Valley Youth House, where Allentown Mayor candidate Cecelia Gerlach is employed, has a mission of empowering and strengthening the lives of children, youth and families through inclusive programming. Based on Gerlach's decision to drop a 16 yo boy off at a tent city and the nonprofit's failure to address this matter, I'd say it's a mission failure. But its President and CEO, Thomas Harrington, is certainly collecting a nice salary. According to this nonprofit's 2019 tax return, Harrington's compensation in 2019 was $335,036. His salary was $302,069. CFO Thomas Brown was paid $170,745 in salary and benefits. This compensation package is approved by a rather unwieldy board consisting of 17 members.
The bulk of Valley Youth House's funding comes from government contracts.
Harrington is married to Kathy Harrington, Queen of Lehigh Valley For All Some, a far-left Democratic organization. Interestingly, Lehigh Valley For All Some endorsed employee Gerlach for Allentown Mayor after an endorsement meeting in which Gerlach was the only Mayoral candidate invited.
Harrington's son David is a Lehigh County Commissioner.
52 comments:
Wow, helping people never paid so good. It is outrageous that the resources set aside to help youth are being syphoned off so blatantly. This is why government programs receive such a bad name. Who is responsible for these numbers?
Who are these 17 board members? Who put them into these positions? It looks like a good scheme for the well being of the well connected with youth as the vehicle. Sad, disgusting, some kind of investigation and house cleaning is in order.
Am I reading this correctly? $335,036.
Sometimes "helping" the poor and disadvantaged can be quite profitable. And the employees are often underpaid, poorly supervised and have more problems than the population they serve. 'Non profits' sure are profitable to the ones at the top. The bosses are in thick with local politicians and no one bothers to question the monies and favors passing back and forth. What a circus and how sad. And the silliness that goes on in Allentown is repeated through our land. When I hear these shills, I hear the "braying of asses". Keep doing what you do Bernie because we will never read about it in our local papers. And glad you have some others helping you keep us informed.
No problem! Many still believe Federal money has nothing to do with taxpayer dollars., and to non-taxpayers . . . Who gives a shit?
I knew this was the real story, when I read an anonymous post the other day. Now these overpaid, sanctimonious, pompous, liberal fat cats at VYH will finally be exposed to the light of day all thanks to yet another judgment lapse from Me Me. Good job of pivoting on this story, the regular medias wouldn't touch this one. I bet VYH could find a really high caliber professional person to run that agency at 1/3 the cost of Harrington. Just an appropriately qualified professional without all the political ties. Oh yeah, and kids wouldn't be dropped off at the Jungle by employees like Me Me.
That is a crazy and outlandish amount of money for running that place as a non profit. He shouldn't be paid anymore than a Superintendent of a local school district which probably has ten times more of the amount of children in the system.
Why anyone would want to go into a high risk of failure small business is beyond me. Nonprofits seem the way to go.
$335.036.00 for supervising the drop off of children in a tent city to be molested?
Wow, seems like a pretty impressive family. Envy doesn't look good on you Bernie
Many are too young to remember, but in 1971 a very cute TV show left the air…”Family Affair.” Well, it’s back in Lehigh Valley Democratic politics…just not as cute as the TV show and a lot more complicated.
Let us connect the dots together. First, the matriarch, Kathy Harrington, who is the volunteer coordinating chair of Lehigh Valley for All (LV4All), which according to its website is a “progressive, community-minded, grassroots organization.” The only part of that description I will agree with is progressive. Now, keep in mind that Katherine is also the first vice chair of the Lehigh County Democratic Committee. This group proclaims its goal of supporting Democrats. So, what is it? All Democrats running for office or those “select” that are supported by LV4Alll? Keep in mind Harrington’s group, LV4All, was responsible for tossing out a respected area woman, Frances “Tottie” Ferencin, from a February petition signing event all because she was working for a candidate (Van Scott), who is not supported by LV4All (“Lehigh Valley Ramblings,” February 22, 2021).
Now, Karen is mother to David, who in addition to being a Lehigh County Commissioner and an immigration lawyer, is the president of LV4All. Hmm…let me see…who else is a Lehigh County Commissioner? That’s it! Amy Zanelli. Now, in addition to being a Commissioner, Zanelli in just her first term became a little restless and decided to move on (much as she has over the entirety of her career – see April 14, 2021 blog in “Lehigh Valley Ramblings”). It gets a little messier, though. Not, only are Zanelli and Harrington coworkers, so to speak, but he serves on her election committee as she attempts to earn a district magistrate position. Oh, and who is endorsing Zanelli? You got it…LV4All. Just as an aside, it does get better. David seems to be her personal attorney, representing her in a custody trial. Word is she can be a difficult client. See “Lehigh Valley Ramblings,” April 28, 2021. It takes a very patient counselor or someone with connections to the client to endure that. Connections?
