From Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading
Pictured above: YVC Reading students and VOiCEup staff celebrate being named International YVC Affiliate of the Year for 2025.
Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) of Reading, hosted by VOiCEup Berks, has been named International YVC Affiliate of the Year for 2025. This prestigious recognition is awarded to a single outstanding affiliate each year among more than 30 Youth Volunteer Corps programs spanning the United States, Canada, and Uganda. The announcement was made at the annual YVC Award Ceremony in Kansas City, MO, on Saturday, Nov. 8.
Sarah Miller, Affiliate Programs and Growth Manager for YVC Headquarters in Kansas City, delivered the announcement, emphasizing the program’s impact: “YVC programs are transforming lives and igniting positive change every single day. Through every project, we strive to build communities grounded in compassion, selflessness, and respect for others. Today, we recognize this year’s Affiliate of the Year — one outstanding program … whose passion and impact truly embody the heart of YVC’s mission, vision, and values. That affiliate is YVC Reading.”
Miller highlighted YVC Reading’s accomplishments, noting that nearly 1,000 youth participated in more than 330 service projects last program year alone, making a measurable difference in communities throughout Berks County. She praised the affiliate’s staff for their dedication, leadership, and ongoing pursuit of expertise to support youth interests, as well as their commitment to multiplying impact through teacher trainings in local schools.
Youth leadership is at the heart of YVC Reading. Programs like STAR (Stand Together Against Racism), founded in 2020 by youth participants, provide critical platforms for dialogue and advocacy on social justice. Similarly, the student-led Youth Mental Health Ambassadors educate peers on mental health awareness and coping strategies, promoting understanding and reducing stigma. Other highlights of the year include Canstructure, a youth-led STEM challenge that combines engineering with community service to fight food insecurity, and the second annual YVC Walk for Compassion, which united youth across Berks County and youth from across the nation in a shared mission of service.
Christi Terefenko, Executive Director of VOiCEup Berks, celebrated the recognition: “This award reflects the extraordinary commitment of both our staff and our young leaders. YVC Reading is powered by youth who care deeply about their community, and by staff who provide mentorship, resources, and guidance so those young people can lead meaningful change. We are honored that the international YVC network recognizes the impact our youth are making locally and beyond.”
This recognition highlights the power of service-learning to cultivate confident, compassionate, and capable young adults who are prepared to lead and make a difference in their communities. As YVC Reading continues to grow, VOiCEup Berks remains committed to fostering youth engagement and civic leadership throughout Berks County.
About VOiCEup Berks
Founded in 2016 as a fund of the Berks County Community Foundation, VOiCEup Berks mobilizes and empowers young changemakers to shape more equitable communities through service-learning. Its flagship youth engagement program, Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading, engages youth ages 11-18 in meaningful service projects that address community needs while fostering leadership, life, and career skills. For young adults ages 18-24, VOiCEup’s Generation Impact initiative offers service-learning opportunities, volunteer experiences, and professional networking designed to build leadership capacity and strengthen community ties. For more information about VOiCEup Berks, YVC of Reading, or Generation Impact programs, visit voiceupberks.org.
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Source: bctv
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