About this year’s recipient…
THE SIXTH STREET SHELTER

…the largest family shelter in this region, has been providing housing and casework services to homeless families with children since 1984. It is a program of the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley which, for 42 years, has been in the vanguard of community-based solutions to the challenges facing the region’s low-income families. Increasingly, the Shelter has been serving the working poor, whose incomes strain to keep pace with rising rents and other consumer costs. Some have fallen prey to predatory lending practices and/or been subject to housing foreclosures. Some have found themselves homeless through unemployment, building condemnations, domestic violence, or loss of income or housing following abandonment by a spouse or partner. The Shelter helps homeless families turn their lives around, not just by putting a roof over their heads, but by giving them the tools to solve their own problems and move toward self-sufficiency. During their stay at the Shelter, family members work with caseworkers to design a goal plan, which includes a search for permanent housing, life skills education, and a budget plan. The 19 apartments that together comprise the Shelter are spread over 5 contiguous addresses acquired by CACLV. Now, 25 years since the Shelter opened, these facilities are critically in need of extensive renovation. Sixth Street Shelter is launching a capital campaign to fund the renovations so critical to enabling the Shelter to continue its work.

During Fiscal Year 2007-2008…
97 families (213 children) were housed for an average of 60 days
32 families found and retained their own affordable housing upon leaving the Shelter
33 heads of households were employed upon entering the Shelter, 41, upon leaving the Shelter
97% of Shelter children attended school regularly

For all information about STM Summer Theatre Magic, contact Natalie,
at 610-433-7413, Ext. 18