LEHIGH VALLEY, PA (07/06/21) – Valley Youth House has received a grant of $75,000 from the Air Products Foundation. This generous donation will fund the Air Products Sensory Room at Valley Youth House’s Camp Fowler, as well as support the Setting the Stage for the Future of Valley Youth House campaign.

Valley Youth House owns and operates Camp Fowler, a 43-acre property located in Orefield, PA. Camp programming provides outdoor therapeutic recreation and promotes healing and growth through adventure-based activities and experiential learning. Campers experience breakthroughs and healing, resulting in behavioral changes that lead to their future growth.  The camp serves youth of all ages with a focus on those who would otherwise not have access to camp experiences. This population includes low-income children and youth, youth in foster care, and homeless youth, many of which have experienced significant trauma in their lives.

The Air Products Sensory Room is a peaceful space featuring bright, open windows that allow for  natural light and provides stress-reducing benefits while overlooking a calming, natural treeline bordering the Jordan Creek.  In the Air Products Sensory Room, campers receive counseling from masters-level therapists at Camp Fowler. Due to the unique circumstances and histories of youth served by Camp Fowler, staff provide trauma-informed care, which recognizes the powerful, long-lasting and widespread impact that trauma can have on the lives of youth. Staff are knowledgeable about research regarding the neurological, biological, psychological, and social effects that traumatic histories have on youth behavior, and are able to recognize trauma symptoms. Staff provide a safe environment to avoid events and circumstances that cause re-traumatization.

In November 2019, Valley Youth House began a cabin renovation project at Camp Fowler valued at $1.8 million. The initial camp cabins had been built 80 years ago and despite best efforts, had finally exceeded their usable lifespan. The cabins were uninsulated, had uneven and damaged flooring, leaking roofs, and rotting wooden siding. Through the cabin renovation process, Camp Fowler now has seven brand new cabins with heating, air-conditioning, and indoor plumbing, expanding the possibilities for year-round programs. These renovations will improve safety and expand the usefulness of the camp for Valley Youth House clients, as well as for the many community groups that use the camp.

Setting the Stage is one of Valley Youth House’s premiere special events in the Lehigh Valley. Since 2016, this event has raised over $1,322,000 to support the life-changing programs and services that are provided to youth and families served by Valley Youth House. Every year, thousands of young people receive counseling, emergency housing support, life skills training and family therapy to help them either reunite with their families or successfully transition to independent living. The funds from this campaign will benefit Valley Youth House’s critical programs and services.

At Valley Youth House, we believe diversity and inclusion are key in achieving our mission. We celebrate the diversity of culture, religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, and economic statuses of our team members, our clients, and our partners. We believe diversity and inclusion leads to higher satisfaction and empowerment, brings new ideas that promote creativity and growth, and ensures an environment where everyone’s unique skills and perspectives are valued.

“We’re proud to partner with Air Products on this important contribution that helps young people to lift themselves out of the worst of situations, and heal and grow through positive youth development,” said Christina J. Schoemaker, Senior Vice President of Development, Grants and Marketing at Valley Youth House.

 

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.