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United Way Awards $250,000 in Funding through UNITED for Mental Health Grants

February 11, 2025

United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley announces $250,000 in grants through two new funding initiatives—Youth Mental Health Innovation Grant and United for Veterans’ Mental Health Grant, to address the region’s growing mental health crisis. With intentional investments, United Way can support innovative projects that prioritize and enhance the mental well-being of young people and programs and initiatives that make mental health resources and support available to veterans.

“At United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, we’re dedicated to addressing the growing need for mental health services for everyone in our community,” said Marci Lesko, Chief Executive Officer of United Way. “We want children, families, older adults and veterans to feel seen, heard, understood and supported. We’re honored and excited to provide support for prevention-based and intervention-based solutions, to empower youth to be a part of the solution and raise awareness.”

Across the nation, mental health needs are rising rapidly, creating substantial impacts on all parts of life including physical health, quality of life and even a student’s ability to learn in school. In fact, the U.S. Surgeon General has described declining mental health among youth as the crisis of our time. In the Greater Lehigh Valley:

39% of youth report feeling depressed most days,
40% of adults report symptoms of depression or anxiety,
25% of seniors report feeling isolated from their community, and
The suicide rate is 34% higher than the state average, with Carbon County reporting the highest suicide rate among veterans in Pennsylvania.

Donors contributed to the UNITED for Mental Health initiative during United Way’s 2023 annual campaign chaired by Tony and Adrienne DaRe of BSI Corporate Benefits. “As our campaign focused on mental health, we were deeply moved by the personal stories shared by many. We saw firsthand how United Way was working to create solutions to make a real difference, and it was inspiring to witness the strong desire to further strengthen those efforts. We’re proud to know that the funds raised will go directly to programs that connect children, parents, veterans and their families to the critical services they need most,” said Tony and Adrienne DaRe.

The following organizations began receiving grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 in January.

Youth Mental Health Programs and Initiatives:

Aevidum – Louis E. Dieruff High School Aevidum Club, Paws Place ($2,500) – Mental Wellness space, named Paws Place, will provide students with a peaceful environment to relax, recharge and manage stress. Paws Place will also house the school social workers office and in-school telehealth counseling center.
Allentown Public Theatre, After-School Youth Theater Teen Mentorship Program ($10,000) – The program engages students from middle school through high school and fosters active listening, awareness and compassion, alongside acting and critical thinking development.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley, Sports Buddies Mentoring Program ($10,000) – The program combines evidence-based mentoring approaches with increased youth access to sports.
Casa Guadalupe Center, Map My Happy Experience ($10,000) – This experience will consist of in-depth research of what factors matter for a youth to be a happy young person in Allentown.
Community Bike Works, Rooted in Nature ($6,000) – Rooted in Nature is aimed at supporting youth mental health through nature, nutrition and community building.
Fine Feather Foundation, Inc., Excelsior After-School Program ($10,000) – The program promotes a healthy lifestyle for children aged 10-14 years old from Harrison Morton Middle School in the Allentown School District while also emphasizing mental health awareness and creative expression.
Grace Deliverance Baptist Church, Youth Retreat ($2,500) – A youth retreat for 15 core youth leaders to create a safe space for youth to build their leadership with a life coach and talk about their challenges while learning tools to overcome them.
Lehigh Valley Community Broadcasters Association, Inc., You Are Not Alone Lehigh Valley Program ($9,000) – The youth media program is hosted by two local teenagers and explores a variety of topics related to mental health and how it impacts thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
Northampton Community College – Bangor Area High School, 5K Race ($2,500) – Hosting a 5K that will address youth mental health by bringing awareness to the problems many students face, empowering more students to speak up.
The Ortiz Ark Foundation, Youth Resilience and Empowerment Program ($10,000) – The program will support a comprehensive sports-based approach to improving youth mental health, focusing on emotional resilience, peer support and social skill development through baseball and basketball.
Paradigm One – Leon Gonzalez – Being Phenom(enal) Program ($5,000) – This program would offer mentorship from 17-year-old Leon Gonzalez to other young men who find themselves in difficult circumstances, offering a space for them to express how they are feeling and also provide discipline and confidence moving forward.
Pinebrook Family Answers ($25,000) – Funding supports family and school-based mental health programming across the Lehigh Valley.
Preventative Measures Foundation, TeleWell App ($10,000) – To address the mental health challenges faced by low-income commuter students at Lehigh Carbon Community College, the Preventive Measures Foundation is partnering with TeleWell, an online platform providing accessible mental health services to provide access to professional counseling, real-time chat/text services and meditation tools to help manage stress and anxiety.
St. Luke’s University Health Network, Aevidum Programming Extension ($2,500) – Extending the Aevidum programming will provide resources, messaging, campaigns and stress reduction materials related to mental health at Paxinosa and Cheston Elementary Schools and Easton Area Middle School, United Way Community Schools in the Easton Area School District.
Touchstone Theatre, Building Bridges Program ($10,000) – Expansion of the program to create a “Mini- Bridges” program for Bethlehem Area School District elementary school students with social, emotional and behavioral difficulties.
Valley Youth House ($25,000) – Funding supports youth education, school-based counseling, attendance support and other preventive youth-focused mental health programs.

