Children's Home of Reading / CHOR YFS

Who We Are

Since 1884, The Children’s Home of Reading / CHOR Youth and Family Services (CHOR YFS) has stood as a pillar of hope for vulnerable children and families. Founded as a day nursery for six motherless children, the organization has evolved into a comprehensive, trauma-informed social service nonprofit serving more than 3,500 children, adults, and families annually through over 30 specialized residential, educational, and community-based programs.

Residential  Clinical Services

CHOR YFS operates multiple licensed residential treatment facilities for youth with significant emotional and mental health needs. These include:

• A 14-bed treatment unit for adolescent girls,
• A 20-bed unit for adolescent boys,
• A 24-bed unit for specialized treatment for boys
• A 6-bed unit provides an enhanced level of care for boys who need a higher level of care
• A 16-bed transitional therapeutic living program for young men ages 14–20.
• A 6-bed transitional therapeutic living program for youth ages 10-14

These programs, situated within a campus-style environment, provide residential, psychiatric, & transitional care for youth ages 10–20. This demonstrates CHOR YFS’s proven capacity to deliver individualized treatment across diverse age groups and clinical needs.

Commitment to Trauma-Informed Care

Central to CHOR YFS’s philosophy is the Sanctuary Model, which guides all aspects of care within a trauma-sensitive, recovery-oriented environment. Certified in 2010, CHOR YFS continues to uphold the Sanctuary Model’s principles, ensuring that all treatment and interventions reflect best practices in trauma-informed care. The organization recognizes that many clients have endured complex trauma and, therefore, integrates trauma-focused, evidence-based interventions designed to rebuild safety, trust, and emotional regulation.

Educational Services

Education remains a cornerstone of CHOR YFS’s holistic approach. The organization operates two state-licensed schools in Reading—including one on-campus for residents and a day academy on Nicholls Street—serving grades 5 through 12, and one at our Doylestown campus. These schools offer academic, behavioral, and therapeutic supports to help students bridge learning gaps and achieve their academic goals. Across its programs, CHOR YFS maintains three licensed education sites staffed by state-certified teachers, ensuring continuity of learning for youth with emotional and behavioral challenges.

Continuum of Care & Community-Based Services

CHOR YFS provides a continuum of care that spans from prevention and early intervention to residential treatment, including:

• Community-based and outpatient programs
• Foster care and adoption services
• The evidence-based Nurse-Family Partnership for first-time mothers and infants
• Elementary and Middle school evidence-based programming, Kids Against Pressure and Project Peace, that focuses on drug prevention, conflict resolution, and leadership
• Specialized educational and behavioral health programs
• An acute partial hospitalization center—a 30-day step-down program for youth ages 5–18 transitioning from hospital settings, offering medication management, stabilization, and trauma-focused therapy while allowing children to remain in their homes.
• A community center for adults that offers not only fellowship and hot meals, but case management and support for the members to satisfy basic needs of a shower or place to do laundry, who are lonely, homeless,   struggling with mental illness, or are trying to remain drug-free.

Expansion and Collaboration

Through strategic alliances with Edison Court, Affinity, and Community Prevention Partnership, CHOR YFS now offers a robust, integrated continuum of care across Berks, Bucks, and the Lehigh Valley. With over 30 programs and services, the organization continues to meet the needs of children, families, and adults from across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Legacy & Capacity

Building upon a 140-year legacy of excellence in foster care, adoption, and residential treatment, CHOR YFS combines:

• Trauma-informed expertise
• State licensing and COA accreditation
• Evidence-based programming
• Comprehensive educational programming, and
• Proven operational capacity
• Award-winning programs

EXPLORATION EATS PROJECT:  Exploring Cultural Diversity Through Food  (Finalist Giant Foods "Make a Difference" Challenge)

Many of us take for granted the opportunity to enjoy a variety of cuisines at restaurants across the region. However, there are many households where that exposure is not possible.  

Food is a language unto itself and brings people together.

The Exploration Eats Project expands cultural awareness to enrich the lives of the children and the communities we serve through experiential menus that open discussions around tolerance, kindness, responsibility, and gratitude. 

The children overcome misunderstanding and intolerance in the world by breaking bread together.

To learn more, visit www.choryfs.org, call 610-478-8266 ext. 1249, or email jtroutman@choreading.org.

We are Better Together.