Thirty years ago, Silvia Custis-Henry was new to the Lehigh Valley, unsure if Allentown would become her home. She had been working temp jobs and had just completed clerical classes through the Private Industry Council (now CareerLink), which led to a role assisting with upcoming clerical courses. 

Somewhere along the way, she found Valley Youth House—or maybe, as she puts it, Valley Youth House found her. Carol Wogenrich, the Administrative Associate at the time, called her in for an interview, and from that moment, her journey with the agency began.

Starting at Valley Youth House opened Silvia’s eyes to a reality she hadn’t fully considered before: homelessness among children and teenagers. Like many, she had primarily associated homelessness with adults, but working at VYH exposed her to the struggles that young people faced—stories of mistreatment, hardship, and resilience that tugged at her heart. It was difficult to witness, but instead of turning away, she found purpose in being part of an organization that worked tirelessly to provide hope and support.

While at VYH, even as a part-time employee in the early days, she felt like part of something bigger. The work was challenging, but it was meaningful. Whether it was welcoming clients to the office, keeping small trinkets at her desk for children who came in with their parents, or simply being a warm and safe presence, she knew she was making a difference, no matter how small.

Over the years, Silvia’s role has evolved, though she has always remained in the administrative space. She’s taken on a wide range of tasks—processing checks, handling bank deposits, managing the Holiday Gift Drive at the previous Linden Street office, assisting with case notes—always stepping in wherever she could help. Through it all, she found comfort in her role, but sometimes felt hesitant to push herself forward. However, when the opportunity arose to step into a Talent Acquisition role, she took a leap of faith and embraced the challenge.

Connecting with people has always been something Silvia enjoys, and talent acquisition gave her the perfect avenue to do just that. It allowed her to engage with potential newly hired employees, learn more about the programs VYH offers, and build relationships with colleagues she might not have otherwise crossed paths with. She finds fulfillment in bringing the right people into the organization—people who, like her, were drawn to the mission of supporting youth in need.

Looking back, Silvia wishes she had been more confident in those early years, more willing to step outside her comfort zone and explore different aspects of the agency. But one lesson has stayed with her throughout her career: VYH goes above and beyond for young people, and she is proud to play a part in that work.

If she could go back and give advice to her younger self on her first day at Valley Youth House, she knows exactly what she’d say: “Regardless of what it looks like, what is said—To thine own self be true.” And after three decades of service, that philosophy has carried her through a career filled with purpose, impact, and heart.