- Allentown School District--Safe & Drug Free Schools Coordinator and Director of Community & Student Services
Gretchen Saul: 484-765-4061
Susan Elliot: 484-765-4073
Concerns about gang activity impacting Allentown School District students may be made to the school guidance counselor. The Guidance Counselor will provide support to students during school and make referrals to the school's Student Assistance Team when warranted. These teams create specific support plans for at-risk students addressing educational needs, substance abuse intervention, and therapeutic program recommendations.
Review information on gangs and graffiti.
- Boys and Girls Club of Allentown--Gang Prevention Program
Marissa Loerbler: 610-434-4592 (Teen Center)
Brandon Strahl: 610-432-9323 (Sixth Street Clubhouse)
Boys and Girls Clubs provide positive, safe places for youth ages 5-18 enrolled in school. Prevention is provided through programs which offer a sense of belonging and dedicated, supportive staff. Programs cover 5 core areas: Character & Leadership, Education & Career, Health & Life Skills, Arts & Sports, and Fitness & Recreations. Case management and monitored attendance are included in the gang-prevention program.
- Mosser Village Family Center--Truancy Coordinator
Patti Iannelli: 610-820-9927
This pilot program works with students and their families who are truant or at-risk for truancy within the Allentown School District. Services include weekly meetings with students and parents, incentives for school attendance and completed school work, and parenting support and education classes. Concerned parents and social service providers are encouraged to contact the student's principal or guidance counselor to make a referral.
Published by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Read about this initiative. The web site also provides tip lines, resources for parents, professionals and youth as well as links to news articles and newsletters. The Route 222 Corridor is one of six sites selected by the Department of Justice to receive $2.5 million in grants to implement a comprehensive anti-gang strategy under the jurisdiction of U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan. The Route 222 Corridor Gang Prevention Task Force will help agencies develop and implement gang prevention and intervention efforts and programs addressing the individual, family, community and social dynamics of gang involvement and related activity. View a list of the local award recipients.
- Valley Youth House--Street Outreach Program
Wesley Johnson: 484-358-5410
This VYH program helps youth and families at-risk of homelessness. Services include concrete help like food and clothing, information and referral to other community social services, counseling including peer counseling for youth and youth groups, support for youth exiting gangs, and employment readiness services. Routine patrols to reach out to youths are conducted weekly in Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. Referrals are accepted but youth and families may call themselves to the above hotline. Youth served elementary to adults.
- Valley Youth House--Parent Support Group
Sue Horn: 610-691-1200
This confidential self-help group is co-facilitated by parents and trained professionals for parents, guardians, or adult relatives of youth currently or at-risk of gang involvement/gang recruitment. The group is held every other week on Thursdays from 7:00-9:00 pm at The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Additional information is available by email.