Camp Joy Berks County Parks

- 1120 Berks Rd, Leesport, PA 19533

While the name Camp Joy Berks County Parks might suggest a typical recreational campground, for local Pennsylvanians, this facility at 1120 Berks Rd in Leesport, PA, serves a far more profound and specialized purpose. It is, in fact, a crucial transitional living facility and recovery housing program operated by the YMCA of Reading & Berks County, in partnership with organizations like the Berks County Council on Chemical Abuse and the criminal justice system.

Camp Joy is designed to provide a structured, supportive environment for men with substance use disorder who are also involved in the Berks County criminal justice system. Its mission is deeply centered on helping individuals stabilize their lives, fostering long-term recovery, and working toward full self-sufficiency. This is a place for fundamental change, a setting where staff members are highly committed to "making a difference in people’s life." Resident testimonials reflect this powerful impact, with individuals expressing profound gratitude and calling it an "amazing place to start a new life" where they feel they are exactly where they are meant to be. This facility is a beacon of social responsibility, offering a safe bridge for residents to connect with community services, find employment, and establish permanent, healthy living arrangements. It represents a vital public service within the Berks County area, dedicated to strengthening the community by empowering its neighbors.

It is important for local users searching for campgrounds to understand this distinction: Camp Joy in Leesport, PA, is a recovery and transitional housing program, not a public park for recreational camping or RV use.

Camp Joy is located at 1120 Berks Rd, Leesport, PA 19533, USA, nestled within the scenic surroundings of Berks County. The location in Leesport, just north of the city of Reading, offers a setting that is removed enough from urban triggers to be conducive to recovery, while still maintaining essential accessibility to the resources necessary for transitional living.

The property is situated in a quieter, more restorative area, aligning with the therapeutic goals of recovery housing. However, its proximity to major routes in the Reading area ensures that residents can easily access key external resources. These include outpatient counseling services, essential public transportation for job searching and employment, and other community support services in Reading and the greater Berks County region. This strategic placement ensures that while residents have a peaceful, stable place to live, they are not isolated from the professional and social services required to successfully transition back into independent community life. The updated address of 1120 Berks Road, Leesport PA 19533 is crucial for accurate navigation and is highlighted by residents themselves to ensure those needing help can find it easily.

The services at Camp Joy are comprehensive and focused entirely on facilitating the transition from substance use disorder and criminal justice involvement to a self-sufficient, sober life. These services are provided by the operator, the YMCA of Reading & Berks County.

• Transitional Recovery Housing: Provides a safe and stable residential environment for up to 20 male residents involved in the criminal justice system and struggling with substance use disorder.

• Structured Case Management: Residents receive focused assistance in developing essential living skills, including budgeting, financial literacy, and goal setting to work towards self-sufficiency.

• Employment Assistance: Programs are designed to help residents become employable and gain stable employment, which is a core requirement for residency.

• Support for Sustained Recovery: The facility connects individuals with necessary community services, including outpatient treatment, to support a program of sustained sobriety and prevent relapse.

• Collaboration with Criminal Justice System: The program works directly with the Berks County Probation and Parole system, ensuring residents meet court requirements while progressing in their recovery.

• Essential Amenities: Provides basic but critical services such as shelter, food, and a clean living space to meet the immediate needs of residents in early recovery.

The key highlights of Camp Joy are its mission-driven approach, the quality of its facility, and the dedication of its team, which together create a potent environment for change.

• Dedicated and Caring Staff: The program is lauded for its "Great staff members" who are genuinely dedicated to making a life-changing difference, providing the compassionate and professional support necessary for long-term recovery.

• Focus on New Beginnings: The facility’s primary feature is its powerful capacity to be an "amazing place to start a new life," serving as a supportive bridge for men to re-enter society as productive, sober citizens.

• Crucial Community Partnership: Camp Joy is a collaborative effort between Berks County, the Council on Chemical Abuse, and the YMCA, ensuring it has the full support and resources of multiple local agencies to deliver comprehensive care.

• Structured and Safe Environment: As a transitional housing unit, it provides a structured, drug and alcohol-free environment, which is vital for men in the early stages of recovery who need stability and accountability.

• Modern Facility: The building itself, which underwent a major remodel, is described as a "very nice facility," offering a clean, dignified, and comfortable place for residents to live and focus on their personal growth.

• Local Accountability: The program’s mission is directly tied to improving outcomes for Berks County residents, reinforcing the area's dedication to social responsibility and public safety.

For information regarding the Camp Joy program—including eligibility, referral processes, and opportunities to support its mission—the following contact information is essential.

Address:

1120 Berks Rd

Leesport, PA 19533, USA

Phone:

While the main YMCA of Reading & Berks County may be the primary point of contact for social services and housing applications, a common contact number listed for Camp Joy Transitional/Recovery Housing is:

(610) 926-2308 (Often listed for transitional housing programs in the area)

Individuals seeking services or partners interested in the program are strongly advised to contact the YMCA of Reading & Berks County Housing Department or the Berks County Council on Chemical Abuse for the most current information regarding eligibility and application procedures.

Camp Joy is suitable for the Pennsylvania region, and specifically Berks County residents, because it directly addresses a critical social need: providing a reliable, structured path to recovery and re-entry for local men. This is not a tourism destination but a cornerstone of the local social services infrastructure.

The success of Camp Joy is a win for the entire community. By focusing on helping residents achieve self-sufficiency, sobriety, and financial stability, the program reduces homelessness, recidivism, and the overall strain on local emergency services. For local users, the existence of Camp Joy means a stronger, safer community. It is a testament to the compassion and dedication of Berks County to support its neighbors through their most challenging transitions. The positive resident reviews, emphasizing a new life and feeling of purpose, confirm that this is a vital, successful facility where local staff are making a significant, positive difference in the lives of their fellow Pennsylvanians. In short, Camp Joy is a public resource that upholds the highest values of social responsibility and provides a critical service for the health and stability of the local Berks County community.

Camp Joy Berks County Parks

1120 Berks Rd, Leesport, PA 19533, USA