Youth & Gang Violence in the Lehigh Valley

Megan Frank & Dan Ray

• Published on February 28, 2019 • Last modified on March 4, 2019 • Comments

Lehigh

PBS39's special report on youth and gang violence in the Lehigh Valley takes a closer look at the murder of a 17-year-old Allentown boy, Kareem Fedd, and several other teen homicides across the region.

The volume of violent and gang-related teen deaths started a conversation here at PBS39, leading us to ask: What is being done to stop youth violence and gang activity in our communities? To help answer that question, the series includes voices from Stop the Violence, the Easton Area Community Center, the Allentown Police Youth Division and the Lehigh County Gang Task Force.

SPECIAL REPORT | PBS39 News TOnightSTOP THE VIOLENCE : PART 1

Special Report | PBS39 News TonightSTOP THE VIOLENCE : PART 2

To join or donate to a youth group in the Lehigh Valley, the following groups are currently running programs:

Stop the Violence
Stop the Violence is a community-ran media hub for Allentown area youth that includes music video production. The group us opening a production studio in May of 2019.
Location: Allentown, PA
Website:https://www.facebook.com/AllentownSounds
Donate:https://www.gofundme.com/allentown-stoptheviolence-movement

Easton Area Community Center
The center offers after-school programming, sports clubs and summer activities to elementary age students.
Location: 901 Washington Street, Easton, PA
Phone: 610-253-8271
Website:www.eastonareacc.org

Allentown Police Youth Division
The youth division office offers programs for youth including PAL (Police Athletic League) sports teams. Midnight Basketball and the Youth Police Academy.
Location: 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown PA
Phone: 610-437-7741
Website:www.allentownpa.gov/Police/Divisions-and-Units/Youth-Division

Saint Luke's Neighborhood Center
The Neighborhood Center serves youth ages 4-18 with programming including after school programs and summer programming. The guiding principles of all its youth programming are to: provide a safe haven, promote positive life choices, and promote and strengthen community relationships.
Location: 435 N Seventh Street, Allentown PA
Phone: 610-434-5799
Website:www.theneighborhoodcenterallentown.com

Greater Valley YMCA (Multiple Locations)
The Y offers affordable programs related to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
Phone: 610-438-6065
Website:www.gv-ymca.org

Boys & Girls Club (Multiple Locations)
The Boys & Girls Club offers programming in sports, health, the arts, leadership and career development.
Location: 720 N Sixth Street, Allentown PA
Phone: 610-432-9944
Website:www.bgcallentown.org

Community Bike Works
Community Bike works teaches life lessons through bicycles to the young people of Allentown and the Lehigh Valley who could benefit most.
Location: 235 N Madison Street, Allentown PA
Phone: 610-434-1140
Website:www.communitybikeworks.org

F.A.C.E.S. (Faith, Accountability, Community, Education & Services)
F.A.C.E.S. offers affordable counseling and education services to youth and their families.
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Phone: 610-597-7200
Website: www.f-a-c-e-s.org

The First Tee of Lehigh Valley (Multiple Locations)
Provides affordable golf training program for youth.
Location : Allentown Municipal Golf Course, 3400 Tilghman Street, Allentown PA
Phone: 610-868-5290
Website: www.thefirstteelehighvalley.org

The Literacy Center of Leigh Valley
Provides free, community-based literacy instruction to young adults.
Location: 1132 W Hamilton Street, Suite 300, Allentown PA
Phone: 610-435-0680
Website:www.theliteracycenter-lv.org

YEA! (Youth Education in the Arts)
YEA! offers low cost, comprehensive dance education to Allentown area youth. Their programs include The Cadets (drum corps), Xcape Dance Studio and USBands (scholastic musicians).
Location: 601 W Hamilton Street, Allentown PA
Phone: 610-821-0345
Website:www.yea.org