Wilson Area LINCS beats more than 150 competitors for $10,000 Thrivent grant

WILSON, Pa. — The only Lehigh Valley organization to be chosen a finalist in Thrivent’s The Big Give Back has won the $10,000 community grant, beating out 155 competitors.

After a week of voting and more than 1,400 total votes cast, Wilson Area LINCS Coalition for Families and Youth came in first place with more than 700.

That secured it a $10,000 community grant from the Thrivent Member Network.

With the funding, Wilson Area LINCS will be able to continue providing valuable programming and services to address economic and public health concerns across Wilson Area School District.

“This support from Thrivent means the world to us,” Executive Director of the Wilson Area LINCS Coalition for Families and Youth Trina Brady said.

“It’s more than a financial gift — it’s a vote of confidence in our community’s ability to come together and care for one another.

"With this $10,000, we can expand our reach, support more families in need, and create opportunities that foster resilience and well-being across the Wilson Area.”

'Community rally behind us'

As one of the five finalists selected as a Thrivent Choice Organization, Wilson Area LINCS developed an outreach strategy to engage with students, parents and community partners.

Efforts included dedicated social media posts, cross-promotion with local and regional partners and a 60-second video that highlighted the work of LINCS.

That work includes its teaching garden, annual Photos with Santa event, student weekend meal program and Touch-a-Truck school supply giveaway.

With Wilson Area LINCS being the only Thrivent Choice Organization from the Lehigh Valley, the group stated the participation of partners and other organizations across the region highlighted the collaborative relationships they have built over the past few years.

Wilson Area LINCS Governing Board President Joelle L. Strahler said the win could not have come at a more meaningful time.

“The reality is that so many nonprofits, including ours, are struggling to maintain essential programs amid a very challenging funding climate,” Strahler said.

“To see our community rally behind us the way they did — casting nearly half of all votes — fills me with hope. It’s proof that people believe in the mission of LINCS and want to keep our work going strong for local students and families.”

'Make a meaningful difference'

Wilson Mayor Don Barrett said news of the grant was fantastic, and a well-deserved acknowledgement of the remarkable work LINCS does in the community.

“The Wilson Area LINCS Coalition for Families and Youth continually goes above and beyond to support our residents through a wide range of programs and services,” Barrett said.

“This grant will help them continue their mission of strengthening and connecting the Wilson Borough community.

"I am deeply grateful for the dedication of the LINCS Center staff and volunteers, who make a meaningful difference in people’s lives every day.

"Congratulations once again on this outstanding achievement.”

In the midst of political and fiscal uncertainty in government and households across the region, the grant will let Wilson Area LINCS provide programming directly to students and their parents, officials said.

It also will let Wilson Area LINCS hold community engagement events meant to provide opportunities for family bonding, and continue to distribute more than 6,000 weekend meal bags to students.

With recent reports indicating the poverty rate in Wilson Area School District has risen to 59% since 2019, “the need or the services of Wilson Area LINCS will only grow in the months ahead,” the group said.