Page last updated 1/05/2008
Register Your Non-Profit with WeCareToo
Enter your search words or phrases and press GO!
View by Location: View Alphabetically:
Via of the Lehigh Valley
|
|
|
Via of the Lehigh Valley is a non-profit agency that provides services for children and adults with developmental disabilities like cerebral palsy, downs syndrome, autism and mental retardation. Via’s mission is to provide leadership, support, opportunities and resources for people with disabilities so they may be independent, productive and enjoy full lives within the community.
Via envisions a time when all people will have equal access to appropriate developmental and educational services, friends who care and relationships that are rich and meaningful, a rewarding career of their choice, and a satisfying retirement. Everyone deserves the chance to succeed and, through the support of our community, Via is able to provide support for the people we serve.
Children’s Services
Children deserve a bright and healthy start in life. And all children should have the opportunity to learn and socialize with their peers. Via’s Children's Services can make all the difference in a family’s life.
- Early Intervention Program
Early identification and age-appropriate therapies are critical to the wellbeing of children with disabilities. Via’s Early Intervention services, offered to children from birth to age three, can enhance a child’s development and provide support and assistance to families. Therapists work with infants and toddlers in their homes and daycare facilities to address delays and include caregivers in the teaching process so therapy can continue at home.
- Inclusive Early Learning
All children should have the same opportunities to learn and grow in their community and it is critical that children receive appropriate care and education. Via’s Inclusive Early Learning program, in partnership with the United Way, trains childcare facilities so they can provide care and education for children with special needs. Inclusive Early Learning ensures all children have the opportunity to develop and learn through discovery with their peers.
Via’s Community Employment services are based on the belief that Everybody Works™ and no one should be excluded. Work is a typical part of adult life and everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from being a part of the employed community. Every day, Via staff work on innovative ways to help people find and maintain community employment.
- Community Employment
Via works to provide the best employment option for individuals and excels at creating innovative employment solutions that match business’ needs. Via enables adults with disabilities to work in integrated settings in the community and provides ongoing support so people can perform their job well. Via works one-on-one with adults and employers to make effective job matches and provides onsite job coaching and support to assist individuals in getting, learning and keeping a job.
- Business Services & ViaWorks
Via’s Business Services & ViaWorks are avenues provided to help adults with disabilities develop skills and gain valuable work experience so they are prepared to ultimately move to a job in the community. Via’s Business Services subcontract to complete assembly and packaging services for businesses. ViaWorks provides job training and work in community settings in positions including clerical, food service, housekeeping, janitorial, light manufacturing and production.
Via’s Community Connections facilitates relationships between individuals and the communities in which they live. Via connects people to their community through volunteer, recreational, social and educational activities. Via’s supported living program helps adults live independently in their community and form the bonds and relationships of a neighborhood.
- Community Mentoring
Adults want to be valuable, active, and productive members of their community. Via helps individuals discover preferences and choose recreational and volunteer activities in their community to participate in as independently as possible.
- Retirement Services
Via helps people who are over or nearing age 55, transition to retirement to maintain skills, participate in leisure and volunteer activities, and stay active. This process involves discussion of what retirement means and helping them connect with activities in community settings.
- Supported Living
People want the freedom to choose where they live, and feel happy, safe and in control of their lives. Via’s Supported Living program helps individuals live independently in their own accessible apartment or home. A planning process helps individuals explore where they want to live and if they want to live with a friend or on their own.
Creating Success Every Day
As a volunteer at the Crayola Factory in Easton, Taren works with hundreds of children every day. Taren’s shy and quiet demeanor disappears once she puts on her volunteer smock and starts handing out craft projects to the children. When Taren started volunteering, she was shy and rarely talked to anyone other than her Via Community Coach. But over the past two years, Taren’s sense of independence has grown and so has her confidence.
Now she readily initiates conversations with other volunteers and interacts with staff, her volunteer director and the children and families at the Crayola Factory. Taren was recently recognized with The Crayola Factory Spirit of Volunteerism Award. She is a valuable member of her team, giving of her time to support the community and working with hundreds of children every day.
Alan – Community Connections
Alan was focused on his routine and didn’t want to do anything to alter his daily activities. Fast forward to today and you can catch Alan at any number of community sites volunteering with his friends. Alan requests certain sites that involve activities he enjoys most like clerical work and any site that involves working around other people.
Alan’s sense of humor has flourished and he’s always ready to joke around with his friends and other volunteers with one of his one-liners. Alan continues to develop communication and other life skills needed for independent living and through Community Connections has developed bonds and relationships within his community.
Travis – Community Employment
Travis, a student at Bangor High School, wanted to be sure he was prepared for adult life after school. His school brought Via in to began working with him through a process called discovery, providing him opportunities to volunteer and job shadow in the community.
Through this process, Travis narrowed down his interests and likes to continuous interaction with people and organization. Travis learned much more than organization and communication skills so much so, that while he was job shadowing, a manager approached Travis about his interest in a job.
Travis’ hard work and dedication earned him a part-time job at CVS. Travis stays busy outside of work and school, volunteering at a local rehab center, assisting at his church and volunteering at his school. Travis’ opportunities for success continue to grow with his dedication to volunteering and love for his job.
Bruce – Community Employment
After doing production work as part of a school program, Bruce wanted to pursue the same type of job after graduation. Cigars International gave Bruce the opportunity to participate in a work assessment and after two days, offered him a part-time job on the packaging line.
Bruce’s coworkers have been very supportive and were quick to recognize his talents and capabilities. His manager went out of his way to provide opportunities for Bruce to learn more responsibilities.
After five months on the job, Bruce was offered a full-time position. Bruce has found Cigars International to be a great place to work and his coworkers have made him a part of the team.
Gracie – Early Intervention
Two-year old Gracie and her older brother’s arguing seemed to be just a part of family life. However, Gracie had extreme difficulties communicating and was frustrated in her interactions with those who love her most.
After evaluation by the Via’s Early Intervention program, it was discovered that Gracie’s speech development was slower than that of most children her age. This discovery helped the family understand that Gracie’s temper tantrums and arguments with her brother were a result of her frustration of not being able to communicate her feelings using speech.
Via began working with Gracie and her family on a weekly basis. The change has been dramatic since Via started working with her. Gracie’s speech has improved and she has learned how to tell her family what she needs and wants without frustration.
Ivy – Inclusive Early Learning
Ivy attends a Via Inclusive Early Learning center. Her mother thinks she has made real strides because of Via’s program. Ivy has low muscle tone and speech issues and her mother said the inclusion specialist has been a wonderful resource for their family and the children in the center “just love her.”
Ivy’s mother said the inclusion specialist, Suzanne, is “always smiling” and on difficult days when she wonders if her daughter will be able to lead a “typical” life, she is her motivator. “Suzanne is always there with positive things to say and to point out the progress Ivy Lynn has made and the strides she has taken,” said her mother.
“It is nice to hear nice things,” said Ivy’s mother “and Suzanne should be given an angel pin to wear for the work that she does. Suzanne is a wonderful asset to Via’s program and we are lucky to have her.”
Visit the Via of the Lehigh Valley home page.
