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Fall Fest Recap: Goats, Games & Good Times
On November 15th, Community Services for Children (CSC) hosted a remarkably successful Fall Fest in Franklin Park in Allentown, bringing together 250 members of our community for a day filled with autumn festivities. This event provided a wonderful opportunity for friends and neighbors to gather in the spirit of the season, enjoying a variety of fall-themed activities and delicious treats. We invite you to join us as we reflect on the highlights of this memorable day and celebrate the strong sense of community that defines the Lehigh Valley.
Reilly Entertainment Group provided the soundtrack for the afternoon. Their playlist kept the energy high and set the perfect tone for the event. Attendees were on their feet and enjoying the rhythm while they participated in the activities we had in store for them. A big thank you to the team for curating such an awesome musical experience!
Guests enjoyed an array of food and fall-themed treats while listening to the music. The apple cider station was a particular favorite, especially with the children! We extend our gratitude to all the volunteers who generously donated their time to grill the delicious food for the festival.
Attendees had a fantastic time participating in a variety of autumn-themed activities. One of the standout attractions was the opportunity to enjoy goat snuggling thanks to Buttinhead Farms. This was a uniquely heartwarming experience for all ages. In addition to interacting with the adorable goats, guests also took part in several classic and fun fall-themed games like apple fishing.
Families participated in hands-on creative activities, tapping into their inner florists to create beautiful bouquets, getting playful with pumpkin painting, and brightening up their faces with face painting.
Overall, it was a joyful celebration of community, creativity, and togetherness. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us in making this event a success. Together, we created beautiful memories and shared laughter under the golden hues of autumn at Franklin Park. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!
3S33d_admin November 18th, 2025
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Project Child Forum: Safeguarding Kids from Edible Marijuana
Community Services for Children recently hosted the Project Child Forum on October 16, 2025, where 65 individuals from local organizations, including CSC, the Allentown Health Bureau, St. Luke’s, and Lehigh Valley Health Network, came together. Our main goal for the forum was to discuss how to keep kids in our community safe.
The forum promoted collaboration and education among professionals, caregivers, and community partners to enhance child safety and awareness. A significant part of our discussion centered on a serious issue: the risks of edible marijuana for children. Dr. Kevin Osterhoudt, from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), served as the event’s featured speaker and shared crucial information with us.
Dr. Osterhoudt explained that edible marijuana products can look a lot like regular candy or snacks, which can be confusing for kids. This makes it easy for them to accidentally eat these products, which can be extremely harmful and even fatal.
He taught us about the warning signs to look for if a child might have accidentally eaten edible marijuana. More importantly, he gave us simple, practical tips on how to prevent these accidents from happening in the first place. Things like keeping all marijuana products locked away and out of reach, and making sure they are not stored where food is kept, can protect children from toxic exposure.
This meeting reminded us how important it is for all of us to work together to keep children safe. By understanding these dangers and taking simple steps, we can create a much safer environment for all the children in our community. Let’s keep talking, learning, and protecting our little ones!
3S33d_admin November 10th, 2025
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Congressman Mackenzie Visits CSC Downtown
We were pleased to welcome Congressman Mackenzie to our Community Services for Children Downtown location this past Thursday, where he spent time engaging with our youngest learners and their families. During his visit, the Congressman joined a preschool classroom for story time and observed a family workshop, offering a firsthand look at the learning and connections that happen every day within our Head Start program.
We are deeply grateful for his interest in understanding the current landscape of early childhood education and the challenges that programs like ours face in ensuring every child has a strong start. His visit provided a valuable opportunity to discuss both the successes and the ongoing needs of families we serve in the Lehigh Valley.
On a separate occasion, Congressman Mackenzie met with members of our leadership team to learn more about how the recent government shutdown might impact Head Start operations and the families who rely on these essential services.
We appreciate his commitment to listening, learning, and supporting the important work being done for children and families across our community.
3S33d_admin October 20th, 2025
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Community Services for Children Welcomes Over 1,000 Students Back to School
On August 26th, a wave of excitement swept through the Lehigh Valley as Community Services for Children (CSC) welcomed over 1,000 students back for the new school year. The bustling halls were alive with the anticipation of a year filled with growth, learning, and fun, marking a day of fresh starts for all.
From the moment they arrived, children were eager to reunite with old friends, make new ones, and meet their teachers. CSC’s dedicated staff worked tirelessly to create inviting and stimulating learning environments, ensuring every child felt comfortable and ready to embark on their educational journey.
