helping people
help themselves
Breaking barriers, building futures
transformative work in our community.
introduction
letter from leadership
what we do
Who we serve
our partnerships
Financials
our team
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Thank you to our donors
Save the Date!
introduction
letters from leadership
what we do
Who we serve
our partnerships
Financials
our team
Thank you to our donors
Save the Date!
Breaking Barriers, building futures
a note from our board president
Breaking barriers is at the heart of ProJeCt of Easton's mission of helping people help themselves. This vital work is made possible through the collective efforts of our volunteers, staff, board members, and donors, all of whom are steadfast in their commitment to creating opportunities and offering hope to those we serve.
In 2022-2023, ProJeCt served 5,000 people. Within just one year, that number grew by 2,000, reaching over 7,000 individuals. This remarkable growth highlights both the increasing demand for our programs and the unwavering dedication of our team and supporters who work tirelessly to meet these challenges.
The impact of these efforts is profound, touching the lives of individuals and families throughout our community. Whether it’s breaking barriers in education, addressing food insecurity, or fostering personal empowerment, every contribution makes a difference. As we reflect on 2024 and our accomplishments at ProJeCt, we extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible volunteers, dedicated staff, and generous donors.
With your continued support, ProJeCt is able to serve our clients and bring hope and opportunity to our community.
a note from our executive director
At ProJeCt of Easton, we have always been committed to empowering individuals and families to overcome obstacles, seize opportunities, and build brighter futures. Our mission—helping people help themselves—has been the foundation of our work since 1968. This year, as we reflect on our progress, we are inspired by the many ways our community is breaking barriers together.
Breaking barriers isn’t just about overcoming challenges; it’s about creating pathways where none existed before. For Maya, a graduate of our preschool program, it meant entering kindergarten ready to thrive, supported by a family deeply engaged in literacy and learning. For Bruce and Jordan, a father-and-son duo who earned their GEDs at ProJeCt three years apart, it meant rewriting the story of opportunity for future generations.
This year, we’ve seen extraordinary acts of resilience and community support. Our staff and volunteers have transformed our classrooms, enhanced our food pantry, and brought vitality to our programs. Supporters like you have enabled us to distribute over 20,000 pounds of food each month, provide vital ESL and GED classes to those eager to learn, and equip our students of all ages with the tools to succeed in today’s world.
We are honored to stand beside our students and clients as they pursue their goals, our donors as they invest in their neighbors’ futures, and our Board of Directors and volunteers as they offer their time and talents. Together, we are breaking barriers to education, stability, and self-sufficiency.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your partnership ensures that every barrier broken is a step toward a stronger, more united community.
With gratitude,
Our Mission
building futures, we are
helping people
help themselves
a note from our DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
After 24 years, I am still inspired by ProJeCt of Easton’s unwavering commitment to our community. We continually support students and clients as they break barriers with incredible resilience and determination. Their drive and ambition humble me every day, and this year has been no exception.
Each day, I leave my door open and walk through the building during class time, soaking in the energy the students bring to the space. I am immediately motivated by students like Jahaira and Maria whose growth and perseverance serve as powerful reminders of the significance of the work we do.
Jahaira is a GED student who has been with us for several years and has two tests left to get her high school diploma. She visits me weekly to update me on her progress and the successes of her children, Chelsea and Anthony. Both children began at ProJeCt in the Early Childhood Education program and are now thriving in elementary school, thanks in part to the tools Jahaira gained through our Family Literacy Program. Jahaira is not only at ProJeCt to get her diploma, but to make Chelsea and Anthony proud of her. She gives me energy.
Maria is an English as a Second Language student and works with her tutor just outside my office. I’ve witnessed her struggles and the fears that once held her back—answering with trepidation, afraid of making mistakes. The growth she has achieved is remarkable. Today, she speaks with confidence, sharing her dreams and the beautiful memories of her home country. She has developed a deep trust in ProJeCt, and her journey energizes and inspires me.
Our Adult Education and Family Literacy programs flourished this year. We celebrated numerous ESL graduates and a record number of GED graduates at the beautiful State Theatre in June. We also cheered for our preschool students as they successfully transitioned to kindergarten and for students who achieved U.S. citizenship. These individuals not only broke barriers but soared to new levels of independence!
Our Food Pantry continued to serve those in need, thanks to our dedicated volunteers and donors. We have implemented exciting new initiatives: “Backpack Buddies” gives our food-insecure children kid-friendly food for the weekend; “Order Ahead” allows our students who work all day and attend night classes to “order” from the food pantry; and “Day Bags” provide prepared foods to individuals experiencing homelessness. These programs are helping our clients overcome the challenges of food insecurity.
Once again, the Student Success Program supported more than 600 Easton Area School District students with life skills and social/emotional training. Our SIZZLE!® 2024 literacy summer camp was a huge success with the theme of “Roald Dahl: Dream the Possibilities”. We had community mystery readers, a trip to see a Shakespearean play, family fun nights, DaVinci Science Center visit, and even a K-9 dog!
ProJeCt of Easton uplifts me every day. Our staff, our volunteers, our board of directors show us daily their commitment to help break barriers in others’ lives to help people help themselves. The barriers of our students and clients are ours to help break and their successes are celebrations we share together.
