, please contact Mindy McIntosh, Director of Development, at  610-468-9637 or MindyM@SafeBerks.org to make arrangements.

Entry to our building is limited to residents and staff.  Volunteers are asked not to visit at this time. If volunteers have any questions, please contact Mindy McIntosh.

Thank you for your understanding. We will keep you updated through social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter), and this website.

Thank you and be safe!