At Valley Youth House, we know that the road out of homelessness is rarely simple. It takes more than a roof overhead: it takes support, trust, and people who care. That’s why partnerships like the one we’ve built with American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) mean so much to us and the young people we serve.

We recently sat down with Doug McWilliams, Director of Operations at AEO’s Distribution Center in Hazleton, PA, to talk about his path into leadership and why giving back has always been a part of how AEO shows up in the world. Through their AEO Better World Foundation, the company awarded a $25,000 grant to support Valley Youth House’s Rapid ReHousing (RRH) Program in Luzerne County.

RRH is about helping young people find stability as soon as possible. That means getting them into safe housing quickly, helping them look for work, teaching everyday skills, and making sure they have access to counseling and other resources. It’s the kind of support that can shift the course of someone’s life.

Doug shared how proud he is to work for a company that doesn’t just operate in a community – it shows up for it. And we’re grateful to have AEO in our corner, helping more young people find the safety and support they need to move forward.

Check out our full conversation with Doug to hear more about his story and what this partnership means for youth in our region.

https://youtu.be/xePSMfkodeI