LEHIGH VALLEY, PA (09/02/20) – Today, U.S. Representative Susan Wild (PA-07) announced that a grant totaling $494,827 over three years from the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime has been awarded to Valley Youth House to fund housing programs and support services for victims of human trafficking.

“The trauma these young victims endure is unimaginable – and they deserve to have the appropriate resources to recover their lives,” Wild said. “The funding secured through this grant helps make the resources to heal accessible to those who need it most, and makes sure these victims have a safe, supportive environment in which to rebuild their lives. I’m so thankful to see this funding go toward our community through organizations like Valley Youth House which continue to support our most vulnerable.”

Due to the size and location of this region, both Lehigh and Northampton Counties experience high rates of human trafficking. This grant will specifically help fund the newly created THRIVE program (Transitional Housing. Resilience. Independence. Victorious Empowerment.), offering housing, meals, clothes, and personal items for female-identifying victims ages 14-21, and connecting them with peer mentors, drug and alcohol treatment, psychiatric care, employment training, and medical/dental care.

“Transitional-age youth are the most vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation, yet they have been traditionally underserved through housing and life skills programs,” said Ken Klein, the Valley Youth House Vice President of Independent Living. “THRIVE will create a safe and nurturing community that allows youth to heal and grow.  Youth will have individualized support in developing a plan to meet their life goals.  The ultimate goal of the program is to provide the necessary skills and support for these young people to successfully reclaim their lives and have a place in the community.”

About Valley Youth House
Valley Youth House (valleyyouthhouse.org) does more than just provide homes for Pennsylvania’s vulnerable, abused, and homeless youth. We partner with thousands of individuals each year to build a solid foundation for young people and their families. With dedicated street outreach, housing, counseling, skills training, health, prevention, and intervention services, we empower resilient young people in establishing promising futures.

Our staff are thought-leaders in the following topics:

• runaway and homeless youth
• youth emergency shelter/street outreach
• youth transitional housing and independent living
• foster care/foster care life skills
• LGBTQ+ youth services
• adoption and permanency services
• child abuse
• mental and behavioral health
• substance abuse
• family counseling and therapy
• adventure therapy
• art therapy

For a complete list of our programs and services, visit: www.valleyyouthhouse.org/programs/

Information provided to TVL by:
Emily Conners
Valley Youth House Development Officer
https://www.valleyyouthhouse.org/

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