Thomas, husband to Karen and father to David has not been spared in this political comedy/drama. Husband/dad was named as CEO and president of Valley Youth House in 2019 with a pay package of $335,036. Undoubtedly, Valley Youth House does good work. It might be interesting to know what connections (e.g., funding, contracts, etc.) might exist between Valley Youth House and Lehigh County, which would be administered by the Commissioners. Unfortunately, Valley Youth House has been garnering bad press (“Lehigh Valley Ramblings,” April 12, 2021). Central to that is Valley Youth House employee and Allentown mayoral candidate Cecilia “Ce-Ce” Gerlach. Who is endorsing Gerlach? You got it…LV4All.
You just can’t make this stuff up! The Harringtons, Zanelli, and Gerlach…a cabal, just not as secret as they might like. So, what is one to do? When voting on May 18th walk away from the “connected” candidates.
9:29, You put this all together better than I did, lol. I certainly would like to know what contacts exist between LC and VYH and between Allentown and VHS. I question whether Gerlach or Harrington recused themselves from any votes concerning the allocation of block grant funds. Despite the claim that Harrington's compensation is approved by a board and a compensation committee, it is still excessive. He has very little in the way of education to command such a a salary.
"Envy doesn't look good on you Bernie"
It's actually disgust.
"Who are these 17 board members? Who put them into these positions? "
In any nonprofit, the executive director or CEO has a huge say on who sits on the Board. I've seen this all over the place, whether it's Donchez (not Bob, but the Museum of Industrial History), Sam Bennett, Karen Dolan, Alan Jennings or Harrington. They want people they can count on to do what they want.
"$335.036.00 for supervising the drop off of children in a tent city to be molested?"
And for what increasingly looks like a cover-up.
So Kathy and David Harrington run Lehigh Valley For "Some", who then endorse Gerlach, Zanelli and other far left wing nuts who then lobby and support funding for Valley Youth House which then gives Mr. Harrington this outrages salary? Are you f ing kidding me. This has got to be criminal, Right?
9:29 AM
https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/022/524/tumblr_o16n2kBlpX1ta3qyvo1_1280.jpg
This kind of corruption is just too common today. It will be interesting if the morning call covers this.
Bernie, This is really great work! This should be picked up by the local papers. The Harringtons just proved what a joke Lehigh Valley For All really is and how they are endorsing people to help line their own pockets. Unbelievable!
It will be interesting if the morning call covers this.
We have a local newspaper yet? I thought they just cut and pasted this blog and chalked it up to good reporting
10:55 AM
"It will be interesting if the morning call covers this."
Hey, who do you think we're talking about, Marty Nothstein?
MC has to be selective when it comes to pre-election surprises.
If only an independent reporter would investigate this entire matter.
I do not tell TMC what to cover and they don't tell me what to cover. I feel bad for the dwindling number of reporters, who are overwhelmed.
Of course that salary is out of line with similar executive salaries in the area of those managing people and budgets of comparable size. That's because government is unable to determine value and bastardizes sound compensation negotiations. When government funds something, we get more of it at higher prices. Student loans and college costs are a perfect example. But the poverty business isn't that different. With each program (social, defense, etc.) there's always better-than-good money to be made by the connected.
You'd think reporters typing past their career graveyard and making $41K would have some incentive to expose the profiteers.
Perhaps the "other" Allentown mayoral candidates before the primary could pool their resources and purchase an ad informing city voters of this convenient arrangement.
Anyone endorsed by them who has any ethics or credibility should disavow and reject their endorsement or be cast in the same shadow! That is incredible that this hasn't come out yet!
Wow! Bernie great story and comments!!! I do not know what more can be said. My question is why doesn't TMC, LV Press, WFMZ, or any media outlet pick this up and run with it. There must be ethical and possible criminal issues underlying this whole circus.
