Customers Bank contributes $150K to support Alvernia’s Reading Youth Initiative

Customers Bank contributed $150,000 to support the Reading Youth Initiative, a long-time program of Alvernia University and the Reading School District that supports inner-city children and programs.

Initiated in 2006, the Reading Youth Initiative has served more than 1,100 students by offering literacy training, homework assistance, academic enrichment activities and mentoring programs. The program also provides summer camps and opportunities for a variety of cultural activities, including museum visits, sporting events and educational field trips.

Administered through Alvernia’s Holleran Center for Community and Global Engagement, the Reading Youth Initiative serves students from Millmont Elementary School, Tyson-Schoener Elementary School, and the St. Peter School, where the program began. Rudy Ruth, executive director for the Holleran Center, thanked the bank for its contribution.

“Alvernia University and the Holleran Center continue to be very appreciative of the generous support we receive from Customers Bank,” Ruth said. “Customers Bank’s continued support affords Alvernia the opportunity to partner with the Reading School District through impactful, student-focused programming.”

Funding, which Customers gave as part of the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program, will be used to expand services and hire professional staff for ongoing support. John Loyack, university president, said the funds will help the university continue to grow the program.

“Customers Bank is a valued partner, and we appreciate their longstanding collaboration as the university continues to expand its mission-based academic and community initiatives,” Loyack said.

Richard Ehst, president and CEO of Customers Bank, said the contribution will help strengthen the community and assure a strong workforce for the future.

“Helping students gain access to better educational opportunities and afterschool programs helps prepare them for continuing their education, so they are able to enter the workforce and provide meaningful contributions back to their communities,” Ehst said.