It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Colonial Industrial Quarter gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Bethlehem, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always treated with respect and they showed care for my mother. Everyone was pleasant when”
“Always Best Care Senior Services provided very professional services that resulted in finding the best”
“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of”
“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of”
“I am a current client of this provider Always best care cared for my mother. They”
“Ken Good was so helpful and knowledgable when my elderly father needed in-home care. He”
“Ken and Rebecca have been extremely helpful during the process of finding in-home care for”
“Ken is a fantastic provider of in-home care in Doylestown. I highly recommend his team.”
“Ken was the first person I really talked to when I found out my father”
“Excellent in every respect.”
“The support provided by Ken and Rebecca Good (and all of their team) has been”
“Very few businesses or even people come from a place of compassion and a good”
“I am a current client of this provider Ken and Rebecca go above and beyond”
“Ken and Rebecca were a godsend in our search for care for our elderly father.”
“Very good, prompt attention to an unexpected need for day care in home for Mother-in-law.”
“Ken & Rebecca were very helpful & knowledgeable with resources in helping me care for”
“Both Rebecca and Ken were very easy to talk with and were very interested in”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care provides extremely caring, compassionate help”
“Your loved ones will be in great care with Always Best Care of Greater Bethlehem.”
“Always treated with respect and they showed care for my mother. Everyone was pleasant when I would call about different circumstances.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services provided very professional services that resulted in finding the best personal care facility fit for my mother. They have a passion for helping seniors and prioritize the health and well-being of their clients over everything else. I would highly recommend them when you are in a position of finding senior care services for your loved ones.”
“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of Bethlehem. Wonderful staff and excellent caregivers that go above and beyond what is expected of them!”
“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of Bethlehem. Wonderful staff and excellent caregivers that go above and beyond what is expected of them!”
“I am a current client of this provider Always best care cared for my mother. They have been amazing. My mother really likes her caregiver.”
“Ken Good was so helpful and knowledgable when my elderly father needed in-home care. He actually came to the rehab center to meet us where my father was getting physical therapy after a fall. This way he was able to accurately access how much care my father would need and which caregivers would be the right fit. We were afraid we'd have to move him to a nursing home but fortunately we were able to set up in-home care. It's been four months now and we have been very happy with the caregivers who have been assigned to my father. Always Best Care is very responsive and flexible in adjusting hours as needed, somehow managing to keep the caregivers my parents have bonded with even though the hours have been reduced. We are happy our parents are able to age in place with care as they need it.”
“Ken and Rebecca have been extremely helpful during the process of finding in-home care for my in-laws. They have been sensitive to our needs, diligent in their efforts to provide the best possible care, and consistent in their follow-up to see if things are satisfactory. We have been executing this process from out-of-state and the process has been very smooth. Through phone calls and face-to-face meetings when possible, both Ken and Rebecca have been professional, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Services.”
“Ken is a fantastic provider of in-home care in Doylestown. I highly recommend his team.”
“Ken was the first person I really talked to when I found out my father was given a year to live. Instead of immediately looking at me like a business opportunity, he treated me like a close friend. He listened and treated me with complete kindness.. I have gotten to know Ken and his wife Rebecca and I can easily say that they are two of the most wonderful people I have ever met. There is nothing in this world I wouldn't trust them with. Especially the care of a loved one.”
“Excellent in every respect.”
“The support provided by Ken and Rebecca Good (and all of their team) has been invaluable as the family navigates through dealing with the impact of our sister's illness to all of us. The structure with using ABC's online portal to evidence our sister's care is extremely beneficial in ensuring strong and coordinated communication. It is truly appreciative this technology is available and utilized by ABC. For those dealing with identifying care for a loved one, you would be smart to contact Always Best Care of Upper Buxmont.”
“Very few businesses or even people come from a place of compassion and a good heart. Always Best Care does. The client always comes first as does their health and well-being, and the family seeking the best for their loved ones. Thank you Ken for all you did for my parents!”
“I am a current client of this provider Ken and Rebecca go above and beyond for their clients, as do their staff. They handled emergent situations for my grandmother when we were on vacation - staying with her the entire time at the hospital. Ken also did significant research for our decision to put her in an assisted living community. I highly recommend Always Best Care.”
