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.  

News

Children from 4 Elementary Schools in the Region Receive Books on Read Across America Day

March 09, 2021
elementary school children with Lehigh Valley Reads mascot, Corey

Elementary school students were surprised with a visit from Corey the apple on March 2, 2021 to kick off Read Across America Day. Corey arrived with the teams from Lehigh Valley Reads and United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley to celebrate the day by safely delivering books and other educational supplies to the students. Corey and the teams visited Five Points in Bangor, SS Palmer in Palmerton, Sheckler in Catasauqua and Cetronia in Parkland.

March also marks the start of the largest Lehigh Valley-wide reading challenge, the Million Minute Challenge. Lehigh Valley Reads is building a community of readers to make the Lehigh Valley a place of opportunity for all. Individuals, families, schools, and organizations can accept the challenge by visiting LehighValleyReads.org/Million to register. The challenge is free, easy, and open to all ages.

News

Veronica Gonzalez of Valley Health Partners Joins United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley Board of Directors

March 02, 2021
Veronica Gonzales 2023

United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s Board of Directors is proud to announce the appointment of Veronica Gonzalez, Executive Director of Valley Health Partners Community Health Center to a two-year term, effective immediately.

“We are grateful that Ms. Gonzalez has joined United Way in fighting for the health, safety and education of every person in the Greater Lehigh Valley. She is a champion for the health of our community, and her support will be instrumental in advancing our work,” said Board Chair Joanne Raphael, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of PPL Corp.

United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley raises funds and invests in lasting solutions in the areas of education, healthy aging, food access and emergency services.

“We’re focused on stabilizing our children, our families and our seniors as we help the community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re fortunate to benefit from the health-care expertise that Ms. Gonzalez brings to our Board of Directors,” remarked David Lewis, President, UWGLV.

Veronica Gonzalez, MBA, is the Executive Director of Valley Health Partners Community Health Center (VHP). She has over 12 years of healthcare administration experience with expertise in process improvement, leadership, fiscal responsibility and community-based program management. Gonzalez began her healthcare career at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) in 2005, first working as a secretary and later as a trained medical interpreter. Always an advocate for the underserved, she held leadership positions overseeing the Interpreter Services Department of LVHN, the Centro de Salud– Latino Health Initiative, the Center for Women’s Medicine and served as the Administrator of the Community Practices that transitioned to VHP at LVHN 17th Street Campus where the community receives culturally-sensitive quality healthcare services. In her current role as Executive Director, Gonzalez closely collaborates with the VHP Board of Directors to establish long-term strategic goals to effectively deliver high-quality healthcare to Valley Health Partners’ patient population.

Gonzalez has received several community service awards including the Hispanic Research Organization Award, the LVHN Service Star Award, the United Way Volunteer Leadership Award and most recently the Distinguished Alumni Honoree Award from Northampton Community College.

Gonzalez holds an associate’s degree in healthcare administration from Northampton Community College, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from The Wescoe School of Muhlenberg College and a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in health care management systems from DeSales University. Gonzalez also serves as a board member of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation where she participates in their Community Relations Committee and Investment Committee.

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See the Impact: Raub Middle School families receive $37,000 gift card donation from Faith Church of Allentown this winter

February 18, 2021
Community members of Faith Church of Allentown pulled together to donate $37,000 worth of food gift cards for Raub Middle School families to alleviate some of the pressure this winter.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone emotionally, physically and financially. Community members of Faith Church of Allentown pulled together to donate $37,000 worth of food gift cards for Raub Middle School families to alleviate some of the pressure this winter.
 
“When COVID-19 hit the Lehigh Valley, our church family was moved to love our neighbors in tangible ways. The opportunity to partner with Raub Middle School provided ways for our family to show love in a variety of practical ways that allowed everyone to get involved,” said in a statement received on behalf of Faith Church.
 
Raub Middle School is a Community School located in the Allentown School District. In partnership with St. Luke’s University Health Network, United Way Community Schools level the playing field for students, families and schools in under-resourced areas.
 
“Our community school efforts at Raub Middle School continue to expand and thrive every year,” said Jaclyn Hudak, Community School Coordinator for Raub Middle School, supported by St. Luke’s Hospital. “As we were all hit with these unprecedented times, the work that we do has been tremendously supportive for our students and families now more than ever. Even through this health crisis, our 5th year as a Community School continues strong and we are eager to collaborate with our partners to support our local neighborhoods and youth together,” she added.
 
