The Tocqueville Society of United Way is an alliance of over 300 successful business and philanthropic leaders and their families who share a strong commitment and passion for investing in our local community. Paul and Rebecca Francis, Tocqueville donors since 2021, share their personal reasons for giving back through United Way.
“Giving through United Way provides us with a simpler and more structured way to support the charities and organizations we believe in. Being a member of Tocqueville has helped us on our journey to be more charitable members of our community.”
Rebecca and Paul reside in Center Valley and have 2 children, Priya (18) and Tessa (15).
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) Women United will honor Laurie Hackett of Air Products with the 2022 Betsy Torrence Philanthropist of the Year Award, the group’s highest accolade.
Women United recognizes the Philanthropist of the Year as a member who is active in the community, is a philanthropic leader in the Lehigh Valley and demonstrates a personal commitment of time, talent and treasure to the best of her ability. The group’s founding president Betsy Torrence is recognized as the model of the Philanthropist of the Year awardee.
“It is an extremely high honor to receive a nomination for the Philanthropist of the Year award, let alone to receive it,” said Darlene Pors, President of Women United. “Laurie Hackett is the true definition of a philanthropist. Her selfless service has impacted our community and has made the lives of others so much better as a result. Women United is so grateful for Laurie using her voice and position to help inspire and bring change.”
Members will present Hackett’s award at Women United 2022, sponsored by Capital Blue Cross, Fulton Bank and People First Federal Credit Union. This annual event will be held on Thursday, October 13, 2022 at Saucon Valley County Club from 5-7:30 p.m. Registration is available HERE.
“Women United’s commitment to creating a stronger community is truly inspiring,” said Hackett.” “Receiving this award in return for doing what I love is exciting and I am honored by this amazing recognition, in the name of Betsy Torrence and Women United!”
Hackett is Air Products’ Director of Corporate Relations and chaired the 2021 campaign for United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley on behalf of Air Products, which resulted in a record-breaking $19,741,940—the largest annual campaign in UWGLV’s 100+ year history and 12 consecutive years of growth. “Laurie’s work reflects her values and deep commitment to this community, and it is no surprise that she’s our philanthropist of the year,” shared Marci Lesko, Executive Vice President for UWGLV. “Women United represents the best of women coming together to do what’s right for all and Laurie embodies that in every way. Congratulations, Laurie.”
In Hackett’s role at Air Products, she connects and collaborates throughout the company and the community. Her work with the Air Products Foundation supports programs, activities and agencies that are working hard every day to improve the quality of life for all.
She invests her time volunteering with nonprofits throughout the area including The Century Promise Board, Miller-Keystone Blood Center Vice Chair, WDIY Radio Program Host, Greater Easton Development Partnership Board, Lehigh Valley Chamber Executive Committee, Iron Pigs Charities Board and Phantoms Charities Board.
UWGLV Women United fights for the education and stability of women and children in the Lehigh Valley through philanthropy, advocacy and volunteer efforts. Women United is part of a global network of more than 70,000 women in 165 communities across six countries, all dedicated to improving lives and creating stronger communities.
On Thursday, United Way Community School Coordinators (CSCs) were celebrated at the Banana Factory in Bethlehem during a special event sponsored by Crayola.
To thank them for their deep commitment to the students and their families, CSCs were treated to a glass blowing class where they learned the craft and took home individual pieces. Those who attended shared that they really appreciated the unique teambuilding idea.
Thank you, Crayola, for your continued support of United Way Community Schools and the communities they serve.
On September 29, over 50 people gathered at the the Rigo Peralta Art Studio for the opportunity to hear more about the expansion of African American philanthropy in the Lehigh Valley. The reception was hosted by community leaders Hasshan Batts of Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, and Kevin Greene and Tyrone Russell of Faces International Marketing and Development.
Special thanks to Rigo Peralto Art Studio, Hasshan Batts and Katarah Jordan, Kevin and Skye Green and Tyrone and Ingrid Russell for hosting this special event.
On October 1, nearly 30 PPL team members and their families took part in their PPL Family Day of Caring where they organized, cleaned and helped stock up supplies at the Sixth Street Shelter in Allentown.
Thank you to PPL Corporation and all the families that came out and made an impact in the community.
Photo credit: Marco Calderon Photography/PPL Corporation
David Lewis, President, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV), represents your United Way at the White House for the Communities in Action: Building a Better Pennsylvania event.