“Ken and Rebecca were a godsend in our search for care for our elderly father. Both Ken and Rebecca were incredibly compassionate, empathetic and caring. In addition, they were knowledgeable and had a wonderful process for determining the needs of the family, the needs of the specific individual and finding an appropriate match for a caregiver to meet those needs. I can't say enough about the services provided by Always Best Care. Ken always went above and beyond, he knew the questions to ask, and how to navigate all the red tape of various organizations (Veterans Administration, etc.) AND he diligently does site visits to the facilities he references so he is able to speak from experience about the quality of care at the facilities under consideration. If you are in need of advice and assistance in caring for a family member I recommend Ken and Rebecca and Always Best Care with no reservations.”
“Very good, prompt attention to an unexpected need for day care in home for Mother-in-law. Ken is very well versed in available providers and other services needed at this time.The day care providers dealt well with her memory problems.”
“Ken & Rebecca were very helpful & knowledgeable with resources in helping me care for my Mom during an extremely difficult time. It was great finding two people who cared & listened to my situation. I never felt alone in my difficult decision making process.”
“Both Rebecca and Ken were very easy to talk with and were very interested in getting to know my father. They went out of their way to help us as our plans changed from in home care to personal care. They explained the process and were with us every step of the way to answer questions and provide support. I would use them again in a minute.”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care provides extremely caring, compassionate help for my mom, I live out of town, and can't be there myself very often. But this business goes all-out to take care of my mom. I don't know what we would do without them.”
“Your loved ones will be in great care with Always Best Care of Greater Bethlehem.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Sand Island Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Melting Pot or visit Single Sisters' House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Bethlehem, PA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Bethlehem, PA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Bethlehem, PA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Bethlehem will soon be home to the Lehigh Valley’s first non-congregate emergency family shelter, thanks to a $1.45 million state grant.The property at 232-234 W. Packer Ave., owned by the Lehigh Conference of Churches, will receive extensive renovations to transform it into an emergency shelter with 11 rooms for families facing homelessness.The state grant will close the city’s funding gap — it had already allocated $1.4 million in American Rescue Plan dollars toward the ...
Bethlehem will soon be home to the Lehigh Valley’s first non-congregate emergency family shelter, thanks to a $1.45 million state grant.
The property at 232-234 W. Packer Ave., owned by the Lehigh Conference of Churches, will receive extensive renovations to transform it into an emergency shelter with 11 rooms for families facing homelessness.
The state grant will close the city’s funding gap — it had already allocated $1.4 million in American Rescue Plan dollars toward the long-planned project — and allow the work to move forward.
“This investment by Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration will help bring the Lehigh Valley its first non-congregate family shelter, filling a large void in the region’s emergency sheltering system,” said Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds in a news release. “This critical award allows the city to fully fund this project and brings us one step closer to offering families year-round shelter.”
The private units will each have their own bathroom facilities, allowing families privacy as they seek permanent housing. They also made the project eligible for the state and federal grants — some funding sources will only pay for shelters with private living units, as opposed to congregate settings with shared quarters.
The Lehigh Conference of Churches will donate the property to the city and will handle the shelter’s day-to-day operations, including a case management office on the shelter’s site.
The city expects engineering and design of the renovations to take six months, and renovations themselves will take around a year.
The funding awarded to Bethlehem is part of a $27 million investment from the Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development to address homelessness in 38 counties statewide.
“The Shapiro Administration is committed to ensuring Pennsylvanians have more housing options,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger in a news release. “The funding approved today is just one tool that will allow more individuals and their families to maintain a roof over their heads that they can afford.”
The city is still seeking enough funding for its planned 82-bed emergency congregate shelter, in partnership with the nonprofit Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering. The city has dedicated $2 million toward that project.
The number of unhoused people in the region has only increased since the city announced its strategic plan to address homelessness in early 2022. According to data from the Lehigh Valley Homeless Advisory Board, there are around 1,032 unhoused households across the Lehigh Valley, an increase of 38% from 2022.
Reporter Lindsay Weber can be reached at [email protected].