Veterans’ Mental Health Programs and Initiatives:

Battleborne ($20,000) – Enhance Battleborne’s veteran program and expand their reach into Carbon County and its rural areas to build out key initiatives that promote mental health and resilience, ensuring veterans, first responders and their families in these underserved communities receive the support they need to reintegrate successfully into civilian life.
Penn Foundation, St. Luke’s Victory for Veterans Program ($20,000) – This community-based peer support and case management program is offered at no cost to veterans and their families living in Carbon County who are actively struggling with suicidality. The Program is co-located at a St. Luke University Health Network’s site with the Carbon County Veterans Affairs (VA) Office called Veteran’s Hub.
River Crossing YMCA, Veterans Wellness Initiative (VWI) ($20,000) – This positive, uplifting, free 12-week program focuses on the total health of veterans.
Valley Health Partners, Veterans in Recovery (VIR) Program ($20,000) – This program provides veterans and their family members with integrated, veteran-centered care that meets the clinical and non-clinical needs they face, removing barriers to care, delivering quality integrated health care and building a better community through recovery and connection.
Victory House of Lehigh Valley, Social Work Supervisor ($20,000) – This funding will support a dedicated social work supervisor to oversee social work interns from local colleges and universities. This position aims to ensure high-quality supervision, professional development and enhanced service delivery to Victory House of Lehigh Valley clients.

Funding through the UNITED for Mental Health grants also supports training on trauma-informed approaches via United Way’s Resilient Lehigh Valley initiative.

News

February 11 is 211 Day: Connecting Our Community to Critical Resources

February 11, 2025

PA 211 is a free, confidential helpline that connects people to essential services like housing, food, healthcare and more—24/7/365. February 11 (2/11) marks 211 Day, a day to raise awareness of this vital service and recognize its impact in communities across the U.S. and Canada.

Across the Greater Lehigh Valley, more residents than ever are reaching out for support. Calls to 211 have increased by 34% since 2022, with housing and shelter support making up 63% of all requests—the highest in Pennsylvania.

211 BY THE NUMBERS

36,000+ calls, texts, and web inquiries in 2024
Lehigh and Northampton Counties rank #1 and #2 in PA for housing assistance requests
1 in 4 requests are for food, healthcare, and utilities support

PA 211 is here 24/7/365, ensuring that nearly 22,000 local residents get connected to the critical resources they need.

When a crisis hits, knowing where to turn makes all the difference.

Dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898-211 for help today.

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Small Acts, Big Impact: United Way Employees and AmeriCorps VISTAs Bring Warmth and Growth to the Community

February 04, 2025

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley employees and AmeriCorps VISTAs participated in a series of service projects dedicated to strengthening the community through acts of kindness and connection.

On January 23, volunteers gathered at Ramos Elementary School, a United Way Community School in the Allentown School District, to support the construction of garden beds. Through this initiative, volunteers contributed to a long-term project that will serve as an educational tool and a source of support for the school community.

That same day, another group of volunteers spread warmth and cheer through a pop-up hot chocolate bar at Lehigh Valley Active Life. United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley partnered with the organization to provide members with a simple yet meaningful act of service that brought smiles and warmth to many on a cold winter day.

These efforts are part of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s ongoing commitment to honoring the legacy of Dr. King through action, service and meaningful engagement.

