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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

News

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:

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:

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.

News

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

January 22, 2025
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
2025 Tocqueville Winter Welcome
view the full photo gallery

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.

News

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.

Air Products Retiree celebration
Air Products Retiree celebration
Air Products Retiree celebration
Air Products Retiree celebration
Air Products Retiree celebration
Air Products Retiree celebration
Air Products Retiree celebration
Air Products Retiree celebration
Air Products Retiree celebration
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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. 

AmeriCorps Holiday Gathering
AmeriCorps Holiday Gathering
AmeriCorps Holiday Gathering
AmeriCorps Holiday Gathering
AmeriCorps Holiday Gathering
AmeriCorps Holiday Gathering
AmeriCorps Holiday Gathering
AmeriCorps Holiday Gathering

News

Round Up to Donate at Weis

January 07, 2025
Weis Round Up to Donate

United Way and Weis Markets partner to offer you another way to support your community. All round-ups at self-checkout during January 2025 will directly support your local United Way.

So, choose YES when checking out to support your neighbors in need.

United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is proud to partner with our local businesses and organizations to develop innovative ways to give back to our community.

News

Sharing the Success with Chris Martin and Marci Lesko | A Closer Look

January 03, 2025
United Way CEO Marci Lesko with WDIY's Laurie Hackett and Chris Martin of Martin Guitar
Listen to the podcast

On the December 23, 2024 episode of WDIY’s A Closer Look, host Laurie Hackett welcomes Chris Martin, Executive Chairman of C.F. Martin & Co., to talk about his work as this year’s United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley campaign chair. He shares his belief in the importance of sharing the community’s story, and the joy of asking people to give.

Then, Laurie talks more about United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley as a whole with CEO Marci Lesko. Marci explains the organization’s outreach, discusses why she wanted to take on such a high leadership position and the unstated agreement in the area that everyone will play a part.

A Closer Look explores the many nonprofit organizations throughout the Lehigh Valley. New episodes air the last Monday of every month from 6:30 to 7:00 PM following Lehigh Valley Arts Salon.

News

Community Groups Unite to Launch Cedar Street Fire Fund to Support Displaced Families

December 27, 2024

To offer swift financial support to the families and residents affected by the December 26 fire in the 700 block of Cedar Street in Allentown, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and partners have established the Cedar Street Fire Fund. The community groups have united quickly to raise funds and coordinate relief efforts for victims of the fire with partners and responders including City of Allentown.

The fire destroyed or significantly damaged 10 households, displacing 30 residents, including three children, during the heart of the holiday season. The American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter provided relief to the impacted residents in the immediate aftermath of the fire, including shelter, food, and emergency supplies. Now, United Way will work with partners to provide long-term assistance, with 100% of funds going to aid those affected by this disaster.

“For families facing the unimaginable loss of their homes during this holiday season, United Way remains focused on providing critical support during this challenging time. Through this partnership with trusted Allentown organizations, we are ensuring that every dollar donated is responsibly managed and directly benefits those affected by the fire,” stated Marci Lesko, Chief Executive Officer of United Way.

Donations can be made online at this secure website or via mail (checks payable to UWGLV, 1110 American Parkway NE, Suite F-120, Allentown, PA 18109 – attention “Cedar Street Fire Fund”). Additionally, individuals interested in making a donation can text “ALLENTOWN” to 40403. Gift card donations are also encouraged.

For additional information or questions on the fund, contact Laura McHugh at 610-807-5701.