PSFC serving Monroe County for 60 years

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — Since 2004, the Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser has raised more than $3,000,000 for dozens of non-profits, as Monroe County’s largest single-event fundraiser.

This year, three deserving organizations were selected to receive funding and will be honored at a big event.

On Friday, Brianna Strunk with the Pocono Television Network was introduced to each organization.

Two-year-old Leonardo is happy and healthy, playing with other kids in the classroom.

Leonardo’s mom, Leemarie, enrolled him in the Infant and Toddler Program through Pocono Services for Families and Children (PSFC,) serving Monroe County for 60 years.

The program provides eligible families with low-cost or in some cases free, childcare based on household income.

There is a growing waitlist.

“Childcare is really expensive, so when I found out about the opportunity of being able to get assistance, it just worked perfectly,” said Leemarie.

Serving more than 300 individuals from birth through age 24, in addition to the infant and toddler program, PSFC also operates a headstart preschool program and youth empowerment services, providing career connections and summer employment opportunities.

“It’s rewarding especially because we get to see our kids develop from cradle to career, weve had kids who started out as infants and toddlers who ventured into our youth empowerment services. Knowing the family for that long, you really build a bond and relationship,” said grant specialist and organizational development with PSFC Justin Ortiz.

Pocono Services for Families and Children has this location in east Stroudsburg, another at the Mountain Center in Tobyhanna, plus Head Start programs in two local elementary schools, and, they hope to expand to help even more families in need.

Kids also receive free, nutritious meals and have access to behavioral support, if needed. There are resources for parents, too.

“Our parents have a family advocate who partners with them to maybe find a job, any housing issues, they receive that support. We do home visits where we can really sit down with the parent and create goals,” Ortiz explained.

Without the infant and toddler program, Leemarie says she wouldn’t be able to work full-time or generate income for her family.

Plus, little Leonardo would have missed out on socialization and other important skills he’s learning in the classroom.

“So, we’re super grateful for that,” Leemarie said.

An opportunity for kids and their families to grow and thrive.

28/22 News is a proud sponsor of the 21st Annual Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser.

It’s being held Tuesday, September 10 at Mount Airy Casino Resort, and 28/22 News Evening Anchor Candice Kelly is honored, once again, to emcee the big event when we’ll learn just how much each organization is receiving.

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