Allentown Works

03/26/2026

Did you know?

About 54% of households with children in Allentown’s priority and surrounding neighborhoods are single female-headed households.

That’s why Allentown Works is focused on breaking down barriers to employment.

One of our initiatives, Expand Access to Childcare, tackles one of the biggest challenges families face: finding affordable and reliable care.

Through expanded subsidies and support for local childcare providers, we’re working to make care more accessible so parents can pursue stable, long-term employment.

03/19/2026

In early fall, our 2025 Power Cohort team participated in Franklin Park’s Backpack Giveaway to engage with neighbors, families, and students while sharing Allentown Works.

This initiative focuses on removing employment barriers and opening access to education, affordable childcare, improved transportation, workforce development, and careers in high-opportunity industries.

We’re so grateful for everyone who joined us in these conversations! Your voice matters, and we invite you to keep shaping this work with us at upcoming events. Together, we can make Allentown work for all!

12/12/2025

💡𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰?
Allentown Works aims to reduce the Prime Age Employment Gap (PAEG), which measures the number of adults aged 25 to 54 who are not employed compared to the national average. This group includes individuals who are unemployed or who have given up searching for work.
Our team has four core strategies to help overcome these barriers and create pathways to steady, full-time jobs.

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 #1: 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
Through a trained network of Resource Navigators, we will connect residents in three priority neighborhoods (Center City, Franklin Park, and the 1st and 6th Wards) to job search support, training, apprenticeships, and career pathways programs. We will also provide resources for individuals returning from prison to help them re-enter the workforce successfully.

12/12/2025

💡𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰?
Allentown Works aims to reduce the Prime Age Employment Gap (PAEG), which measures the number of adults aged 25 to 54 who are not employed compared to the national average. This group includes individuals who are unemployed or who have given up searching for work.

Our team has four core strategies to help overcome these barriers and create pathways to steady, full-time jobs.

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 #1: 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
Through a trained network of Resource Navigators, we will connect residents in three priority neighborhoods (Center City, Franklin Park, and the 1st and 6th Wards) to job search support, training, apprenticeships, and career pathways programs. We will also provide resources for individuals returning from prison to help them re-enter the workforce successfully.

12/04/2025

Big things are happening in Allentown! We’re proud to collaborate with Cedar Crest College to create pathways for success through the Allentown Works Recompete initiative.

💼✨ Big things are happening in Allentown! Cedar Crest College is proud to be an integral partner in Allentown Works, a Recompete grant initiative focused on opportunity and growth in our community.

Provost Wilson, Assistant VP of Strategic Partnerships Colleen Mooney McGee, and Dean Wendy Robb attended the exciting launch event—representing CCC’s commitment to collaboration and impact. 💛🖤

We can’t wait to contribute to this effort and see the positive change it brings! 🌟

11/21/2025

🌟 ¡Únete a nuestra colecta comunitaria de alimentos! 🌟
📅 Sábado, 6 de diciembre de 2025
🕘 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Community Bike Works, 235 N. Madison St, Allentown, PA 18102

Vamos a unirnos para apoyar la despensa de alimentos de Community Bike Works y generar un impacto positivo en las familias que enfrentan inseguridad alimentaria. Además, conoce más sobre Allentown Works y cómo estamos creando oportunidades en nuestra comunidad.

✅ Artículos necesarios:
-Carnes enlatadas (atún, salmón, pollo)
-Frutas y verduras (papas, cebollas, manzanas, naranjas, plátanos)
-Cereales bajos en azúcar
-Aceite, harina, azúcar
-Pasta, frijoles secos
-Leche en polvo o de larga duración

📞 Para más información: Contacta a Maddie Marte al 610-434-1140 o [email protected]

¡Juntos podemos hacer la diferencia! 💙

11/21/2025

🌟 Join Us for a Community Food Drive! 🌟
📅 Saturday, December 6, 2025
🕘 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Community Bike Works, 235 N. Madison St, Allentown, PA 18102

Let’s come together to support Community Bike Works’ food pantry and make a positive impact on families facing food insecurity. Plus, learn more about Allentown Works and how we’re advancing opportunities in our community!

✅ Items Needed:
-Canned meats (tuna, salmon, chicken)
-Produce (potatoes, onions, apples, oranges, bananas)
-Low-sugar cereals
-Oil, flour, sugar
-Pasta, dry beans
-Powder or shelf-stable milk

📞 For more info: Contact Maddie Marte at 610-434-1140 or [email protected]

Together, we can make a difference! 💙

10/07/2025

Allentown Works has four core strategies to help overcome barriers to employment and reduce the prime-age employment gap.

Strategy #1 Facilitate Local Employment: connects residents with a trained network of Resource Navigators who will work with prime-age (25-54 years old) residents in the three priority neighborhoods to better their barriers and identify pathways through the Allentown Works program to connect them to long-term, stable employment.

Stay connected for more updates on what’s ahead! 🌿

10/02/2025

🔆 Stay tuned to learn more about this initiative!

09/28/2025

Last month, Allentown Works had the opportunity to participate in the Allentown Back-to-School Bash event. It was more than just a kickoff to the school year; it was a reminder of how powerful community can be when residents come together. Our 2025 power cohort showed the power of community in action (heart emoji) to continue conversations with Allentonians.

We were inspired by neighbors, families, and students who stopped by to share: How we can make Allentown Work for all! Their ideas included better transportation options, childcare, local employment opportunities, and access to resources and training in high-opportunity industries.

Thank you to everyone who joined our conversations and added their energy to this collective effort to make Allentown work for all!

Stay tuned to keep exploring this initiative!

08/15/2025

On Monday, August 11th, Mayor Matt Tuerk announced the launch of Allentown Works, a new program that is unlocking the power of our community by removing barriers and building bridges to economic opportunity, education, training, and job stability that will help individuals and families thrive.
Allentown Works focuses on four key strategies to remove barriers to employment, boost economic growth, provide job stability, and increase access to services:

🧰 Facilitate Local Employment
🤱 Expand Access to Childcare
🚎 Invest in Transportation Options
👔 Connect to High-Opportunity Industries

Through these four strategies, Allentown Works will address barriers that prevent our community from entering or progressing in the workforce, such as high childcare costs, transportation issues, and skill gaps. Allentown Works is a 5-Year Program that partners with local employers, service providers, institutions, nonprofits, and the larger community to close employment gaps and create pathways to economic advancement through comprehensive programs, training, and supportive services. Together, we are making Allentown WORK for you.

Allentown Economic Development Corporation
City of Allentown