When COVID-19 hit the Lehigh Valley last year, many families worried where they would be getting a paycheck to ensure they could keep a roof over their heads and their families safe from the pandemic. Landlords, too, were faced with the possibility of severe financial hardship if rent could not be paid by their current … Read More
New Learning Center Program Helps Students Overcome Pandemic Stress
The Learning Center at Third Street Alliance has always focused on the whole child and the changing needs of our students and families. That’s why when students came back from the shutdown period and teachers noticed significant changes in some of our students — escalation of negative behaviors, more frequent and longer-lasting emotional outbursts, and … Read More
Gathering Data on Homelessness: How the Annual PIT Counts Tell Portion of the Story
Every winter human service agencies and volunteers throughout the nation conduct a census of the homeless in their communities. This census, called the Point In Time (PIT) count, is conducted in the last 10 days of January each year, according to the guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The count includes individuals … Read More
Third Street Alliance Welcomes Julie LaBella to the Board of Directors
Third Street Alliance for Women & Children’s Board of Directors welcomes Julie LaBella, Senior Director of Regulatory and External Affairs for Talen Energy. LaBella’s position on the board was approved during the Nov. 16, 2020 meeting for service to begin on Jan. 1. She has been a member of the agency’s Finance Committee since January 2020. “I’ve long believed in the work done by Third Street Alliance to … Read More
Homeless Services Sees Changes in New Year
The New Year will welcome staff changes to the Homeless Services program at Third Street Alliance. Please join us in wishing Janice Thomas, Director of Homeless Services, a fond farewell. Janice joined Third Street Alliance in July 2015 and has been instrumental in building our program from a residential shelter into a full-scale homeless services department. Earlier this year … Read More
Did You Know? Important CARES Act Charitable Giving Information
Third Street’s annual appeal for funding is underway. As you consider your gift, we want you to know that a new CARES Act rule allows taxpayers to deduct up to $300 on their tax returns for cash donations made in 2020. While the attached NYTimes article spells out the rule in greater detail — and … Read More
Juggling Classrooms: Adjusting to hybrid learning models and distanced learning
Planning for the 2020-2021 school year started in June for The Learning Center as the team looked at every detail to ensure each student was equipped for a smooth start to the year. For the school-aged student classrooms, the initial planning process included scenarios for all virtual or all in-person classes. However, a few weeks … Read More
Advancing Economic Opportunities Through Local Partnerships
When Third Street Alliance went through its strategic planning process last year, agency leadership recognized economic advancement opportunities for women and families as a pillar of that plan and are now focused on putting those matters at the forefront of our work. We recognize that it will take a living wage to end homelessness and … Read More
Fighting Homelessness Before It Happens
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all in some way—from working and schooling at home and the addition of daily Zoom calls, to the constant worry about the health and well-being of our family, friends, and community. For many low-income residents in the Lehigh Valley, the pandemic has added another layer of instability, especially for … Read More
Navigating Life After Domestic Violence
*October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Here’s a look at how Third Street Alliance helps those escaping or dealing with abusive relationships. It was two weeks before Christmas when Courtney came to Third Street Alliance. She had moved from Michigan to Pennsylvania, fleeing domestic violence from her partner, to live with a friend. Then her ex-partner found … Read More
