The annual Philly Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is a count of all persons experiencing homelessness on the streets, in a shelter, and other temporary or unstable housing in order to estimate the size of the population in need of housing and supportive services. This year, Philly PIT Count will take place on February 23, 2022 and […]

On Monday, January 17, 2021 our nation will commemorate the 93rd Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  This holiday celebrates this civil rights leader’s life and legacy, as he worked tirelessly to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive world. As our nation and local communities continue to struggle with a global pandemic, racial injustices, and […]

On this day, we honor and celebrate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by Abraham Lincoln two years earlier, news regarding the emancipation of slaves had been suppressed by slave owners who were waiting for the war to end. Juneteenth originated in Galveston, Texas in 1865 when General Granger […]

From the desk of Thomas R. Harrington, President & Executive Director, Valley Youth House: Yesterday, a Minnesota jury found Derek Chauvin guilty on all charges in the death of George Floyd. This historic trial and conviction should remind us of the value of every human life. However, we recognize that this case is just the […]

This spring, VYH’s Bridge2Home Host Homes program in Western PA participated in a virtual focus group led by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago about addressing rural youth homelessness. Our Bridge2Home: a Host Homes program connects youth (ages 16-24) who are experiencing housing instability with volunteer homes in in Allegheny (ages 18-24), Armstrong, Fayette, […]

  Lehigh Valley Anti-Trafficking Awareness week is a seven-day awareness campaign. In 2019, the executives of Lehigh and Northampton counties declared the first full week of November as Lehigh Valley Anti-Trafficking Week. This year’s Lehigh Valley Anti-Trafficking Awareness week will take place from Saturday, November 7, 2020 to Saturday, November 14th, 2020. The mission of […]

Joseph DeFelice, Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, visited Valley Youth House’s Program and Administrative Center in Bethlehem, PA to discuss youth homelessness with VYH, fellow homeless service providers from the Eastern Pa Continuum of Care, and representatives from local political offices. Our guests learned about our efforts in combating […]

Valley Youth House took its #CouchesDontCount campaign to Harrisburg on Monday, June 5th, to advocate for homeless LGBTQ+ youth to legislators and visitors in the capitol building. With the support of Representative Brian Sims, a Philadelphia-based politician and dedicated advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, VYH occupied the capitol rotunda with a couch to raise awareness about […]

On June 5th, Valley Youth House will hold an advocacy event in Harrisburg to raise awareness about the high prevalence of homeless LGBTQ+ youth in the United States. VYH will occupy the capitol rotunda with a couch on which legislators and supporters may take photos. Representatives from VYH will also be available to speak about youth homelessness. The […]

Valley Youth House was recognized by the True Colors Fund and the city of Philadelphia Mayor’s office for our work to end LGBTQ youth homelessness. As part of the recognition, a proclamation was read nationwide and signed by Mayor Kenney to announce that 4/26 would be #40toNone Day.  #40toNone Day represent thea pproximately 40% of youth experiencing […]