PROJECT OF EASTON INC
320 FERRY STREET, EASTON, PA 18042 www.projecteaston.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: PROJECT OF EASTON, INC.'S MISSION IS TO "BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY BY HELPING PEOPLE TO HELP THEMSELVES AND EDUCATION IS KEY. PROJECT WAS FOUNDED IN 1968 BY PROTESTANT, JEWISH, AND CATHOLIC COMMUNITY LEADERS TO PROVIDE COORDINATED SERVICES TO AN UNDERSERVED POPULATION IN EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA. TODAY, OUR EDUCATION, WORKFORCE PREPARATION, AND SAFETY NET PROGRAMS ADDRESS THE ALARMING POVERTY AND LOW-LITERACY RATES IN THE REGION BY PROVIDING ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH HOLISTIC AND INTEGRATED ACADEMIC, LIFE SKILLS, AND BASIC NEEDS PROGRAMMING THAT HELPS THEM TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY.OUR PROGRAMS HELP MORE THAN 5,000 PEOPLE EVERY YEAR TO RECEIVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO RISE OUT OF POVERTY AND TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL, WORK AND LIFE. OUR CLIENTS GO ON TO COLLEGE, JOBS AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY, READY TO PARTICIPATE IN AND IMPROVE THEIR COMMUNITIES.

PROJECT'S MISSION IS TO BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY BY HELPING PEOPLE HELP THEMSELVES.PROJECT IMPROVES THE COMMUNITY AND HELPS ECONOMICALLY AND EDUCATIONALLY DISADVANTAGED ADULTS AND CHILDREN BY ASSISTING THEM WITH THEIR EMERGENCY NEEDS AND DEVELOPING THEIR POTENTIAL TO ACHIEVESELF SUFFICIENCY THROUGH THE INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF RESEARCH-BASED SOCIAL SUPPORT AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