With Deepest Respect,
our programs
who we served
impact report
our students come from 41 different countries
in our programs:
sizzle! program
helping people
help themselves
a note from our director
of development
As I wrap up my first full year as Director of Development at ProJeCt of Easton, I reflect with gratitude on this journey. This year has been marked by exciting milestones and meaningful connections that have deepened my appreciation for our mission.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of my work has been the opportunity to connect with many incredible individuals. Through 89 distinct tours of ProJeCt of Easton, I’ve had the privilege of showcasing all six of our fully integrated program areas and sharing the impactful work we do. These tours have consistently left guests with new insights, often uncovering at least one program area they hadn’t known about before.
We’ve made remarkable strides this year, including expanding our donor relationships, growing our social media presence, and strengthening community partnerships. From elevating Simply Savory into a signature event to hosting our graduation ceremony—where a record 70 graduates proudly crossed the stage at the State Theatre—this year has been full of memorable highlights.
I’m also proud to have witnessed the success of the Highmark Walk, the vibrant Summer SIZZLE!®, and our thriving 2024 annual appeal. On a personal note, moving to the Lehigh Valley has confirmed my embrace of ProJeCt’s mission and greatly broadened my passion for the valley I now call home.
Looking ahead to 2025, I am filled with excitement and optimism for what’s to come. We have wonderful surprises in store as we continue to expand our impact and work toward our mission of helping people help themselves. Together, we are breaking barriers and transforming lives.
Respectfully Yours,
Words from
our volunteers
One of my favorite experiences at ProJeCt was a conversation group involving students of all ages who spoke Russian, Japanese, Spanish, and Turkish. We communicated about food and it was great fun.
breaking barriers
in our community
a note from our DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
At ProJeCt of Easton, our 2023-2024 fiscal year was a year of transition and growth. We wished a happy retirement to Janice Komisor and welcomed Executive Director Kim Checkeye, Director of Administration Tanya Dean, and Director of Development Keith Lampman-Perlman, to the existing leadership team of myself and Director of Programs Erin Roman.
The year was not without its budgetary challenges, but ProJeCt’s invested reserves bridged the gap during a period of right-sizing our staff and operating needs, with the support of our Board of Directors. In the winter and spring, the PA Department of Education awarded ProJeCt, along with other organizations, multiple additional funding opportunities to reward staff efforts and greatly improve classroom technology.
Meanwhile, ProJeCt’s endowment returned nearly 10%, contributing to the $228,265 increase in net assets over the prior year. A reimagining of our signature event, Simply Savory, brought in a net of over $50,000. The staff and community came together to celebrate the perseverance of our mission through this period of growth, transition, and exceeding expectations.
We ended the fiscal year with news of a generous $250,000 trust contribution. We thank the donor who believed ProJeCt would continue breaking barriers in our community, beyond their own lifetime, as it has for over 55 years.
Sincerely,
a note from our DIRECTOR OF administration
In last year’s Annual Report, I highlighted our focus on developing our staff, stabilizing our workforce, and advancing our technological and facility resources. Over the past year, we have dedicated significant effort to overcoming these internal challenges to better position ourselves to serve our mission: Building a Better Community by Helping People Help Themselves.
This fiscal year, we have been navigating a leadership transition, with a major emphasis on leadership and team development. As an organization, we have prioritized building trust and fostering collaboration at all levels. These efforts have strengthened our understanding of each other’s roles and responsibilities, enabling us to provide more effective support as we work toward our shared mission.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to leadership development, personal growth, and technological advancement.
In our Adult Education program, we provide a HyFlex classroom experience allowing students the opportunity to attend synchronous classes on-site or online. Thanks to a grant, we upgraded our classrooms with ceiling-mounted projectors and advanced video conferencing equipment. This has enhanced the virtual classroom experience for clients unable to attend in person. Our teachers have noted a marked improvement in engagement, both with online and in-person students, as a result of these upgrades.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to leadership development, personal growth, and technological advancement. We recognize that a strong and stable internal foundation is essential to breaking down the barriers our clients face, empowering them to reach their full potential in their communities and beyond.
Barrier Breakers
The project team
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We are immensely grateful to all donors, as each contribution, regardless of size, plays a crucial role in making a significant impact on our community.
$250-$499 Donors
$500-$999 Donors
$1,000-$2,499 donors
$2,500-$4,999 donors
$5,000-$9,999 donors
$10,000-$14,999 donors
$15,000-$24,999 donors
$25,000 and above donors
Exciting news!
Project of easton has a new building!
ProJeCt of Easton is thrilled to announce the purchase of a new building, a significant step forward in our mission to help people help themselves. This expansion will allow us to provide a more seamless and accessible experience for the community we serve. With this new space, we can grow our services, reach more families, and create lasting impact for generations to come.
Together, we’re building a stronger future for our community!
highmark walk - may 31, 2025
“Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community” is a family-friendly (pets included!) fun walk that benefits nonprofit health and human service agencies in the Lehigh Valley. We would be honored if you would support our mission by coming out and walking for ProJeCt!
As a walker, you or a team can fundraise for ProJeCt while improving your health and the community at the same time! Teams can promote their business to thousands of Lehigh Valley community members at this walk that benefits ProJeCt and 20 other local nonprofit health and human services agencies. Because of the unique cooperation with Highmark, every dollar that you provide goes directly to ProJeCt's programs. Those programs range from lifelong learning opportunities (family literacy, GED and ESL classes, life skills classes, and a summer reading program) to meeting basic needs through our food pantry and emergency assistance services.
Questions regarding the Walk or forming a team, contact the Development Office at 610-258-4361 ext. 25 or development@projecteaston.org.
Project of Easton is
help themselves