News

Partners Unite to Address Growing Food Insecurity in the Greater Lehigh Valley with New Full Cart Program

April 23, 2021

Many families and the agencies that serve them continue to see increased needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To help address the ongoing food access needs of local residents, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) has partnered with U.S. Hunger, formerly known as Feeding Children Everywhere, and Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council to launch the Full Cart program.

Through this pilot program, 250 Lehigh Valley families are receiving boxes of food delivered directly to their homes. Each box contains 125 servings of shelf-stable food options that will serve a family of four for about 10 days or a single person for about six weeks.

“Hunger is most often linked to poverty, and the COVID-19 pandemic illuminated and magnified the non-economic barriers to food access that impact food security for many individuals,” said Susan Dalandan, Coordinator at the Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council. “Those non-economic barriers include transportation, health and well-being, time, availability and opportunity as well as cultural and social customs. The Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council is excited to launch this partnership that addresses those barriers,” Susan added.

The Full Cart pilot program is made possible thanks to funding from BSI, Baker Foundation, City of Allentown CHAMPS grant, Roberta “Robin” Barnes and her husband Clark Chandler, as well as individual United Way donors.

“There is no business more important than supporting the most vulnerable in our communities that struggle with food insecurity,” said Anthony (Tony) DaRe, CEO of BSI. “Our BSI team is committed to doing whatever it takes to support United Way and the Full Cart program at this most critical time of need.”

The Full Cart program addresses the barriers to food access that cause hunger by partnering with donors, corporations and community partners to cover the cost of food and ship it directly to the front door of those in need.

“Once families are identified, they are given a voucher code and must complete the online survey form in order for the box to be mailed,” said Priscilla Rosado, Assistant Director of Food Access and Emergency Services at UWGLV. “This process eliminates any barriers regarding transportation for those unable to go to a grocery store otherwise.”

The Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council partnered with Community Schools to identify families in need through intake forms completed by families or Community School Coordinators. There are no income limit restrictions.

“We truly appreciate the ability to connect our families to additional resources that address food insecurity in our community. Thank you for your partnership,” said Paige Hoffman, Community School Coordinator for Fountain Hill Elementary School.

“I would like to say thank you to the Full Cart food program for allowing my family to be able to eat another day,” said a parent who received a Full Cart box. “Times like now are harder than others, and I’m appreciative for anything that comes my family’s way. Thank you.”

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About the Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council – We are a collective impact initiative of community residents and member organizations funded by UWGLV. We work to shape the landscape for regional food access, policy, and collaboration, leading the food system voice for protecting our land and employing and feeding our neighbors. We focus on accessibility, advocacy, aggregation, and collaboration in the local food system. For more information, visit www.lvfpc.org.

News

2021 United Way Volunteer Service Award Honors Dr. Rajika Reed of St. Luke’s University Health Network

April 19, 2021

United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is pleased to present Dr. Rajika Reed, Vice President of Community Health for St. Luke’s University Health Network, with the 2021 United Way Volunteer Service Award.

“It is a true pleasure to work with Dr. Reed. She is welcoming, knowledgeable, strategic, and patient. Her steady leadership as a United Way volunteer is greatly appreciated and is more than worthy of this honor,” said Jill Pereira, Vice President, Education and Impact, UWGLV.

This award is presented annually at Breakfast for Champions, hosted by Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley.

“I am both humbled and honored to receive this award and want to thank United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley for their commitment to the community. We have always worked closely, but during this pandemic year, they have brought many nonprofit and grassroots organizations together to allow for organic collaboration,” said Dr. Reed.

For the past seven years, Dr. Reed has exhibited strong leadership as chair of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s Data, Research and Evaluation Committee. In this role, she guided UWGLV on how to adjust our learning and evaluation approach amid a global pandemic. She encouraged agility in meeting emerging community needs related to COVID-19 – enabling flexibility and innovation for United Way and partners to better serve our community.

Additionally, Dr. Reed was one of the founding members of the Strategic Response Team, a cross-collaborative effort that formed in the early days of the pandemic. This group works to align COVID-19 response and recovery among various partners and center justice and equity in the Lehigh Valley’s COVID-19 response.

“Dr. Reed has been a strong collaborator and thought leader in this work, ensuring that information, resources, and outreach has been equitable and rooted in trust and transparency,” added Pereira.

News

Community Responds to Pandemic with Record-Breaking United Way Campaign

April 15, 2021

To meet critical community needs, donors and partners together raised $18,151,988 through United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s (UWGLV) annual campaign. This represents the largest annual campaign in the organization’s 100+ year history and 11 consecutive years of growth.
 
