Junior League of the Lehigh Valley, Community Services for Children Celebrate Creation of Sensory Resource Space

ALLENTOWN, Pa., September 10, 2026 – The Junior League of the Lehigh Valley (JLLVPA) and Community Services for Children (CSC) have partnered to create the Lehigh Valley’s first Sensory Resource Space, an innovative new resource designed to support young children with sensory processing differences and the educators who help them thrive every day. JLLVPA and CSC will celebrate with a ribbon cutting on September 10, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. at CSC Downtown.

The Sensory Resource Space provides teachers with access to a wide variety of sensory tools and materials, including weighted lap pads, fidget tools, visual supports, calming resources and flexible seating, that can be borrowed and used in classrooms throughout CSC’s programs. These resources help children regulate their emotions, engage more fully in learning, build confidence and experience greater success in the classroom. The JLLVPA provided a $2,000 grant and two years of dedicated volunteer effort to bring this project from vision to reality.

This project was born from a simple belief: every child deserves an environment where they feel supported and included. As more children enter early learning settings with diverse sensory and developmental needs, educators need practical, high-quality resources to respond with compassion, confidence and care. By removing barriers to accessing these materials, teachers are empowered to create classrooms where every child can flourish.

“The Junior League is so proud to partner with Community Services for Children to bring the Sensory Resource Space to life,” said Katie Jones, JLLVPA president. “This project is a wonderful example of our mission in action, as our members use their leadership skills to identify a need in our community and work collaboratively with partners to create meaningful solutions. We are especially pleased to support children and families in the Lehigh Valley through this project and our ongoing focus on educational disparity.”

The Sensory Resource Space stands as a testament to what is possible when organizations come together around a common purpose. Community Services for Children is deeply grateful to the Junior League of the Lehigh Valley, whose generous funding, volunteer leadership and countless hours of planning and execution transformed an idea into reality. Their commitment went far beyond financial support, they rolled up their sleeves to create a lasting resource that will benefit educators and children for years to come. CSC is proud to steward this incredible gift and continue the partnership that made it possible. Community Services for Children believes that investing in educators means investing in children. The partnership provides resources that teachers can use when most appropriate for the child, which strengthens classrooms, supports families and helps every child reach their fullest potential. CSC and JLLVPA are excited to celebrate this milestone and look forward to seeing the positive impact this first-of-its-kind resource will have across the Lehigh Valley for years to come.

“Innovation begins with ideas, but lasting impact happens through partnership. We envisioned a resource that, when needs were identified by professionals, would better support our educators and children, and the Junior League of the Lehigh Valley brought that vision to life with extraordinary generosity, creativity and volunteer leadership. We couldn’t be more grateful for this partnership,” said Deidra Vachier, chief executive officer, CSC.

About the Junior League of the Lehigh Valley

The Junior League of the Lehigh Valley is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training. With a proud history of making a positive impact, the JLLVPA works with community partners throughout the Lehigh Valley to address and solve pressing issues like educational disparity, food insecurity and literacy. Through strategic partnerships and signature programs such as the backpack giveback project, scholarship programs and fundraising initiatives, JLLVPA members are leaders who make a difference in the community while promoting personal growth and building friendships. For more information, visit www.jllvpa.org.

About the Community Services for Children

Community Services for Children (CSC) is a regional leader in early childhood education, and family services. CSC’s Head Start/Early Head Start of the Lehigh Valley program is recognized as a national center of excellence and innovation. CSC provides early childhood education and family services through the Early Learning Resource Centers for the economically disadvantaged throughout 17 counties of Northeast PA. Headquartered in Allentown, with offices in 10 counties, Community Services for Children is a 501-c-3 not-for-profit organization employing over 400 individuals who are committed to ensuring a bright future for vulnerable children and their families.