We have big news to share!

The JLLVPA is proud to announce our new partnership with Community Services for Children (CSC)! At our May General Membership Meeting, Gillian Sharkey, Vice President of Community Initiatives & Advancement, and JLLVPA leaders made our new joint venture official by signing the Memorandum of Agreement.

Michelle Resto-Carlson (JLLVPA President), Alex Meyer (JLLVPA Community Impact Committee Chair), Angela Rines (JLLVPA VP of Community), and Gillian Sharkey signing the MOA.

Both organizations aim to expand access to education for children and families in the Lehigh Valley. With a shared commitment to education and volunteerism, CSC and the Junior League seek to create meaningful learning experiences for children in our community. This partnership reflects the League’s mission to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.

Michelle Resto-Carlson (JLLVPA President), Alex Meyer (JLLVPA Community Impact Committee Chair), Gillian Sharkey (CSC), and Angela Rines (JLLVPA VP of Community)

CSC opened in 1965. For 60 years, they have offered community programming that contributes to the success of low-income families. Through CSC, families in the Lehigh Valley gain access to health clinics, disability support, and childcare free of charge. Additionally, CSC helps local families achieve housing, food, and transportation benefits. Removing common barriers for families helps students reach their full academic potential.

Currently, our two organizations team up each year to pack “summer slide” bags for incoming kindergarteners. The summer slide is the phenomenon of learning loss that occurs in students while school is not in session. Children from under-resourced areas are often acutely affected by summer learning loss due to limited access to educational materials, enrichment programs, and childcare during summer break. Our shared project intends to create educational equity in our community.

Contents of summer slide bags

Through our new partnership, our work with CSC will expand to support students during the school year as well!

In recent years, the number of children with diverse learning and sensory needs has increased. Our local educators are voicing their need for tools and training to support these students. That’s where we come in! Together, CSC and the JLLVPA will meet those needs by providing sensory-friendly classroom resources and professional development for teachers.

At the Junior League, we believe all children deserve the right to an equitable education experience. Through this collaboration, we aim to not only support early learning at home and in the classroom but also to continue our work in reducing educational disparities by starting with the youngest learners.

We are so proud of this project and our new partnership! Follow this blog for updates on our progress toward reducing educational disparity in our community!

JLLVPA members with Gillian Sharkey proudly displaying our signed Memorandum of Agreement

Does our work resonate with you? Check out our website to see how you can help us make a difference for children in the Lehigh Valley by donating or joining our organization!