Let's get this straight, a non-profit organization VYH is paying Thomas Harrington over 300,000 a yr? What the Hell! "Me Me Gerlach" is or was an employee of VYH who should've been fired and charged with dangering the welfare of a child, and nothing was done on Thomas Harrington's part. Oh, let me guess. Thomas is married LC Democratic Org. 2nd Chair Kathy Harrington, and Kathy and Thomas Harrington are the parents of David Harrington. David Harrington is the front runner of LV4ALL, who happens to be endorsing "Me Me Gerlach and Amy "Defund the Police" "It's okay to loot" Zanelli. LV4ALL is endorsing both Gerlach and Zanelli. Furthermore, David Harrington is a lawyer representing Zanelli in a child custody battle. Wow the pot thickens. Isn't it time for voters to wake up and see what is really going on here? If you play with dogs you get fleas. Someone needs to get the flea repellent out. This information needs to get out now. There is only 6 days left !!!
Wow!! Those ARE a lot of dots to connect. Interesting how neatly the chain is intertwined. Can't we elect people who really are independent and not reliant on a political machine? "Grass-roots" is not demonstrated by endorsements of the politically-connected elite. It is demonstrated by having a track record of service, integrity, and work ethic. That is what endears the candidate to the community at-large, not people looking for a favor.
VYH is not the only non-profit human service agency in the Lehigh Valley where those on the top are overly compensated for doing absolutely nothing. I encourage you to dig deeper into just how many executives from these agencies are mirroring salaries for their top execs just like VYH does. As someone who had worked for a large non-profit in the Lehigh Valley who directly reported to the executives, it is sickening to witness this trend continue at other agencies. Families who are seeking support for their loved ones through these agencies should be given all of the facts about the people who are behind these agencies. If these exec's mission statements are to "help others", why does it seem like they are only interested in stuffing their own pockets and helping themselves?
It’s not Ford Motor Company, ,why 17 board members? Are they paid too?
There's a reason Allentown is called The City Without Limits. Remember when former FBI special agent (Scott Curtis), after investigating Allentown corruption a few years back, said there's more. Not only the ones he moved forward on? Makes one wonder what else he might have been referring to.
That’s over 6,442.30 UDS a week -$ 161.00 an hr. If you gotta work 40 hrs a week - $2.68 a minute. Geez , how does a non - profit not in garment recycling get this?
It’s bad, but hospitals are worse
you mention Alan Jennings. Alan may have flaws (god knows I do) but he NEVER allowed his salary to become this criminally inflated. And given his power and sway, he easily could have.
I am a resident of Bethlehem but I have many friends that live in Allentown & hope CECE Loses the election. & I myself have my doubts CECE will oust an incumbent.
Bernie, it's not that simple they want people that do dark deeds as a distraction. One hand doesn't simply wash the other hands back it's more like if it gets out about my pedophiliac actions I will let the cat out of the bag on you and your wifes pedophiliac actions too.
This has been going on for many years while in chambers. Remember Allentowns pimp in the 70's that had videos and was put to jail for something he had no hand in because of these facts. His daughters just cashed in the federal savings bonds a few years back!
Did VYH receive United Way dollars? Is that public information? It's an important detail because United Way use to reviews nonprofit finances prior to allocations.
Better re check a few facts here- just because you write it doesn’t make it true
They are all democrats and this is the Lehigh Valley. So what's the problem?
"Better re check a few facts here- just because you write it doesn’t make it true"
The 990, to which I linked, makes it true.
There are 41 board members listed, some quite proinent names on the list. It sure has grown from the runaway shelter I remember from long ago.
There are trustees. The board of governors is 17 members
I'm being honest, When I heard some group named Lehigh Valley For All endorsed Gerlach I think everyone was not only stunned but shocked. Like what? Really? Where the hell did that come from? Who is this group? Makes sense now! Thank you Bernie for connecting the dots. This is what happens when local news papers stop covering local news. Fubar!
This is NOTHING compared to what goes on in Washington, DC! It has recently become much worse, for those who haven’t been paying attention. Oh, well.
Kidspeace and Treatment Trends/Confront comes to mind as far as other CEO's with outrageous compensation.
It's never just the salary either. Kidspeace for example prescribes their clients a lot of medications and the pharmaceutical companies are very generous with bonuses.
Correct me if I am wrong Bernie, but wasn't Karen Dolan involved with something similar but not to the extent in the Bethlehem?
Worked at VYH. Tom is a joke. I quit.
Worked at VYH for 25 years. Old CEO made 150 k. Tom is a joke and scam artist.
VYH is in about 18 counties now (former VP here who quit because of Tom). He recruits the board members that approve his salary. Meanwhile, staff get paid poorly.
Dude does not know child welfare. His wife is dumb as a stump.
Well pretty much grew VYh. Harrington as a BS. From The University of u of Mami Ohio. The dude is a sham.
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