Quotes from United Way Partner Agencies relating to our Investment Plan 2014-2018. “If not for the UWGLV, Slater Family Network would not exist. From fourteen years ago when we began receiving seed money for services, programs and advocacy to a needy, forgotten area of the Slate Belt -- to the present with a vital family center offering stability, support and hope. United Way has made a difference in the lives of many families in the Bangor Area School District through their monetary investment, technical assistance and ever-present support.” ~Bridget Pruett Slater Family Network “Unfortunately, sexual violence continues to be a significant problem impacting every facet of the community. This investment from United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley represents a significant commitment to address this violent crime which will result in many individuals receiving 24-hour confidential crisis intervention and support services at no cost. We are extremely grateful not only for the support of the program, but also for the support of the many victims who will benefit from this investment. “ ~Suzanne Beck Crime Victims Council “United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley has always been very supportive of the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown efforts to serve children and we are very appreciative of this generosity. Their funding has enabled us to provide after school educational programs, to help children to improve in areas of academic weakness, while expanding their potential. We are extremely pleased they have continued to invest in our programs for 2014-2018.” ~Deb Fries-Jackson Boys and Girls Club of Allentown “Thanks to the valuable support provided by United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Minsi Trails Council is able to provide quality Scouting programs to over 1,200 of our area’s most at risk youth.” “United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s strategic direction of supporting programs that positively impact youth, their education, character and ability to grow into positive adults are outcomes shared by Minsi Trails Council.” ~Craig Poland Scout Executive & CEO Boy Scouts of America, Minsi Trails Council “Family Answers is excited and proud to partner with United Way in serving seniors, children and families. We look forward to our work together to make a strong, positive impact in the lives of our friends and neighbors across the Lehigh Valley. This funding will enable us to support struggling families in their homes, provide accessible and effective mental health services, and enable seniors who need help with basic activities of daily living to remain in their homes and live with dignity. We thank the many donors, partners, and staff members who make this generous support possible.” ~William B. Vogler Ph.D. Executive Director Family Answers
“We are thrilled to partner with the United Way to increase access to quality early education and care for infants and toddlers. During a child’s first years, amazing learning takes place—but even at this early age, some children start to fall behind. With this award we can team up with families to help children meet appropriate developmental benchmarks and make steady progress towards school readiness.” ~Susan Williams Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers, Inc. "The Board of Directors, management and staff of Pinebrook Family Services are truly humbled by the news of the agency being awarded reinvestment funds for its Making the Grade program. These dollars, donated by such generous and caring Lehigh Valley residents and businesses, will support truancy intervention/family support services for hundreds of students and their families, as well as help us to leverage additional private funds to support even more at-risk youth by ensuring their academic success. We recognize that our work at Pinebrook is but one of many worthy causes in the Lehigh Valley, and we pledge our commitment not only be a good steward of these precious funds but also to offer high quality measurable services. Again, we are thrilled for the opportunity to expand our intervention services." ~Robert Jacobs Pinebrook Family Services "Community Bike Works is thrilled to expand our partnership with the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley in a way that will allow us to reach more students who will benefit from afterschool time with mentors. Thanks to this investment, we’ll continue bringing our flagship Earn a Bike program to the schools. We’ll also develop a Junior Earn a Bike program that will connect early elementary students with mentors who will introduce them to reading, science, and healthy living concepts and help get them excited about learning. We appreciate the UWGLV’s commitment to helping all students succeed, and we look forward to working even more closely together in support of our common goals." ~Kim Schaffer, Executive Director Community Bike Works “The Center for Vision Loss deeply appreciates the commitment of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley to our Escorted Transportation with a Sighted Guide. With this community investment in Older Adults, our at-risk seniors who are blind or visually impaired will be able to access essential medical appointments, support services and agency-sponsored programs that will allow them to continue living in their own homes. This investment not only brings peace of mind to our customers but also to us as an agency committed to making sure that they can remain as independent as long as possible.” ~Douglas Yingling, Executive Director Center for Vision Loss
"On behalf of the ShareCare board of directors, staff, volunteers and care receivers, we graciously thank the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley for their generous support of our mission and our goals. United Way’s financial support helps us to provide critically needed personal services of transportation and shopping to our continually aging Lehigh Valley community. With great enthusiasm, thanks again for your vital life-giving gift, which directly enhances and maintains the vigorous independence of our ever-growing older adult population. Your gift to us is a gift to so many others." ~Lynn M. Heiney Executive Director ShareCare
