Featured Image: Photos courtesy of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
Capital BlueCross and TeenWorks™ Affirm Support by Signing on as Corporate Partners
Allentown, PA, December 15, 2017 – Allentown School District, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV), Communities In Schools Lehigh Valley, Capital BlueCross, TeenWorks™, and Roosevelt Elementary commemorated the latest United Way Community School collaboration during the school’s Winter Celebration last evening. The school holds this special event each year; this year, it served as the backdrop for the announcement of the corporate partnership of Capital BlueCross and TeenWorks™. Along with financial support from each organization, the parties commit to mentoring, tutoring, and hands-on engagement at the school.
In attendance for the event was Marci Ronald-Lesko, Executive Vice President, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Anne Baum, Vice President Lehigh Valley, Capital BlueCross, Rose Craig, Vice President Development and Communications, Communities In Schools Lehigh Valley, David Wildonger, Acting Deputy Superintendent, Allentown School District, Jennifer Ramos. Executive Director, Elementary Education, Allentown School District, Nashira Williams, Community School Coordinator, Roosevelt Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary students and families, El Sistema musicians, TeenWorks™ volunteers, Capital BlueCross volunteers.
The celebration included community and educational leaders, students, staff, and families. A performance by El Sistema kicked off the celebration, followed by remarks from Marci Ronald-Lesko, Gregg Potter, and Anne Baum. Along with other special guests, Rose Craig of Communities In Schools Lehigh Valley and Jennifer Ramos and David Wildonger of Allentown School District, placed ornaments on a tree. Students and families enjoyed cookies and hot cocoa, piñata and ornament making, a drum circle, music, and stories. Volunteers from United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Capital BlueCross, TeenWorks™, Lehigh Valley Labor Council, and Lehigh Valley Builders Association assisted with the evening’s special events.
United Way Community Schools and Communities In Schools Lehigh Valley organize programs and services in one central place for students and families – their school. These programs and services remove barriers to learning, create positive youth development, and empower parents to strengthen their role as partners in education. The model convenes companies, non-profits, mentors, tutors, and other community aid to ensure higher success rates for students. As a result, United Way Community School students have improved reading and math scores, excel in other academic areas, and have a firm foundation for graduation.
“Children and families are at the center of this partnership,” remarked Marci Ronald-Lesko. “Tonight we are proving, once again, that our community steps to the plate to do what it takes to ensure every student succeeds. Many thanks to Capital BlueCross, TeenWorks™, the Allentown School District, the entire team at Roosevelt, and moreover, the students and parents of this very special place. We have important work to do together and we’re grateful to serve with all of you.”
“Everyone involved is looking forward to rolling up their sleeves and getting to work,” remarked Gregg Potter, Senior Labor Relations Consultant for Capital BlueCross and President of Lehigh Valley Labor Council. “Trade apprentices are required to perform community service and several retiree groups are looking for projects for which members can utilize their talents. Additionally, TeenWorks™ board members – adults and teens – are ready to volunteer.”
Mission of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
The mission of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is to provide the leadership, convene the partnerships and develop the resources and solutions that improve our community. We remain committed to these goals and sincerely appreciate the continued support of partners, program providers and donors throughout the Lehigh Valley. www.unitedwayglv.org
About Communities In Schools Lehigh Valley
Communities In Schools is the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization bringing coordinated, integrated student supports into public schools to meet the needs of at-risk students. Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
Cities In Schools of Bethlehem opened its doors in 1983 and became Communities In Schools of the Lehigh Valley in 1994. Since then, the agency has provided site coordinators to deliver integrated student supports to schools, provide alternative education support services, implement student health initiatives, deliver career services, coordinate after-school and summer programs, and provide support services to young fathers. Our goal continues to be the same: to stop the drop out epidemic and provide every opportunity to help kids graduate from high school. www.cislv.org
About the Allentown School District
ASD serves more than 17,000 students in a network of 22 early childhood, elementary, middle and high schools throughout the city of Allentown, PA. The District is the third largest urban school district out of 500 districts in the Commonwealth. The District’s Mission focuses on providing a safe, rigorous and engaging educational experience that prepares all students to excel in learning and life to guide ASD students on their individual journey to realize their aspirations whether they be college, career or technical focus. ASD goals are aligned and compatible with the Pathways to Success Framework while providing a balanced education to all students. Allentown School District employs approximately 2,200 teachers, staff and administrators. The District, founded in 1866 serves students from 51 countries speaking 26 languages with nearly 90 percent household qualifying as low income. ASD is committed to ensuring that all students have equal access to education programs and resources. www.allentownsd.org
About Capital BlueCross
Capital BlueCross, headquartered in Harrisburg, Pa., is the leading health solutions and insurance company in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley. A partner in the community’s health for nearly 80 years, Capital BlueCross offers health insurance products, services and technology solutions that provide peace of mind to consumers and promote health and wellness for our customers.
More than a health insurer, the company delivers innovative solutions through a family of diversified businesses that is creating a healthier future and lowering health care costs. Among these solutions are patient-focused care models, leading-edge data analytics, and digital health technologies. Additionally, Capital BlueCross is growing a network of Capital Blue stores that provide in-person service and inspiration to help people reach their health goals. Capital BlueCross is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit capbluecross.com
About TeenWorks™
Formed in 1999, TeenWorks™ is a collaboration between Lehigh Valley labor unions and local teens. The TeenWorks™ board is made up of a diverse group of teens and adults who help to encourage and endow young, local applicants who want to better their communities. To date, TeenWorks™ has funded over 450 projects with dollars exceeding $500,000 through United Wayof the Greater Lehigh Valley workplace campaign donations. www.unitedwayglv.org/take-action/give/teenworks
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