So, what is Vision for the Valley?

Two questions I am often asked are: 1) what is vision for the valley and 2) why did you start it? Great questions. I want to share with you 5 reasons I started Vision For The Valley. 

1)To create a platform for the people and places of the Lehigh Valley. 

This involves years of partnership development with people and businesses across many fields of focus. It is so exciting to see all that is happening right here in the Valley! I want to be a spotlight that communicates that we are in and for the Valley! 

2) To serve the community through collaboration. 

I have learned over the years that the best way to meet the needs of the community is to do it through the community. Every year we host a special needs prom called Night To Shine that happens because the community pulls together to put in on! The same is true for the over 10,000 meals that have been distributed in the Lehigh Valley. 

3) To help people to see the unique gift they have to offer and be unleashed to use it to serve the people of the Lehigh Valley and beyond. 

We believe each and every person was created on purpose and with a unique purpose in mind. It’s easy to try to be a carbon copy, but you aren’t and neither am I. We want to help people to fully step into who they are. We want to help you to be the best version of yourself - not anybody else. Success is defined as discovering who you are, what you are created for and living that out.  We want to help you to be the best version of yourself. Not anybody else. Success is defined as discovering who you are, what you are created for and living that out. 

4)To encourage the encouragers. 

In order for us to do good and collaborate, we have to create places where leaders are encouraged. As the leader goes, so goes the organization. Leadership can be lonely and discouraging, heavy and hard. We want to be a place that hope is alive and to speak life into those who are leading.  

5) To help people learn how to process pain. 

Life is full of pain, but what do we do with it? If we don't process it, it will process us. Pain, when it is processed, can lead to purpose for us and others.  Grief can turn into a gift for ourselves and others.  Own your pain or your pain will own you. One must lean into their healing path and we want to help you to do just that. 

Vision for the Valley continues to seek to share stories of people and places in the valley! If you have any of those, please contact us at: joe.velarde@visionforthevalley.com. We also have a podcast that seeks to further resource those looking to be further encouraged and equipped! You can find that under the “podcast” tab in our main website’s header.