Resilient Lehigh Valley began in 2015 with a simple but powerful realization: traditional approaches to supporting youth were not fully addressing the challenges many students faced.
At the time, Beth Tomlinson, then the senior director of United Way’s Education Team, and Lehigh County’s Administrator of Mental Health, Intellectual Disabilities, Early Intervention Services, Drug & Alcohol Joshua Bridges, attended a conference focused on trauma-informed schools. This proved to be an eye-opening experience that helped connect the dots between childhood trauma and learning outcomes. They created a community-wide movement focused on trauma awareness and resilience-building.
Beth and Joshua gathered key community partners for an initial meeting to explore the broader impact of trauma across various systems. Attendees include the Shanthi Project, Lehigh University, Colonial Intermediate Unit 20, Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21, Pinebrook Family Answers, and many others. These conversations ultimately gave rise to what is now Resilient LV, which evolved out of the original Lehigh Valley Trauma Awareness Collaborative.
Working closely with United Way, Beth secured a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD), which became the catalyst for launching and expanding the initiative.
The funding secured by Beth enabled Resilient LV to create action teams and hire a consultant to develop a strategic plan that would guide its direction, as well as support branding, web development and communications. This included the design of Resilient LV’s name and logo, which was created by local design agency Sarott Design.
One of the earliest and most impactful projects funded through the grant was Handle With Care, a communication system between law enforcement and schools designed to support children who experience traumatic events. When officers encounter a child at the scene of a traumatic incident, they send a simple, confidential message to the child’s school. No details are shared, but it gives educators a crucial heads-up to offer understanding and support rather than punishment or questions. Resilient LV was the first in Pennsylvania to implement Handle With Care, setting a model that inspired similar programs statewide.
Over time, Resilient LV has evolved from focusing solely on youth and schools to embracing a broader mission. Initially centered on trauma-informed practices for children, the organization now engages with adults, professionals, older adults, faith-based groups and community leaders, reflecting the belief that resilience is built across generations and systems.
Today, Resilient LV works to strengthen entire communities through collaboration, education and compassion.
Click here to learn about how Resilient LV’s partnership with Lehigh County has made an impact in the community.
