BETHLEHEM, PA – Via of the Lehigh Valley was honored to receive $2,000 operating expenses grant from the R.K. Laros Foundation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Foundation also provided 24 other Bethlehem nonprofits $2,000 grants.

Some of Via’s services are deemed essential by Pennsylvania because they are life-sustaining for the people with disabilities Via serves.  Via staff are providing these services in-person following CDC-recommended protocols or through tele-therapy.  Currently, 114 people are receiving services.  Staff who are providing services have received an increase in pay during this extraordinary and challenging time.  This grant will be used to help fund this pay increase.

“We take great inspiration for this emergency effort from our founder, my grandfather, Russel K. Laros,” said R.K. Laros III, Foundation Chair. “R.K. Laros was an extraordinarily compassionate man who cared deeply for his employees and his community, even amidst the Great Depression.  I am confident that if he were here with us today, he would be first in line to do whatever he could for the community during this present crisis.”

 

About Via of the Lehigh Valley

Serving our community since 1952, Via helps people reach their full potential.  Via provides services to 1,350 children and adults with disabilities living in Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Monroe, Pike, Bucks and Berks counties. These services include vocational exploration, community employment, vocational exploration, educational activities, volunteer and recreational opportunities for teens and adults and early intervention therapies and inclusive education for young children. Visit www.ViaNet.org to learn more about Via’s services and how you can help.

 

About R.K. Laros Foundation

The R.K. Laros Foundation traditionally provides grant support with a focus on enduring capital projects for community impact in the Bethlehem Area. Grant proposals will be accepted September 8 – September 22 in 2020. Grant applications are available on the foundation website http://www.larosfoundation.org For more information about grant opportunities or the R.K. Laros Foundation contact Executive Director Sharon Jones Zondag at larosfoundation.org

 
Information provided to TVL by:
Michele Grasso, MPA
Vice President of Development & Communications
Via of the Lehigh Valley
http://www.ViaNet.org/
 

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