UWGLV serves a tri-county area about 60 miles north of Philadelphia that includes Allentown – Pennsylvania’s third-largest city – and Lehigh County, one of the fastest growing counties in the state. Over the past two years, UWGLV has worked with Lehigh County to distribute $8 million in funding to 140 nonprofits – impacting 50,000 people with food and housing services, education programs and resources for older adults.
“Lehigh County trusted us and knew we had the processes, the partnerships and the experience to deliver the funding quickly, rapidly and equitably,” said Lewis. The majority of funds supported organizations that were either led by or serve historically marginalized populations.
Communities in Action: Building a Better Pennsylvania is part of a new series that will feature local elected officials and community leaders working on behalf of their communities to create opportunities and improve people’s everyday lives.
David Lewis with Michael Tukeva of Pocono Mountains United Way and PJ O’Brien of United Way of Bucks County
SEE THE IMPACT
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN (ARP) FUNDS
Partnership with Lehigh County:
This funding stabilized 140 agencies, allowing them to keep their doors open, providing rental assistance, access to food, supporting youth programs to combat COVID learning losses, bridging the digital divide and reducing social isolation for seniors.
Organizations like Bradbury Sullivan LGBT Center used this funding to ensure that they could keep their building clean and safe enough to offer in-person support services for LGBTQ community members.
Unidos provided 100 K-12 students with laptops, mobile hotspots, headphones and more to bridge the digital divide.
New Bethany Ministries used the funding to support food access in their food pantry and meal center.
Cohesion Network used the funds to support community block ambassadors and neighborhood engagement initiatives.
CHILD TAX CREDIT
Over 44% of households (122,000 families) in the Greater Lehigh Valley are living paycheck to paycheck and 1 in 10 are food insecure (1 in 6 are kids).
Part of a population that earns above the Federal Poverty Level but makes less than what’s needed to afford basic essentials. We call this ALICE – Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. 37% of households with children are ALICE in the Greater Lehigh Valley
The child tax credit had an immediate and direct impact on ALICE families with children. Enabled them to cover childcare, food costs, ensure that they were in stable housing.
UWGLV was able to supplement this with programming like:
Full Cart (food pantry delivery program) – 350 individuals served
BankOn (partnership with the City of Allentown to create banking product for the unbanked)
2,587 families connected with food assistance and 495 families connected to housing assistance through United Way Community Schools
EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Of the 2,700 calls to PA 211 (our state’s health and human services help line, powered by United Way) from our region in the past month, 63% of callers were seeking housing resources.
More than half of all renters and more than a quarter of all homeowners in the Lehigh Valley are burdened by their housing costs.
UWGLV supports the Lehigh Valley Regional Homeless Advisory Board, whose members issued tens of millions of dollars of rental assistance to families. In one year, $13 million was distributed and over 4,000 evictions were prevented.
We are also engaged in efforts to provide eviction defense services as well as engage landlords to expand the amount of safe, affordable homes for low-income families.
INFLATION REDUCTION ACT
The Inflation Reduction Act will protect Medicare recipients from catastrophic drug costs by phasing in a cap for out-of-pocket costs and establishing a $35 cap for a month’s supply of insulin.
57% of our senior population is living paycheck to paycheck.
There has been a 60% increase in food insecurity among older adults since the pandemic started.
Prescription drug costs were cited as one of the top concerns from older adults in our region.
Seniors on Medicare will be able to spend money that would have been spent on prescription drugs to boost savings, ensure that they are in stable housing and have access to fresh, healthy food.
Part of their United Way campaign kickoff, PPL Corporation hosted a Day Of Caring on September 22 where 200+ energetic volunteers made an impact at 16 nonprofits all across the Lehigh Valley, including: Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank, Camel’s Hump Farm on the Johnston Estate, The Lehigh Valley Humane Society, New Bethany Ministries, Ripple Community Inc., Valley Youth House, The Salvation Army, Allentown Corps, Bloom for Women, Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers (LVCC), Peaceable Kingdom, Phoebe Allentown, Columbia Child Development Program, Wildlands Conservancy, and The Kindness Project: A Foster Care Resource.
Thank you, PPL, for your continued support and dedication to give back to our community.
Photo credit: Marco Calderon Photography/PPL Corporation
On Thursday, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) and Campaign Co-Chairs Vince and Michelle Sorgi hosted the Tocqueville Society Celebration to welcome the newest members and celebrate the long-time supporters and their collective impact on the community. Over 170 people gathered at Mike and Diane Molewski’s residence in Bethlehem with a common stimulus to give back to their community.
