Community Services for Children Receives PNC Foundation Grant – $50K grant supports STEM and arts program enhancements

Community Services for Children is pleased to announce it has received a $50,000 grant, payable over two years, from the PNC Foundation in support of PNC Grow Up Great®, a bilingual $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life.

The grant will help provide enhanced educational opportunities to six Head Start classrooms at The Learning Hub – City Center. The unique public/private collaboration between CSC’s Head Start program and City Center Corporation provides a community nucleus that serves 110 preschool children and their families with high-quality early education and leverages community resources by engaging partners such as Allentown Art Museum, Allentown Symphony, Baum School of Art, Cops ‘n’ Kids Easton, CACLV, Da Vinci Science Center, The Literacy Center, Lehigh University, Emmaus Public Library and the Music Play Patrol.

“PNC recognizes the role kindergarten readiness plays in the wellbeing of local children, their families and ultimately, our economy,” said Pete Danchak, PNC regional president for Northeastern Pennsylvania. “By preparing our youngest students for educational success, we help build a solid foundation for the future of this region.”

PNC’s funding will support a Scientist in Residence who will integrate advanced STEM content (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills and lessons in the classroom, including experimentation, coding, algorithms, and sequencing languages. The support also makes possible an Artist in Residence who will integrate art processes in the classroom including visual arts, music, and drama, working with teachers to engage children in experiential learning, which is the process for making meaning directly from the learning experience. These program enhancements help build 21st-century skills including language development, critical thinking, innovation skills, problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork.

“This PNC Foundation grant will have a direct impact on the lives of young children and their families living in Allentown,” said CSC CEO and President Paula Margraf. “We know that poverty is the greatest barrier to school success, and these funds will allow us to provide specialized enrichment programming  that will ensure children are not only  ready for kindergarten but can compete with their more economically advantaged peers, putting them on a path to long-term success.”

Nadine Slifka July 31st, 2019

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Pennsylvania Fiscal Year 2019-2020 budget includes investments to early learning and spending plan for federal funds

Governor Tom Wolf signed a budget last week that included the following:

• Increased Pre-K Counts investment: $25 million
• Increased investment in Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program: $5 million
• Increased investment in home visiting programs: $5 million
• Decreased state investments in Child Care Services and Child Care Assistance from fiscal year ’18-’19: -$36 million
• Allocation of $27 million in federal dollars to:
  • serve 970 infants and toddlers in high-quality programs from the subsidy waiting list, raise quality add-on rates for STAR 2, 3, and 4 providers caring for infants and toddlers, and support apprenticeships for infant and toddler teachers.

Budget statements were released from the three campaigns, Pre-K for PA, Childhood Begins at Home and Start Strong.

Pre-K for PA Lauds Continued Investment in  High-Quality Pre-K

Harrisburg, PA (June 27, 2019) – In the final FY 2019-20 budget agreement, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania continued to make progress on behalf of its youngest learners. Read more: www.prekforpa.org.

Childhood Begins at Home: Gov. Wolf’s $5 Million Increase for Voluntary Evidence-Based Home Visiting Will Help 800 More PA Families

HARRISBURG, Pa. (June 27, 2019) – The governing body members of Pennsylvania’s home visiting coalition today thanked Gov. Tom Wolf and the General Assembly for their commitment to voluntary evidence-based home visiting programs. The $5 million increase for the Community-Based Family Centers line in this year’s state budget will give 800 more Pennsylvania families access to home visiting programs. Read more: Childhood Begins at Home

PA BUDGET ACKNOWLEDGES “CHILD CARE WORKS” FOR PA WORKING FAMILIES ENTHUSIASM TEMPERED BY UNDERPINNING $36 MILLION IN STATE FUND CUTS TO CHILD CARE LINE ITEMS

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA – The FY 2019-20 budget agreement allocated $27 million in new federal resources to expand subsidized child care in Pennsylvania and invest in quality improvements to the system. Start Strong PA stands with state policymakers in its firm belief that this is an example of a budget that “funds what works” and helps “put Pennsylvanians to work”. Read More: Start Strong PA Budget Statement

Nadine Slifka July 8th, 2019

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Community Services for Children welcomes Lauren Sorrentino to Board of Directors

Community Services for Children is honored to welcome Attorney Lauren Sorrentino to its Board of Directors.