Americorp Vistas build garden beds at Ramos Elementary School for MLK Day

Hot Chocolate Pop Up at LV Active Life for MLK Day

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HNL Lab Medicine and United Way Launch New Community School Partnership with Allentown School District to Advance Student Success

February 03, 2025

Welcome Corporate Partner - HNL Lab Medicine

HNL Lab Medicine becomes corporate partner with ASD’s South Mountain Middle School to provide funding for staffing and resources to meet students’ and families’ basic needs, increase school attendance and improve engagement.

HNL Lab Medicine is deepening its commitment to advancing the academic success of our region’s students by becoming a leading partner with South Mountain Middle School, a United Way Community School in the Allentown School District. Through this partnership with United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, HNL Lab Medicine will provide funding for staffing and resources to meet students’ and families’ basic needs, increase school attendance and improve engagement in partnership with Communities In Schools of Eastern PA.

“At HNL Lab Medicine, we believe in giving back to the communities we serve. Partnering with United Way to support South Mountain has been a powerful way to invest in the next generation. Education is the foundation for a brighter future, and that starts with empowering our youth through initiatives like this,” said Angela Connell, Vice President of Human Resources at HNL Lab Medicine.

“HNL Lab Medicine and United Way share a passion for improving the quality of life within our community. As a corporate partner of a United Way Community School, HNL Lab Medicine will make a direct impact on individual students and their families,” said Marci Lesko, Chief Executive Officer of United Way. “We’re grateful for their continued support of United Way and our community. When schools have the resources that students and families need and can offer them through a coordinated approach, kids can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.”

United Way’s Community School Network serves nearly 20,000 students in Allentown, Bangor Area, Bethlehem Area, Easton Area and Panther Valley school districts. South Mountain Middle School is the largest of four middle schools in the city of Allentown and serves approximately 1,000 students.

“This initiative demonstrates how we at HNL Lab Medicine are not just healthcare providers but active partners in community growth. The dedication of South Mountain’s staff and students inspires us to contribute in ways that help unlock their full potential. Every child deserves the chance to thrive, and our contribution is a step toward making that vision a reality,” commented Jessica Bargilione, Vice President of Marketing at HNL Lab Medicine.

“As a District, we recognize that student success is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders and have made strengthening partnerships a priority area in our new Strategic Plan,” said Dr. Carol D. Birks, Superintendent/CEO, Allentown School District. “Fostering collaborative partnerships and creating Community Schools allows us to leverage the strengths of the broader community and create a supportive learning environment beyond the classroom. I thank Communities In Schools, United Way and HNL Lab Medicine for their investments in our students and their overall schooling experience.”

Through United Way Community Schools, thousands of students gain access to the resources that they need to grow academically. With goals to demonstrate growth in math and literacy across every school and every grade level, Community School Coordinators activate a network of cross-sector partners to offer a range of services that aim to improve student attendance, increase family engagement and remove barriers to learning. Services include:

basic needs such as food, clothing, toiletries and school supplies;
connections to critical resources such as healthcare and housing;
academic engagement experiences such as field trips and after-school programming;
parent engagement workshops and activities; and
on-site physical, mental and behavioral health services.

“I am thrilled that Communities In Schools of Eastern PA is a part of this exciting partnership between South Mountain Middle School, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and HNL Lab Medicine,” said Philip Parise, Regional Director of Operations at Communities In Schools of Eastern PA. “At Communities In Schools, we are committed to going all in to support students and families in the communities we serve. I am confident that this new partnership is going to help amplify the wonderful work already happening at South Mountain Middle School, increase opportunities for students and ultimately lead to greater impact.”

To learn more about United Way Community Schools, please click here.

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About HNL Lab Medicine
Operating for over 25 years, HNL Lab Medicine is a leading multi‐regional, full‐service medical laboratory providing testing and related services to physician offices, hospitals, long‐term care facilities, employers and industrial accounts. HNL Lab Medicine has more than 50 patient service centers in Pennsylvania and has 14 acute care laboratories within our partners’ hospital sites. Over 1,200 employees, including over 40 board-certified pathologists and scientific directors, work together to provide high-quality, advanced diagnostic testing. Learn more at HNL.com and follow us on Fac

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United Way Awards $300,000 in Grants through Fund for Racial Justice and Equity

January 31, 2025

United Way of Greater Lehigh Valley has announced $300,000 in grants to 18 organizations advancing leadership, prosperity, health and wellness through the Fund for Racial Justice and Equity.

