Dear Neighbor & Estimado Vecino,
I hope you are well. I want to share important information about my ongoing work. As always, please feel free to reach out to my office for help with any state-related issues. To stay informed, visit my official page. You can also check your preferences to make sure you're signed up for?my emails.?
Espero que estén bien. Me gustaría compartir información importante sobre mi trabajo en curso. Y no olvides?visitar mi página oficial?para mantenerte informado. También puede verificar sus?preferencias?para asegurarse de que está registrado para recibir mis correos electrónicos.
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Learning More About Urban Agriculture
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As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I recently joined several of my colleagues to mark Urban Agriculture Week with tours of organizations that are bringing their green thumbs to help support our cities.
First, we toured Lundale Farm in Pottstown, a collective farming and sustainable operation supporting small and first-time farmers.
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Then, we joined House Speaker Joanna McClinton for a tour of several organizations in Philadelphia and Delaware County. First was Community Grocer, a first-of-its-kind grocery store and meal kit preparation site in West Philadelphia, which was followed by Black Girls with Green Thumbs, a multi-location community garden and education program serving students in Delaware County.
Following those stops, we then went to the New Kensington Community Development Corporation, which is providing for urban gardens, farms, and green spaces across New Kensington and surrounding neighborhoods. Lastly, we stopped at Sanctuary Farm Philly, a women-lead community farm providing fresh produce and cooking classes to residents of Northern Philadelphia.
The scale and impact of these organizations is deeply impactful. I look forward to bringing what I learned to advance urban agriculture in Berks County.
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Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline Extended!
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Applications for Property Tax/Rent Rebates are available, and the deadline to apply has now been extended to Dec. 31! This program gives money back to PA renters and homeowners for the taxes they paid in 2025 -- including seniors, widows and widowers, and those with disabilities.
You can learn more here and contact my office for support with your application.
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You May Have Unclaimed Property - We Can Help!
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Many Pennsylvanians have unclaimed property -- money from dormant bank accounts, insurance payments, and uncashed checks -- and you may be one of them!
My office can help you receive this unclaimed property. Contact us or go to PATreasury.gov/unclaimed-property to see if there is anything available in your name.
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My Intern and Youth Council at Helping Harvest
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My summer college intern, Jovanny, and two members of my Youth Council joined with local leaders to attend Feeding PA's 250th Anniversary Event, where they sorted food to help with local food insecurity. Thank you for all of the hard work you do for our office and community!
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Recognizing our Construction Apprentices
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Members of my staff recently attended the graduation of Connection Work's R3 (Rebuilding Reentrants and Reading) Program. This program helps individuals in the justice system train in the construction trades, so they are prepared for reentry upon complete their sentence or treatment.
These graduates will now be ready to work in family-sustaining, high demand construction careers. Congratulations to all on your outstanding accomplishment - your dedication and commitment to professional developments are commendable, and your achievements serve as an inspiration to others!
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My Back to School Kick-Off
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We may be in the midst of summer, but it is never too early to prepare for next school year! That's why I will host a Back to School Kick-Off on Sunday, Aug.16 at my district office (1111 Penn Ave., Wyomissing).
This free event will have free backpacks and school supplies, as well as free haircuts to ensure that our local students have what they need and feel their best for the new school year!
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Reading Wants to Hear from You
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City property owners, businesses, and developers seeking to have land added to or removed from Reading’s City Revitalization and Improvement Zone, or CRIZ, have until July 31 to submit applications for consideration during the 2026 map change cycle.
More information and application material can be found here.
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New Farming Grants Now Available
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Horizon Farm Credit just launched a new $20,000 grant for Young, Beginning, and Small Farmers and will award 10 grants. You can learn more here.
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The Reading Roots Market will be open every Thursday from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Goggleworks until October 8. In addition, every third Thursday, there will be a night market from 5 - 8 p.m.
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You Are Not Alone: Crisis Intervention Resources
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Holcomb Crisis Intervention in West Reading offers a free crisis program to support our neighbors experiencing varying levels of crisis, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in both English and Spanish.
You can learn more about their work here, and if you or someone you know needs help, you can walk in, call 610-379-2007, or text 484-816-7865 for support.
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If you or someone you know needs food assistance, please reach out to my office to find out where you can find help. You can also click here to go to Helping Harvest's website, which has a map of over 350 charitable food program partners in our area.
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Helping Harvest will also be collecting non-perishable food items throughout the year at their programs and events. You can learn more about those and how to ensure our neighbors are fed here.
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Mobile Mammogram Screenings Available
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Routine mammograms are important to find the first signs of breast cancer. Tower Health is conducting its 2026 Mobile Mammography stops across our community. You can find locations and days here.
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As always, my team and I are here to help you navigate state programs and services. Please reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas. If you can't make it to my district office, you can visit one of my satellite offices! Find my office information below:
Centro Hispano Casa Senior Center
25 N. 2nd St., Reading, PA, 19601
Every Thursday from 9 a.m. to Noon
Spring Township Municipal Building
2850 Windmill Road, Sinking Spring, PA, 19608
2nd and 4th Fridays of each month from 9 a.m. to Noon
We also host DAV Services (Disabled American Veterans) in my office.
1111 Penn Ave., Wyomissing, PA 19610
Every other Monday from 9 a.m. to Noon
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
104-A East Wing Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 772-1858
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District Office
1111 Penn Ave.
Wyomissing, PA 19610
(484) 577-2756
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