Sorrentino, of Allentown, is a member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., and chair of its Pennsylvania Matrimonial & Family Law Practice Group. Her practice covers all areas of family law, including divorce, equitable distribution, child custody, child support, domestic violence, premarital agreements, enforcement actions and jurisdictional conflicts.

She has been awarded numerous honors, including being named one of the 10 Best Attorneys by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys; a Local Legal Leader by “Lehigh Valley Magazine”; one of the Forty Under 40 by “Lehigh Valley Business” and a Pennsylvania Rising Star by the publishers of “Super Lawyers.”

Sorrentino is a council member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Family Law section and is actively involved with the Family Law committees of the Bar Association of Lehigh County and the Northampton County Bar Association. She publishes articles on a variety of family law topics and serves as a panelist at family law educational programs.

Sorrentino has been practicing law since 2002. She earned her J.D. from University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, and her B.A. from Columbia University.

Community Services for Children is a regional leader in early childhood education and family services, affecting the lives of 20,000 children and 2,100 families annually. CSC’s Head Start/Early Head Start of the Lehigh Valley program is recognized as a national center of excellence and innovation.

Beth June 28th, 2019

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CSC’s Donley Awards recognize individuals, organizations that advocate for children in Lehigh Valley

J.B. Reilly, Donald Bernhard and Communities in Schools will be honored at CSC’s annual Children’s Ball on Oct. 4

ALLENTOWN – Community Services for Children is pleased to announce the 2019 winners of the Inez and Edward Donley Award for Children’s Advocacy, presented annually to individuals and organizations who have significantly improved the quality of life for children in the Lehigh Valley.

This year’s honorees are J.B. Reilly, President and CEO of City Center Investment Corporation, Donald Bernhard, Executive Director of the Downtown Allentown Community Development Initiative, and Communities in Schools (CIS). The 24^th Annual Donley Awards will be presented Oct. 4 at CSC’s Children’s Ball, at the Centennial Catering & Conference Center in Upper Saucon Township. Tickets are $150 for an individual or $275 for a couple and are available at www.cscinc.org/events.

The award, which recognizes those who advocate on behalf of children locally, regionally and nationally, is named for the Donleys, who were the first recipients. They dedicated their lives to improving the health, education and general welfare of children, and it was through their support that CSC’s Donley Children’s Campus became a reality.

Reilly formed City Center Investment Corp. with Joseph V. Topper Jr. in 2011, and the company is helping transform downtown Allentown through development of a $1 billion-plus mixed-use project. He is leading a vision for the development of Allentown that is beneficial to the most disadvantaged children.

Under Reilly’s leadership, City Center Investment Corp. donated more than $4.3 million to 123 organizations in 2018 through its Building Community program. The initiative aims to revitalize downtown Allentown and its surrounding neighborhoods into a sustainable vibrant urban community by providing financial support, in-kind donations and volunteer service. In 2018, City Center’s 25 employees volunteered more than 2,000 hours at approximately 45 organizations.

Over the past year, major Building Community Initiatives have included:

• City Center partnered with Community Services for Children to launch the Learning Hub at City Center Allentown to provide school-day, after-school and summer programing for local children and parents in need. City Center provided leadership and nearly $1.3 million in design and construction costs to renovate the space, which is occupied rent-free by 110 preschoolers and their teachers.
• City Center pledged $1 million to match new and increased gifts to United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s 2018 campaign.
• City Center became the corporate partner of its neighborhood school, Central Elementary, a United Way Community School.

Reilly and his wife Kathleen have also given extensive financial support to Lehigh Valley Health Network. Most recently, they helped Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital upgrade its new neonatal intensive care unit and add a pediatric inpatient area with 30 private rooms.

Reilly has more than 30 years of experience in commercial and residential real estate development and planning, urban redevelopment, property management, finance management and law. His career includes the successful development of diverse real estate assets, including apartment complexes, lifestyle communities, office towers, a full-service hotel and historic renovations.

He serves on the board of directors of CrossAmerica Partners (NYSE: CAPL), a leading U.S. distributor of branded petroleum for motor vehicles, and M-SPEX, LLC, an engineering and manufacturing firm specializing in military solutions. He was on the board of trustees of Lehigh Valley Health Network from 2002 to 2011 and served as chairman from 2009 to 2011. He has been a member of the board of trustees of Lafayette College since 2008 and was a trustee of DeSales University from 2002 to 2011.

