Catasauqua Communities That Care group met virtually April 15 to discuss the updates for the group’s three main priorities - support economically disadvantaged students; decrease drug, alcohol and gambling; and the mental well-being of students.

It was reported the Roughie Egg Hunt was a success. Organizers were able to supply hygiene products, activity books, school supplies, food stuffs and candy for approximately 180 children.

This drive was a collective Catasauqua effort, sponsored by Catasauqua Area School District, Catasauqua Police Department and Catasauqua Community Cares Program (C3P).

“Everything is going really well with the community drives,” Officer Jenna Potak reported.

Potak serves as a school resource officer in CASD and is heavily involved in the various collection drives and events held by the schools and police department.

The next community effort was a Chalk Your Walk and Clean Up Your Block event April 24. In honor of Earth Day, Catasauqua residents were called upon to come together and clean trash or debris from their streets and then use sidewalk chalk to add some extra beauty and fun to their blocks.

Catasauqua High School teacher Leslie Estrada noted a school supply bingo is in the works for July, with a mission to collect supplies for the next school year.

Pastor Bobby Newman, from Presbyterian Church of Catasauqua, noted the church is starting their a community meal program, not only to help the food insecure, but to build up the community and create a safe space to come together. The most recent meal was held May 17.

“I want this meal becoming more than just a meal,” he said.

He encouraged borough groups to come make the meal a part of their gathering, noting there is space on the church lawn to gather safely and follow COVID-19 protocols.

It was also noted C3P is taking on more families. C3P helps students with food-insecurity issues. School district programs are available for students, but after hours and on weekends, the program steps in to provide food.

“The food room in our building is at full capacity,” said Amy Dymond-Jones, Catasauqua Middle School counselor and CTC coordinator.

She noted the generosity of donors and the work by district business supervisor Lois Reed, who organizes the C3P program, has kept the area well stocked. They are looking to increase their reach.

It was reported the Lifeskills training is still underway regarding drug and alcohol education for the students. The Strengthening Families program officially began April 20.

In discussing students’ emotional well-being, Dalilah Jusino, a mental health therapist with Salisbury Behavioral Health working in the district, noted she is seeing a lot of referrals. She is urging families to continue seeking assistance and therapy over the summer months to ensure continuity of care for the students.

She is also working with families to break the stigma of having to ask for help and encouraging anyone who needs assistance to reach out.

Kim Ceccatti, a counselor at Sheckler Elementary School, reported she and her colleagues are working on shaping a positive growth mindset with the students. She said they are working on identifying the hope in situations and working forward from there. One of the specific examples is the Power of Yet. You may not be able to do something now, yet the next time you try, you’ll be better and will achieve it in the future.