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Crews in the Bethlehem area are still working to close a sinkhole on Schoenersville Road that opened up Tuesday morning after a water main break.The road remains closed right at the Bethlehem-Hanover Township line.About 20 homes and businesses have been without water as crews worked on the hole in the road. A few businesses had to close for the day but one pizza shop was up for the challenge."I'm still working, yes, still making pizzas. We bought containers of water and we keep operating," said...
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Crews in the Bethlehem area are still working to close a sinkhole on Schoenersville Road that opened up Tuesday morning after a water main break.
The road remains closed right at the Bethlehem-Hanover Township line.
About 20 homes and businesses have been without water as crews worked on the hole in the road. A few businesses had to close for the day but one pizza shop was up for the challenge.
"I'm still working, yes, still making pizzas. We bought containers of water and we keep operating," said Jairon Gonzalez, owner of Good Times Pizzeria.
A flurry of equipment and a giant hole in the ground outside is no match for Gonzalez's oven.
"People want the pizzas and we're here to make the pizzas," Gonzalez told us.
He first knew something was wrong when he came to work on Tuesday and had no running water. He called the city's water department which then discovered the water main break and spent hours working to stop the leak.
"When the leak occurred, it flowed underground opening up some of the voids underground," said Edward Boscola, Bethlehem's Water and Sewer Director.
The water flow created the sinkhole and took out the sign outside Gonzalez's shop. He's had two inspectors come by and report his building is safe. He was told if he had a basement, it would be another story.
"We had inspectors out here about midday today, they took a look at the foundations of the various properties around here and they didn't see any damage. We hope to get the line fixed sometime tonight and get people back in full water service by tonight and come back tomorrow and fix the road," Boscola stated.
In the meantime, it's business as usual for Gonzalez. He was forced to close on Tuesday but was determined to stay open Wednesday.
"So everybody come get a pizza," Gonzalez said.
Schoenersville Road remains closed between Illick's Mill and Catasauqua roads.
City crews plan to repair the road Thursday morning.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Bethlehem Area School District’s board voted Monday to move forward a proposed 2025-26 budget that includes a 4.3% property tax increase and a $5.9 million drawdown from the district fund balance.It's just shy of a 4.8% increase, which would be the highest allowed increase for BASD under the state's Act 1 Index.State law requires school districts to sign off on a proposed budget before they can vote to adopt it, a procedural step meant to give the public time to examine the district’s proposal...
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Bethlehem Area School District’s board voted Monday to move forward a proposed 2025-26 budget that includes a 4.3% property tax increase and a $5.9 million drawdown from the district fund balance.
It's just shy of a 4.8% increase, which would be the highest allowed increase for BASD under the state's Act 1 Index.
State law requires school districts to sign off on a proposed budget before they can vote to adopt it, a procedural step meant to give the public time to examine the district’s proposal before a final vote.
Board President Michael Faccinetto
“This is not a final budget,” board President Michael Faccinetto said.
“Things can change and will change, most certainly, but this is where we are right now in the budget process as dictated to us by the state.”
The $373.5 million budget advanced Monday largely resembles the draft version presented in March.
Further changes likely are coming as Pennsylvania’s budgeting process reaches its conclusion and districts learn exactly how much state money they will get.
Overall, BASD’s projected 2025-26 revenue grew more than $600,000 from March to May, driven by higher-than-expected state gaming revenue.
At the same time, district financial staff cut about $3.4 million of spending, largely by eliminating 20 positions, putting off some capital outlays and spending less on transportation.
“There is some tightening of the belt here, in operational savings and less service"BASD Superintendent Jack Silva
“There is some tightening of the belt here, in operational savings and less service,” BASD Superintendent Jack Silva said.
“They will not directly affect what students or teachers experience in their classrooms, which was always our goal.”
Taken together, the adjustments shrink the district’s expected budget shortfall, covered by spending down its general fund, from nearly $10 million two months ago.
Bethlehem Area School Board will vote on adopting its proposed budget June 9.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Working as a sustainability consultant, Vibhor Kumar is familiar with certifications — and how they can act as a tool to drive change.“I feel like the certification programs, of all sorts, their motivation is to have cities, companies start intentionally thinking about what more they can do,” said Kumar, who also is a member of the city’s Environment Advisory Council.“I handle the reporting for Bird Town, and a lot of the work that happens is already organically happening thr...