Reilly earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Lafayette College and professional law degree from Fordham University’s School of Law. He is a certified public accountant and has been a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association since 1987.

Bernhard is an example of advocacy and leadership in action. Through his position with Downtown Allentown Community Development Initiative, as well as his volunteer service, he is focused on ensuring low-income families benefit from the city’s new prosperity. He is leveraging resources and bringing together like-minded people to make a lasting difference.

Before leading Downtown Allentown Community Development Initiative, Bernhard was director of community affairs for PPL. From 1996 to 2014 he managed corporate citizenship, economic development and local government relations. Prior to that, he was the City of Allentown’s community development director. During his tenure with the city, he was instrumental in securing funding to transform Alliance Hall, an abandoned building at Sixth and Chew streets, into a multi-use building that includes affordable housing, the Allentown Health Bureau and a Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers (LVCC) location that serves 200 children.

Bernhard is a board member and past chairman of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation and chairman and 38-year board member of the Allentown Economic Development Corporation. He served 23 years on Community Services for Children’s Board of Directors and was instrumental in creating the Learning Hub at City Center. He became a Century Fund Trustee in 2017, reviewing proposals that come before the charitable trust and determining which Allentown programs to fund, including CSC and other early education initiatives. He also serves on the boards of Pennsylvania Economy League, Building 21, Upside Allentown and the Allentown Promise Neighborhood.

Bernhard worked directly with both Ed and Inez Donley and is passionate about carrying out their mission to improve the lives of children in the Lehigh Valley and beyond. He and Ed Donley served together for many years on the Pennsylvania Governor’s Early Learning Investment Commission. Bernhard is now an executive committee member of this group, which advocates for additional funding for early education. He also served many years with Inez Donley on the Allentown Public Library Board, succeeding her as chair, a position he held for 12 years.

Bernhard has been an active member of the International Economic Development Council, where he obtained the status of Certified Economic Developer. He has a master’s degree in political science from Brown University and a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Pittsburgh.

Communities in Schools (CIS) of the Lehigh Valley works to improve academic outcomes, attendance, behavior, social-emotional learning and family engagement. CIS has helped at-risk students for more than 36 years, and is the largest dropout prevention program of its kind, bringing much-needed supports into the public schools. The organization’s mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. CIS accomplishes this by connecting students to caring adults and community resources designed to help them succeed.

CIS provides programming before, during and after school to more than 20,000 students kindergarten through 12th grade in 30 schools, spanning six districts in the Lehigh Valley and Berks County – Allentown, Bethlehem Area, Easton Area, East Penn, Whitehall-Coplay and Reading. In addition to delivering school-wide and one-on-one supports through an evidence-based model, CIS also partners with the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley to serve as lead partner at 10 Community Schools in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. CIS provides after-school math and reading support for middle and high school students at four 21^st-Century Community Learner Centers, and empowers former out-of-school youth at the Allentown ReEngagement Center, which has successfully led more than 150 former high school dropouts toward a GED or high school diploma since its inception in 2015.

CIS, in partnership with local communities, does whatever it takes to ensure that all children — regardless of the challenges they may face — have what they need to realize their potential. It’s not always easy. Thousands of kids across the country face overwhelming roadblocks to their academic and personal success. Learning disabilities. Homelessness. Bullying. The emotional effects of trauma. Untreated medical or dental conditions. A lack of school supplies and clothes. CIS site coordinators are in the schools to meet both the academic and non-academic needs of students and families. CIS starts by collaborating with schools to understand each student’s needs and deliver resources tailored to the individual. Then they go beyond the classroom to work with local businesses, social service agencies, healthcare providers and volunteers, to give every student the confidence to overcome life’s future roadblocks and own their success.

All three 2019 Donley Award recipients embody the Donleys’ commitment to improving the lives of children as well as CSC’s mission of preparing young children and their families to succeed in learning and in life through innovative, comprehensive, leading-edge services. We look forward to presenting these well-deserved awards.

Community Services for Children is a regional leader in early childhood education and family services, affecting the lives of 20,000 children and 2,100 families annually. CSC’s Head Start/Early Head Start of the Lehigh Valley program is recognized as a national center of excellence and innovation.