Faith Church connected with Raub’s mission and offered to adopt the school through the pandemic. “We have spawned an organic relationship that has helped lift a community deeply in need of support, care and kind hearts,” shared Jose Delgado, Principal at Raub Middle School. “One can only imagine how grateful and surprised we have been to watch this new partnership with Faith Church cultivate into something beyond measure that is directly serving the needs of our families,” added Izzy Vasquez, After School Coordinator at Raub Middle School, and another community school staff member employed by St. Luke’s Hospital.
 
For the Thanksgiving holiday, about 130 families picked up turkeys and food boxes donated by the church at Raub’s first drive-by Thanksgiving Fall Harvest event. “When we hear from families, ‘because of you, we eat great tonight,’ we are reminded of the good work that we do as a community of partners and WHY we are here to serve,” said Izzy.
 
The partnership also provided approximately $250,000 worth of renovations to the school which included construction, painting and landscaping. “Faith Church has helped us physically transform our building so that students feel safe and nurtured,” said Principal Delgado. “The church has helped us develop a culture and climate where everyone feels loved and cared for,” he added.
 
“Adapting to this new ‘norm,’ we continue our groundwork in the field and community to further support our families in highest need,” Jacki said. “On behalf of Raub Middle School, THANK YOU for all your hard work and continued dedication to our school and families.”
 
“This is a great example of the power of the community school model: needed services co-located at the school to better support students and families and engaging the larger community to rally in support of struggling families and schools,” said Beth Tomlinson, Senior Director of Education, UWGLV. “We talk about the African proverb, ‘it takes a village to raise a child,’ which is so true; and at heart, every community school is trying to build that supportive village for every child, family and school who needs it.”

News

United Way Women United Provides Additional $25,000 to Support Lehigh Valley Children and Families

January 21, 2021

United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley Women United has announced an additional $25,000 in funding for two special impact initiatives aimed at supporting local women and children, including:

  • $13,600 for the Allentown Freedom Schools Partnership and
  • $11,400 for a parent and community course in Trauma Informed, Restorative Practices, Emotional Intelligence and Equity (T.R.E.E.) in partnership with Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley and Resilient Lehigh Valley.

“We are focusing our immediate attention on emerging needs to make an impact when and where the community needs it most,” said Renae Yeager, Chair of Women United’s Signature Projects Committee. “Furthering our investments not only aligns with our existing Women United strategy, but also broadens our reach to address pressing issues such as racial justice and trauma resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

This additional funding of $25,000 brings Women United’s annual investment to a total of $125,000. Other funded projects include programs at ProJeCt of Easton, The Literacy Center of the Lehigh Valley, Allentown School District’s Central Elementary School and New Bethany Ministries.

This announcement comes as United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley joins the Allentown Freedom Schools Partnership, making Women United a catalyst in the effort to elevate and advance the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools Movement across our region.

“When we see emerging needs in the community, our network is always quick to respond and join us as we work together to move important initiatives forward. Women United’s contribution is a testament to the power giving can have to create stronger educational systems that serve every child,” said Erin Connelly, Senior Director, Impact, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.”

Freedom Schools improve student literacy while encouraging Black and Brown children to fall in love with their identities, aligning with United Way strategies to support racial equity and summer learning. Based on the Children’s Defense Fund model and implemented in Allentown by the Resurrected Community Development Corporation, Inc., students in grades K-12 participate in an intensive learning that includes literacy, enrichment, parent and family involvement, civic engagement and social action, intergenerational leadership development, nutrition, health and mental health.

Additionally, Women United will fund a full session of Trauma Informed, Restorative Practices, Emotional Intelligence and Equity (T.R.E.E.) for families in high-need, United Way-supported Community Schools. In partnership with Resilient Lehigh Valley, Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley’s T.R.E.E. program coaches parents in the face of trauma and adversity, equipping families with tools to manage toxic stress and build resilience to break the cycle of family and community trauma.

“Our network of passionate women has been making great strides to strengthen our impact by considering new investment opportunities,” said Laurie Siebert, President, Women United. “By strategically contributing to innovative collaborations, we can continue to build resources that create equitable access for children and families to achieve their full potential. We welcome other passionate women to join our cause and further the impact.”

An affinity group of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Women United has invested more than $1.4 million into the local community since 2002. For more information, contact [email protected] or visit www.unitedwayglv.org/wu.