“At United Way, we envision a community where every person belongs, and every person thrives. With intentional investments that remove barriers faced by leaders of color, we can increase access to funding and build a more inclusive nonprofit community,” said Associate Vice President Marci Martinez-Howey.

Since 2020, the Fund has invested $628,000 into 37 organizations and leaders, reaching 32,505 people.

In its second round of grant awards, the following organizations will begin receiving grants ranging from $10,000 to $40,000 this month:

Basement Poetry ($25,000)
Batts Development Group ($40,000)
Black gURLS Rise ($10,000)
Fine Feather Foundation, Inc ($10,000)
Global Hope International ($10,000)
HopeDealersGlobal ($10,000)
InnaStar ($10,000)
Juneteenth Lehigh Valley ($10,000)
LatinosARE ($10,000)
Lehigh Valley Black Church Housing Alliance ($30,000)
Mother2Mother Inc ($20,000)
Movement Moves Media ($15,000)
SELF! ($20,000)
The Preventive Measures Foundation ($10,000)
The Rilyc ($10,000)
The Rising Sun Initiative ($10,000)
The Thrive Hub, Inc. ($25,000)
YWCA of Bethlehem ($25,000)

Projects include support for housing and homeless prevention initiatives, events such as Juneteenth Lehigh Valley, youth programming, health care and wellness services.

Grant funding has been made possible through the contributions of partners and donors, including Crayola and HNL Lab Medicine.

News

Building Brighter Futures: How United Way Community Schools Enhanced Learning in 2024

January 29, 2025

Students enrolled in United Way Community Schools showed academic growth across all schools during the 2023-24 academic year, as highlighted in the organization’s 2024 annual report. Throughout the school year, these schools reported:

Academic growth across all grade levels, outpacing the state and other schools in the region in terms of school-year growth;
38% increase in student attendance since 2021;
229% increase in family engagement since 2021;
94% of families improved stability this year thanks to access to food, health care and financial support;

“The Community School model proves its impact by ensuring students have the resources and support they need to thrive. With the collective impact of our partners and Community School Network, our students are growing academically, socially and emotionally,” shared Marci Lesko, Chief Executive Officer of United Way.

United Way Community Schools serve 19,994 students in 34 public schools in Allentown, Bethlehem Area, Easton Area, Bangor Area and Panther Valley school districts. Salvaggio Academy in Allentown joined the Community Schools network in 2024.

Community Schools improve academic success by focusing on students’ basic needs and build trusting relationships with children and their families by offering a range of services that include:

basic needs support such as food, clothing, toiletries and school supplies;
connections to critical resources such as healthcare and housing;
academic engagement experiences such as field trips and after-school programming;
parent engagement workshops and activities; and
on-site physical, mental and behavioral health services.

Funding and support for United Way Community Schools is provided by United Way donors and Community Schools partners including: Air Products, Allentown School District, Ametek Foundation, Inc., Bangor Area School District, Bethlehem Area School District, Brown-Daub Family of Dealerships, CAI, Capital Blue Cross, City Center Group, Communities In Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania, Crayola, Easton Area School District, HNL Lab Medicine, Just Born Quality Confections, Lehigh University, Moravian University, Moses Taylor Foundation, Northampton Community College, North Star Construction Management, Inc., PPL Corp., St. Luke’s University Health Network, Topper Foundation, United Way TeenWorks, United Way Women United and Victaulic.

For more information on United Way Community Schools, click here.

VIEW THE FULL REPORT

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Lehigh Valley Black Church Housing Alliance Empowers Communities Through Financial Literacy and Homeownership

January 28, 2025

United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s Fund for Racial Justice and Equity (FRJE) is transforming communities by investing in Black and Brown leaders and organizations. One such recipient, the Lehigh Valley Black Church Housing Alliance (LVBCHA), is making a profound impact by addressing the racial wealth gap through financial education, homeownership counseling, and community-based programming.

The mission of LVBCHA is simple yet powerful: to impact generational wealth for families in marginalized communities. The organization accomplishes this by providing financial literacy training, housing counseling and support for individuals navigating the often intimidating process of becoming homeowners.

“We hope to empower future generations to become homeowners and financially aware, breaking cycles of poverty and creating lasting change,” said Pastor Phillip Davis, LVBCHA’s founder and senior pastor of Greater Shiloh Church.