Nadine Slifka April 24th, 2019

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Air Products funds summer programming at Learning Hub – City Center

Community Services for Children (CSC) is pleased to announce it will be expanding educational programming this summer at the Learning Hub – City Center thanks to the generous commitment of Air Products to the children and families in our community. Summer Start is a partnership between CSC and WLVT/PBS39 (PBS39) to provide summer education services to young children and their parents, in cooperation with the Allentown School District, beginning July 2019.

In the City of Allentown, nearly two-thirds of the most vulnerable young children do without a high-quality early childhood education, and less than half enter kindergarten ready to learn. For those who start behind, many remain behind, or lose the critical gains made due to the “summer slide.” The Summer Start project will provide an intense literacy-focused high-quality Kindergarten readiness program to children who have done without pre-K and for those kindergarten-aged children who have not yet achieved proficiency in order to ensure future academic success. The program also supports the Valley-wide literacy campaign, Lehigh Valley Reads, an effort to ensure all Lehigh Valley students read on grade level by the end of third grade, by 2025. By providing Summer Start, we can ensure that children continue to thrive even when school is out!

“Air Products is honored to partner with PBS, City Center and Community Services for Children to support this innovative summer program for children,” said Laurie Hackett of Air Products. “When we all come together to help kids read and learn, so many great things can happen!”

Summer Start is a further expansion of the shared vision of The Learning Hub, a unique public/private collaboration between City Center-Investment Corp. and Community Services for Children to create a vibrant learning center focused on high-quality, innovative early childhood education and family engagement. In the fall, City Center provided leadership and nearly $1.3 million in design and construction costs for the renovation of the 14,916-square-foot space, and along with Community Services for Children‘s Head Start program, convened community partners to provide education services to ensure school readiness and success. During the school year, 110 children and their families have had the benefit of the Head Start program, supported by many community partners to provide early education that supports the development of children’s 21^st-Century skills. Community partners currently providing services to The Learning Hub program include the Allentown Art Museum, Baum School of Art, Cops ‘n’ Kids Easton, CACLV, Da Vinci Science Center, The Literacy Center, Lehigh University, Emmaus Public Library and the Music Play Patrol. The additional month-long Summer Start literacy program will build upon the current school year operations, and provide a strong foundation for the development of early language and literacy, necessary social and interpersonal skills and ultimately ensure that every child will have the opportunity for success in grade-level reading.

Summer Start will be operated by Community Services for Children, PBS and Allentown School District. The program will provide books for children in the classroom, educational off-site experiences, parent development and resources, all through an evidence-based curriculum aligned with the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards. Children will develop a foundation focused on the five key areas of language and literacy development including alphabet and book knowledge, print concepts, vocabulary development and phonological awareness. PBS will be contributing multi-platform content collections that meet young children where they are, anytime, and in various ways. These experiences will integrate personalized and adaptive learning experiences to create opportunities that meet children’s individual learning needs and interests.

Nadine Slifka March 20th, 2019

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Summer Start — new learning partnership between CSC, WLVT/PBS39 — made possible by Air Products’ generosity

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact:

Celeste Voyer – Director, PR & Fundraising

610-437-6000, ext. 2101; cvoyer@cscinc.org

Bevin Theodore – Communications Manager

610-437-6000 ext. 2112: btheodore@cscinc.org

WHO: Community Service for Children, Inc. (CSC)

WHAT: Announcement of the new Summer Start program beginning in July 2019 at The Learning Hub – City Center. Summer Start, made possible by the generous support of Air Products, is a partnership between CSC (Community Services for Children) and WLVT/PBS39 (PBS39) to provide summer education services to young children and their parents, in cooperation with the Allentown School District.

WHEN: 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 20, 2019 – Learning Hub tours immediately following

WHERE:  The Learning Hub – City Center, lobby – 101 N. 6th St, Allentown, PA 18101

WHY: In the City of Allentown, nearly two-thirds of the most vulnerable young children do without a high-quality early childhood education, and less than half enter kindergarten ready to learn.  For those who start behind, many remain behind, or lose the critical gains made due to the “summer slide.” Summer Start will ensure that children are ready for school, and supports the Valley-wide literacy campaign, to ensure all children read on grade level by the end of third grade. By providing Summer Start we can ensure that children continue to thrive even when school is out!

