Valley Youth House celebrated its accomplishments, recognized inspiring youth and elected new leadership during its 2026 annual meeting held at Lehigh Country Club.

Board members, staff and community partners gathered to review the agency’s progress over the past year, approve new leadership and hear firsthand how Valley Youth House programs are helping young people achieve independence.

The meeting included the election of the agency’s Board of Directors officers, with Maura E. Topper, president and CEO of CrossAmerica Partners, elected board chair. Other officers elected were Adrienne Bonser, vice chair; John T. Yurconic, treasurer; and Scott A. Gray, secretary.

For the Lehigh Valley Board of Governors, Anne Baum, founder of Vision Accomplished LLC, was elected chair, with Adam McMahon serving as vice chair. Several new members also joined the Lehigh Valley Board of Governors, including representatives from Air Products, Capital Blue Cross, Bethlehem Area School District, Jefferson, C.F. Martin & Co., Allentown School District, Victaulic and Service Electric Cable TV & Communications. The organization also recognized outgoing board leaders, including Kathryn M. Brown, outgoing chair of the Lehigh Valley Board of Governors.

During the program, Valley Youth House leaders presented the agency’s 2025 financial report, highlighted program outcomes and previewed several fundraising events planned for 2026, including the John E. Walson Jr. Memorial Golf & Pickleball Tournament, the Southeast Golf Tournament, the Central Golf Tournament and the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic.

This year’s meeting theme, “The Road to Independence,” reflected both the nation’s 250th anniversary and Valley Youth House’s mission of helping vulnerable young people build stable, independent lives. One of the meeting’s highlights came as three youth participants — Angelize, Roseylee and Aniya — shared personal stories about overcoming challenges with support from Valley Youth House programs. The trio was presented with the agency’s Mission Impact Award in recognition of their courage and achievements.

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