“I’d like to thank each and every donor who stepped up to the challenge and all of the partners who remain committed to the cause. We faced unprecedented challenges and great uncertainty this year, but together we have supported the community at a time when it was needed most,” said City Center Investment Corporation President J.B. Reilly, who served as co-chair of the campaign with his wife Kathleen.
 
“With United Way leadership and your support, we continue to build collaboration and work toward community-wide goals. Because of you, thousands of children, families and older adults right here in the Greater Lehigh Valley will have access to opportunities, resources and services that will help them rebuild and recover,” added Campaign Co-Chair Kathleen Reilly.
 
United Way announced the 2020 campaign results today during Celebration of Caring, presented by Crayola. More than 14,000 individual donors and 400 partners contributed to the annual campaign. Air Products’ and PPL Corporation’s employees, retirees and corporate foundations each raised more than $4,000,000; City Center Allentown donated more than $1,000,000 including a million-dollar matching gift for all new and increased gifts to the United Way Community Building Fund.
 
“We are especially grateful to J.B. and Kathleen Reilly for their unwavering support, leadership and generosity as campaign co-chairs. Under their guidance, United Way is able to invest more dollars into the community at a time when it is needed most,” said Paul Hurd, Chief Development Officer, UWGLV.
 
Contributions made through the annual campaign will support community members’ basic needs through critical services in the areas of education, emergency services, food access and healthy aging.
  
“During a time of great adversity, I have been heartened to see so many people in our community stand up to offer help and to fight for the health, safety and education of
every person in the Greater Lehigh Valley. United Way could not offer the services and support it does without you,” said UWGLV Board Chair Joanne Raphael, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of PPL Corp.
 
Valued community partners in sponsorship for this year’s Celebration of Caring include: 
Presenting sponsor – Crayola 
Gold sponsor – Dual Temp 
Silver sponsors – Capital Blue Cross, Highmark Blue Shield, Just Born Quality Confections and ESSA Bank 
Pearl sponsor – Riverview Bank 
In-kind sponsor  – ASR Media Productions 

News

Air Products Employees, Retirees and the Air Products Foundation Donate Record-Breaking $4.1 Million through Annual United Way Campaign

April 12, 2021
cornerstone air products

Air Products has raised a record-breaking $4.1 million for the communities it serves, making the Lehigh Valley-based company’s 2020 United Way campaign the largest in its history. The donations were raised by Air Products’ current employees as well as retirees, and the Air Products Foundation provided $1.9 million to match all contributions. 
  
“This past year proved to be difficult for everyone as we all adapted to a new way of life. Our communities were in crisis due to the pandemic, and our employees and retirees gave more generously than ever. We applaud the willingness of our team to support the good work of United Way, and the Air Products Foundation is proud to match their generous giving,” said Simon Moore, Air Products Campaign Chair and Vice President, Investor Relations, Corporate Relations and Sustainability.
 
Air Products joins PPL as United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s only two workplace campaigns that raised more than $4 million. Contributions to UWGLV support students, families and older adults as they recover and rebuild from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. UWGLV’s investments directly impact the lives of 75,000 people each year. 
 
“Air Products is fully committed to the communities it serves, and this is yet another example of their leadership and dedication. The support from their employees and retirees and the matching gift from Air Products Foundation led to a 20% increase in their giving. We can make an even greater impact in the Greater Lehigh Valley and beyond thanks to their continued support,” said Paul Hurd, Chief Development Officer, UWGLV. 
 
“Our community is facing extraordinary needs. We know that United Way’s job every day is to solve problems in our community. By involving employees and our retirees, we can help to solve those problems,” remarked Laurie Gostley Hackett, Air Products Community Relations Director.
 
UWGLV raises funds and invests in solutions to meet critical community needs in the areas of education, emergency services, food access and healthy aging. 

News

United Way Honors Community Partners and Leaders

April 06, 2021

United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) will host Celebration of Caring, presented by Crayola, virtually on Thursday, April 15, 2021 to recognize the collaborative efforts of the community during this difficult year.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Greater Lehigh Valley came together in inspiring ways to rapidly get resources where they were needed most. Celebration of Caring will recognize donors, volunteers and community partners as well as honor the following award recipients: 

Alvin H. Butz, Inc. – PPL LIVE UNITED Award
Accepted by Greg Butz, President & CEO 
Presented to an organization/company whose engagement in the Lehigh Valley community results in a significant contribution toward improving the quality of life for those in need. 

Faces International – Community Building Award
Accepted by Tyrone Russell, CEO, and Kevin Greene, COO 
Presented to an individual or organization that supports United Way in its community-building efforts, encourages cooperation, contributes talent and resources to further partnerships, creates a common ground, and perseveres in the face of challenges.

