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Women's Leadership Council Newsletter
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Lehigh Valley Women's Summit
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 Firstrust Bank Senior Vice President Laura Azzalina and WLC President Valerie Lane address the opening session of the 2016 Women's Summit at Cedar Crest College. The 2016 Summit drew a record 500 attendees. WLC members participated in a number of panels and presentations.
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 WLC membership convened in March at ProJeCt of Easton where it supports programs that help women with parenting, learning English as a second language, and working toward a GED. Last year WLC provided $30,000 for family literacy programming at the agency.
At the meeting, ProJeCt CEO Janice Komisor thanked the group for their continuing support, which has made an impact on the lives of women in the area. Children at the agency signed thank you notes. In 2015-16, WLC provided $30,000 for family literacy programming. Komisor invited members to attend the graduation at ProJeCt on June 21, 2016
Komisor reports that volunteers are needed to help graduates write resumes and practice interviewing for jobs. For more details on graduation or volunteering opportunities contact, Barbara Diamont.
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Lehigh Valley Literacy Center is a State Leader
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The Literacy Center of Lehigh Valley, a United Way funded agency and WLC Signature Project, has placed third in the state out of 58 state-funded literacy agencies in 2015 according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The Allentown-based agency exceeded state agency literacy outcomes by 30 percent. Less than half of the literacy providers funded by the state were able to meet the minimum requirements. In addition, the Literacy Center's civics program placed second in the state and exceeded state requirements by an overwhelming 60 percent.
Since 1997, The Literacy Center has worked to help the people of the Lehigh Valley improve their lives, the lives of their families, and their community by teaching English to immigrants, helping people earn their GED, and breaking the cycle of family illiteracy. The United Way's Women's Leadership Council, provided $30,000 in 2016 for the Center's program to promote family literacy and English as a Second Language.
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College Admissions Tutorial for Literacy Center Clients
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Mary Ellen Hickes, director of admissions for the Cedar Crest College School of Adult and Graduate Education (SAGE), answers the questions of a Literacy Center client who wants to know more about attending college. Cedar Crest recently hosted a diverse group of about 25 Literacy Center clients including GED graduates and recent immigrants enrolled in the Center's English as a Second Language program. Ms. Hickes urged the group to persist in their quest for higher education and to consider all opportunities in the Lehigh Valley including community college.
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Lincoln Elementary School Moves Ahead
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Last year's grant of $35,000 provided an additional 30 hours of instruction to aid students in closing their academic gaps in reading. It also supports a pre-school program for prospective Lincoln students. The school says WLC's support has led to a significant increase in literacy among students in the school's reading intervention program: 75 percent of third grade students and 63 percent of second grade students enrolled in reading intervention showed positive growth last year.
The school is looking for readers and mentors and is willing to accommodate personal schedules. For more information on how to volunteer contact Becky Gorton.
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Central Elementary School Block Party
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 Donna Munroe, who volunteers with second grade students at Central Elementary School in Allentown through the WLC's Signature Projects program, assists one of her charges with a display at the First Annual Central Elementary School Block Party in June. Some 400 students, families and community members participated in the event, which included games food and dancing. A highlight of the event was the school principal's turn in the dunk tank. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, WLC has contributed $35,000 to Central Elementary School for early childhood education and after-school programming.
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Frances Hesselbein Scholarship Award Winner
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Ruby Garcia, 19, a rising sophomore majoring in global studies at Cedar Crest College, is the 2016-17 recipient of the Frances R. Hesselbein scholarship. Garcia, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., who currently resides in Breinigsville, Pa., says she grew up yearning to see the world. After becoming involved in the College's Amnesty International Chapter, her world opened wide. She made it her mission to continue helping others through Amnesty's platform and beyond.
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Wendy Born to be Honored at WLC Annual Meeting
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Five WLC Members Receive Honors
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Local organizations honored the volunteer and charitable work of five WLC members at fundraising events in March and April.
The YWCA of Bethlehem honored
Carrie Ward, a real estate executive with the Frederick Group and
Laura Azzalina, senior vice president of Firstrust Bank as Women of the Year on April 7 at Blue.
Ashley Russo, president of ASR Productions, was accorded the Golden Laurel at the event.
The Inez and Edward Donnelly Award for Children's Advocacy was presented to
Lin Erickson and
Marci Ronald at a fundraiser for Community Services for Children on April 21 at DeSales University. Erickson is Executive Director of the DaVinci Center and Ronald is Executive Vice President of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.
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ProJeCt of Easton Graduation
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Women's Leadership Council, a major funder of this program, invites you to celebrate the graduates of the ESL program at ProJeCt Easton.
For more details contact Barbara Diamont.
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Thursday September 15, 2016
1,000 VOLUNTEERS. 65 NON-PROFITS. 1 AMAZING DAY.
WLC will be volunteering with ProJeCt of Easton. To volunteer with WLC on Day of Caring contact
Barbara Diamont.
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Thursday, September 22, 2016
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Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Join women in your community to "shop for a cause" and get your holiday shopping done early with local Lehigh Valley vendors at our annual Power of the Purse event. A portion of all sales will benefit Women's Leadership Council and our Signature Projects benefiting women and children.
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Join Women's Leadership Council
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United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley |1110 American Parkway NE| Suite F-120| Allentown | PA | 18109
P: 610.758.8010
© United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, All Rights Reserved
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