Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley reports sharp rise in food aid, expands workforce training

Leaders from Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley told the Northampton County Economic Development Committee that their Bethlehem-based nonprofit has seen sharply increased demand for food assistance and senior services while expanding a workforce development program that has enrolled and trained hundreds of residents.

The information came during a presentation to committee members by Raymond Santiago, executive director of Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley, and Joseph Marte, the center's development manager. Santiago said the center, founded in 1968, provides food pantry services, a senior center and social services while operating a new Linguistic and Cultural Workforce Development Center in partnership with St. Luke's University Health Network, local community colleges and other organizations.

Santiago said the center served 742 households through its food pantry in the last fiscal year, up from 605 the prior year, and distributed about 194,000 pounds of food. "There's definitely been a huge need," he said, adding that partners include Second Harvest Food Bank, Sam's Club and local schools that donate surplus produce and dairy.

Marte described the Pascila Huerta Senior Center and workforce programs. He said the senior center has 72 registered members, with 54 attending regularly and coming three times per week. He said the center supplied 15,000 meals last fiscal year "adhering to county guidelines," and hosts health screenings, exercise classes and social activities that participants describe as "an adopted family."

On workforce development, Santiago said the Linguistic and Cultural Workforce Development Center launched in September 2023 as a joint venture with St. Luke's, Northampton Community College, Lehigh Carbon Community College and the Literacy Center. Through grant support the program has run job fairs, resume workshops, mock interviews and skills training for local health care roles. "We've engaged just in the first year over 200 people," Santiago said. He added the program paid for classes at Northampton and LCCC for phlebotomy and nurse aide training and for English-language instruction, noting the Literacy Center in Allentown has lacked a permanent location since a building fire.

Santiago and Marte shared individual success stories: Rita Mateus, a young mother who completed phlebotomy training through the center and is now employed at St. Luke's University Health Network; and a family kept from utility shutoff after intensive casework by the center's social service coordinator.

Both presenters emphasized reliance on partnerships and county funding. Marte thanked Northampton County and cited county programs such as Grow NorCo, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and the county Department of Aging as contributors to the center's operations. "A lot of these funds ... play a very vital role in covering expenses such as payroll," he said.

Santiago also said the center is in the final steps of a merger with the Latino Leadership Alliance Lehigh Valley; the combined organization will offer college scholarships across the region once outstanding board paperwork is completed.

Committee members voiced support and concern over nonprofit funding stability. One committee member said many nonprofits face uncertain future funding and described that prospect as "very, very scary" for programs serving foster youth and other vulnerable groups. Committee members encouraged continued communication and assistance to promote workforce programs countywide.

Presenters opened their contact information to the committee and invited follow-up questions about program needs and possible county support.