Valley Youth House has received a $5,000 grant award from the Wells Fargo Foundation of the Lehigh Valley to help underwrite services of our Supportive Housing Program (SHP).

The SHP provides funds for rent and security deposits to homeless transition age youth (ages 18-24) and their babies. SHP clients are without family resources and many have been emancipated from the foster care system which puts them at high risk for poor educational attainment, unemployment and chronic homelessness. SHP participants work with Life Skills Counselors toward completing their education, finding employment, and achieving long-term stable housing. In addition, clients learn essential life skills to become self-sufficient adults. In 2016, the Lehigh Valley SHP housed 45 youth and 37 babies. Of the 21 youth who exited the program, 86% had transitioned to stable housing.

“Grants from our community partners such as Wells Fargo are crucial for filling gaps in federal funding,” said Michele Albright, Supportive Housing Program Supervisor. “Our program serves youth who are almost always moving into their first apartments, but core funding is insufficient or nonexistent for necessities such as furniture, household goods, clothing, and other items that really make a house into a home and allow youth to focus on working toward self-sufficient adulthood.”

“Valley Youth House serves as a beacon of hope for our most vulnerable population,” said Laura Haffner, a senior vice president at Wells Fargo. “They believe in preparing youth in transition for success and a better quality of life. That’s a mission we believe in and share with the [Valley Youth House] organization. Wells Fargo is proud to support the meaningful work that they do in the Lehigh Valley community.”

Photo: Michele Albright, Supervisor, Valley Youth House Supportive Housing Program; Harrison Fertig, Grant Writer, Valley Youth House; Laura Haffner, Area President, Lehigh Valley Division, Wells Fargo Bank