Thriving Families Wellness & Safety Fair: A Community Celebration in Franklin Park

3S33d_admin July 25th, 2025

Posted In:

Leave a Comment

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

Posted In:

Leave a Comment

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

Posted In:

Leave a Comment

Community Services for Children is pleased to welcome Bill Maclean to our Board of Directors

Bill is a collaborative and consumer-centric marketing leader with over 20 years of experience building global brands and leading business transformation. Currently the Senior Platform Marketing Director at Crayola, he brings a wealth of expertise from his work with industry leaders such as The Hershey Company, Del Monte Foods, and Heinz.

Bill holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from Robert Morris University. Known for his passion for coaching and mentoring high-performing teams, Bill is dedicated to making a positive impact in the community.

His leadership and commitment to CSC’s mission will be instrumental as we continue our work in early childhood education and family services. We are thrilled to welcome Bill to our board. Welcome, Bill!

Madison Strunk June 11th, 2025

Posted In:

Leave a Comment

A Look at Another Successful Annual Golf Tournament

On April 28, 2025, we hosted our much-anticipated Annual Golf Tournament. This event is always a wonderful opportunity to unite advocates, friends, and staff for an exciting experience filled with raffles, fun contests, and delicious food. 

Over 90 enthusiastic golfers participated in a memorable day on the greens in support of the vital work of Community Services for Children. The funds raised during this successful event will directly benefit early education programs for children throughout the Lehigh Valley, providing them with crucial resources and opportunities. 

The weather couldn’t have been better, with clear skies and plenty of sunshine setting the stage for a joyful and energetic atmosphere. Laughter and friendly competition filled the air as participants enjoyed a day of camaraderie and golf. 

Let’s give a huge round of applause to the incredible team from Mutual of America! They took home the championship title in this year’s tournament. Congratulations on your well-deserved victory! 

The success of this event would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of so many. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our sponsors, whose invaluable financial contributions made this possible. We also deeply appreciate the tireless efforts of our volunteers, who dedicated their time and energy to ensure everything ran smoothly. Finally, a huge thank you to all the players who came out to support this important cause with their participation. 

We are also immensely grateful to the Northampton Country Club for their exceptional hospitality in hosting our event on their stunning golf course, providing the perfect backdrop for a day of golf and fundraising.

3S33d_admin May 23rd, 2025

Posted In:

Leave a Comment

Community Services for Children Welcomes New Board Member, Amy Wastler

Community Services for Children (CSC) is pleased to welcome Amy Wastler to our Board of Directors. Amy brings a wealth of experience in both education and community engagement. A former elementary school educator, she holds a Master’s in Education from Wilkes University and has dedicated her career to supporting children and families.

Now a team leader at Re/Max Real Estate in Allentown, Amy continues to make an impact by helping families find homes and build strong foundations. Her passion for education and community aligns perfectly with CSC’s mission to support early childhood education and family services.

We are excited to have Amy’s expertise and leadership on our board as we continue to create brighter futures for children in our community. Welcome, Amy!

Madison Strunk March 19th, 2025

Posted In:

Leave a Comment

BUILD Health Challenge Visit to Franklin Park: Reflecting on Progress and Planning for the Future

We were honored to host team members from the BUILD Health Challenge for a special visit to Franklin Park in Allentown. This meaningful day provided an opportunity to reflect on one year of progress in the Lehigh Valley, discuss next steps, and set future goals for improving health outcomes in the Franklin Park community.

During the visit, each partner involved in the BUILD Health Challenge shared their unique focus and contributions to the work. Representatives from healthcare, local government, and community organizations highlighted the important roles they play—from advancing access to healthcare, to addressing housing stability, to promoting overall well-being for children and families. These collaborative efforts have been essential in driving positive change, and the visit provided a platform for deeper discussions about how these partnerships can continue to grow and evolve.

Following the reflection and strategic discussions, our visitors were treated to a tour of Franklin Park, where they witnessed the real-life impact of our work. They experienced firsthand the vibrant spirit of the community and the improvements that have already begun to take shape.

