Bethlehem, PA – [August 9, 2024] – Valley Youth House is pleased to announce the promotions of Emily Conners Henry and Harrison Fertig to key roles within the organization’s Leadership Team.

Emily Conners Henry has been promoted to Director of Advancement & Marketing. In her new role, Emily will serve as a Leadership Team member, supervising and directing the strategic initiatives for internal and external marketing and communications. She works closely with Board members and community leaders to expand and diversify VYH’s donor base and to build the agency’s visibility, impact, and financial resources. Emily coordinates annual gifts (financial and gift in-kind), two major special events (John E. Walson, Jr. Memorial Golf & Pickleball Tournament and Setting the Stage Lehigh Valley), major gifts, capital campaign gifts, and planned gifts.

Emily has been on the Advancement team at Valley Youth House since 2015. She previously held the roles of Associate Director, Advancement & Marketing and Development Officer. Before that, she was an AmeriCorps VISTA with United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s Community School initiatives in the Easton Area School District. She attended Freedom High School before studying Sociology (Human Services) and Geography at Bucknell University. Emily has a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice. She also holds a certificate in Organizational Leadership in Social Work from a transdisciplinary collaboration between Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice and the Wharton School.

 

 

Harrison Fertig has been promoted to the Director of Grants and Foundations. In his new role, Harrison has oversight of the grant writing process, ensuring renewals of Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and Runaway & Homeless Youth (RHY) funding (which provide core funding for 19 Valley Youth House programs), identifying and vetting new prospects, and supporting the Advancement Team with implementing a diverse fundraising strategy to ensure program sustainability and growth.

Harrison has been on the Advancement team at Valley Youth House since 2014. He previously held the roles of Associate Director, Grants & Foundation, Grants Officer and Grant Writer. Before that, he was the Assistant to the Continuous Quality Improvement, Compliance, and Grants Manager at an adoption agency called Nebraska Children’s Home Society in Omaha. Harrison has a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Grinnell College.

 

About Valley Youth House

Valley Youth House (valleyyouthhouse.org) does more than just provide homes for youth in Pennsylvania’s who are experiencing homelessness or fleeing abuse. 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.

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Sarah Pammer