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Marys Shelter

EIN 23-2722494 · Reading, PA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MARY'S SHELTER IS COMMITTED TO EMPOWERING HOMELESS YOUTH BY PROVIDING HOUSING, EDUCATION, AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
35
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$133,759, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $1.6 million spent. HISTORY:MARY'S SHELTER OPENED IN 1995 AND IS A MATERNITY HOME, WHICH SERVES THE NEEDS OF HOMELESS, PREGNANT YOUNG WOMEN. MANY OF THE RESIDENTS HAVE MULTIPLE HOME LIFE PROBLEMS WITH LITTLE OR NO SUPPORT FOR THE PRESENT PREGNANCY. THE VISION OF MARY'S SHELTER IS TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY HOUSING AND PRIMARY CARE WHERE EACH RESIDENT IS OFFERED LIFE-CHANGING ASSISTANCE THROUGH QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE CARE IN A SECURE, COMFORTABLE, AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT.IN RESPONSE TO THE GROWING CONCERN AND STAGGERING NUMBERS OF HOMELESS AND RUNAWAY YOUTH IN BERKS COUNTY MARY'S SHELTER JOINED FORCES WITH THE BERKS COUNTY INTERMEDIATE UNIT, EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS (ECYEH) AND THE BERKS COALITION TO END HOMELESSNESS YOUTH COMMITTEE TO FIND AND INITIATE SOLUTIONS. MARY'S SHELTER RECEIVED SEVERAL GRANTS TO OPEN THE YESS (YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SUPPORT SERVICES) RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM AND DROP-IN-CENTER TO ADDRESS THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREETS. YOUTH SERVICESOFFICIALLY BEGAN IN FEBRUARY OF 2018. THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM SERVES YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 AND 17, AND THE DROP-IN-CENTER SERVES YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 AND 22.THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS THE GOVERNING BODY OF MARY'S SHELTER. THEIR PRIMARY OBJECTIVES ARE TO IMPLEMENT PROGRAM AND ORGANIZATIONAL POLICIES, UPHOLD THE MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY, AND PROVIDE VISION AND DIRECTION FOR FUTURE GROWTH. THE STAFF OF MARY'S SHELTER MANAGES THEDAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS AND PROVIDES DIRECT CARE AND SERVICES TO THE YOUNG WOMEN WHO RESIDE AT THE FACILITIES. THE VOLUNTEERS ACTIVELY SUPPORT CURRENT PROJECTS INCLUDING FUNDRAISING, CLIENT ACTIVITIES, OR IMPROVING THE FACILITIES. VOLUNTEER SUPPORT IS A VITAL COMPONENT TO THE PROGRAM AND SERVICES.PROGRAM SERVICES:WHAT MAKES THE PROGRAM UNIQUE IS THE FOCUS ON COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES. UPON ENTERING THE PROGRAM AT MARY'S SHELTER, THE CASE MANAGER, COUNSELOR, AND RESIDENT ESTABLISH LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM GOALS. THE PRIMARY AREAS OF FOCUS ARE MEDICAL CARE, LIFE-SKILLS TRAINING, PERSONAL COUNSELING, EDUCATION, AND FUTURE HOUSING. THESE GOALS ARE REVIEWED AND UPDATED WITH THE RESIDENTS ON A REGULAR BASIS. GOALS ARE WRITTEN WITH ASSOCIATED MEASURABLE TASKS. RESIDENTS ARE GIVEN A TIMETABLE FOR COMPLETION AND EVALUATION.ANALYSIS:THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO SEEK HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FROM MARY'S SHELTER ARE EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE PERSONAL LIFE PROBLEMS AND OBSTACLES THAT HINDER THEIR PROGRESS TOWARD INDEPENDENCE. THE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOCUS PRIMARILY ON ASSISTING THE CLIENTS WITH THE TASKS RELATED TO COMPLETING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES WITH REGARD TO THEIR MEDICAL CARE, EDUCATION, AND HOUSING, THEREBY ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF HOMELESSNESS, LOW PAY, AND LOW ACHIEVEMENT. THE COUNSELING SERVICES FOCUS ON ASSISTING THE CLIENTS WITH INTERNAL OBSTACLES TO SUCCESS SUCHAS LOW SELF-ESTEEM, LOW EXPECTATIONS, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND MANAGEMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS."2025 ACHIEVEMENTS:OUR MATERNITY HOME PROGRAMS- HOUSED 3 WOMEN AGES 16 TO 18, THEIR NEWBORNS AND THREE TODDLERS- ENROLLED 15 EXPECTANT WOMEN IN OUR HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM, WHICH ASSIST WITH MAINTAINING SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING WHILE PREPARING FOR CHILDBIRTH- FAMILY OUTREACH SERVICES PROVIDED TO 855 EXPECTANT WOMEN WITH OVER 7,550 VISITS FOR MATERIAL NEEDS, COUNSELING, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICESOUR YOUTH PROGRAMS YESS YOUTH AGES 14 TO 17 HOUSED FOR 21-DAYS- 45 INDIVIDUAL YOUTH REPRESENTING OVER 1,549 SHELTERED NIGHTS- 65% FAMILY REUNIFICATION WITH ONGOING SUPPORT FROM MARY'S SHELTER- 106 DROP-IN AND CALL-IN YOUTH NEEDING INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENTSTRONG - YOUTH AGES 16 TO 21 HOUSED FOR 18 MONTHS. - 28 INDIVIDUAL YOUTH REPRESENTING OVER 15,150 SHELTERED NIGHTSPROGRAM SUCCESSES: - 6 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, 8 ADVANCED A GRADE LEVEL- 8 WITH HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS ENGAGED IN CAREER TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS- 100% RECEIVED TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE AND ADVOCACY SERVICES- 85% INCREASED SCHOOL ATTENDANCE- 91% RECEIVED MEDICAL, EYE AND DENTAL CARE- 68% RECEIVED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1993.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.