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Working as a sustainability consultant, Vibhor Kumar is familiar with certifications — and how they can act as a tool to drive change.
“I feel like the certification programs, of all sorts, their motivation is to have cities, companies start intentionally thinking about what more they can do,” said Kumar, who also is a member of the city’s Environment Advisory Council.
“I handle the reporting for Bird Town, and a lot of the work that happens is already organically happening throughout the city.
"But at the same time, you do see all these other opportunities where we are not getting scores — that is a motivation for us to do more.”
EAC members in both Bethlehem and Allentown have achieved gold status through Bird Town Pennsylvania.
“What's good for birds is good for people, too.”Heidi Shiver, president of Bird Town Pennsylvania
An annual certification focused on community-based conservation, the program aims to create a healthier, more sustainable environment for birds, as well as other wildlife and residents.
“We work at the municipal level, working with municipal leaders to address the threats to birds, because of the populations really continuing to decline across all species,” Bird Town Pennsylvania President Heidi Shiver said.
“Really trying to work with municipal leaders to let them know about that, and using that information to engage with them and educate their residents about what they can be doing to support birds.
"Like I always say, we're not just about birds — we're really about healthier habitats. What's good for birds is good for people, too.”
Starting the process to become a Bird Town is relatively simple. After contacting Bird Town Pennsylvania for an application toolkit, municipal officials have five steps to complete.
They are scheduling a meeting to discuss the process, creating a Bird Town Committee, passing a Bird Town municipal resolution, completing the application and paying a one-time $100 fee.
The application fee helps offset costs for Bird Town street signs, Shiver said. Once approved, municipalities get two, each costing $60.
“Some municipalities act very quickly on it — sometimes it takes a year,” Shiver said.
“It really is just informing them about the program, educating their commissioners or supervisors or councils about the process and what it's about, getting them on board and then moving forward.”
Each year, municipal officials — oftentimes through an EAC — will check off projects and tasks from the program’s Goal and Activity Worksheet.
Depending on how many are completed, points are calculated to determine an annual designation.
“It's a four-tier program,” Shiver said. “They come in at the green level, but we really want them to move up to bronze, silver or gold within the first year.
“We're checking in with them, making sure they know what to do, guiding them on things that they can be doing to help them along.
"We understand there's only so many volunteers and so much funding, so everyone works at their own pace.”
Allentown in 2011 was the first city in the Lehigh Valley to become a Bird Town, said Tinku Khanwalkar, co-chairwoman of the city’s EAC.
“As the first city in the Lehigh Valley to become a Bird Town, Allentown is pleased to see its numerous community-based stewardship programs recognized by Bird Town PA,” Khanwalkar said in an email.
“The city does not yet have systems in place to capture all data on community-based environmental actions, but even the limited data shows that in 2024 the city had at least 815 volunteer hours, 118 participants, managed 1,500 acres of park lands and planted at least 300 trees.”
Notable projects included a monthly environmental education workshop for children at the Allentown Public Library and installing an education banner on bird strikes at Muhlenberg College’s Fahy Commons for Public Engagement, among others.
The goals of the program align well with the EAC’s mission to promote community-based environmental programs, Khanwalkar said.
“Bird Town provides valuable opportunities to network with other municipalities in promoting such programs,” she said.
“In fact, shortly after Allentown became a Bird Town, the Allentown EAC spear-headed an effort to create an informal network of other municipalities and organizations [called the Lehigh Valley Bird Town Coalition] with a shared goal of promoting municipal environmental stewardship.”
The Lehigh Valley Bird Town Coalition posts activities on Meetup, an online event platform.
The Bird Town program has been active in the commonwealth for more than a decade.
Upper Moreland Township, Montgomery County, in 2011 was designated the commonwealth’s first Bird Town. Others, such as Allentown, soon followed.
While the program first was administered through Audubon Pennsylvania, that changed several years ago.
“The [Pennsylvania] office merged with a number of other states, becoming the Audubon Mid-Atlantic regional office, and at that time, they decided to no longer support the program,” Shiver said.
