The word “prospectus” means to see potential in any circumstance. Throughout the last four decades, Prospectus Berco has made it its mission to not only see the dignity in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities but also to help them create and choose a meaningful life. From its roots as an early provider of disability services in the late ’70s to its current position as a leading provider and innovator in its field, Prospectus Berco’s story is a testament to the power of possibility and magic of little moments. Let’s take a peek inside.
The word “prospectus” means to see potential in any circumstance. Throughout the last four decades, Prospectus Berco has made it its mission to not only see the dignity in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities but also to help them create and choose a meaningful life. From its roots as an early provider of disability services in the late ’70s to its current position as a leading provider and innovator in its field, Prospectus Berco’s story is a testament to the power of possibility and magic of little moments. Let’s take a peek inside.
The Story Behind Prospectus Berco
Founded in 1977 by Joseph (Joe) Gousie and James Arnold as an offshoot of the Berks County Chapter of the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC), Prospectus Berco has been at the vanguard of the disability rights movement for more than 45 years.
In the 1970s, the nation was grappling with political, cultural and social movements—including a movement for the support and acceptance of individuals with disabilities. Against this backdrop of challenge and change, Prospectus Berco was founded to help formalize and solidify desperately needed change and support for individuals with disabilities.
Just two years prior to the birth of Prospectus Berco, President Gerald Ford had signed into law the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142), guaranteeing a free, appropriate public education to each child with a disability across the nation. This was a crucial step in securing rights for individuals with disabilities and paved the way for a new cultural appreciation for the community.
From its modest beginnings, Prospectus Berco embraced a vision that centered on the abilities of individuals rather than their limitations. The name itself reflects this ethos, with "prospectus" signifying the belief in uncovering potential in any situation (a word Joe found by paging through a dictionary in 1977) and "Berco" representing its Berks County roots. The organization grew steadily throughout the years, with programming and initiatives that sprawled into neighboring counties and attracted the attention of local and national advocacy groups.
Today, Prospectus Berco's impact on Berks County is profound. The organization is a powerful force for good, employing over 240 dedicated professionals and serving 275 adults through a range of programs and services. It offers vibrant residential settings, employment and training options, and meaningful opportunities to be engaged in their community.
For 45 years, Prospectus Berco has championed individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families residing in Berks County. Its story boasts a rich history of transformation and growth while painting a bright picture for the future.
The Story Behind Prospectus Berco
Founded in 1977 by Joseph (Joe) Gousie and James Arnold as an offshoot of the Berks County Chapter of the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC), Prospectus Berco has been at the vanguard of the disability rights movement for more than 45 years.
In the 1970s, the nation was grappling with political, cultural and social movements—including a movement for the support and acceptance of individuals with disabilities. Against this backdrop of challenge and change, Prospectus Berco was founded to help formalize and solidify desperately needed change and support for individuals with disabilities.
Just two years prior to the birth of Prospectus Berco, President Gerald Ford had signed into law the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142), guaranteeing a free, appropriate public education to each child with a disability across the nation. This was a crucial step in securing rights for individuals with disabilities and paved the way for a new cultural appreciation for the community.
From its modest beginnings, Prospectus Berco embraced a vision that centered on the abilities of individuals rather than their limitations. The name itself reflects this ethos, with "prospectus" signifying the belief in uncovering potential in any situation (a word Joe found by paging through a dictionary in 1977) and "Berco" representing its Berks County roots. The organization grew steadily throughout the years, with programming and initiatives that sprawled into neighboring counties and attracted the attention of local and national advocacy groups.
Today, Prospectus Berco's impact on Berks County is profound. The organization is a powerful force for good, employing over 240 dedicated professionals and serving 275 adults through a range of programs and services. It offers vibrant residential settings, employment and training options, and meaningful opportunities to be engaged in their community.
For 45 years, Prospectus Berco has championed individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families residing in Berks County. Its story boasts a rich history of transformation and growth while painting a bright picture for the future.
Meet Jody Wagner
Executive Director & CEO
Jody Wagner, Executive Director and CEO at Prospectus Berco, has been with the organization since the late ’70s when she got her first job with the fledgling company right out of college. She steadily progressed through the ranks and touched nearly every department within the organization at one point or another. With each new role, Wagner recalls saying to herself, “Wow, now THIS is the best job ever!”
Wagner has witnessed considerable innovation that has evolved into today’s best practices. She has overseen various parts of the organization as it expanded services and pioneered programs for additional populations, such as aging adults.
