Valley Youth House

Join Lehigh Valley Anti Trafficking Week for their October Lunch & Learn this Wednesday, featuring special guests from the Safe Exit Initiative! Safe Exit Initiative (SEI) supports individuals involved in the sex trade, whether they choose to remain, are transitioning out, or have already exited. SEI offers a range of services, including a drop-in resource center and an innovative residential treatment program for survivors. The organization is led by co-executive directors Audrey Doody and Courtney Ross Escobar. SEI will also serve as this year’s keynote and guest speakers at their annual LVAT Symposium in November. Get a sneak peek at their expertise during this virtual session on October 9th, from 12 PM to 1 PM via Zoom. Reserve your spot here! https://lnkd.in/e3Yj_aiC

The York School Based Life Skills (SBLS) program still needs your help! 🛒🍳 In this program, our youth come together after school to work on essential life skills and enjoy a meal together. We’re asking for donations of cooking items like griddles, air fryers, crock pots, and more from our Amazon Wishlist to support this incredible program. Not only will these items help us prepare meals for our youth, but they will also empower them by teaching them how to cook for themselves! 🍽️ You can make a difference by donating today! 💙 🛍️ https://lnkd.in/ev_QMU-z #WishlistWednesday #SupportYouth #DonateToday #LifeSkills #YorkPA

Valley Youth House is thrilled to announce $150,000 in funding for its THRIVE Program (Transitional Housing, Resilience, Independence, Victorious, Empowerment), located at the Sasso House. This funding, secured through the dedicated efforts of Pennsylvania State Representative Joshua Siegel, will bolster transitional housing and essential services for female-identifying trafficking survivors in the Lehigh Valley. The investment will ensure that Valley Youth House can continue providing critical resources, including life skills education, mental health support, and housing assistance, to help these vulnerable young women rebuild their lives. The funding was announced during a press conference held at Valley Youth House’s Administrative Headquarters, where Representative Siegel highlighted the importance of supporting youth facing both housing instability and the trauma of trafficking. He spoke passionately about the THRIVE Program's impact, noting, "Programs like this make sure that these young women get a shot to reclaim their lives...What struck me most within the THRIVE acronym is the Victorious component. It’s about taking victims and turning them into victors." The THRIVE Program at the Sasso House serves female-identifying survivors aged 14-21, offering a safe haven with housing, meals, and essential personal items. The program provides comprehensive support, including peer mentorship, addiction treatment, job training, and medical care, empowering residents to reclaim their futures. Since its launch in April 2022, the THRIVE Program has made a profound impact, thanks to the generosity of Patricia Walsh, who purchased the Sasso House. Enriching activities like beach trips, amusement parks, and concerts have helped foster deep bonds between staff and residents. As THRIVE continues its mission, this new funding will enable more survivors to access life-changing resources, helping them heal, gain independence, and embrace a future filled with hope and empowerment. #thrive #trafficking #TraffickingSurvivors #pennsylvania #lehighvalley #philly #philadelphia

Heading back to school is an exciting time for many, but for some, it brings challenges and uncertainty. At Valley Youth House, our case workers and counselors are here to guide youth through their school journey—from the first day to graduation—offering support every step of the way. Kyle Borowski, Child Welfare & Trauma-Focused CBT Program Supervisor, recently shared insights with Lehigh Valley Press about our Truancy Intervention Program (TIP), where we help students and families navigate the obstacles that can impact attendance and success. From providing tutoring and learning support to addressing emotional and social difficulties, our team works closely with the Allentown and Whitehall-Coplay School Districts to create a supportive environment both at school and at home. Programs like TIP help families connect to vital resources such as SNAP benefits, rental assistance, and more—empowering them to thrive, so students can focus on their education. At VYH, we believe education is an investment in the future, and we’re committed to helping families and youth make it to graduation! 🎓 Read our blog post on Attendance Awareness Month here: https://lnkd.in/eC_YRj-J

🎉 WOW! Our 2nd Annual Southeast Setting the Stage event was a great success, raising an incredible $254,550 to support youth across the Greater Philadelphia region! Guests were treated to an unforgettable evening filled with inspiration and celebration. We were beyond thrilled to honor Daniel J. Hilferty, CEO of Comcast Spectacor, as our Distinguished Honoree, alongside our amazing Co-Chairs Greg Deavens, President & CEO of Independence Blue Cross, and Joseph Cacchione MD, MD, FACC, CEO of Jefferson Health. But the night truly belonged to Kymirah, a former VYH client turned advocate, who shared her powerful journey from homelessness to becoming a parent and resource navigator, helping other young people find hope. 💙 "Valley Youth House gave me more than just resources—they gave me a community,” she reflected. 🌟 Her story brought the room to its feet! We can’t thank our supporters enough, including Dan and all of the event sponsors, for their generosity and dedication. Thanks to you, we continue to serve hundreds of vulnerable youth and young adults every day. The night capped off with an epic concert from Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra at the Wells Fargo Center—what a way to celebrate! 🎶🎸 #SettingTheStage #ValleyYouthHouse #EmpoweringYouth #EndYouthHomelessness #CommunityStrong #Philadelphia #Philly

An enormous thank you to Kevin Greene and Faces International, for beautifully capturing the voices of dedicated changemakers opening the doors for youth and families! 🎥

Thank you to all of the dedicated volunteers, who participated in United Way's Day of Caring made such an impact sprucing up at our program spaces at Silk Lehigh Valley and the Lehigh Valley Shelter! #LiveUnited #PartnershipForChange #YouthEmpowerment #StrongerTogether #UnitedWayGLV #ValleyYouthHouse

Valley Youth House is proud to be a partner agency of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley! Through our partnership, we work together to empower and support youth and families in our community. With the help of United Way, we can provide essential services that help young people build brighter futures. Check out this inspiring @UnitedWayGLV video that VYH is featured in! We're excited to share how our collective efforts are making a difference. Thank you, UWGLV, for your ongoing commitment to creating lasting change! https://lnkd.in/ef6MEWQT #LiveUnited #StrongerTogether #UnitedWayGLV #ValleyYouthHouse