Each season brings new beginnings within our home and outreach programs. This fall, we’ve welcomed new residents, celebrated new babies, and witnessed incredible steps toward self-reliance and family reunification, all made possible through your willingness to help.
Life House Residential Program
We recently welcomed two moms who are now thriving under our extended two-year residential model, giving them time to grow, plan, and prepare for lasting stability. Destiny has also recently joined us, along with her 5-month-old son, Kayair. The Residential Program didn’t have availability when she was expecting, but we continued to serve her with the Community Program, connecting her with community resources for temporary housing. Destiny’s patience and perseverance helped her stay connected to us. During this time, she attended our classes and developed relationships with the other moms, which resulted in a smooth transition when a residential space opened up. Meanwhile, we’re celebrating a true baby boom! Four newborns joined our Life House family this season: Colson, Luca, Kora, and Ariah. The mothers are receiving extra support thanks to our growing network of postpartum volunteers who provide meals, laundry assistance, grocery runs, and extra hands for tired new moms. Families, staff, and volunteers all work together to offer the collective care of our own village in action.
Empowerment and Milestones
Education continues to be at the heart of empowerment at CGLH. Taylor is excelling in nursing school, Danaisha is steadily moving through her Healthcare Administration courses, and we proudly celebrated Linda’s transition out of the program. She was then reunited with her older son, Jaxon—a long-awaited milestone made possible by her dedication, savings, and steady employment.
As our CGLH babies grow, the residential moms are growing too, all while caring for busy toddlers. To support them, our new “Toddler 101” series, led by Volunteer Parent Educator Margie Skibinski, is helping our moms approach this next stage with confidence and joy.
Beyond These Walls
Our post-residential program continues to flourish, maintaining a 94% engagement rate with former residents since its launch. Currently, 11 graduates are actively receiving ongoing support, classes, and community referrals. One mother’s 15-month commitment to weekly parenting sessions has strengthened her family reunification efforts, a powerful testimony and reminder that transformation doesn’t end when a mom leaves our doors.
Community Program Snapshot
Every CGLH client has value and worth and deserves to be seen and heard. Through October 2025, our Community Program facilitated 2,053 support appointments, totaling over 916 service hours, with pantry visits representing the majority of activity. Bilingual communication and digital engagement through #LifeHouseDaily continue to support moms where they are. Every community visit represents a story and a need, whether it’s a need for baby formula, guidance on affordable housing, or referrals to vital community services.
Strength in Community Partnerships
This fall, the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians hosted an upbeat Pumpkin Painting Party, and our long-time friends from Grace Deliverance Baptist Church offered fellowship and encouragement to our residents. We’re also grateful to the local experts and volunteers who made our Real Talk: Women’s Health Series possible, providing four inspiring sessions on women’s wellness along with meals and childcare.
- Topics included Vaginal & Urinary Health, with Giana Jarrah, Biomedical Engineer & Founder of With Meraki Co.
- Pelvic Floor & Abdominal Health, led by Lori Haring, PT, MS, Physical Therapist specializing in Women’s Health
- Physical Health & Fitness, with Joetta Clark Diggs, Olympian, Businesswoman & Wellness Advocate
- Pregnancy & Postpartum Health, led by Brittanie Uddin, Childbirth & Postpartum Doula, Founder of Majestic Muma Doula Support
The success of Real Talk inspired our expanded 2026 Women’s Series. This programming will further empower our clients with relevant, real-world education that can make a lasting difference in their lives. The Parenting and Life Skills Curriculum will feature new partnerships and expert-led sessions and our expanded Women’s Wellness sessions will cover health, relationships, and personal empowerment. Sergeant Ramsden, of The Bethlehem Police Department, will deliver a comprehensive Safety Series tailored for new moms while local banks and financial institutions will offer practical money management skills to our residents.
This year, CGLH welcomed student nurses from Moravian University and residents from St. Luke’s Pediatric Residency Program, giving them hands-on experience through our Programs and Educational Series. We’re excited to continue this program as a training opportunity for tomorrow’s healthcare leaders. Coming soon, in the Spring of 2026, we will offer independent internships for students passionate about nonprofit human services work. If you know a young person looking to make an impact, this is how they can join our team and gain real-world experience.
We also welcomed new volunteers and partners this season, including the Amazon DAE1 team, who cleaned and prepared our residential spaces, organized donations, and helped us prepare for the upcoming holidays.
Expanded Opportunities
We’re excited to announce that starting with November 2025, we’re offering a Freezer Meal Ministry Partnership to provide nutritious, ready-to-heat meals for pregnant and postpartum moms experiencing food insecurity, which affects 13% of our clients.
Our Community Reach
From January through October, CGLH served families from 15 counties and 43 zip codes, although most reside in Lehigh (73%) and Northampton (23%) Counties. Additionally, our reach now extends beyond the Lehigh Valley through phone counseling and resource navigation, helping families in New York, Georgia, and California to access support local to them. Wherever a mother reaches out, she is met with care, compassion, and connection.
We Appreciate You
Every milestone we celebrate includes you, the community that stands behind us. From welcoming newborns and supporting our residents to helping families build stable, independent lives, your support makes it all possible. As the holiday season approaches, we invite you to follow our stories on #LifeHouseDaily, schedule a facility tour, or consider volunteering in the coming months. Together, we provide hope, empower mothers, and create a stronger, more compassionate Lehigh Valley, one family at a time.
With gratitude,
Paula Albanese
Executive Director
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