Valley Youth House (VYH) is proud to announce the public phase of its Open Doors Endowment Campaign, a strategic initiative to build a permanent endowment fund valued at $25 million to support youth and families across Pennsylvania. The Open Doors Endowment Campaign, which is the most ambitious fundraising effort in the Agency’s history, will develop long-term sustainable funding to support: 

• Emergency needs of youth and families – food, clothing, transportation, case management and mental health counseling, emergency shelter and housing.
• Quality cutting-edge, research-based programs that deliver life-changing results – general operations, match requirements, infrastructure, quality assurance processes and capacity building programs. 
• Capital Improvements – ongoing repairs and general maintenance for properties.   
• Flexibility to be innovative and help more youth and families who need it most.

“Launched in honor of our 50th anniversary, the Open Doors Endowment Campaign is a bold step toward securing the future of Valley Youth House as a lasting place of safety, healing, and hope,” said Tom Harrington, President & Executive Director of Valley Youth House, “Our mission is to ensure that the doors of Valley Youth House remain open to every young person in need–so that no one is ever left without the stability, guidance, and care they deserve.” 

Since 1973, individuals in our communities who care deeply about young people have demonstrated extraordinary generosity to make Valley Youth House’s work possible. Because of that steady commitment, the organization has impacted more than 481,000 lives through its continuum of services–from preventative in-home and school-based therapy to street outreach, emergency shelter and supportive housing. Thanks to early support from our philanthropic partners, the Open Doors Endowment Campaign has raised more than $7.9 million, bringing the total endowment value to $15.9 million, or 64% of our overall goal.

The campaign has already seen significant early support, with several donors committing $1 million or more. “My mission, in both my business and personal lives, is driven by wanting others to succeed and become independent by providing resources, educational opportunities and mentoring,” said Scott A. Gray, Former President & CEO, Clincierge and Secretary, Valley Youth House Board of Directors. “This is what VYH does!”

Other major contributors, Paul & Kym Farr and their family, shared their personal connection to the organization’s work: “Valley Youth House provides a caring, safe environment for kids from very diverse backgrounds at critical times in their lives. We’re honored to be involved with the delivery of such critical services to kids in need,” they said. “Every child deserves the right to feel safe, secure and celebrated. VYH occupies a very special place in our family’s hearts as one of our children benefited directly from the mission and we understand firsthand the benefits of these investments.”

The Open Doors Endowment Campaign is a key initiative outlined in Valley Youth House’s 2022–2026 Strategic Plan, which builds on a decade of intentional planning to successfully engage funders and the community, inspiring philanthropic support for the agency’s mission. The campaign aims to grow the organization’s permanent endowment, ensuring long-term sustainability and continued support for vulnerable youth and families for many years to come.

“Valley Youth House is an important organization to me as it is full of incredible team members who are leaning in to the fullest extent possible to help youth across the state,” said Maura Topper, Chair of the Valley Youth House Board of Directors and Chief Financial Officer of CrossAmerica Partners LP. “For many young people without the support networks or resources to thrive, the Valley Youth House team provides youth with the support and confidence to continue to grow as people and members of their communities.”

Building on this sentiment, Christina J. Schoemaker, Senior Vice President of Advancement at Valley Youth House remarked that, “Valley Youth House has grown over the years because people believed in our mission and stepped up when we needed them.” She added, “The Open Doors Endowment Campaign is about continuing that legacy of support, so young people know their lives matter and can continue to count on us, now and in the future.”

Thank you to the donors listed here who have generously committed to the campaign. It is our sincere hope that you will join us in giving to the campaign as well. You can be the key to making this campaign a resounding success. To make a donation to the Open Doors Endowment Campaign, click here. 

For more information, please contact Christina J. Schoemaker, MBA, CFRE, Senior Vice President of Advancement at Valley Youth House: CSchoemaker@ValleyYouthHouse.org or 610-820-0166 ext.1320