Communities That Care (CTC) Committee

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Wilson Area Communities that Care (CTC) is a group of youth, families, community leaders, business members, and residents from the Wilson Area School District and surrounding communities.  Our committee exists to strengthen the well-being of youth and families through collaboration, data-driven strategies, and evidence-based programs. We are committed to reducing youth risk factors while expanding protective factors that help young people thrive. 

Launched in 2022 with support from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), we are proud to be one of just three active CTC coalitions in Pennsylvania, and the only one operating outside of Philadelphia. Our efforts have been recognized by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the University of Washington’s Center for Communities That Care as a statewide and regional model for community impact.

The committee is led by a full-time Executive Director who coordinates programming, manages grants, and sustains partnerships.  Our committee members include WASD students, district parents, residents, local health care experts, law enforcement members, community leaders, and members of non-profit organizations. Our members are organized into work groups which are focused on program implementation, data review, community engagement, and sustainability.

View Our Communities That Care Fact Sheet Here

Who We Serve

·  Wilson Borough, West Easton, Glendon, and Williams Township

·  Over 52% of students in the Wilson Area School District are at or below the poverty level

·  Poverty in the district has increased by 59% since 2019 and exceeds state and Easton averages

·  Racial demographics: 3% Asian, 10% Black, 27% Hispanic, 9% Multiracial, 51% White

Our Goals

·  Foster healthy youth development through coordinated community partnerships

·  Address key local risk factors such as low neighborhood attachment and limited prosocial opportunities

·  Expand access to high-quality, evidence-based prevention programs

·  Engage families, schools, and community partners in meaningful efforts to build a brighter future for youth

Evidence-Based Strategies

CTC uses data from the Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) and St. Luke’s Community Health Needs Assessment to guide decisions.  View Our Community Assessment Report Here 

Based on local data, our priorities include:

·  Reducing substance use

·  Supporting mental health and reducing suicide risk

·  Increasing youth engagement and sense of belonging

We support and help implement the following research-backed programs:

·  CBITS / Bounceback (trauma-informed school interventions)

·  Big Brothers Big Sisters

·  Guiding Good Choices (family skills training)

·  Parenting Wisely

·  Shanthi Project (mindfulness and emotional regulation)

View our 2024 Community Action Plan Here 

We measure the program’s success by reviewing PAYS data, statistics from the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System and pre and post surveys we conduct of students and families.  

Impact by the Numbers

·  Over 200 students reached through school-based programs

·  Inclusive family and youth programs designed to address low neighborhood attachment (51% at risk per 2021 PAYS)

·  Youth recognition and engagement opportunities increased in response to declining reward perceptions (from 63% in 2017 to 34% in 2021)

View Our Community Impact Report Here

Leadership Recognition & Community Action

·  U.S. Attorney's Office “Love and Light Award” for outstanding impact

·  Featured at Penn State EPIS Center, Commonwealth Prevention Alliance, and regional nonprofit conferences

·  Community Action Plan unveiled to 60+ stakeholders in 2024 at St. Luke’s Easton Campus

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) awarded Wilson Area LINCS a Statewide Substance Abuse Education, Demand Reduction (SAEDR) grant to support prevention efforts that reduce youth substance use and strengthen protective factors for young people in the Wilson Area community. Through this funding, the coalition works with schools, families, and community partners to implement evidence-based prevention strategies and expand programs that promote healthy youth development.

In addition to state funding, the Wilson Area CTC initiative is supported through a combination of local government, foundation, and community partner grants. Recent support has been provided by Northampton County, Williams Township, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, Two Rivers Health & Wellness Foundation, and the Kiwanis Club of Easton.

These investments allow the coalition to sustain prevention programming, support youth and families, and continue mobilizing community partners to address the risk and protective factors that influence youth health and well-being in the Wilson Area community.

Because prevention is an ongoing effort, additional funding and community support remain critical to expand programs, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that local youth have access to the resources, opportunities, and supportive environments they need to thrive.

Support Our Work 

The Wilson Area CTC committee has demonstrated measurable impact and earned regional recognition. Continued funding, staffing, and support will allow us to deepen our work and strengthen youth well-being across our region.  We are actively seeking additional funding through grant applications and local donors. Please email LINCS@wilsonareasd.org if you would like to assist or donate.

Would you like to know more? Contact us today.