Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley

We are heartbroken by the loss of two young lives to gun violence in our community. There are no words that can fully capture the pain their families, friends, classmates, and loved ones are experiencing at this moment. Every young person lost to violence is a tragedy, and every loss leaves a lasting wound on our community.

As a grieving mother and as the Executive Director of Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, I know that behind every headline is a family whose life has been changed forever. Today, our hearts are with those families as they navigate unimaginable grief.

At the same time, we must resist the urge to accept these tragedies as normal. The loss of young people to violence should never become routine. These incidents remind us that violence prevention requires all of us. Families, schools, community organizations, healthcare systems, law enforcement, elected officials, faith leaders, and residents all have a role to play in creating safer communities for our children.

We know that progress is possible. In recent years, our community has demonstrated that when we invest in prevention, mentorship, healing, economic opportunity, and trusted community leadership, lives can be saved. We must remain committed to that work even in moments of heartbreak.

Today, we mourn. Tomorrow, we must act. We must recommit ourselves to prevention, to intervention, to supporting our young people, and to building a community where every child feels safe, valued, and supported. We cannot allow another family to experience this pain without doing everything in our power to prevent the next tragedy.

Let this moment be more than grief. Let it be a call to action for all of us. Together, we must ensure that every young person in Allentown has the opportunity to live, grow, and thrive.

Jeani Garcia
Executive Director
Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley

Last night, our community lost another young life to gun violence.

A 17-year-old boy should have been planning his future, spending time with friends, and making memories. Instead, another family is grieving an unimaginable loss, and another neighborhood is carrying the weight of trauma.

Our hearts are with everyone impacted by this tragedy. We extend our deepest condolences to the young man’s family, friends, classmates, and all those affected by this senseless act of violence.

Gun violence is not just a criminal justice issue. It is a public health crisis that continues to devastate families, traumatize communities, and rob our youth of their futures.

We cannot accept this as normal.

We are calling on our community to come together and take action. Put the guns down. Choose life. Choose peace. Choose healing.

To our young people: your life matters. Your future matters. There is always another way. Healthy coping strategies, trusted mentors, mental health support, conflict resolution, and community connection can save lives.

If you or someone you know is struggling, needs support, or is looking for resources, please reach out to Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley. Our mission is to end gun violence and create safer, healthier communities where every young person has the opportunity to thrive.

This is not someone else’s problem. This is all of our responsibility.

Enough is enough.

Today, we ask our community to do more than simply mourn. Check on a young person. Have a difficult conversation. Mentor someone. Share resources. Support violence prevention efforts. Speak up when you see someone struggling. Together, we can build a community where our children are safe, valued, and given every opportunity to succeed.

Please share this message to help spread awareness, hope, healing, and a commitment to ending gun violence. Every voice matters. Every action matters. Every life matters.

✌️ Peace Walk
Let’s walk together for peace in our community. Join us for our Peace Walk, where neighbors, families, and community leaders come together to stand for unity, healing, and hope.
By walking side by side, we are showing that our community believes in supporting one another and creating safer, stronger neighborhoods for everyone.
Bring a friend, bring your family, and join us as we take steps toward a more peaceful future.
❗This Peace Walk will meet at the McDonalds on Union Blvd. instead of the PNLV offices ❗
📅 May 30th
📍 Meet at: 1321 Union Blvd, Allentown, PA
⏰ Meet: 1:30 PM
🚶 Walk Begins: 2:00 PM

PNLV was honored to attend the Irving Block Party to connect with community members and share violence prevention resources, support services, and messages of hope and healing.

Our community has experienced unimaginable loss, pain, and grief, especially surrounding youth violence. In moments of crisis, we believe it is important to show up for one another with compassion, support, and action.

At Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, our work is rooted in trauma informed care. We want our community to know that PNLV is a safe place. Whether someone is seeking support, guidance, resources, or referrals for services, we are here to help.

Events like the Irving Block Party remind us how powerful collaboration is. When city leaders, community organizations, residents, families, and neighbors come together, we create safer spaces where our youth and families can truly thrive.

Ending gun violence and building healthier communities takes all of us working together. Thank you to everyone who continues to stand beside our community with love, commitment, and hope. ✨

We are incredibly honored to be selected as a 2026 funded partner of Community Solutions for Health Equity (CSHE) for our Black Health Equity Initiative. 🖤🌍

At Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, we know health equity is about more than healthcare. It is about safety, access, opportunity, healing, food justice, mental wellness, economic stability, and making sure every family has the chance to thrive.

This opportunity allows us to continue building community-led solutions rooted in lived experience, public health, and healing centered care right here in Allentown.

We are proud to stand alongside organizations across the country advancing justice, transformation, and equity in their communities.

Thank you to Community Solutions for Health Equity for believing in grassroots leadership and investing in the power of community.

The work continues. ✨

🎓 Want to get your GED, earn college credits, or start a new career path — for FREE?

Through the Diversion & Assistance (DA) Scholarship partnership between Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley and Lehigh Carbon Community College, eligible community members can access educational and workforce opportunities at NO cost. 💥

✨ Opportunities Include:
✅ GED Preparation
✅ Workforce & Trade Programs
✅ Healthcare Certifications
✅ CDL & Transportation Training
✅ Business, Tech & More
✅ College Credit Programs & Associate Degrees
✅ $500 Stipend for Transportation & Uniforms

📌 IMPORTANT:
Do NOT contact LCCC directly first. All referrals MUST go through PNLV.

PNLV staff will help guide you through the process, including:
✔️ Determining eligibility
✔️ FAFSA assistance for credited programs
✔️ Referrals to LCCC
✔️ Enrollment support & follow-up

⚠️ GED and non-credit workforce programs do NOT require FAFSA.
⚠️ Credit-bearing college programs DO require FAFSA completion.

If you or someone in your household has been impacted by opioid addiction, substance use, or mental health challenges, you may qualify for this opportunity.

📧 [email protected]
📧 [email protected]

You are not alone. Your future still matters. Let’s take the next step together. ❤️

Today, May 19th, is Primary Election Day, and this is one of the most important opportunities we have to shape what happens in our own community.

Local elections impact our everyday lives more than people realize. The people elected today help make decisions about our schools, judges, public safety, housing, youth opportunities, taxes, infrastructure, and where resources and investments go within our neighborhoods.

For communities that have historically been overlooked, underfunded, and forced to fight for access, showing up matters. Too often, decisions are made about our communities without the voices of the people most impacted being heard in the process.

After the recent violence and heartbreak our community has experienced, we cannot afford to disconnect from the systems and decisions that directly impact our future. Real change requires participation, advocacy, and people who care enough to show up for the community they say they love.

Your vote is your voice. Your vote is your power. And local elections help determine what support, opportunities, protections, and investments our communities receive moving forward.

Please take the time to vote today.