Home Again: A Family’s Journey Back to Stability
In 2023, a local single mother of four found herself evicted and without a home. Determined to provide stability for her children, she worked tirelessly during her stay at Sixth Street Shelter, seeking every available resource—friends, family, and community agencies— to secure safe and affordable housing. All the while, she remained a devoted mother, not only to the three children in her care but also to her eldest daughter, who is incarcerated. Despite the emotional toll, she continued visiting her daughter and pushing forward, even in moments of deep doubt when she wondered, “I just can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. What am I going to do?”
Through it all, her Sixth Street Shelter case manager provided steady support, encouragement, and guidance. At her case manager’s suggestion, she reached out to a former landlord with whom she had previously maintained a good relationship. In an incredible turn of events, the landlord agreed to allow her to pay off her past-due balance and welcomed her family back into their former home—the very place her children grew up.
The family was overjoyed, and to help them settle in, the Shelter staff provided a “Welcome Home Kit” filled with household essentials. Thanks to additional rental and furniture assistance from the Lehigh Conference of Churches, they were able to start fresh in a fully furnished apartment in Allentown.
Now, with a safe place to call home, this resilient mother is filled with gratitude. She extends her thanks to the Sixth Street Shelter team for their support, motivation, and care during one of the most challenging times in her life.
The goal of the Sixth Street Shelter, a program of Community Action Lehigh Valley, is to assist families experiencing homelessness with secure, safe housing through family--centered services, in--house programming, and referrals to community resources while advocating that affordable housing is a human right.
Sponsor a Welcome Home Kit!
Does your church, organization, or family want to make a meaningful impact? You can help by sponsoring a Welcome Home Kit for a family transitioning out of homelessness. We’ll provide a list of essential household items, and you can assemble a kit to help them settle into their new home. Add a personal touch by including a note of encouragement to welcome them on this new chapter!
Contact Wendy today to sponsor a kit at wwright@caclv.org.
WELCOME, TJWANA: Sixth Street Shelter’s
Inspiring New Director
“Hello, everyone! I am Tjwana Reed—Philadelphia born and raised (Go Birds!), though I have spent the past nine years living in and serving the Lancaster community. For the past 13 years, I have worked passionately with individuals experiencing homelessness, and in my 30-year journey as a social worker, nothing has been more impactful than working in shelter services.
Every day, I meet someone who thinks I am helping them, but little do they know how much they change me. I’ve learned to truly see the person in front of me—not with judgment, fear, or prejudice, but simply as a neighbor, a sister, or a brother who needs someone to walk alongside them. We don’t always realize what it means to truly see someone until we meet them in their most vulnerable moment. That is the moment. The moment we have a choice—to meet someone where they are and witness organic change unfold, or to impose our own expectations of what change should look like for them.
I arrived at Sixth Street Shelter with a heart full of love for the families we serve. As I stepped into this role, my vision became clear: to meet people where they are and truly see them. That vision led to aligning our staff with trauma-informed care using a person-centered approach. As part of this, restructuring was necessary, and shortly after, we implemented strength-based programming. New roles and responsibilities were created to help break cycles for the families we serve, leading to long-term change.
My goal has never been to end homelessness—though I often wonder what a beautiful world that would be. My goal has always been to give someone something they didn’t have before walking through our doors. Sometimes, it’s an ‘I see you’ moment. Other times, it’s a handshake, a hug, or a bridge to a community resource that once seemed out of reach.
If there’s one thing I want to share about homelessness, it’s this: our guests are not homeless. They are experiencing homelessness. Words shape worlds, and we must be mindful of the stigmas and stereotypes we create. These are our brothers and sisters—human beings who deserve dignity, respect, and the opportunity for a better future.”
In Fiscal Year 2023-2024:
We served 91 families: 128 adults and 213 children, totaling 341 guests 91 families developed Family Service Plans based on their housing, educational, and financial goals 50% of families saved money toward rent or a security deposit upon leaving the Shelter 100% of families created a written budget to understand credit and money management as part of their goal plan at the Shelter 15% of families were referred to CareerLink and obtained services 30 relationships were developed with community landlords
SIXTH STREET SHELTER’S HOLIDAY RECAP: Celebrating Joy and Community
Life can bring unexpected challenges, leaving families in difficult circumstances during the holidays. Throughout these special yet challenging times, we are incredibly grateful to our community for bringing the holiday spirit to Sixth Street Shelter!
A heartfelt thank you to all the individuals, families, and organizations who adopted our Shelter guests last Christmas, fulfilling wish lists curated by parents and providing essential household items. This joyful holiday season wouldn’t have been possible without you!
But this holiday wasn’t just about donating gifts, Santa himself paid a visit to the Shelter, bringing presents for the children and capturing cherished family memories with photos. The Allentown Police Department went above and beyond by raising their own funds to take many of our Shelter children on a special shopping trip to Target, where they picked out gifts for their families. The experience was even more exciting as they got to ride in police vehicles—an unforgettably cool moment! Afterward, we gathered at the Americus Hotel to wrap gifts together, share a meal, and take festive photos.
At Sixth Street Shelter, the spirit of the holidays lasts all year long. Your kindness and generosity allow us to continue our mission of keeping families together—not just during the holidays, but every day. Thank you for making a difference!
Sixth Street Shelter is celebrating 40 years of service to the community!
Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 10 AM - 2 PM Sixth Street Shelter, 219 N 6th Street, Allentown
This year’s Block Party is not just a celebration of the Shelter’s history, but recognition of the incredible work done by our staff, volunteers, and supporters. The event will feature a variety of activities, including:
Local Fare and Refreshments: Enjoy delicious offerings from local food vendors.
Entertainment and Performances: WDIY’s DeeJay Byg Fury will bring the old school vibe back to Sixth Street, along with performances by local student groups. We’ll also have some surprise local celebrities joining in the fun!
Shelter Tours: Take a tour of the Shelter and see firsthand the impact of our work and what our apartments look like inside.
Activities for All Ages: Enjoy activities for the kids, games, vendors, information on community resources, prizes, and more.
The Sixth Street Shelter block party is a free event; we encourage you to consider donating to support our ongoing work. Your generosity will directly contribute to providing essential resources and services to families experiencing homelessness in our community.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact our Development Officer Wendy Wright for more details on how you can get involved at wwright@caclv.org or visit SixthStreetShelter.org.
We look forward to celebrating this special occasion with you and our community.
April is Volunteer Month!
Check out this volunteer selfie with Pena4. We had an amazing time working with them, and their generosity didn’t stop there—they also made a generous monetary donation right before the holidays!
Ways to Give
• Sign up for Recurring Monthly Donations
• Write a Check
For: Sixth Street Shelter
Mail: Community Action Lehigh Valley 1337 East 5th Street Bethlehem, PA 18015
• Donate Consistently Requested Items
• Bed-in-a-bag (twin-sized)
• Twin-sized sheets and comforters
• Bath and kitchen towels
• Pot and pan sets
At the Sixth Street Shelter, we provide everything our families need when they move in with us. Therefore, we are ALWAYS in need of new/unused household items!
To view our other requested items or to start a drive, please visit SixthStreetShelter.org.
To quickly and efficiently donate, please scan the QR code.