Information & Referral

At Centro Hispano, our Information and Referral team is here to support you every step of the way. We serve as a trusted community hub, connecting individuals and families to the resources they need to thrive. Whether you have questions or need help navigating services, our bilingual staff provides personalized, culturally responsive assistance in both English and Spanish.

We're here to make things easier- helping you access programs and information related to housing, health care, public benefits, unemployment, Social Security, and more in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Supported By

Our Services Include:

Unemployment Assistance

We help you understand and apply for unemployment benefits, weekly claims and job search requirements, guiding you through the process so you can access the support you deserve.

SNAP, Medicaid & Medicare Premium Part B

Our team assists with completing and submitting applications for food assistance and health care coverage, ensuring you and your family have access to essential services.

Social Security Applications & Information

We provide support with applying and completing documents for Social Security benefits, including retirement, disability and SSI.

Birth Certificates

We assist you in requesting and obtaining official birth certificates, making the process simple and stress-free.

Property Tax Rent Rebate Program

We help eligible residents apply for Pennsylvania's rebate program, which provides a refund on property taxes or rent paid-putting money back in your pockets. Want to know if you qualify, give us a call.

Immigration

We can connect you with the correct people to assist in completing immigration related documents or obtain more information about your options.

Legal Services

While we do not provide legal services directly, we can connect individuals to trusted community resources and help guid them through the process of finding the right support.

Financial Stability Initiative

In partnership with the United Way of Berks County, we assist individuals and families in finding the benefits, programs, and local resources needed to cope with difficult economic circumstances. We also help low-to-moderate income individuals and families become financially stronger by providing free tax preparation services and information on the Earned Income Tax Credit. This year the Hispanic Center completed over four hundred fifty Tax returns for our clients, resulting in refunds of over $750,000.

At-Risk Snack & Dinner Program

The At-Risk Afterschool Snack and Supper Program is a federally funded reimbursement program under the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Through this program, eligible afterschool sites may serve reimbursable snacks and/or suppers at no cost to enrolled children and teens who participate in approved educational or enrichment activities after the end of the regular school day.

This program is administered in Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Our participation is conducted in collaboration with the Olivet Boys & Girls Clubs of Berks County, The Salvation Army, 21st Century and Communities in School.

Below are the locations where our organization operates approved At-Risk Afterschool Snack and Supper sites:

Clinton - 677 Clinton St. Reading, PA. 19601
Oakbrook - 1161 Pershing Blvd. Reading, PA. 19611
PAL - 251 N 2nd St. Reading, PA. 19601
CFA - 328 Walnut St. Reading, PA. 19601
Mulberry - 400 N 10th St. Reading, PA. 19604
Pendora - 330 S 19th St. Reading, PA. 19606
Salvation Army - 301 S 5th St. Reading, PA 19602
10th and Penn - 955 Penn St. Reading PA. 19601
Riverside - 1400 Centre Av. Reading, PA. 19601
Tyson - 315 S 5th St. Reading, PA. 19602
Southwest Middle School - 300 Chestnut St. Reading, PA. 19602
Northeast Middle School - 1216 N 13th St. Reading, PA. 19604

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
In addition to the at-risk afterschool snack and supper program, our organization also participates in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). SFSP is a federally funded

program that provides free, nutritious meals to children and teens in eligible areas during the summer months when school is not in session. The program ensures that children continue to receive healthy meals that help maintain proper nutrition throughout the year. Meals are available at no cost to all children and teens at approved SFSP meal sites.

Information about SFSP meal site locations and operating dates will be posted before the start of the summer program.

SFSP Program Requirements

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.