“Our field has come a long way since then,” Wagner says with pride. “We've seen services evolve from institutions to community-based settings with a focus on competitive employment and community participation. Families now have so many more options than they used to.”
Prospectus Berco’s mission is to enrich the lives of people with disabilities by fostering meaningful relationships and promoting individual choice. Its operational model rests on its innovative and expansive offering of programs and services.
Its Adult Training Program encourages personal growth and community engagement, with individuals contributing countless volunteer hours to the Reading area. The Vocational Employment Services Program partners with local businesses, helping individuals achieve their employment goals and unlock their full potential. And through its Community Living, Prospectus Berco operates 22 Community Homes and nine Life Sharing Programs, enabling individuals to live in residential neighborhoods throughout the county.
Within each of these overarching programs, dozens of activities are coordinated, hosted and delivered each day. Meticulously organized and led by caring and compassionate professionals, the variety, quality and scope of programs at Prospectus Berco are impressive and unparalleled in the local area.
One of Prospectus Berco’s newest and most innovative programs teaches American Sign Language—one of the only programs in the county that caters specifically to the deaf and hard of hearing in a Community Home and in its Day Services programs. Weekly classes are taught by a deaf instructor and catering to participants from all backgrounds and walks of life, the sign language program helps individuals find alternative, effective ways to communicate with each other, their loved ones and their world.
Prospectus Berco’s mission is to enrich the lives of people with disabilities by fostering meaningful relationships and promoting individual choice. Its operational model rests on its innovative and expansive offering of programs and services.
Its Adult Training Program encourages personal growth and community engagement, with individuals contributing countless volunteer hours to the Reading area. The Vocational Employment Services Program partners with local businesses, helping individuals achieve their employment goals and unlock their full potential. And through its Community Living, Prospectus Berco operates 22 Community Homes and nine Life Sharing Programs, enabling individuals to live in residential neighborhoods throughout the county.
Within each of these overarching programs, dozens of activities are coordinated, hosted and delivered each day. Meticulously organized and led by caring and compassionate professionals, the variety, quality and scope of programs at Prospectus Berco are impressive and unparalleled in the local area.
One of Prospectus Berco’s newest and most innovative programs teaches American Sign Language—one of the only programs in the county that caters specifically to the deaf and hard of hearing in a Community Home and in its Day Services programs. Weekly classes are taught by a deaf instructor and catering to participants from all backgrounds and walks of life, the sign language program helps individuals find alternative, effective ways to communicate with each other, their loved ones and their world.
Running support services for any population or group can be a challenge, but that challenge becomes infinitely more complex when the organization is also dedicated to creating individualized care programs.
Each participant’s day may look a little different. For some, it means eating breakfast and getting ready at their Community Home under the guidance of a direct support professional. For others, it might mean getting dropped off by a family member or arriving by public transportation at Prospectus Berco’s vocational and day program facilities. Many participants head off to work or volunteer, while some stay onsite at Prospectus Berco’s headquarters.
A combination of hiring the right people and using the right tools and technology has helped Prospectus Berco truly deliver on that goal in every aspect of its operations. In addition to maintaining and adhering to all local, state and federal regulations, Prospectus Berco has developed its own organizational systems and protocols that ensure each participant’s unique needs are met throughout the day.
“Every participant who comes through our doors receives a full assessment. When someone indicates a special interest or physical need, we look at that very carefully and our staff develop a plan,” Wagner explains. “They might be assigned a certain specialist or have specific checkpoints planned into their day to ensure we are addressing their personal needs and health issues. It takes a lot of organization and documentation, that’s for sure!”
At a Community Home in West Lawn, individuality and customization are on full display. Four women live in the lovely, quiet home, and each has designed her own bedroom—from the color of the bedding to the style of curtains to the photos that brighten up walls and shelves. There’s a sense of pride among the residents, who are eager to show off their favorite items. The home is outfitted with accessibility modifications throughout (such as ramps, railings, etc.) to ensure residents can safely complete their daily personal care routines and tasks.
Running support services for any population or group can be a challenge, but that challenge becomes infinitely more complex when the organization is also dedicated to creating individualized care programs.
Each participant’s day may look a little different. For some, it means eating breakfast and getting ready at their Community Home under the guidance of a direct support professional. For others, it might mean getting dropped off by a family member or arriving by public transportation at Prospectus Berco’s vocational and day program facilities. Many participants head off to work or volunteer, while some stay onsite at Prospectus Berco’s headquarters.
