Via of the Lehigh Valley

03/31/2026

Our nominees for PAR’s We Are Worth It Awards remind us what meaningful support looks like - connection, creativity, and care that lasts. We celebrate them today and every day.

Lori P. exemplifies the compassion and relationship‑centered care of an exceptional Direct Support Professional. Over her 15 years at Via, she has built deep, trusting connections with the individuals she supports and their families, reflecting the profound impact of genuine human connection.

We’re proud to honor Lori and all who bring our mission to life through their extraordinary dedication.

03/27/2026

We’re excited to share WFMZ's wonderful coverage of the 20th Annual Celebration Awards, highlighting the incredible individuals who are overcoming barriers and making a meaningful impact in our community. Their story captures the heart of the event and the inspiring achievements of this year’s honorees.

Check out the segment on WFMZ.com:
https://tinyurl.com/CelebrationAwards2026

WFMZ-TV is an independent television station in Pennsylvania, United States providing news for the Lehigh Valley and Berks County, including the communities of Allentown, Reading, and Bethlehem

03/27/2026

The Celebration Awards this week brought together community members, families, and advocates for a heartfelt afternoon recognizing people with disabilities who are making a meaningful impact every day. Hosted at DeSales University, the event honored individuals whose exemplary citizenship, educational success, community involvement, and personal achievements inspire everyone around them. The luncheon and award presentation highlighted the many ways people contribute to a stronger, more inclusive community when their talents and efforts are seen and celebrated.
We’re especially proud to share that several individuals who receive services from Via were recognized this year, including Joanne, Gabe, and Chris. Their dedication, resilience, and commitment to giving back truly embody the spirit of the Celebration Awards. Moments like these remind us how powerful it is when people are supported to shine - and how much brighter our community becomes because of it. ✨

03/27/2026

Big changes are underway in our Vocational Training Workshop in Bethlehem, and we’re excited to share the progress! Thanks in part to a 2022 HUD Community Project Funding award, we’re making critical upgrades to this 114‑year‑old facility to ensure it remains safe, resilient, and welcoming.

Along with upgraded flooring and critical safety, structural, and modernization work, the renovation includes fully rebuilt restrooms, an upgraded medical room with an accessible shower, added hygiene stations, extensive technology and communication upgrades, energy‑efficient improvements, and new HVAC systems to address long‑standing infrastructure needs. Fresh paint throughout the workshop will help create a more welcoming, functional environment for everyone who uses the space.

These improvements are creating a brighter, more comfortable, and more efficient space where individuals with disabilities can build job skills, independence, and community. This renovation is an investment in both our facility and the people who rely on it every day, helping ensure the workshop continues to support opportunity and growth for years to come.

03/26/2026

At Via, we love celebrating the people who bring our mission to life every day. Recently, Alivia S. stepped into new responsibilities within our Small Group Employment department, and she’s already making an incredible impact. Director Sean H. shared heartfelt praise for the positivity, compassion, and steady support she brings to individuals and staff alike.
Alivia embodies Via Values in every interaction, ensuring that the individuals Via supports can continue working, learning, and earning with confidence. Her willingness to jump in, juggle competing priorities, and uplift others reflects the heart of who we are as an organization. We’re proud to recognize her and grateful for the difference she makes on a daily basis.

03/26/2026

Looking for support, connection, and helpful resources this April? We’re always eager to share free, trustworthy resources that help families and caregivers navigate the disability support landscape here in Pennsylvania.
Vision for Equality has a full month of workshops, conversations, and learning opportunities designed for individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. Whether you're planning for the future, seeking community, or exploring new tools to help your loved one live an everyday life, these events are a great place to start.
Check out the April calendar and find the sessions that fit your family’s needs: https://www.visionforequality.org/events/month/2026-04/
A stronger community begins with informed and empowered families!

03/24/2026

The We Are Worth It Awards honor extraordinary Pennsylvanians making an impact in their communities - and we’re proud to say our Via nominees embody that spirit every day.

Samantha M. is a powerful example of compassion‑driven leadership. From her start as a college intern to her role today, she has built a reputation for showing up with empathy, humility, and unwavering dedication to the people she supports.

We’re honored to celebrate Samantha and all who bring our mission to life through their extraordinary service.

03/23/2026

What an incredible day at the Lehigh Valley Senior All Star Classic yesterday! 🏀
A huge thank‑you to everyone who came out to cheer on the amazing girls and boys teams. The energy in the gym was unreal, and it was such a joy to celebrate these talented athletes and their hard work.

Congratulations to the tournament MVPs:
East Boys: Myles Harris, Bethlehem Christian
East Girls: East: Allyah Brame, Bethlehem Catholic
West Boys: Javian Porter, Parkland
West Girls: America McGalla, Parkland
South Boys: Steven Lozada, Salisbury
South Girls: Olive Whitney, Emmaus
North Boys: Jason Marcantonis, Bangor
North Girls: Jackelin Miller, Bangor

We also congratulate the three Hall of Fame inductees:
Jennifer Nish Callahan
Andy Stephens
Shawn Thonton

Thank you for showing up, lifting up local athletes, and helping strengthen our mission. We’re already looking forward to next year! 💙

03/23/2026

For Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we're launching a relationship-building effort. People with developmental disabilities, families, and community members can connect with key decision-makers locally, statewide, and federally.

Building relationships with legislators matters because the policies they shape directly influence the everyday lives of people with disabilities - everything from funding for services to accessibility standards to civil rights protections. When legislators know people personally affected by their decisions, disability issues stop being abstract and start becoming human, urgent, and real. These relationships help ensure that laws are informed by lived experience, not assumptions, and that people with disabilities have a voice in the systems that impact their autonomy, opportunities, and quality of life.

Your voice matters. Your story matters.
Introduce yourself to your lawmakers here: https://nacdd.quorum.us/DDAM2026/

03/17/2026

Please join us in congratulating our employees nominated for PAR’s We Are Worth It Awards. Their dedication and service reflect the heart of our mission.

Peter D., aka “Saint Pete,” is a true example of compassion and resilience. After shifting from a long career in sales, he joined Via to support individuals in Small Group Employment Services with patience, encouragement, and genuine belief in their potential. Even after facing major health challenges, Peter worked hard to return to the people and the work he cares so deeply about.

We’re proud to celebrate Peter and all who bring our mission to life through their extraordinary dedication.

03/16/2026

This month, in honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we are sharing stories that connect the past, present and future of people with disabilities.

NOW: Community Living
People with disabilities are living full lives - working, building friendships, volunteering, parenting, and contributing to their communities.

Community living matters because it affirms something people with disabilities have always known: life is fuller, healthier, and more meaningful when everyone is included in the places where we all live, work, and belong. It’s not just about where someone resides—it’s about having real choices, real relationships, and real participation in everyday community life.

Just as the Capitol Crawl showed the world that inaccessibility was a barrier created by society—not by disability—community living today reinforces that people with disabilities belong in every part of community life. They always have. The work now is making sure systems, supports, and attitudes reflect that truth.

Same community. Same goals. Same future.

03/15/2026

🏀 One week to go!
The countdown is on for the Lehigh Valley Senior All‑Star Classic - happening Sunday, March 22 at Northampton Community College!

Get ready for an afternoon of incredible talent, community spirit, and great basketball, all while supporting a meaningful cause. Proceeds benefit Via of the Lehigh Valley, helping us continue our mission in the community.