UWGLV President, David Lewis, Vince, and Frank Lawler, Co-Chair, Tocqueville Society Cabinet, gave brief remarks that evening announcing PPL’s commitment to the Be a Housing Herocampaign to address homelessness and housing insecurity in the Lehigh Valley through both prevention and intervention services, sharing the importance of giving to United Way and how they can maximize their support to continue making an extensive impact on our students, families and senior population.
Special thanks to our Mike and Diane Molewski for opening their home for this special event.
National Coordinators Appreciation Week is September 19-23 and United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) recognizes the vital role of our Community School Coordinators (CSC’s) and celebrates the transformational impact they make throughout their communities.
To acknowledge and celebrate their vital role, Community School Coordinators will be celebrated nationally for all the work they do to ensure all of our children learn and thrive through the #CoordinatorsRock campaign led by the Institute for Educational Leadership.
The Lehigh Valley Community School Network will help celebrate their work by saying thank you with an appreciation event sponsored by Crayola and hosted at the Banana Factory in Bethlehem.
Community School Coordinators are the unsung heroes of community schools. To all of the CSC’s serving United Way Community Schools, we see you and we thank you for making a difference in our students’ lives.
SEE THE IMPACT
18,888 STUDENTS served in 32 United Way Community Schools
2,587 FAMILIES connected with food assistance
495 FAMILIES provided with housing referrals
United Way Community Schools remove barriers to education, so students, families and communities can thrive. Each school is staffed by a full-time Community School Coordinator who addresses basic needs, promotes family engagement, builds partnerships and coordinates services including:
Basic needs such as food, clothing, hygiene products, school supplies and housing
After-school programming
On-site physical, mental and behavioral health services
Field trips to support school goals, curriculum and child development
United Way Community Schools Improve Student and School Outcomes:
Better math and literacy scores
Increased attendance
More family engagement
Fewer behavior incidents
United Way Community Schools are a collaboration of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Lehigh University, Moravian University, Northampton Community College, St. Luke’s University Health Network, and Communities In Schools of Eastern PA.
With students back in their classrooms this school year, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff visited United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) on Thursday for a roundtable discussion with Allentown leaders to highlight how United Way Community Schools provide wraparound support to local children and their families.
“United Way Community Schools remove barriers to education for more than 19,000 students in 32 high-need schools in our region,” said David Lewis, President, UWGLV during his opening remarks. Community Schools focus on helping students recover academically by ensuring they get the mental health and social emotional wellness supports they need.
Community Schools are meeting basic needs like food, housing, clothing and health care so that kids are ready to learn when they walk into the classroom. “And they work. Community Schools report improved academic performance in literacy and math, better attendance, fewer behavior incidents and more family engagement,” Lewis added.
Community Schools work because a variety of partners – corporate, nonprofit, school districts, families, community members, government – work toward the common goal of student success. But the work continues. One of Emhoff’s priorities is mental health and organizations at the roundtable expressed the need for more parent liaisons, community school coordinators and behavioral health staff members to support their students, families and communities.
“We’re looking at a whole-child approach to learning and one organization alone isn’t going to be able to meet all of those needs,” remarked Jill Pereira, Vice President, Education and Impact, UWGLV. “The collective impact of our Community School model has been proven to work for us throughout the pandemic to administer healthcare, technology and resources and information for basic needs, food and mental health to those impacted the most,” Pereira added.
Leaders at the roundtable shared how their organization plays a role in the collective impact on the community. “St. Luke’s University Health Network is proud to be the lead partner with the United Way Community School partnership at Raub Middle School. This partnership has allowed Raub to become the hub of the community for health and wellness, a safe place for students, parents, partners and staff to work collaboratively and address socioeconomic deficits, food insecurity, housing issues, mental and physical health needs, academic and non-academic aspects of the school life,” said Olga Jaeger, Community School Coordinator at Raub Middle School in the Allentown School District.
Secretary Cardona launched the Road to Success Back to School Tour alongside First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff this week. As part of the Road to Success Bus Tour, Administration leaders will highlight academic and mental health programs and efforts to recruit and support educators funded by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, which provided historic resources to K-12 schools, colleges, and universities to reopen schools and help students of all ages recover.
Cardona and Emhoff stated they will bring the feedback from the roundtable discussion to Washington to inform policy.
United Way Community Schools are a collaboration of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Lehigh University, Moravian University, Northampton Community College, St. Luke’s University Health Network, and Communities In Schools of Eastern PA.