LIFELONG LEARNING: EDUCATION SERVICES ADULT LITERACY: PROJECT'S SUCCESS ACADEMY PROVIDES AN ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM THAT PREPARES DISADVANTAGED ADULTS FOR THE WORKFORCE. COURSES INCLUDE GED PREPARATION, ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE, AND ADULT BASIC EDUCATION. OUR CERTIFIED TEACHERS USE REAL-WORLD CONTEXTS TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS IN COLLEGE, TRAINING PROGRAMS, AND/OR EMPLOYMENT. IN ADDITION TO CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION, TUTORS WORK WITH STUDENTS ONE-ON-ONE TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE GED TEST, U.S. CITIZENSHIP TEST, OR TO IMPROVE THEIR ENGLISH-LANGUAGE SKILLS. EACH STUDENT RECEIVES PERSONAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND ECONOMIC SUPPORT, INCLUDING ACCESS TO PROJECT'S FOOD PANTRY AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE SERVICES AS NEEDED. OUR PROGRAM PREPARES ADULTS TO SUCCESSFULLY CARRY OUT THEIR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS WORKERS, CITIZENS, AND PARENTS.GOAL: THE GOAL OF THE ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM IS TO IMPROVE ADULTS' LITERACY SKILLS AND PREPARE THEM FOR THE WORKFORCE, POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION OR TRAINING, AND/OR U.S. CITIZENSHIP.2019 - 2020 RESULTS324 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED67% OF STUDENTS MADE SIGNIFICANT LEARNING GAINS21 STUDENTS EARNED A GED, 4 STUDENTS ACHIEVED CITIZENSHIP FAMILY LITERACY: PROJECT'S SUCCESS ACADEMY PROVIDES A FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAM THAT RECOGNIZES THAT A PARENT'S LITERACY, ATTITUDES, AND BELIEFS TOWARD EDUCATION SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT THEIR CHILDREN. USING THE NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED, RESEARCH-BASED KENAN MODEL, OUR PROGRAM BREAKS THE INTER-GENERATIONAL CYCLE OF LOW LITERACY AND ECONOMIC DISADVANTAGE BY PROVIDING FOUR INTEGRATED PROGRAM COMPONENTS INCLUDING: ADULT LITERACY EDUCATION, PARENTING EDUCATION AND SUPPORT, HIGH QUALITY PRE-SCHOOL AND STRUCTURED PARENT/CHILD LITERACY OPPORTUNITIES. THIS "TEACH THE PARENT/REACH THE CHILD" MODEL ASSISTS PARENTS IN BECOMING THE FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT TEACHER OF THEIR CHILDREN AND PROMOTES THE CHILD'S SUCCESS IN SCHOOL, WHILE ALSO ADVANCING THE PARENT'S ABILITY TO ADVANCE EDUCATIONALLY AND ECONOMICALLY. GOAL: THE GOAL OF THE FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAM IS TO BREAK THE INTERGENERATIONAL CYCLE OF ILLITERACY.2019- 2020 RESULTS26 FAMILIES PARTICIPATED55% OF PARENTS MADE SIGNIFICANT LEARNING GAINS100% OF PRE AND POST TESTED CHILDREN MADE LEARNING GAINSSCHOOL-AGE SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION SUPPORT SIZZLE!: PROJECT'S SIZZLE! PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE "SUMMER SLIDE" LEARNING LOSS THAT OCCURS FOR ELEMENTARY-SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN. FOR DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN WHO MAY ALREADY HAVE A READING ACHIEVEMENT GAP, THIS "SUMMER SLIDE" CAN SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERMINE FUTURE SUCCESS IN SCHOOL. OUR PROGRAM IS A FREE SUMMER DAY CAMP FOR LOW-INCOME, AT-RISK CHILDREN IN GRADES K-5 IN THE EASTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT (EASD). THE GOAL OF THE SIX-WEEK PROGRAM IS TO INCREASE OR MAINTAIN READING SCORES. SIZZLE! PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH AN ACADEMIC INTERVENTION USING HIGH QUALITY, EVIDENCE-BASED READING INSTRUCTION ALIGNED WITH THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE EDUCATION STANDARDS. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES A FUN, DEVELOPMENTALLY-APPROPRIATE OPPORTUNITY FOR SUMMER ACTIVITY, ENABLING ENROLLED CHILDREN TO KEEP UP WITH THEIR MORE ADVANTAGED PEERS AND BEGIN A NEW SCHOOL YEAR MORE CONFIDENTLY.GOALS: TO PREVENT SUMMER SLIDE IN READING SKILLS BY IDENTIFYING AT-RISK STUDENTS AND PROVIDING INTENSIVE READING INSTRUCTION TO MAINTAIN OR INCREASE READING LEVELS.2019 -2020 RESULTSTHE 2020 SIZZLE! PROGRAM WAS IMPLEMENTED AS A DISTANCE LEARNING ACADEMIC SUPPORT PROGRAM AND CONSISTED OF ZOOM BASED CLASSROOMS TAUGHT BY PENNSYLVANIA STATE CERTIFIED TEACHERS. EACH TEACHER TAUGHT TWO GRADE LEVELS. THE CURRICULUM FOR THE CLASSES WAS BASED ON SUMMER PACKETS DISTRIBUTED BY THE EASTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT. CLASSES WERE OFFERED TO CHILDREN IN GRADES K-5. EACH STUDENT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND TWO, ONE-HOUR LONG ZOOM SESSIONS A WEEK, OVER A FOUR-WEEK PROGRAM, TOTALING EIGHT HOURS OF INSTRUCTION. THE STUDENTS WERE ALSO OFFERED FOUR MEET AND GREET SESSIONS (ONE PER WEEK) IN THE FOWLER LITERACY PARKING LOT. OUR THIRD MEET AND GREET WAS CANCELLED DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES.65% (17/26) STUDENTS ATTENDED 75% OR MORE CLASSESDUE TO COVID 19, STANDARD ASSESSMENTS WERE UNAVAILABLE 94.4% OF PARENTS PARTICIPATED IN AT LEAST ONE FAMILY EVENT.