Duggan & Marcon, Inc. – Campaign Chairs’ Award
Accepted by Charles Marcon, CEO 
Presented to a company that has demonstrated leadership and innovation in conducting its United Way campaign and an ability to increase awareness throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Community Services for Children – Air Products Leonard Pool Community Impact Award
Accepted by Paula Margraf, President & CEO 
Presented by Air Products, the award recognizes a nonprofit organization that demonstrates commitment to exceptional community leadership, outstanding stewardship of community resources, active and meaningful volunteer engagement, readiness to serve as an example to others, and strategic impact on the Lehigh Valley community.
 
Valued community partners in sponsorship for this year’s Celebration of Caring include: 
Presenting sponsor – Crayola 
Gold sponsor – Dual Temp 
Silver sponsors – Capital Blue Cross, Highmark Blue Shield, ESSA Bank and Just Born Quality Confections
Pearl sponsor – Riverview Bank 
In-kind sponsors –ASR Media Productions 

News

Marci Martinez-Howey Named Woman of the Year by YWCA Bethlehem

April 02, 2021
Marci Martinez Howey Associate VP DEI

Join us in congratulating Marci Martinez-Howey for being named Woman of the Year at the upcoming 46th Annual Women & Teens of the Year Awards hosted by YWCA Bethlehem.

“Marci Martinez-Howey was selected as a Woman of the Year thanks to the significant positive impact she brings in volunteering to make our community a better place,” said Virginia Oskin, YWCA Bethlehem Women and Teens Awards co-chair. “Marci’s commitment to the Lehigh Valley is exemplary, and we are proud to have selected her for the YWCA Bethlehem Woman of the Year Award 2021.”

Nominees for the award are chosen based on their service to the community through volunteerism, fundraising, leading special projects or events or by being a community activist or an advocate for others. Marci was nominated by her boss, Debbie Klocek, Vice President of Finance and Administration and supporting letters were submitted on her behalf by Marci Lesko, Executive Vice President of UWGLV; Kelly Chando, Director of Development at St. Luke’s University Health Network as well as a friend and former colleague; and Lauryn Graves, a friend and Community and Government Relations specialist at Air Products.

Thank you, Marci, for your dedication and invaluable service to our community!

The 46th annual YWCA Bethlehem’s Women and Teens Awards will occur virtually at 5 p.m. on April 22, 2021. It will include award and scholarship winners, as well as a silent auction to support YWCA women and girls empowerment programs.

Read the full story about Marci’s amazing work in the Lehigh Valley Press article.

News

Women United funding new Resilient Lehigh Valley program

March 31, 2021

Women United’s Emerging Needs Fund has invested in a pilot program in partnership with Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley and Resilient Lehigh Valley. Trauma informed, Restorative Practices, Emotional Intelligence and Equity (T.R.E.E.) training is a 6-week training session provided for 20 parents and caregivers of early childhood or school aged children in the Allentown area. T.R.E.E. is a parent empowerment program designed to raise awareness of trauma and its impact on brain, body and behavior; equip parents and caregivers with tools to promote healing, positive parenting, healthy coping skills; and build self agency to advocate for self, family and community.
 
The sessions are going to be held in person at Life Church in Allentown and led by trainers: Dr. Hasshan Batts, Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, Allentown Councilwoman Cynthia Mota, and Guillermo Lopez, Owner of G-Pez Consulting. Participating families receive information with the tools and activities learned as well as a journal to record their goals, learnings and progress. Families will also be provided dinner at each session and a gift card upon the start and completion of the program.   
 
A team from Lehigh University’s Counseling Psychology Program within their College of Education will be utilizing two established measurement tools to evaluate the program. They will be focusing on parent skill development and building self-agency. A full report of findings from the Lehigh University team will be available in the Fall. 

News

Sheridan Elementary Becomes the Lehigh Valley’s Newest Community School

March 30, 2021

Approximately 600 students and their families will reap the rewards of increased services and support as Sheridan Elementary becomes a Community School. Lead partners Allentown School District, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) and Communities In Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania (CISEasternPA) announced the union today, bringing the total to 31 Community Schools across the region.

Community Schools help level the playing field for schools with a higher poverty rate by organizing programs and services in one central place for students and families. These programs and services connect families to basic essentials, implement student health initiatives, deliver career services and coordinate after-school and summer programs, effectively empowering parents to strengthen their role as partners in education.

