Berks County Prison Society, Incorporated dba Connections Work
Changing Lives. Improving Communities.
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Berks County Prison Society, Incorporated dba Connections Work
EIN: 23-1969810
as of September 2024
as of September 09, 2024
Mission
Connections Work improves lives and creates safer, more prosperous communities by providing services, support, and community reintegration to individuals involved in the justice system and to their families.
Ruling year
1975
Co-Executive Director
Peggy Kershner
Co-Executive Director
Nicolle Schnovel
Main address
19 N. 6th Street 4th Floor
Reading, PA 19601 USA
Formerly known as
Berks Connections / Pretrial Services
19 N. 6th St., 4th Floor, Reading, PA 19601
EIN
23-1969810
Corrections and penology
Free goods distribution
Human services information
Human services management
Adult peer mentoring
Population served
Incarcerated people
Families
Parents
Unemployed people
Adults
NTEE code
Services to Prisoners/Families (I43)
Prison Alternatives (I44)
Rehabilitation Services for Offenders (I40)
IRS subsection
501(c)(3) Public Charity
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Tax forms
Communication
Programs and results
Reports and documents
Download annual reports Download other documentsWhat we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Reentry Program
Connections Work provides case management to individuals with justice involvement. Staff supplies referrals and information about housing, employment, drug, alcohol, and mental health treatment, as well as workforce development services: employment readiness workshops, job search assistance, and retention support, along with an evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Interventions curriculum focused on employment.
The Employment Development Team works to develop and maintain relationships with employers to encourage opportunities for workforce development program clients who complete the program. provides ongoing retention support and assistance to the employer.
For individuals coming out of incarceration, obtaining valid identification, transportation, and work- specific clothing often stands in the way of securing employment. BCPS is committed to assisting clients with removing barriers to their success and covers the cost to obtain the required necessary for employment.
Pretrial Services
Pretrial Officers conduct post-arrest interviews and assessments of criminal defendants and furnish the verified assessments to the judiciary. Connections Work provides supervised release for criminal defendants who would otherwise remain in jail until the final disposition of their case.
Connections Work conducts a monthly review of the jail population to ensure defendants are not needlessly incarcerated due to their inability to post bail.
Connections Work provides personnel and support for the Berks County Treatment Courts. Pretrial Officers interview and assess treatment court applicants and provide referrals for drug and alcohol testing and treatment. Treatment Courts include DUI, Drug and Alcohol, and Mental Health Courts.
Programs for Children and Families Affected by Incarceration
Mothers/Fathers Voice Program-
The Mothers/Fathers Voice program allows incarcerated mothers and fathers to stay connected to their children. Volunteers record the parent reading a story to their child(ren), and then the book and DVD are mailed to the child(ren). The child(ren) can then watch the video of their parent reading while following along in the book. Birthday and holiday cards may also be included to celebrate milestones in their childs life. This provides a sense of closeness between the parent and child that would otherwise not be possible.
Holiday Gift Project
Connections Work enlists volunteers, churches, and employers throughout the community to provide holiday gifts for children of individuals who are incarcerated or involved in the criminal justice system. In early December, the gifts are distributed at a special holiday event hosted by West Lawn United Methodist Church.
Where we work
Accreditations
Since 2007
Awards
Standards for Excellence Certification 2010
Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations
Photos
Videos
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Financials
Financial documents
Download audited financialsRevenue vs. expenses: breakdown
Liquidity in 2023 info
1.46
Months of cash in 2023 info
1.7
Fringe rate in 2023 info
13%
Funding sources info
Assets & liabilities info
Financial data
Berks County Prison Society, Incorporated dba Connections Work
Revenue & expensesFiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31
Berks County Prison Society, Incorporated dba Connections Work
Balance sheetFiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31
The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.
Berks County Prison Society, Incorporated dba Connections Work
Financial trends analysis Glossary & formula definitionsFiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31
This snapshot of Berks County Prison Society, Incorporated dba Connections Work’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.
