VALLEY YOUTH HOUSE GRANT: Valley Youth House has announced it has been awarded a major grant in the amount of $20,000 over two years from The Provident Bank Foundation to support their Lehigh Valley Rapid Rehousing for Families program.

The Rapid Rehousing for Families Program serves families with children who are experiencing homelessness. The program provides rental assistance and case management services, ensuring that the adults develop the skills and resources to achieve independence, the children are able to thrive, and the family is able to escape the cycle of poverty. In the last year, Valley Youth House has provided housing support for 115 Lehigh Valley households with a total of 268 individuals.

For more information about Valley Youth House, please visit ValleyYouthHouse.org

NEW DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES: Two new businesses will open at 521-525 Main St. in Historic Downtown Bethlehem sometime next month, according to its owner, Iconic Real Estate LLC, a locally owned real estate investment company, and Lucy H. Lennon of Morganelli Properties.

Le Macaron, a French pastry shop, will open at 521 Main St. Le Macaron will serve authentic French macaroons, selections of French delicacies, homemade gelati and award-winning coffees and teas. The macaroon is considered to be the jewel of French pastries in Europe, according to Le Macaron’s website. Le Macaron has franchise locations across the country. The nearest location is Doylestown.

The second tenant to be filling the building’s commercial space at 523 Main St. is Nurse Wellness Hemp Dispensary, a wellness and health CBD retail store. This will be the seventh location for Nurse Wellness and its first full-service location in the Lehigh Valley.