Prospectus Berco

Prospectus Berco is a nonprofit corporation established in 1977 to provide quality services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities living and working in Berks County. In March of 1977, Prospectus Berco emerged as an offshoot of the Berks County Chapter of the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) to become a service provider for individuals needing care and supports. Prospectus Berco is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of family members, business leaders and community volunteers. From its inception, Prospectus Berco focused on the abilities of individuals and not their disabilities. The word “prospectus” means to see the potential in any circumstance, while Berco (representing Berks County) derived from Berco Industries the name for the corporation’s day program while under the ARC of Berks County. Prospectus Berco has the capacity to serve more than 425 individuals in its programs and employs approximately 300 professionals in the organization. Because of the pandemic, many of our Day Services Programs had been suspended temporarily. We are gradually reopening programs and providing services at a limited capacity.

The mission of Prospectus Berco is to inspire people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead meaningful lives by providing innovative supports. We envision our community as a place where all people can exercise their equal rights, live the life of their choice, as well as have opportunities for shared responsibility with friends, family, and professionals. Prospectus Berco has been serving the Berks community for more than 40 years. By providing innovative supports for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we are advancing opportunities for individuals to learn and grow, while making a home for themselves in Berks County. Through our Adult Training Program, individuals explore new hobbies, interests and make an impact on the Reading area through hundreds of volunteer service hours. Our Vocational Services Program offers several options for individuals to achieve their employment goals and realize their full potential. Through our Residential Services Program we administer 24 Community Homes and a LifeSharing Program where individuals live in residential neighborhoods throughout the county. Prospectus Berco is a 501(c)3 corporation and licensed service provider for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.