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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NEW LOCATION FOR MY BACK-TO-SCHOOL KICK-OFF
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Due to inclement weather, my Back-to-School Kick-Off this Sunday will now be held at the Masonic Lodge (400 S. 7th Avenue, West Reading). The event will still take place from 11 AM - 5 PM.
The school year is almost upon us, and that means our students will need to feel their best and have the supplies they need! 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! We will also have kids' face painting, food and drinks, door prizes, and over 20 tables with community and state resources.
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Hearing from my neighbors and knowing the issues that matter to them is the guiding light to my work in Harrisburg. My town hall earlier this week in Reading provided a great opportunity to do just that, where Councilman Chris Miller and I provided updates on our work in local and state government, and heard from our neighbors on what matters the most to them.
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Pushing for Affordable Housing in Pennsylvania
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I joined my colleagues from the PA House Democratic Policy Committee in Centre County to discuss measures we can take as lawmakers that will address the housing crisis we are seeing in Pennsylvania.
Housing costs are rising across Pennsylvania, in rural and urban communities. We are focusing on solutions that help more people put a roof over their heads, regardless of where they live in the state.
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The Future of PA Agriculture
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This week while in Centre County, I also joined the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to discuss the future of agriculture and tour the Agricultural Engineering Building at Penn State, which includes laboratories, classrooms, and a state-of-the-art fermentation facility.
Agriculture is a major driving force in our state, and I am proud to support our farmers and provide greater opportunities to farm in urban and rural communities.
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African American Cultural Conversation Coming to Reading
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The Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs is holding a statewide Cultural Conversation listening tour to hear about the lived experiences of Black communities across Pennsylvania and how to better shape policy to support them.
The listening tour will be coming to Reading at Berks County Community Foundation (237 Court St., Reading, PA 19601) on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 2 PM. You can register to take part in the conversation here.
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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 or rent 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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West Reading French Fry Festival
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The West Reading French Fry Festival will be taking place tomorrow, August 15th in the 600 and 700 blocks of Penn Avenue from 11 AM - 5 PM. With the best French Fries and local vendors, the West Reading French Fry Fest has something for everyone!
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Goggleworks will be hosting a free Outdoor Family Film Series through the end of August, with kid activities beginning at 6:30 PM and movies starting at 8 PM
Coming up will be Space Jam on August 29th, which will be in English with Spanish subtitles.
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After School Arts Program
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Goggleworks' After School Arts Program is accepting applications for students ages 7-17. Classes are available in Mixed Media, Watercolor, Photography, Clay, Theater, Adaptive Art, Textiles, and more.
Applications are due on Monday, September 7th, and the program runs from September 28th - November 19th.
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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 PM.
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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 AM to Noon
Spring Township Municipal Building
2850 Windmill Road, Sinking Spring, PA, 19608
2nd and 4th Fridays of each month from 9 AM to Noon
We also host DAV Services (Disabled American Veterans) in my office.
1111 Penn Ave., Wyomissing, PA 19610
Every other Monday from 9 AM 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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