"The Literacy Center is excited to partner with the United Way of the greater Lehigh Valley to provide family literacy programs for parents and their preschoolers. Together, we will provide the tools and skills necessary to grow the entire family’s level of literacy, creating life-long learners and readers that value the importance of parental participation in their children’s education." ~MaryAnn Przekurat Executive Director The Literacy Center "I can’t say enough how excited I was by your phone call this morning. We know that GSEP was just one of many organizations that submitted requests for support this year, so for GSEP to be awarded over $77K for the 2014-2015 year is something we are not taking lightly. To know that the services that Girls Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania provides is so highly valued by the United Way and members of the Lehigh Valley community makes me proud of the work our organizations do together and the work that I personally do for Girl Scouts. I shared everything we discussed with Natalye Paquin, our CEO, as well as the rest of the GSEP Team. Needless to say, everyone here is beyond thrilled. We are also very grateful for the support you gave us during the entire process. Thank you again for the uplifting phone call and for the continued partnership." ~Gina J. Range Senior Director of Fund Development Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania
"The Easton Area Community Center (EACC) would like to THANK the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley for believing in and supporting our afterschool program “SAINTS Clubhouse.” We were awarded additional dollars this year which is such a blessing as we have over 100 children that currently participate in our program. Without the support of the UWGLV we would not be able to provide the exceptional programming here at EACC. We appreciate the leadership, guidance, and assistance that the UWGLV provides to agencies such as ours, it proves that when a community comes together, great things are bound to happen." ~Anita D. Mitchell – Executive Director Easton Area Community Center “United Way funding will ensure our ability to serve 100 children annually at our emergency shelter: children with nowhere else to turn for a safe place to spend the night, get a meal and receive help in reuniting with their families.” “Valley Youth House is pleased to partner with the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley to address community goals of improved educational attainment and ensuring safety net services for the most vulnerable residents of the Lehigh Valley. Our missions are aligned. Educational advancement and family stability are core goals for all Valley Youth House programs. Funding in support of our Emergency Shelter, Truancy Intervention Program and Student Assistance Program will ensure that runaway and homeless youth have a safe place to go if they can’t go home, that families and youth get the support they need in order to improve school attendance and school related behavior, and that students get help for behavioral and psychological problems that affect their ability to do well in school.” “In the current environment, with decreased public funding levels and growing need, we applaud the United Way’s efforts to raise community awareness and support of the services that are critical to meet the needs of the Lehigh Valley.” ~Annette Duranso President and CEO Valley Youth House "United Way support allows Family Connection the opportunity to serve children and families in the Easton Area School District through after-school programs, case management services, pre-school programs and school readiness activities. Their support has a significant impact on the lives of at-risk Easton children by helping to ensure that programs and services are in place to support their educational journey, give their families the tools they need for self-sufficiency and sustain efforts that make Easton a thriving community." ~Carolyn Serva Executive Director Family Connection of Easton, Inc. “We are thrilled to continue and strengthen our partnership with the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley through its 2014-18 investment in our Agency. This funding will allow us to help to alleviate hunger in Lehigh County by providing nutritious, home-delivered meals to seniors and adults with disabilities who have difficulty making meals for themselves. United Way funding will also help us to expand our grocery shopping service to seniors 65 and older which has been identified as a community need. Both of these programs are designed to help people to stay in their own homes for as long as possible.” ~Pam Bechtel, Executive Director Meals on Wheels of Lehigh County “Wildlands Conservancy is excited about our partnership with United Way and look forward to what we can do for the community together. This grant is not only important financially, but important because it provides validation of our programming and it means a lot to have the United Way stamp of approval” ~Christopher M. Kocher President Wildlands Conservancy “We are excited that the United Way has chosen to invest its valuable resources in our expanding one-to-one mentoring initiatives. Mentoring has been statistically shown to have a drastically positive impact on the lives of children facing challenging situations at home and in the communities where they are growing up. We look forward to partnering with the United Way to create bright, productive futures for the children we serve in the Lehigh Valley.” Susan Bartels CEO Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley "The Board of Directors, management and staff of Pinebrook Family Services are truly humbled by the news of the agency being awarded reinvestment funds for its Making the Grade program. These dollars, donated by such generous and caring Lehigh Valley residents and businesses, will support truancy intervention/family support services for hundreds of students and their families, as well as help us to leverage additional private funds to support even more at-risk youth by ensuring their academic success. We recognize that our work at Pinebrook is but one of many worthy causes in the Lehigh Valley, and we pledge our commitment not only be a good steward of these precious funds but also to offer high quality measurable services." Bob Jacobs Pinebrook Family Services
“The Bethlehem Area Public Library is thrilled to be a new United Way partner this year. In addition to the opportunity to apply for funding, becoming a partner offers a wealth of resources and development opportunities which we will benefit from this year and for years to come.” ~Josh Berk Executive Director Bethlehem Area Public Library