Local Impact
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley supporters help to improve the lives of nearly 250,000 people in our community every year.
Building Academic Success and Brightening Futures in United Way Community Schools
At United Way Community Schools, student success is more than academics. It’s about helping children feel supported, connected and confident both inside and outside the classroom.
For 20 years, Community Schools have transformed schools throughout the Greater Lehigh Valley into neighborhood hubs where students and families can access resources, build relationships and gain the support they need to succeed in school and graduate ready for life, college or career. Today, the network serves nearly 20,000 students across 34 schools in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties.
At Cheston Elementary School in the Easton Area School District, that support is helping students like Khloe strengthen academic skills, attend school more consistently and build confidence in the classroom.
Khloe, a fourth grader, says after-school programs helped her continue learning outside the classroom, while support from teachers and classmates helped build her confidence as a reader.
"I feel really confident because my reading scores went up a lot," Khloe said.
Today, she enjoys reading chapter books she once found challenging and dreams of one day becoming a lawyer so she can help others.
At the heart of the Community School model is a commitment to supporting the whole child. By building confidence, strengthening family connections and connecting students to resources and opportunities, Community Schools help children improve academically while developing the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.
When you give to United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, you help students feel seen, supported and encouraged to reach their full potential. Help create more opportunities so every future shines brighter. Give today.
Moving at the Speed of Need: Making Access Possible for Local Families Facing Crisis
When families face unexpected challenges, access to support can make the difference between crisis and stability. Across the Greater Lehigh Valley, your United Way works alongside community partners to help our neighbors navigate difficult times and build a path forward.
Created to address urgent community needs, the Critical Support Fund, a partnership between United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, brought together nonprofits, volunteers, donors and community leaders to quickly to help families access food, emergency shelter, utility assistance and other essential resources during a time of growing need.
“The Critical Support Fund allowed us to move at the speed of need,” said Marci Lesko, President and CEO of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. “When communities work together, we can open doors to opportunity and support families in ways that create lasting impact.”
Through partnerships with Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania, a program of Community Action Lehigh Valley, and other community organizations, resources reach families across Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Monroe counties. Food pantries remain stocked, households have access to essential groceries and families are connected to support that helps them navigate difficult circumstances.
At a time when many neighbors were facing impossible choices between groceries, utilities and other basic needs, community partners work together to ensure more families find stability, support and hope.
Creating pathways to building a solid foundation is at the heart of United Way's Community Stability work. When you give to your United Way, you help open doors to opportunity, strengthen support systems and ensure help is available when and where it is needed most. Give today.
Hope Starts With One Call: Turning Experience Into Opportunity Through PA 211
Sometimes the most powerful support comes from someone who understands what you're going through.
Through a partnership between Bloom for Women, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and PA 211, survivors of trafficking and exploitation are finding pathways to independence while helping neighbors access critical support. Through Bloom's Flourish Workforce Development Program, participants receive training and employment opportunities by serving as PA 211 resource navigators, connecting community members to resources while building skills for long-term career growth.
Since 2023, PA 211 has connected Pennsylvanians to help more than one million times. Every call creates real connections to food, housing, health care, crisis support and other essential services. Since the start of the program, call wait times have decreased and caller satisfaction has increased.
"Often people call 211 when they're facing hardship or a crisis, and to know that when you're picking up the phone, you have someone who knows what it's like and can really offer that one-to-one help is invaluable," said Marci Lesko, President and CEO of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.
For the PA 211 resource navigators participating in the program, the work is more than a job. It is an opportunity to use their experiences to support others and give back to their community.
"I put my heart and soul into every phone call that I answer. I know what they're going through because I've been on the other end of it," said a PA 211 resource navigator.
Today, they are using their voices, experiences and compassion to help others move forward with dignity and hope.
When you give to United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, you help create opportunities, connect neighbors to support and ensure more families have what they need to shine bright. Give today.