The day was filled with discovery and joy. Laughter echoed from classrooms during engaging story times, and hands-on activities sparked curiosity and exploration. The beaming smiles on the children’s faces as they embraced these new experiences made every effort worthwhile, creating unforgettable moments for everyone involved.
Our incredible teachers and staff are committed to creating a supportive community that nurtures and guides each child and their family throughout the entire school year. We strive to foster an environment where every student can thrive, reach their full potential, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
Enrollment is Still Open!
Community Services for Children is still enrolling for the 2025–2026 school year! If you are seeking a nurturing and enriching educational experience for your child, there’s still time to join our community. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of a year filled with endless possibilities. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and how to enroll!
3S33d_admin September 15th, 2025
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Celebrating Community: The 2025 Donley Awards & Gala
On September 5th, the Northampton Country Club buzzed with excitement as 130 guests gathered for the Community Services for Children’s Annual Donley Awards and Gala. It was a truly special evening, dedicated to recognizing incredible impact and celebrating the work being done to uplift children and families throughout the Lehigh Valley.
The Donley Award honors individuals who champion children’s causes at local, regional, and national levels. It is named after its first recipients, the Donleys, whose lifelong commitment to improving children’s health, education, and welfare led to the establishment of CSC’s Donley Children’s Campus.
This year, we were incredibly proud to honor Michael Grabarits and Dr. Harrison Bailey III with the prestigious 2025 Donley Award. Their tenacity and tireless efforts embody the spirit of this award, and we were thrilled to shine a spotlight on their contributions.
The gala was a great way to highlight CSC’s continued influence in the community. Guests enjoyed a fantastic evening filled with genuine appreciation and a collective commitment to supporting early childhood education. It was inspiring to see so many individuals come together, united by the common goal of building a brighter future for our community’s youngest learners.
Together, we continue to make a difference. The energy and support from the Donley Awards & Gala will undoubtedly fuel our efforts to empower children and families across the Lehigh Valley. We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who attended and contributed to such a memorable evening.
3S33d_admin September 15th, 2025
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ELRC Renovations Bring Enhanced Services to Communities
We’re thrilled to share some exciting updates on the Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) renovations in Reading, Bloomsburg, and Scranton! These improvements are designed to better serve our clients and staff, providing more privacy, convenience, and opportunities for community collaboration.
Reading: Prioritizing Privacy and Professionalism
Our Reading ELRC has been renovated to improve the experience for clients and staff. We now have two private interview rooms for discussing sensitive cases. The staff area is also separate from the public waiting area, which increases privacy.
We created a formal conference room for staff meetings, training sessions, and collaboration. These changes show our commitment to providing a professional and supportive environment for everyone.
Bloomsburg: A Centralized Hub for Community Partnership
We moved our office from Danville to Bloomsburg to help us better serve people in Columbia and Montour Counties. It is part of a new community services building, which gives us meeting spaces, modern offices, and a training room.
By being in this building, we can work closely with other community agencies, such as the Housing Authority, the United Way, a local Food Pantry, the Chamber of Commerce, and a senator’s office. This teamwork helps us meet the overall needs of our community more effectively.
Scranton: Beautiful Space, Enhanced Services, and Key Partnerships
Our Scranton office opened to the public on August 4th, and we are very happy with the results! The office is beautiful, located in an old mill that gets plenty of natural light. This new location has more room and easier parking for our visitors. We now have enough space for our staff and, for the first time, a large conference room that we did not have before.
An exciting part of the Scranton location is our upstairs neighbor: the Maternal & Family Health Services Circle of Care clinic. This clinic provides medical, dental, nutrition, and other services to pregnant women and children, making them a great partner in our mission to support families.
We are making important changes to our facilities to better serve our communities. This investment will help us provide high-quality early learning resources. We look forward to welcoming you to our improved spaces!
