Morganelli Designates $5,000 For Youth Mentoring Program

Tina Queen

NorCo DA John Morganelli yesterday presented Shiloh Baptist Church Senior Pastor Phil Davis with $5,000 to help fund The Next Mentoring Program for area children ages 7-18. The current class of 95, which meets on Wednesday nights, runs from October until May. There are 50 adult mentors, who help these kids avoid the danger of drugs, gangs, alcohol and crime.

Morganelli is using the drug forfeiture fund for this grant. Seventy-five percent of that fund goes to law enforcement, but Morganelli has been travelling to different municipalities within Northampton County to determine worthy projects to support.

In addition to providing classes every Wednesday night, the students are also fed.

In addition to providing gang awareness and drug prevention workshops, Lehigh University and Easton Area School District have agreed to provide SAT preparation for juniors and seniors at no cost to the students.

Minister LaVar Landers

According to a 2014 study of Lehigh Valley education, only 13% of Latino Americans and 18% of Black Americans earn a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

Rev. Davis said the mentorship program is "preventative maintenance" designed to help children before hey get into trouble.

Davis said his wife Kristina is actually the originator of the program, which began 15-20 years ago. He also introduced Jason Vanderburg, who handles community outreach, the food pantry and homeless shelter; and Minister LaVar Landers, who oversees the teen portion of the program. . 

A highly respected member of Morganelli's staff, Ms.Tina Queen, is herself a mentor. In addition to her work for the DA, she also works at a local retailer to help ends meet, like many county employees. Yet she makes the time to be a mentor.

Lavar Landers described a mentor as someone "who has a heart for children." He said mentors "sharpen themselves while they sharpen others."

Morganelli said that this program has operated "under the radar," but is precisely what is needed throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Easton NAACP President Lance Wheeler has alsooffered his organization's assistance.

A Godbolt to Build Strong Children

A Godbolt evokes images of fiery power and thundering omnipotence. But it's also fleeting. Gone almost as soon as you've noticed it was there. A human Godbolt was honored over the weekend when nearly 150 people gathered in the Marvine Village to see the playing fields behind the Marjorie B Fink Building dedicated to the late Steve Godbolt, who passed away last September. He was the Executive Director of the Northeast Ministry.

Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan called him a "special person" who "threw himself into the service of others." In the heart of the Marvine-Pembroke community, Godbolt dedicated his adult life, thirty years, to the needs of disadvantaged youth and families. He started "homework clubs" for the kids, and then recruited adult volunteers to act as mentors.

Steve's brother, Michael, and his niece, Natalie

Hundreds of kids benefited and were able to crawl out of their surroundings. At Godbolt's Memorial service in September, they could be seen, both in business suits and working clothes.

Callahan noted that Godbolt's name was not one you'd see in the paper every day, but it is people like him that make any community a success. Then the Mayor, a former Head Start kid with a speech impediment, uncharacteristically broke down in tears, apologizing to everyone. But The Bethlehem Housing Authority's (BHA) Mark Iampietro refused to accept it, stating that Callahan's heartfelt emotion was perhaps the finest tribute that Godbolt could receive.

Godbolt's niece, the petite Natalie Seier, was in his office shortly aftyer his death, and noticed a saying her uncle had written down. "The purest joy in life comes from trying to help others," was inscribed among his papers. Clara Kendy, Executive Director of the BHA, noticed the words of Frederick Douglas, hanging on Godbolt's wall. "It's easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”

Max

Max just finished his sophomore year at Penn State Hazleton. He's on his way to being the first person from his family to complete college. He's a fitness buff and looks like a linebacker. But he's never played in organized sports, preferring instead to play parts in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. He's a bit of an iconoclast, much like his old man, who is one of my best friends. That's how I know Max.

Over the weekend, I noticed on Facebook that Max shaved his head. I laughed, thinking that he was just being a nut like many college kids.

Yesterday, I learned that Max shaved his head because his girlfriend had cancer and lost all her hair. He did it for her. Bald and bold.

She lost her battle on June 4.

Age 19.

An actress and singer at Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom, she was a theater major at Northampton Community College.

Her name was Kalee.

Though her young life has ended, what Max did for her gives me hope for us all.

Former Problem Student Becomes Author, Rapper

Bethlehem teacher Sue Lucrezi never gave up on Victor Cordova

In his 15 short years, Victor Cordova has been suspended seven times. He's been a guest at Kids Peace four times. Last year, he graduated to Northampton County Juvenile Detention Center, mostly because he has anger management issues. While some kids might give a teacher a dirty look, Victor would threaten to burn down the school. You might call him a bad seed. He certainly thought so.

But this Pembroke Village resident is lucky. His parents never gave upon him. Nor did his three sisters and two brothers. Nor did his teachers at Colonial Academy, located in Wind Gap. And Bethlehem teacher Sue Lucrezi, who has crossed paths with Victor since he's been in fourth grade, has helped him complete something most of us never consider - a book.

Called "My Challenges and Victories," Victor's narrative describes his mistakes in graphic detail. But Victor has grown, both physically and emotionally, over the past year. He's now over 6' tall and, in addition to his book, is writing rap lyrics like this:

"When you're doing your best
you need to keep going.
Ignore what people say just keep it flowing.
You're the only person that controls you
and your mind."

Victor with Colonial Academy's Adam Kaltreider

Victor's message, ironically, is the same one that Bishop John O. Barres gave at Notre Dame's recent commencement. But instead of quoting Victor, the Bishop was quoting St.Francis DeSales' admonition to "Be who you are and be that well."

In a recent book-signing at Colonial Academy's Library, Victor stated he'd like to become a probation officer. "I want to help kids," he said. "I don't want to be on that hard path anymore."

Just about the entire faculty found an excuse to pop in, not for the cake, but to ask Victor for a signed copy of his book.

Victor's Mentor, Sue Lucrezi, is retiring "after 35.46 years, but who's counting?" she laughs. "I am definitely ending my career on a high note," she added.

Author and rapper, Victor has another talent. Basketball.

Liberty High School could always use another shooting guard.

(Blogger's Note: You can see more pictures on Facebook. )

Allentown's First Ever Youth Chess Tournament

Blog Write Up
I have seen the kids (and their parents) play Chess during Summer basketball tournaments in downtown Allentown. If you're interested in helping or know someone who'd like to play, contact Peter Bond.