Our Impact – Summer 2025

Thank you for taking a closer look at all that has been happening at Cay Galgon Life House in 2025. Below, you’ll find more detailed updates and highlights from both our Residential and Community Outreach Programs. Each detail reflects the shared commitment of our team, partners, and supporters to walk alongside pregnant women and new moms as they build lives of stability and self-reliance.  

Volunteer Program Growth 

Our volunteer family has grown beautifully this year, with 38 new volunteers joining our mission, including 8 inspiring junior volunteers ages 13 to 17 who are already making a difference in their community. 

In total, 66 individuals have served this year through a wide range of roles such as childcare, donations sorting, postpartum support, transport, and meal preparation. Group service projects have included Bethlehem Catholic School, Lehigh Valley Church, and the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley Youth Volunteer Council.  

Alongside volunteers, CGLH welcomed four dedicated interns who together contributed 840 hours of their time and hearts, along with six caring nursing students from DeSales University who completed 36 service hours. Together, this incredible network of volunteers, interns, and students has created over 2,770 hours of compassionate care across both our Residential and Community Outreach Programs. 

Residential Program Highlights 

Celebrating Our Residents’ Achievements: 

We are so proud to share some of our residents’ accomplishments. 

• 1 resident began nursing school in July 

• 1 resident graduated from Project of Easton’s GED program in June and enrolled in pharmacy tech training 

• 1 resident began GED classes through Project of Easton in July 

• 1 resident starting healthcare admin classes at NCC in August 

Beyond These Walls Initiative: 

Our commitment to the mothers in our care doesn’t end when they graduate from our Residential Program. Through our Beyond These Walls initiative, we continue walking alongside former residents as they build independent lives in the community. Currently, 10 amazing women are receiving ongoing support with job searches, childcare, navigating social services, court advocacy, and strengthening their parenting skills. This continued connection allows us to celebrate their long-term successes and be there when challenges arise.

Community Collaboration: 

Pregnancy, birth, and those first weeks with a new baby can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re building a new life. Our internal Doula Network connects each resident with one of five trusted local doulas who walk alongside them through it all. These experienced women offer hands-on support, answer questions, and advocate for our moms so they feel confident and cared for during this incredible time. 

Classes & Events for Moms in our Residential Program: 

Our residents have enjoyed meaningful experiences throughout the year, including: 

• 1/16: Child Passenger Safety Class – LVHN @ CGLH 

• 2/4: Life Skills (Healthy Relationships) – Fruitful Seeds @ CGLH 

• 3/22, 5/17, 7/12: Grace Deliverance Church Life Skills & Spirituality Sessions 

• 4/10: Spring Activity with Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (Easter Egg Painting) 

• 5/6: Mother’s Day Dinner sponsored by a local family 

• 6/12-7/24: 7-week course, Life Skills (Codependence), Facilitated by Fruitful Seeds. 

Community Outreach Program Updates 

Client Reach: 

So far in 2025, CGLH has welcomed 55 babies born to families in our care. We’ve walked alongside families across 14 counties and more than 25 ZIP codes, with most of our moms living in Allentown, Bethlehem, or Easton. Our team has been there for 1,265 appointments and spent over 569 hours directly supporting families, and we’re proud that moms are showing up, with cancellation rates staying low and no-shows continuing to drop. We’ve also expanded our bilingual services to better serve our diverse community, and more women are connecting with us for support each month. 

Pantry Support:

Sometimes the most important support is the simplest. With 743 pantry visits so far this year, accounting for nearly 60% of all our work, helping families put food on the table remains at the heart of what we do through our Community Outreach Program. These pantry appointments take time and care, totaling over 247 service hours, because we know that when basic needs are met, moms can focus on their future. 

Welcoming New Families: 

Every month, about 29 new women find their way to us (205 so far in 2025). Each intake ensures another pregnant woman or new mom in our community receives an ongoing connection to the supportive services our programs and initiatives offer. 

Being There in Crisis: 

When moms face urgent situations like housing instability, domestic violence, or running out of essentials like formula, diapers, and hygiene products, they know they can reach out to us. This year, 125 emergency appointments have connected moms with the resources they needed right when they needed them most. Having a place to turn in these critical moments can make all the difference in a mom’s ability to keep moving forward. 

Community Outreach Initiative #LifeHouseDaily:

In May, we launched #LifeHouseDaily across our social platforms to share educational content, event updates, and connect more directly with the moms we serve. We’re also setting up WhatsApp to reach families who rely on app-based communication, meeting people where they are. 

Beyond our digital presence, we’ve hosted meaningful events and shown up at community gatherings throughout the Lehigh Valley. Here’s what we’ve been up to: 

Educational Public Events Hosted by CGLH for Pregnant Women and New Moms: 

• 5/7 – Navigating Motherhood: A Mother’s Day Celebration 
  DIY bouquets + “Dear Me, Love Me” letters. Participants included current and former clients, staff, volunteers, and board members. 

• 6/4 – Healthcare Q&A: Navigating Prenatal & Pediatric Health 
  Partnered with LVHN & SLUHN OB/Pediatric residents + doulas. 

• 7/2 – Night of Healing: Breathe, Move, Heal 
  Led by Sarah Shea, focused on trauma-informed movement and meditation. 

• *Upcoming* 8/14 – Know Your Rights: Labor, Discrimination & Advocacy for Moms: Presented by Justice at Work’s Mary Ortiz-Herrera + team. This free public session will cover legal protections for pregnant and parenting workers, including navigating workplace discrimination, labor violations, and employment rights related to immigration status. Participants will learn how to access help when rights are violated and gain practical guidance to advocate for themselves at work. On-site childcare will be available.  

Community Events Attended by CGLH:  

• ELECT @ Allentown School District (Dieruff & Allen) – 4/30, 5/1 

• South Bethlehem Family Resource Fair w/ Plan of Safe Care – 5/7 

• STAR Community Mental Health Fair @ BAPL – 5/21 

• Mayfair with SECTV @ CCC – 5/24 

• Moms Matter Baby Shower w/ Salvation Army– 5/27 

• Humankind Day w/ UNIDOS – 5/31 

• Lehigh Valley Women’s Summit – 6/5 

• Project of Easton Community Resource Fair – 7/9 

• Upcoming:  

• Philling the Need w/ Iron Pigs, 7/18, 7/19, 7/20, 7/24, 7/25, 7/27 

• Community Resource Fair w/ OATH, 7/25 

• Backpack Community Event w/ Salvation Army, 8/21 

• Allentown Fair w/ SECTV, 8/27 

Every milestone, class, and event shared here is possible because of the care and generosity of people like you. We invite you to stay connected with us through social media, join us at an upcoming event, or share our mission with others in your community. Together, we are creating stronger families and a stronger Lehigh Valley.