Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Resource Guide: 2023 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

Today our nation commemorates the 94th 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. Many know that Mrs. Coretta Scott King envisioned this holiday to be designated as a day of service to […]

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Black History Month 2022 at VYH

As our nation celebrates Black History Month, our DEI Committee has put together a 2022 Black History Month Commemorative Guide for all to utilize. In this guide, you will find historical facts, photos and videos that highlight the contributions of African Americans to our society. We hope that this serves as a guide to help […]

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VYH Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance 2022

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 […]

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Valley Youth House’s Project Silk Staff Members Highlighted in Good Morning America’s Inspiration List: Who’s Making LGBTQ+ History Now!

Valley Youth House is excited to announce that two of our Project Silk staff members, Chloe Cole-Wilson and Kenny Screven, were highlighted in Good Morning America’s GMA Inspiration List: Who’s Making LGBTQ+ History Right Now! Kenny nominated Chloe for her passion, dedication, and advocacy in her everyday work to empower and support the LGBTQ+ youth […]

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Juneteenth 2021 Resources

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 […]

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Statement on the Derek Chauvin Trial Verdict

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 […]

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Statement Against Anti-Asian Hate and Violence

From the Desk of Thomas R. Harrington, Executive Director & President, Valley Youth House: At Valley Youth House, we are saddened, angered, and disheartened by the hate targeting people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent nationally since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the recent hate crime against the Asian American & […]

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Valley Youth House MLK Observance 2021

On Monday, January 20, 2021 our nation will commemorate the 92nd 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.  Many know that Mrs. Coretta Scott King envisioned this holiday to be designated as a day of […]

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VYH Hosts World Aids Day Events

Valley Youth House’s Haus of Shadez program in Allentown & GLO program in Harrisburg partnered together to hold a Virtual Ball in recognition of World AIDS Day. Staff were thrilled that 903 young people attended! It really exemplifies how technology can bring us together. Along with the Virtual Ball, HIV/STI testing was available and so […]

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Statement on GLO Program

On September 17, 2020, a group published a statement on its website that contained false information and claims about the GLO program, Harrisburg’s first community center created specifically to serve LGBTQ+ men of color and trans women of color.  Sadly, this statement also specifically targeted a Valley Youth House employee, in an unfounded and personal […]

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