“That's about four or five years ago, just because of funding and staffing.”
At the time, Shiver was a member of the Doylestown Township EAC — she's now chairwoman — as well as Bird Town coordinator for the township and president of Bucks County Audubon.
“I just felt really passionate about the program,” Shiver said. “I really didn't want it to fall to pieces — I think there's a lot of great things that come from this program.
“So I took it upon myself to reach out to some other folks that I thought would be really good board members, potentially. We started as a working group, and then eventually evolved to be a board to make it more sustainable.
“And, here we are, a few years later, and the program is doing great.”
Currently, there are 83 Bird Town programs in 15 counties across the commonwealth.
In the Lehigh Valley, there are five Bird Towns. In addition to Allentown and Bethlehem, others are Lower Macungie, Whitehall Township and Salisbury Township.
All have achieved gold status this year, except for Salisbury, which achieved bronze.
Kumar got involved with the Bird Town annual reporting for Bethlehem’s EAC a couple years ago, but the city got involved in the program in 2015.
“Every year I see more and more Bird Towns,” he said.
“They do have this annual presentation, like a meeting, where they announce all the new Bird Towns that joined and that's also when they provide the different certifications to different Bird Towns.
“It’s very exciting to see this program grow over the past few years.”
After looking at the goals and activities outlined in the worksheet, EAC members realized they already were completing projects needed to achieve Bird Town status, he said.
“I think the motivation was more of that — we are already doing all of this stuff,” Kumar said. “It'll be nice to get certified for it.
“Even if it started organically, that we were already doing these things, these certifications do help motivate us to do more and maintain some of these certifications, and hopefully Bethlehem will always be a gold-certified Bird Town.
"If we see that you're not meeting that certification, it motivates us to do more.”
To Kumar, the program really focuses on conservation, but also on communicating those projects with residents. The latter, he said, is “a big aspect that I feel like we haven't fully explored.”
“That communication could be through schools, through libraries,” he said. “And generally, as part of the Climate Action Plan for the city of Bethlehem, that community engagement is a big aspect.
“And this fits really well into that goal and program, and something I would love to explore is maybe some more programming with the library where people who are knowledgeable about this stuff can come and speak.”
Editor’s Note: Tinku Khanwalkar, who is quoted in this report as co-chair of the Allentown Environmental Advisory Council, also serves on the board of directors of Lehigh Valley Public Media, the parent organization of LehighValleyNews.com. Her involvement with the board had no influence on the reporting or editorial decisions related to this story.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Organizers have canceled an international symposium that was to be held next month centered around the city’s recent inclusion as a World Heritage Site for its preserved Moravian settlement.They announced the cancellation Thursday.“This decision was not made lightly,” Moravian Church Settlements said on its website. Moravian Church Settlements website “In recent months, a combination of factors including increased financial pressures on individuals...
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Organizers have canceled an international symposium that was to be held next month centered around the city’s recent inclusion as a World Heritage Site for its preserved Moravian settlement.
They announced the cancellation Thursday.
“This decision was not made lightly,” Moravian Church Settlements said on its website.
Moravian Church Settlements website
“In recent months, a combination of factors including increased financial pressures on individuals and institutions, evolving travel restrictions, and uncertainty surrounding federal and cultural heritage funding, has created significant challenges for large-scale in-person convenings across our sector.
“Like many organizations, we are responding to a complex and rapidly changing landscape that has made traditional event planning especially difficult.”
The symposium was being organized by the International Council on Monuments and Sites USA.
It was to mark the organization’s 60th anniversary and celebrate America’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bethlehem from June 4-6.
The three-day conference was set for Moravian University’s Foy Concert Hall.
The university, which oversees the Moravian Church Settlements group, previously said the conference would “bring together leading preservation experts to explore the past, present, and future of cultural heritage conservation in the United States.
“The symposium will feature distinguished speakers, panel discussions, and opportunities for professional networking in one of the nation’s most significant historic locations,” organizers previously said.
Bethlehem’s roughly 10-acre Moravian Church settlement — which led to the founding of the city — was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site last year.
It was included among other Moravian sites in Christiansfeld, Denmark; Gracehill, Northern Ireland; and Herrnhut, Germany.
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