Local Impact
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Support Beyond the Classroom: Helping Students Thrive Through Community Schools
At United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, we know that thriving students are the foundation of thriving communities. But for many families, barriers like mental health, physical challenges or inconsistent access to support can make that path harder.
United Way Community Schools are designed to help. With a full-time coordinator in each building, Community Schools connect students and families to resources like after-school programs, food, clothing and mental health care, removing the obstacles that stand in the way of learning.
For Nahla, a fourth grader at Paxinosa Elementary School in Easton, mornings used to bring a sense of dread. Her anxiety made walking into a classroom full of unfamiliar faces overwhelming. She missed school often, but things began to shift with help from the school’s United Way-supported resources. With patience and encouragement, Nahla began easing into her days, one step at a time.
Across the region at Panther Valley Elementary in Nesquehoning, third-grader Arietta faced a different challenge. As a wheelchair user, inconsistent nursing coverage once kept her home for more than a month at a time. But thanks to her Community School Coordinator and caring educators, Arietta was present and engaged all year. Her mom says she’s now a social butterfly, gaining confidence and independence every day.
“When families feel supported, they put that time and effort into the school that’s providing that support,” said Dr. Paula Jones, Principal at Panther Valley. “It makes a difference with attendance. It makes a difference with academics.”
When we surround students like Nahla and Arietta with what they need to succeed, we lay the foundation for stronger communities, because when we are UNITED, we thrive. Give today.
Finding Stability: How a United Way Community Hub Helped a Family in Crisis Rebuild
When Francisca’s landlord suddenly decided to sell the home she shared with her children, she had no choice but to use her savings to pay for a hotel. What she thought would be a short-term solution quickly became unsustainable. After two months, the money was gone, and the future felt uncertain.
“I had nothing—No money, no support,” Francisca said. “I was struggling just to get my kids to school.”
Everything changed when her daughter’s school, Donegan Elementary, a United Way Community School in the Bethlehem Area School District, referred her to the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley, one of five United Way Community Hubs in the region. There, Francisca found the connection and compassion she needed.
“They made me feel like I wasn’t alone,” she shared.
With support from staff and a network of trusted partners, the Hispanic Center helped Francisca apply for food assistance and Medicaid benefits, connected her to the food pantry and assisted with referrals for rental support. Within a week, she and her children had a new place to call home.
“We’re proud to be one of five United Way Community Hubs in the region,” said Hispanic Center’s Marshalena Agosto. “It allows us to do this work in a way that’s deeply rooted in trust, culture and connection.”
Francisca’s story is a powerful reminder that when families are met with care and community, they don’t just recover. They rebuild with dignity and hope, showing that UNITED, we thrive. Give today.
United Way Supports Students’ Mental Health and Success in School
When children experience trauma, it negatively impacts their ability to learn, form relationships and succeed in the classroom. Too often, trauma-impacted children and teens shut down, zone out, act out, or self-harm, and have worsened school attendance, behavior, academics and health outcomes.
The youth mental health epidemic is rising with more children reporting that they experienced traumatic events in and outside of home. Growing up with trauma, Chief Michelle Kott of the Bethlehem Area Police Department understands the deep impact of trauma and how it can negatively impact youth’s mental and physical health.
My trauma has stayed with me, and it’s important that I’m out in the community letting others know that they are resilient and aren’t alone.
To help children exposed to trauma, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley launched Pennsylvania’s first Handle With Care program in the Safe 2 Say System. Through Handle With Care, law enforcement and first responders provide schools with an early alert that a student may have experienced something traumatic outside of school prompting staff to handle them with care. Staff assess the student’s physical and emotional wellbeing and connects the child to any additional support services they might need.
Since its launch in 2020, over 1,000 students throughout the region received support through Handle With Care communication.
Direct your gift to United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley to help fund critical programs like Handle With Care to support students who have been exposed to trauma. Give today.