Anticipated speakers include:

• Jill Wheeler, VP Sales & Marketing, City Center-Allentown
• Laurie Hackett, Manager, Community Relations and Philanthropy, Air Products
• Paula Margraf, CEO/President, CSC
• Thomas Parker, Superintendent, Allentown School District
• Timothy S. Fallon, CEO, Lehigh Valley Public Telecommunications Corporation

Community Services for Children is a regional leader in early childhood education, affecting the lives of 40,000 children annually. Its Head Start program is recognized as a national center of excellence.

Nadine Slifka March 11th, 2019

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UGI supports Literacy/Technology Lab through EITC funding

UGI recently awarded Community Services for Children (CSC) $3,000 to support our Literacy Technology Labs for preschoolers.

The grant was made through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, which provides tax credits to qualifying businesses in exchange for donations to nonprofits. CSC is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development as an Educational Innovation Organization and a Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organization.

CSC’s innovative Literacy Technology Labs serve 420 preschoolers in Head Start and Pre-K Counts classrooms. Lab time has been proven to accelerate young children’s grasp of early literacy skills, which provide a foundation for future success with language, reading and writing. In the labs, the children are mentored by a special literacy/technology coach along with two classroom teachers certified in early childhood education.

Nadine Slifka December 12th, 2018

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Community Services for Children welcomes Matthew Yencha as VP of Business Development and Operations

Community Services for Children is pleased to welcome Matthew Yencha to the organization as the vice president of business development and operations.

Yencha, who joined CSC on Dec. 3, will manage agency-wide strategic development of new business and expansions of programs and facilities.

Yencha most recently worked for Skepton Construction, Inc. as the executive director of project development and as a project manager.

Prior to working at Skepton, Yencha was the director of facilities management, construction and planning for Cedar Crest College. He provided leadership for campus planning, project management, facilities renovations, maintenance and repair, custodial operations, landscaping and grounds, space administration and property management.

Before joining Cedar Crest College, Yencha was the associate director of plant operations for Moravian College and held various positions in the Campus Support Services department at Wilkes University.

Yencha holds a master’s degree in engineering management from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, a master’s of business administration from Wilkes University and a bachelor’s degree in political science and English from Lehigh University. He also holds various professional credentials and certifications in his field.

Nadine Slifka December 12th, 2018

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PPL Electric Utilities supports Literacy/Technology Labs, scholarships for CSC’s preschoolers

PPL Electric Utilities has awarded two additional $25,000 Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) grants to Community Services for Children (CSC) to support pre-K scholarships for at-risk children and the innovative Literacy Technology Labs.

CSC’s Pre-K Scholarship Organization (PKSO) program provides high-quality early education for up to 50 children annually. These children are from families would not otherwise be able to afford high-quality early education. Having access to a high-quality pre-kindergarten program will ensure these children are fully ready to enter kindergarten. Children in CSC’s classrooms are evaluated based on their proficiency in seven domains of learning: language and literacy, social and emotional, physical development and health, math, science, social studies and approaches to learning.

CSC’s innovative Literacy Technology Labs, which serve 420 preschoolers in Head Start and Pre-K Counts classrooms, have been proven to accelerate young children’s grasp of early literacy skills, which provide a foundation for future success with language, reading and writing. The children are mentored by a special literacy/technology coach along with two classroom teachers certified in early childhood education.

CSC is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development as an Educational Innovation Organization and a Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organization. Qualifying businesses may receive tax credits in exchange for donations to CSC to fund students from low-income families attending high quality pre-K programs.

Nadine Slifka December 5th, 2018

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Community Services for Children welcomes John Rosario to Board of Directors

Community Services for Children is honored to welcome John Rosario to the Board of Directors.

Rosario, who has a long history of giving back to the community, is already familiar with CSC’s mission, through his involvement with the golf committee.

Rosario, of Allentown, is the owner of B&R Enterprises, a tax preparation and real estate company. He has served on the boards of the Community Action Development Committee in Allentown and Embrace Your Dreams, which has a tennis and golf program that incorporates a mentorship component for inner-city youth.

While living in the Bronx, before relocating to the Lehigh Valley, Rosario worked with law enforcement officials on community affairs matters, with a focus on making senior citizens feel safe in their communities.

Nadine Slifka December 5th, 2018

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