3S33d_admin August 25th, 2025
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Thriving Families Wellness & Safety Fair: A Community Celebration in Franklin Park
On July 12, Franklin Park came alive with excitement and community spirit during the inaugural Thriving Families Wellness & Safety Fair. This not-to-be-missed event brought together families, local organizations, and first responders for a day full of fun, learning, and connection. With 18 dedicated community partners sharing valuable resources, attendees had the opportunity to discover support systems and services tailored to strengthen families and promote safety. The event was packed with engaging activities, including games, crafts, face painting, and raffles, providing entertainment for all ages. Hungry participants enjoyed delicious hamburgers and hot dogs. The ice cream truck was a hit with kids and families. Creating unforgettable memories while promoting safety is a wonderful way to educate and inspire children. Kids had the exciting opportunity to meet real firefighters and see how the truck operates during a visit from the fire truck. It was a fun experience that also taught children important safety lessons, making them more aware and prepared in case of an emergency. Engaging activities like these foster a proactive attitude towards safety while leaving a lasting impression of courage and responsibility. The celebration was a tremendous success, attracting over 100 community members who joined us to make meaningful connections and enjoy a day dedicated to thriving families. We’re grateful to everyone who participated and contributed to making this event a fantastic community gathering. Stay tuned for future events as we continue to build a stronger, safer, and more connected community.
3S33d_admin July 25th, 2025
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Parks & Pools 2025
The Community Services Center (CSC) team is excited to connect with you this summer! We’re visiting Allentown’s parks and pools to share information about our resources and services.
Look for the CSC tent to grab some cool swag and learn more about how our diverse programs can support families and individuals. We encourage everyone to stop by and ask questions!
Here’s our schedule:
- July 11: Jordan Park – 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- July 18: Cedar Beach Pool – 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- July 25: Steven’s Park – 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- August 1: Irving Park – 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- August 8: Cedar Beach Pool – 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Stay tuned for more CSC outreach programs, and bring your friends and family! Together, we can build a supportive environment where everyone can thrive. Thank you for being part of our journey!
3S33d_admin July 1st, 2025
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2025 Head Start Alumni Scholarship Winners Announced
We’re thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Head Start Alumni Scholarship, now celebrating its fifth year of empowering former students. Each of the selected recipients will receive a $2,500 scholarship to support their educational aspirations and endeavors. Both winners attended Head Start programs in the Lehigh Valley during their childhood.
This year, we are proud to recognize two outstanding students: Wyatt Vargas and Joelis Santiago.
Wyatt Vargas credits his Head Start experience in Bethlehem with building a strong emotional and social foundation, which helped him learn self-expression. These foundational years continue to influence his character and determination. Despite academic challenges at Liberty High School, Wyatt’s focus and consistent drive to improve exemplify his perseverance.
Wyatt admirably balances his school responsibilities with a 20-hour-a-week job at Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, where he provides cleaning and technical support. His dedication to both personal and professional growth, alongside his strong work ethic, is truly impressive.
Wyatt is passionate about welding, a hands-on career where he can take pride in the tangible results of his labor. This led him to pursue the field, and he plans to enroll in the adult welding program at Bethlehem Area Vocational & Technical School once open enrollment begins in July.
Joelis Santiago’s educational path started in an Allentown Head Start classroom, where she gained essential skills like structure, routine, and her first English lessons. This early foundation provided her with the confidence and tools necessary for both academic and personal success.
As a recent graduate of Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, she finds dance to be a central and passionate form of expression in her life.
Her experiences as a waitress at Perkins, particularly the diverse stories of her customers, have inspired her to pursue a healthcare career, driven by a desire to serve others. Joelis is set to attend Thomas Jefferson University, where she will pursue a degree in Health Sciences, specializing in Pre-Medical Imaging and Radiation Studies. Her ambition is to become a diagnostic sonographer, with a particular interest in working in hospital environments, especially those serving underserved communities. As a bilingual caregiver, Joelis is dedicated to bringing technical excellence, compassion, and empathy to medical imaging, ensuring patient-centered care delivered with humanity and heart.
Both Wyatt and Joelis embody the spirit of resilience and determination that the Head Start program fosters. We are excited to see how they will use their education to impact their communities positively. Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to everyone who applied for this scholarship! Your hard work is truly inspiring.
3S33d_admin July 1st, 2025
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Community Services for Children proudly welcomes Russ Giordano as a new member of our Board of Directors
Russ is a seasoned human resources executive with over 35 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, bringing extensive leadership in organizational development, employee relations, and strategic workforce planning. His career includes senior roles at QVC, Macy’s, and the Bethlehem Area School District, where he most recently served as Chief Human Resources and Compliance Officer.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Russ dedicated 16 years to his local school board, 12 of them as president, helping shape effective educational governance. His commitment to fostering positive workplace cultures and his passion for education make him a valuable addition to CSC’s mission of supporting children and families.
We’re honored to welcome Russ’s experience and insight to our board. Welcome, Russ!
Madison Strunk June 11th, 2025
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