MEETING BASIC NEEDS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE: OUR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS COMMITTED TO HELPING PEOPLE MEET THEIR MOST BASIC NEEDS AS A FOUNDATION ON WHICH TO BUILD THEIR CAPACITY TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES AND MOVE OUT OF CRISIS. OUR PROGRAM PROVIDES SAFETY-NET SUPPORTS, INCLUDING ACCESS TO SHELTER, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AND UTILITY SUPPORT. USING OUR LONGSTANDING RELATIONSHIPS IN THE COMMUNITY, OUR CASE MANAGERS ALSO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES, INCLUDING OUR OWN FOOD PANTRY, EDUCATION AND LIFE SKILLS PROGRAMMING, ENSURING A MORE SEAMLESS CONTINUUM OF SUPPORT. GOAL: THE GOAL OF THE ASSIST PROGRAM IS TO HELP PEOPLE LIVING IN POVERTY MEET THEIR BASIC MATERIAL NEEDS SO THAT THEY HAVE A STABLE FOUNDATION ON WHICH TO BUILD TOWARD SELF-RELIANCE AND UPWARD ECONOMIC MOBILITY.2019- 2020 RESULTS1834 PEOPLE (975) HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVED EMERGENCY SERVICES. 975 (100%) OF HOUSEHOLDS SEEKING SERVICES RECEIVED INFORMATION AND REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY PARTNERS OR WERE REFERRED FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES THROUGH THE 211 SYSTEM. 975 (100%) OF HOUSEHOLDS WERE REFERRED TO PROJECT'S SERVICES INCLUDING OUR FOOD PANTRY, ADULT & FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAMS AND SCHOOL BASED PROGRAMMING AS APPROPRIATE AS WELL AS OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES.107 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVED VOUCHER ASSISTANCE FOOD PANTRY: PROJECT'S FOOD PANTRY IS COMMITTED TO REDUCING FOOD INSECURITY AND INCREASING HEALTHY FOOD KNOWLEDGE. OUR FOOD PANTRY, THE LARGEST IN NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, EMPLOYS A "FULL CHOICE" MODEL, WHICH ALLOWS CLIENTS TO "SHOP" WITH DIGNITY FOR THEIR FOOD AND CHOOSE HEALTHY OPTIONS THAT THEY LIKE AND WANT. WE THINK OF OUR PANTRY AS A "FOOD INTERVENTION" THAT REDUCES HUNGER, BUT ALSO ADDRESSES UNDERLYING CONDITIONS THAT RESULT IN POVERTY AND FOOD INSECURITY. OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ACTIVELY ENGAGE WITH ALL PANTRY CLIENTS AND DIRECT THEM TO SUPPORT SERVICES AS NEEDED. WE INCORPORATE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING HEALTHY FOOD PREPARATION, BUILDING DIETS RICH IN FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, AND MANAGING DIETARY RESTRICTIONS. GOAL: THE GOAL OF THE PANTRY IS TO REDUCE FOOD INSECURITY, INCREASE FOOD LITERACY, AND IDENTIFY PEOPLE WITH OTHER EMERGENCY NEEDS AND PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH A PORTAL TO SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND A "CHOICE" PANTRY MODEL.2019-2020 RESULTS3,562 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 1660 ADULTS, 1411 CHILDREN, AND 491 SENIORS WERE PROVIDED A FULL CHOICE FOOD MODEL TO REDUCE FOOD INSECURITY, INCREASED FOOD LITERACY AND WERE PROVIDED WITH SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, IF NEEDED. 193,009 POUNDS FOOD RECEIVED / $328,116.85-DOLLAR VALUE245,898 POUNDS FOOD DELIVERED / $418,026.60-DOLLAR VALUE (SOME FOOD WAS "IN STOCK")

MOVING TO SELF SUFFICIENCY: COMMUNITY SUPPORTIVE SERVICES STUDENT SUCCESS PROGRAM: PROJECT'S STUDENT SUCCESS PROGRAM (SSP) IS DESIGNED TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP FOR AT-RISK ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL CHILDREN AND ENSURE THEIR ULTIMATE SCHOOL SUCCESS AND GRADUATION BY PROMOTING LIFE SKILLS AND POSITIVE SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT. SSP PROVIDES TWO FORMS OF INTERVENTION TO STUDENTS IN THE EASTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT, GRADES 4 -8. ONE IS THE BOTVIN LIFE SKILLS TRAINING (LST) CURRICULUM, A PREVENTION-FOCUSED INITIATIVE THAT TEACHES SKILLS RELATED TO PEER PRESSURE RESISTANCE AND ENHANCING SOCIAL AND PERSONAL COMPETENCE. LST HAS BEEN EXTENSIVELY TESTED AND PROVEN EFFECTIVE AT REDUCING TOBACCO, ALCOHOL, OPIOID, AND ILLICIT DRUG USE BY AS MUCH AS 80%. LST IS DESIGNED TO INFLUENCE THE SCHOOL CLIMATE AND ESTABLISH A SCHOOL CULTURE THAT SUPPORTS POSITIVE DECISION MAKING. LST IS OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS. THE SECOND COMPONENT IS A ONE-ON-ONE CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT INITIATIVE THAT IDENTIFIES STUDENTS AT HIGH RISK FOR SCHOOL FAILURE AND DROP OUT. USING THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S "CHECK AND CONNECT" MODEL, A FEDERALLY ENDORSED INTERVENTION DESIGNED TO ENHANCE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AT SCHOOL, A CASE MANAGER WORKS WITH STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO MONITOR ATTENDANCE, BEHAVIOR AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE. A CASE MANAGER CONNECTS STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO NEEDED SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND DEVELOPS STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTING DISENGAGEMENT AND SCHOOL FAILURE. GOAL: STUDENTS WILL LEARN THE NECESSARY SKILLS TO RESIST SOCIAL (PEER) PRESSURES TO SMOKE, DRINK, AND USE DRUGS AND STAY IN SCHOOL. 2019 - 2020 RESULTS306 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED. 59% OF CHILDREN COMPLETED 80% OR MORE OF THE CURRICULUM, ENSURING THEY GAINED PROTECTIVE FACTORS OF SOCIAL RESISTANCE

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