UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY

COMMUNITY IMPACT INVESTMENTS: IN SUPPORT OF OUR 2030 GOAL OF INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS READY TO LEARN AND SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL, OUR EDUCATION INVESTMENTS TOTALED $6,653,977; PROVIDING APPROXIMATELY 61,076 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH EARLY LITERACY SKILLS SUPPORT, HIGH-QUALITY EARLY LEARNING, PARENT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION, SUMMER KINDERGARTEN READINESS AND SKILL-BUILDING COURSES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS AS WELL AS PROVIDING ELEMENTARY- AND MIDDLE-SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH TARGETED ACADEMIC INTERVENTIONS, SUMMER LEARNING, MENTORING, POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES AND FAMILY CASE MANAGEMENT. SEE ADDITIONAL INFO ON SCHEDULE O.IN SUPPORT OF OUR 2030 GOAL OF INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE OF OLDER ADULTS CONNECTED WITH RESOURCES THAT IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE, OUR HEALTHY AGING INVESTMENTS TOTALED $594,313 PROVIDING 9,475 OLDER ADULTS AND CAREGIVERS WITH CONNECTIONS TO RESOURCES INCLUDING GROCERY-SHOPPING SERVICES, FALL-PREVENTION PROGRAMS, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, CHRONIC DISEASE PROGRAMS AND IN-HOME SUPPORT SERVICES. IN SUPPORT OF OUR 2030 GOAL OF INCREASING COMMUNITY SAFETY AND STABILITY THROUGH FOOD, HOUSING AND MENTAL HEALTH, OUR COMMUNITY STABILITY INVESTMENTS TOTALED $2,719,417, AND CONNECTED MORE THAN 109,822 PEOPLE TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES THROUGH HOUSING SUPPORTS; THE PA211 HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HELPLINE; FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS SUCH AS PANTRIES, MEAL CENTERS AND SUMMER MEAL DISTRIBUTIONS; RESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS, AND CRISIS AND DISASTER RESPONSE.AGENCY DESIGNATIONS ACHIEVEMENTS: UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY HONORS DONOR REQUESTS TO DESIGNATE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO ANY 501(C)(3) AGENCY WITH HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS. UNITED WAYS AROUND THE COUNTRY PERFORM THIS SERVICE FOR AGENCIES AS A COURTESY TO DONORS.LEHIGH VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS: UNITED WAY OF GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY INVESTS IN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS THAT IMPROVE ACADEMIC OUTCOMES BY REMOVING BARRIERS TO LEARNING. THIS APPROACH ENSURES ACCESS TO SAFE AND STABLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS WHERE EVERY CHILD CAN BELONG AND EVERY CHILD CAN THRIVE. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 34 LEHIGH VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS SERVING APPROXIMATELY 20,000 KIDS IN FIVE LEHIGH VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICTS: ALLENTOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT, BANGOR AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT, BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT, EASTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT AND PANTHER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT. UNITED WAY SERVES AS THE CONVENER AND THOUGHT LEADER IN MOBILIZING SCHOOL DISTRICT LEADERSHIP, PRINCIPALS AND STAFF WHO LEAD THE VISION AT EACH SITE, AND TEAM OF PARENTS, EDUCATORS, COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS PARTNERS. THEY INVEST IN STAFFING AND SUPPORTS THAT IMPROVE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN READING AND MATH, INCREASE STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND ENGAGE MORE FAMILIES IN THEIR CHILDREN'S LEARNING. AGE-FRIENDLY LEHIGH VALLEY: RECOGNIZED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND AARP NETWORK OF AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES, AGE-FRIENDLY LEHIGH VALLEY IS A COLLECTIVE IMPACT COALITION DEDICATED TO BUILDING A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO AGE SUCCESSFULLY. LED BY UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY AGE-FRIENDLY LV FOCUSES ON KEY AREAS INCLUDING HEALTH SERVICES, SOCIAL PARTICIPATION AND SOCIAL INCLUSION.OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES: OUR UNITED WAY RESPONDS QUICKLY EMERGING NEEDS, INCLUDING IMMEDIATE DISASTER RELIEF AND CRISIS SUPPORT. OVER $34,000 WAS RAISED TO SUPPORT 110 INDIVIDUALS DISPLACED BY MULTI-UNIT FIRES IN ALLENTOWN AND EASTON. 100% OF CONTRIBUTIONS DIRECTLY AIDED PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE FIRES.TEENWORKS IS A UNIQUE COLLABORATION OF LOCAL TEENS, LABOR UNIONS AND MEMBERS AND UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY. GUIDED BY A VOLUNTEER BOARD OF TEENS AND LABOR LEADERS, TEENWORKS HAS PROVIDED MORE THAN $500,000 IN GRANTS TO SUPPORT 500+ COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS LED BY TEENS.RESILIENT LEHIGH VALLEY'S HANDLE WITH CARE INITIATIVE, A PROGRAM THAT ENABLES LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COMMUNICATE WITH SCHOOLS WHEN A CHILD HAS EXPERIENCED A TRAUMA, CONNECTED 796 YOUTH TO SCHOOL-BASED SUPPORT SERVICES.THROUGH A NEW HOUSING HERO INITIATIVE, UNITED WAY INVESTED $500,000 INTO EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND SHELTER PROGRAMMING TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS RATES AND MEET THE GROWING NEED FOR SAFE, STABLE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING. ALMOST 1,000 PEOPLE HAD ACCESS TO EMERGENCY SHELTER, AND ANOTHER 164 FAMILIES OR HOUSEHOLDS WERE ABLE TO AVOID EVICTION AND MAINTAIN STABLE HOUSING WITH FUNDING AVAILABLE THROUGH THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.