A combination of hiring the right people and using the right tools and technology has helped Prospectus Berco truly deliver on that goal in every aspect of its operations. In addition to maintaining and adhering to all local, state and federal regulations, Prospectus Berco has developed its own organizational systems and protocols that ensure each participant’s unique needs are met throughout the day.
“Every participant who comes through our doors receives a full assessment. When someone indicates a special interest or physical need, we look at that very carefully and our staff develop a plan,” Wagner explains. “They might be assigned a certain specialist or have specific checkpoints planned into their day to ensure we are addressing their personal needs and health issues. It takes a lot of organization and documentation, that’s for sure!”
At a Community Home in West Lawn, individuality and customization are on full display. Four women live in the lovely, quiet home, and each has designed her own bedroom—from the color of the bedding to the style of curtains to the photos that brighten up walls and shelves. There’s a sense of pride among the residents, who are eager to show off their favorite items. The home is outfitted with accessibility modifications throughout (such as ramps, railings, etc.) to ensure residents can safely complete their daily personal care routines and tasks.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Prospectus Berco’s organizational model is its emphasis on funneling support back into the community. As a nonprofit, Prospectus Berco relies on donations, grants and partnerships to keep the ship running smoothly. But at the same time, endless efforts are poured back into the community through volunteerism, community engagement and workforce development.
Along with its 25 business partners in and around Berks County, Prospectus Berco provides gainful employment opportunities for its participants while helping those businesses meet their goals and fill positions. The Employment Team at Prospectus Berco assesses each person individually to determine their interests and skills and provides appropriate training and support to ensure they find success.
Individuals also regularly participate in local volunteer and community events; both those hosted by Prospectus Berco and by other organizations, businesses and nonprofits in the community. The crew from Prospectus Berco is always a welcome sight, as the participants’ enthusiasm and energy tend to evoke smiles and positivity from everyone around them.
“When people get onsite with us and see what we do, they just fall in love. They want to partner with us,” says Wagner with a smile.
Prospectus Berco also is dedicated to helping its staff find professional growth and personal fulfillment. The average employment length is a whopping 11 years—something that speaks to the character, commitment and dedication of the staff. Making good on its philosophy of “growing its own,” Prospectus Berco regularly hires and promotes from within, and recently participated in a grant opportunity to get two staff members certified as LPNs.
“It all comes down to relationships and support. Participants miss staff when they’re on vacation and celebrate life’s special moments together. And, when our professionals leave work at the end of the day, they know they made a difference, and that’s priceless,” says Wagner.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Prospectus Berco’s organizational model is its emphasis on funneling support back into the community. As a nonprofit, Prospectus Berco relies on donations, grants and partnerships to keep the ship running smoothly. But at the same time, endless efforts are poured back into the community through volunteerism, community engagement and workforce development.
Along with its 25 business partners in and around Berks County, Prospectus Berco provides gainful employment opportunities for its participants while helping those businesses meet their goals and fill positions. The Employment Team at Prospectus Berco assesses each person individually to determine their interests and skills and provides appropriate training and support to ensure they find success.
Individuals also regularly participate in local volunteer and community events; both those hosted by Prospectus Berco and by other organizations, businesses and nonprofits in the community. The crew from Prospectus Berco is always a welcome sight, as the participants’ enthusiasm and energy tend to evoke smiles and positivity from everyone around them.
“When people get onsite with us and see what we do, they just fall in love. They want to partner with us,” says Wagner with a smile.
Prospectus Berco also is dedicated to helping its staff find professional growth and personal fulfillment. The average employment length is a whopping 11 years—something that speaks to the character, commitment and dedication of the staff. Making good on its philosophy of “growing its own,” Prospectus Berco regularly hires and promotes from within, and recently participated in a grant opportunity to get two staff members certified as LPNs.
“It all comes down to relationships and support. Participants miss staff when they’re on vacation and celebrate life’s special moments together. And, when our professionals leave work at the end of the day, they know they made a difference, and that’s priceless,” says Wagner.
Innovation on the Horizon
So what’s next for Prospectus Berco? The team has been steadily rebuilding since taking a big hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. Its numbers are increasing, and it’s looking forward to some exciting opportunities on the horizon. In addition to vetting new partnerships and building more relationships in the community, the team looks forward to hosting its 4th Annual Harmony Walk and resurrecting its inspiring Awards Luncheon—you can find more information about how to join or support these events on its website. But no matter where the road takes it, Prospectus Berco will continue to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and make Berks County a better place for all, proving that with belief in potential, great things are possible.
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