JoshWay founder tells committee his nonprofit grew from a personal tragedy and seeks funding to secure a community hub

David Robertson, founder and executive director of the Easton‑area nonprofit JoshWay, told the Northampton County Economic Development Committee on March 5 that he launched the organization after his younger brother Joshua died after taking a pill that contained fentanyl.

"Josh was an amazing young kid," Robertson said. "I promise you that no young kid will feel invisible ever again." He described JoshWay’s mission to support youth through life skills, digital literacy and applied opportunities.

Robertson outlined core programs: Joshua Bridge, a leadership and life‑skills onboarding that connects local curriculum providers (for example, a local bank for financial literacy and the Kelly Foundation for health and well‑being); a "digital diet" pillar providing workshops for families and schools on healthy device use and parental controls; and a Joshua Lab at 913 North Hampton Street offering digital literacy, podcasting and maker‑space activities.

He said JoshWay has piloted programs with more than 300 families, runs student projects and strategic partnerships, is a United Way partner, has EITC approval, and maintains an endowment and letters of local support including from Easton. Robertson said the building at 913 North Hampton Street was sponsored but that sponsorship ends this year; he appealed to committee members for operational support to keep the space and scale services in the eastern area.

"We want operational support to do more of those things," Robertson said. "If we don't secure it, we have to move out." He asked local leaders and community organizations to help JoshWay expand services to meet youth needs around mental health, technology resilience and life skills.

The committee chair said the presentation would be circulated to members and adjourned the Economic Development Committee.