With the support of the FRJE grant, LVBCHA expanded its reach across the Lehigh Valley and beyond, hosting housing seminars at churches in Easton, Allentown, Bethlehem, Stroudsburg and Monroe County. These events created accessible spaces for individuals to learn about homeownership and financial literacy. Over the past year, the organization reached more than 800 participants, with eight individuals beginning the homeownership process—a life-changing step toward building equity and stability for their families.

The seminars were tailored to diverse audiences, including first-time homebuyers, seniors and youth. Classes covered essential topics such as avoiding fraud, credit repair, maximizing social security benefits and reinvesting retirement funds. LVBCHA collaborated with local banks, realtors and financial advisors to provide comprehensive education and demystify the homebuying process. By meeting participants in familiar community spaces, such as churches, the organization created a welcoming, non-intimidating environment for learning.

Key partners in this initiative include Peoples Security Bank & Trust, Fulton Bank and Truist, as well as local realtors like Michele Roy. Financial advisors such as Dr. Constance Mason of Concierge Financial Advisory played an instrumental role in helping participants navigate complex financial decisions.

Looking ahead to 2025, LVBCHA is committed to expanding its programming to reach more individuals and families. Plans include partnering with additional churches across the Lehigh Valley, offering more focused seminars and fostering strong relationships with banking institutions to advocate for equitable practices. The organization is also working toward becoming certified with the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which will provide access to even more resources for the community.

LVBCHA’s work exemplifies the impact of the FRJE grant, which has enabled the organization to build wealth and financial literacy in communities of color across the Lehigh Valley.

“Without United Way’s support, we wouldn’t have been able to touch as many lives as we did,” said Pastor Kristina Davis. “This investment in our work is an investment in the future of our community, and we are so grateful for this opportunity to make a lasting impact.”

United Way awarded the following local organizations with grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 through the FRJE:

Cohesion Network
Epoch Tribe
Financial Literacy Center of the Lehigh Valley
Fine Feather Foundation Inc.
Global Hope International
Greater Community Development Corp.
InnaStar
Juneteenth Lehigh Valley
Lycan Media
LatinosARE
Lehigh Valley Black Church Housing Alliance
Light on the Horizon
Mother2Mother Inc.
Movement Moves Media
Resurrected Community Development Inc.
SELF!
The Rilyc
The Rising Sun Initiative
The Thrive Hub Inc.
Unidos Inc.
Vet Beds

Grant funding is made possible thanks to partners and donors who directed their support to the Fund for Racial Justice and Equity, including PPL Foundation, Crayola, Behr, Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation, Truist, Lehigh Valley Community Foundation and United Way Women United.

Learn more about United Way and the FRJE grant program by visiting our Fund for Racial Justice and Equity page.

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Chris Martin of Martin Guitar hosts Tocqueville Society Winter Welcome for new members

January 22, 2025

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United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and 2024 Campaign Chair, Chris Martin, hosted new members at Martin Guitar Factory in Nazareth during a Winter Welcome on Wednesday, January 15th.

New members connected and learned about the impactful work in the community and one attendee walked away with a special Life is Good Ukulele.

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A Season of Giving: Recognizing Air Products Retiree Philanthropy

January 15, 2025

Simon and Ingrid Moore of the Air Products Foundation hosted a celebration to honor the generosity of Air Products Retiree Tocqueville Society members and their impact on our community. In December, attendees gathered at the Moore residence for a holiday-themed gathering with fresh and healthy food provided by the Kellyn Foundation. A special thanks to the Moores for hosting, and to Air Products Foundation and Laurie Hackett for supporting this event.

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Building Sweet Connections: AmeriCorps VISTAs Celebrate the Holidays Together

January 09, 2025

To celebrate the holiday season, over a dozen United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley AmeriCorps VISTAs were joined by staff on December 17 for a team-building activity that involved hot chocolate and gingerbread house making.

AmeriCorps is a national service program administered by PennSERVE (Pennsylvania’s State Service Commission), enrolling individuals in national community service positions. AmeriCorps members represent the best of America, tirelessly serving people and communities across the country. 

One of AmeriCorps values is about building capacity within an organization, which involves connecting with peers and building relationships both professionally and personally. This Gingerbread House Making event is just one way we build connection at United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Your United Way is proud to have AmeriCorps members serve in various positions to gain professional experience. Members work closely with United Way staff and assignments are based in the United Way office in Allentown, school districts and nonprofit organizations throughout the Greater Lehigh Valley.