“Sheridan Elementary becoming a Community School marks a new chapter in our strategic alignment with the leadership of the Allentown School District,” said Jill Pereira, Vice President of Education and Impact, UWGLV. “We seek to demonstrate our commitment to equity. Adding Sheridan as a Community School allows us to serve students, families and the community through this model.”

CISEasternPA provides a Community School Coordinator who links families to resources that help provide a safer, healthier and more stable learning environment. Community School Coordinators establish supports to address unique challenges, such as chronic absenteeism or low reading proficiency. As a result, Community School students increase their reading and math scores and excel in other academic areas.

“Allentown School District and United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley continue to expand their collaborative partnership with Communities In Schools, and we are excited that Sheridan has been selected as the newest school in the district to become a Community School,” said Thomas Parker, Superintendent, Allentown School District. “The Community School model supports the coordination of services and resources that will positively impact students and their families in a pocket of our community that needs it most.”

“Communities In Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania believes in the power of strategic partnerships, and we are so excited to join efforts with United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and Allentown School District,” said Tim Mulligan, President & CEO, CISEasternPA. “The new Community School at Sheridan Elementary is a win-win for students and families. Our students, families and partners welcome this tremendous investment from Bill and Denise Spence.”

Financial support for Sheridan Elementary is provided by former PPL Corporation Chairman and CEO, Bill Spence and his wife, Denise.

“Denise and I believe that there is nothing more important in a child’s life than having access to a good education,” said Bill Spence. “We felt that partnering with United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, a trusted and highly regarded organization, would provide the oversight and insights needed to ensure that Community Schools will be successful.”

The Lehigh Valley Community School Network serves 18,888 students in 31 schools in Allentown, Bethlehem Area, Easton Area and Bangor Area school districts. For more information, visit the Community Schools page.

News

Lehigh Valley Reads Captures Stories of Lehigh Valley Families During the Covid-19 Crisis

March 25, 2021

StoryCorps, the notable nonprofit working to preserve and share humanity’s stories, prompted local conversations about race, education and opportunity in partnership with Lehigh Valley Reads. Recorded at the height of the pandemic, these conversations shed light on values that bring people together.

Lehigh Valley Reads has been working alongside Together For Students, which leverages the strengths of Communities In Schools, the Institute for Educational Leadership’s Coalition for Community Schools, StriveTogether, and is funded by Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. In total, four cities – Lehigh Valley, PA; Chicago, IL; Dayton, OH; and Memphis, TN – participated.

“This entire experience with Together For Students has been transformational. By harnessing the power of storytelling, this series illustrates the exponential impact of positive relationships. We hope that it empowers students and families to join us as we build school communities where every child belongs and every child thrives,” added Jill Pereira, Vice President of Education and Impact, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. 

This work was rooted in the belief that every child should have every opportunity to succeed. COVID-19 exposed systemic weaknesses that interrupted learning for many children of color and children living in poverty. This led to a desire to hear directly from community members, to amplify their voices to raise the invisible to the visible. These stories help inform and shape the larger work being done.

“Local organizations like Lehigh Valley Reads are helping their community change the systems that fail so many families of color and families experiencing poverty. There is tremendous need and opportunity to redefine what’s possible,” says Jennifer Blatz, President and CEO of StriveTogether. “But this all begins by listening to the needs of the community and to hold their stories at the center of all work being done in this area.”

The entire collection of stories is available to listen to on StriveTogether’s website.

Read more: Story from PBS39

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About Lehigh Valley Reads
Lehigh Valley Reads is a regional literacy campaign committed to ensuring that all Lehigh Valley students read on grade level by the end of third grade by 2025.  This collective impact initiative is powered by United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and PBS39.  With over 100 community partners working together to maximize resources, Lehigh Valley Reads is a collective impact initiative with five key focus areas: early childhood education, summer learning, school attendance, trauma-informed classrooms and Community Schools. 

About Together For Students
Together for Students is a collaboration between the Coalition for Community Schools, Community In Schools, and StriveTogether, working together to invest in young people with a vision of children being in the center of the education experience. It is supported by the Ford Foundation and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

About Coalition for Community Schools
Supported by the Institute for Educational Leadership, the Coalition for Community Schools evolved since 1998 as an ecosystem of national, state, and local cross-sector leaders that promote community schools as an equity-driven, researched-based strategy, and fights for justice and investments for young people’s access to resources, supports, and opportunities they deserve to advance their hopes and fulfill their social responsibility.  

The strengths of the Coalition are the close relationships we have with thousands of grassroots to grasstops leaders, organized in networks to expand their knowledge, skills, beliefs, and practices; and our ability to prepare, support, and mobilize leaders, to create transformative and innovative solutions to disrupt the status quo, and eliminate systemic and structural barriers to equitable outcomes in education. 