The day culminated with some of our visitors joining the local residents at the park’s Farewell to Summer Party that evening. It was a joyful celebration, filled with games, food, and family fun, offering a perfect way to wrap up the visit. Sharing in this festive event gave our BUILD Health Challenge partners a unique opportunity to connect directly with the Franklin Park community, reinforcing the sense of unity and collective purpose behind this important work.

We are excited to continue building on the progress we’ve made with our partners and the community, working toward a healthier future for Franklin Park. Together, we are making a lasting difference.

3S33d_admin October 10th, 2024

Posted In:

Leave a Comment

2024 Donley Awards & Gala: A Night of Celebration & Impact

The 2024 Annual Donley Awards and Gala was an unforgettable evening, shining a spotlight on the extraordinary contributions of this year’s honorees. We were privileged to celebrate four remarkable individuals who have dedicated their time, energy, and passion to improving the lives of children and families throughout our community. This year’s Donley Award recipients—Pastors Phillip and Kristina Davis, Dr. Nathan Hagstrom, Mr. John Diamant, and Ms. Nancy Dischinat—embody the spirit of service and commitment that the award represents.

Pastors Phillip and Kristina Davis were honored for their community impact in creating safe and nurturing spaces for children to grow and thrive. Dr. Nathan Hagstrom’s work as a pediatric oncologist at Lehigh Valley Health Network has provided hope and healing to countless young patients and their families. Mr. John Diamant’s leadership and long-standing support of educational initiatives have empowered children to succeed in school and beyond. Ms. Nancy Dischinat’s dedication to workforce development has helped ensure that families in our region have access to vital resources and opportunities for advancement.

With over 180 attendees gathered to celebrate these incredible individuals, the evening was filled with heartfelt stories, inspiration, and a shared commitment to the betterment of our community. Guests enjoyed a beautiful evening of dining, networking, and honoring the positive change our winners have brought to the Lehigh Valley.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all those who made this night possible, including our generous sponsors and supporters. A special thank you to AirProducts, whose role as the Donley Award Sponsor ensured the success of this meaningful event. We are truly grateful for the ongoing support that allows us to continue our mission of helping children and families thrive.

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Northampton Country Club for hosting us and to Colleen for being such a pleasure to work with throughout the planning process. Your attention to detail and dedication helped make the evening truly special.

This year’s gala was a powerful reminder of the collective strength of our community and the many ways we can come together to uplift the lives of those who need it most. We look forward to continuing this work with the support of such dedicated partners and advocates.

3S33d_admin October 10th, 2024

Posted In:

Leave a Comment

Community Services for Children welcomes Anize Appel and Megan Wukitsch to the Board of Directors

Community Services for Children is thrilled to announce that we have two new Board Members who have joined our team of dedicated, impressive individuals who continuously contribute to the betterment of CSC. We are excited and honored to welcome Anize Appel and Megan Wukitsch to our Board of Directors.

Anize is currently working for Moravian University as the Executive Director for the Center for Global Education, and Associate Dean for Study Abroad. She attended Moravian University where she received her Master of Business Administration. She also has a Master of Education in Elementary Education from Cedar Crest College and received her Doctor of Education in Administrative Leadership from Drexel University.  She attended Fordham University for her undergraduate degree and received a Bachelor of Arts in Natural Science. She can speak five different languages and has her Pennsylvania Department of Education Private School Certification.

Megan is a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for The Children’s Clinic Valley Health Partners and a professor for pediatrics in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program at De Sales University.  She attended the University of Pennsylvania where she received a Master of Science in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.  She attended De Sales University for her undergraduate degree and received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  She is currently attending De Sales University for her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

Together, the board is tasked with guiding CSC into a prosperous future, supporting decisions big and small. There is no doubt that CSC will be stronger and wiser with the expertise, leadership, and skills of our newest members. We look forward to serving together as we prepare young children and their families to succeed in learning and life.

Please join us in welcoming Anize and Megan to our Board of Directors!

Nadine Slifka September 27th, 2024

Posted In:

Leave a Comment