{"id":102647,"date":"2020-09-02T17:25:30","date_gmt":"2020-09-02T21:25:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=102647"},"modified":"2020-09-02T17:25:30","modified_gmt":"2020-09-02T21:25:30","slug":"rep-wild-announces-nearly-500000-in-funding-to-valley-youth-house-to-support-victims-of-human-trafficking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=102647","title":{"rendered":"Rep. Wild Announces Nearly $500,000 in Funding to Valley Youth House to Support Victims of Human Trafficking"},"content":{"rendered":"

LEHIGH VALLEY, PA (09\/02\/20) –<\/strong>\u00a0Today,\u00a0U.S. Representative Susan Wild (PA-07)\u00a0announced that a grant totaling $494,827 over three years from the Department of Justice\u2019s Office for Victims of Crime has been awarded to Valley Youth House to fund housing programs and support services for victims of human trafficking.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe trauma these young victims endure is unimaginable \u2013 and they deserve to have the appropriate resources to recover their lives,\u201d\u00a0Wild said.\u00a0\u201cThe funding secured through this grant helps make the resources to heal accessible to those who need it most, and makes sure these victims have a safe, supportive environment in which to rebuild their lives. I\u2019m so thankful to see this funding go toward our community through organizations like Valley Youth House which continue to support our most vulnerable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Due to the size and location of this region, both Lehigh and Northampton Counties experience high rates of human trafficking. This grant will specifically help fund the newly created THRIVE program (Transitional Housing. Resilience. Independence. Victorious Empowerment.), offering housing, meals, clothes, and personal items for female-identifying victims ages 14-21, and connecting them with peer mentors, drug and alcohol treatment, psychiatric care, employment training, and medical\/dental care.<\/p>\n

\u201cTransitional-age youth are the most vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation, yet they have been traditionally underserved through housing and life skills programs,\u201d\u00a0said Ken Klein, the Valley Youth House Vice President of Independent Living.\u00a0\u201cTHRIVE will create a safe and nurturing community that allows youth to heal and grow.\u00a0 Youth will have individualized support in developing a plan to meet their life goals.\u00a0 The ultimate goal of the program is to provide the necessary skills and support for these young people to successfully reclaim their lives and have a place in the community.”<\/p>\n

About Valley Youth House<\/strong>
\nValley Youth House (valleyyouthhouse.org<\/a>) does more than just provide homes for Pennsylvania\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Our staff are thought-leaders in the following topics:<\/p>\n