About Communities In Schools
Communities In Schools® (CIS™) is a national organization that ensures every student, regardless of race, zip code, or socioeconomic background has what they need to realize their potential in school and beyond. Working directly inside more than 2,900 schools across the country, we connect students to caring adults and community resources that help them see, confront, and overcome the barriers that stand between them and a brighter future. Together, we build a powerful change movement made up of peers, students, and alumni committed to building an equitable path to education for future generations.

About StriveTogether
StriveTogether partners with nearly 70 communities across the country to advance equity so local success stories can become the reality for every child, everywhere. They work to transform failing systems using collaborative improvement and a proven framework for change. The StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network is closing disparity gaps in education, housing and so much more. Together, they impacted the lives of more than 12 million youth — more than half are children of color — across 30 states and Washington, D.C. Learn more at StriveTogether.org.

News

Lehigh Valley Teens Recognized during TeenWorks Virtual Celebration

March 16, 2021

United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and our partners celebrated young people making a difference in our community at the TeenWorksTM Virtual Celebration, presented by Capital BlueCross, on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. The Celebration showcased how our union labor community and teens throughout the Lehigh Valley pulled together during unparalleled times to serve the evolving needs of our community. 

Powered by labor unions in collaboration with United Way, TeenWorks provides grants of up to $1,000 to teens and youth-based organizations to complete community service projects throughout the region.  

“TeenWorks recognizes and supports community service projects completed by local teens as they gain access to opportunities that develop and enhance their leadership skills,” said Dean Donaher, United Way Labor Liaison and Executive Director of TeenWorks. “To date, TeenWorks has funded over 500 projects with dollars exceeding $500,000 through United Way workplace campaign donations.” 

Organized and led by youth board members with the support of generous partners and sponsors, the TeenWorks Virtual Celebration announced the Cohen, Feeley, Altemose and Rambo scholarship winners and honored the recipients of the Labor Achievement, Zach Kraus Spirit of Service, TeenWorks Hero and Project of the Year awards. 

Mike Shupp, United Auto Workers Local 677 Vice President, receives the Labor Achievement Award.

The Labor Achievement Award, given to a person or organization that demonstrates support for the mission and vision of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and TeenWorks during the 2020 campaign year, was presented to United Auto Workers Local 677 for graciously offering their building, as well as volunteer support, for the collection and distribution of toys for Roosevelt and Sheridan Elementary Schools in Allentown School District during the holiday season. They also generously donate the use of their grounds each year for the TeenWorks Summer Picnic. Mike Shupp, United Auto Workers Local 677 Vice President, received the award.  

Cameron Hines wins the Zach Kraus Spirit of Service Award

The Zach Kraus Spirit of Service Award, created in memory of Zachary Kraus for his dedication to helping others, was presented to Cameron Hines, a senior at Southern Lehigh High School and current Teen Chair of the TeenWorks Board of Directors. Cameron is dedicated to fostering a better community with his involvement and leadership in many service projects throughout the Lehigh Valley. Cameron taught a course for elementary school students with Northampton Community College’s Horizons and worked as a camp mentor at Camelot for Children. Additionally, he took part in the GoLEAD Leadership & Volunteer Initiative held at Penn State University’s Lehigh Valley campus, a program partially funded by TeenWorks and trained young people in our area on effective leadership strategies. Cameron will be attending Cornell University in the fall. 

Mike Ahern receives TeenWorks Hero Award

The TeenWorks Hero Award, awarded to an individual who demonstrates a commitment to the ideals and purpose of the TeenWorks mission—hard work, honesty and a commitment to giving back to their local community, was presented to Michael Ahern, Teenworks Board of Directors member. Michael has served as a dedicated member of the TeenWorks board for almost 10 years, serves on the Lehigh Valley Labor Council and is the Executive Vice President of his local union. He works hard to make both adult and teen members alike feel included and seen and is a strong force of love and unity in our local community.  

Treyton Messman receives TeenWorks Project of the Year

TeenWorks Project of the Year was presented to Moravian Academy high school student Treyton Messman. Treyton created his project through his Boy Scout troop and the efforts benefitted the Northeast Community Center (NECC). He first coordinated a food drive for the food bank at NECC and then upgraded the pantry by replacing all the shelving. Treyton’s family has been active in NECC events which led him to create and lead his own project that helps NECC and its community mission. 

TeenWorks Virtual Celebration also included keynote speakers Bill and Chris Hankee, creators of the Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund in honor of their late daughter that provides transportation for families traveling for medical care, provides leadership and community service scholarship to worthy students and promotes awareness of organ donor registration.