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Business model indicators
| Profitability info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation | $374,273 | $23,290 | $510,302 | -$353,463 | $114,979 |
| As % of expenses | 16.8% | 1.2% | 24.9% | -14.2% | 3.8% |
| Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation | $344,074 | -$9,164 | $467,853 | -$398,066 | $72,043 |
| As % of expenses | 15.3% | -0.5% | 22.3% | -15.7% | 2.3% |
| Revenue composition info | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted) | $2,552,164 | $1,829,044 | $2,537,043 | $2,494,879 | $2,965,200 |
| Total revenue, % change over prior year | 12.5% | -28.3% | 38.7% | -1.7% | 18.9% |
| Program services revenue | 89.9% | 41.3% | 32.5% | 31.3% | 31.8% |
| Membership dues | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Investment income | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.4% | 0.7% |
| Government grants | 0.0% | 44.1% | 56.4% | 46.7% | 42.7% |
| All other grants and contributions | 9.7% | 14.5% | 10.9% | 21.6% | 24.4% |
| Other revenue | 0.1% | -0.2% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.4% |
| Expense composition info | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses before depreciation | $2,223,563 | $1,890,911 | $2,052,663 | $2,497,918 | $3,030,721 |
| Total expenses, % change over prior year | -5.9% | -15.0% | 8.6% | 21.7% | 21.3% |
| Personnel | 69.1% | 74.6% | 71.0% | 69.4% | 72.0% |
| Professional fees | 1.5% | 1.8% | 2.7% | 1.6% | 3.2% |
| Occupancy | 3.2% | 4.7% | 4.4% | 5.0% | 4.1% |
| Interest | 0.3% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Pass-through | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| All other expenses | 25.9% | 18.7% | 21.8% | 24.1% | 20.7% |
| Full cost components (estimated) info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses (after depreciation) | $2,253,762 | $1,923,365 | $2,095,112 | $2,542,521 | $3,073,657 |
| One month of savings | $185,297 | $157,576 | $171,055 | $208,160 | $252,560 |
| Debt principal payment | $54,491 | $0 | $344,195 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed asset additions | $31,987 | $0 | $68,795 | $50,334 | $0 |
| Total full costs (estimated) | $2,525,537 | $2,080,941 | $2,679,157 | $2,801,015 | $3,326,217 |
Capital structure indicators
| Liquidity info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Months of cash | 1.5 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 2.6 | 1.7 |
| Months of cash and investments | 3.0 | 5.7 | 5.6 | 3.8 | 3.0 |
| Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets | 4.0 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 3.4 | 3.2 |
| Balance sheet composition info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | $268,739 | $552,284 | $585,479 | $534,652 | $427,715 |
| Investments | $277,943 | $351,807 | $377,877 | $262,372 | $335,834 |
| Receivables | $220,337 | $132,345 | $162,447 | $174,015 | $195,529 |
| Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE) | $245,363 | $245,951 | $276,412 | $296,368 | $304,456 |
| Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE) | 47.8% | 55.2% | 50.6% | 52.0% | 61.3% |
| Liabilities (as a % of assets) | 13.8% | 32.6% | 2.7% | 36.8% | 33.6% |
| Unrestricted net assets | $793,228 | $784,064 | $1,251,917 | $853,851 | $925,894 |
| Temporarily restricted net assets | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Permanently restricted net assets | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total restricted net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $229,468 | $119,069 |
| Total net assets | $793,228 | $784,064 | $1,251,917 | $1,083,319 | $1,044,963 |
Key data checks
| Key data checks info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material data errors | No | No | No | No | No |
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Documents
Co-Executive Director
Peggy Kershner
Peggy started her career with Connections Work in 1985. During her tenure she has served as the Volunteer Program Coordinator, Development Director, and Deputy Director.
Co-Executive Director
Nicolle Schnovel
Nikki has been with Connections Work since 2001. She started as a Pretrial Officer, was promoted to the Programming and Development Director, and also served as the Pretrial Services Director for 9 years.
Number of employees
Source: IRS Form 990
Berks County Prison Society, Incorporated dba Connections Work
Officers, directors, trustees, and key employeesSOURCE: IRS Form 990
Compensation data
There are no highest paid employees recorded for this organization.
Berks County Prison Society, Incorporated dba Connections Work
Board of directorsas of 01/22/2024
Board of directors data
Thomas Rentschler, Esq.
Brian Pinto
Albright College
Term: 2020 - 2025
Abhi Amatya
Sharon Mast
Larry Snow
Peter Terranova
Ronald Velez
Karissa Rodriguez, Esq.
Brian Pinto, CFRE
Alexia Pursley
Yamil Sanchez-Rivera
Thomas Rentschler
Leonette Stocker
Joe O'Neill
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 06/16/2022GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
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