Jaana joined the Community Action team in June, 2021. She brings experience from her previous roles including program analysis, directing admissions, and social work. A Delaware State University graduate, Jaana holds a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's in Social Work. In her position, Janna is responsible for providing leadership for the agency's community services programs with a goal to ensure excellence in the delivery of services across multiple programs, including supervising program directors, adding services and developing new programs.

In October 2022, we welcomed Michelle Weissmann as Development Officer. Michelle has a Bachelor’s Degree from Penn State World in Human Development & Family Studies, and an Associate’s Degree in Social Work. Previously having interned with Sixth Street Shelter, Michelle has an extensive history of working with individuals and families experiencing homelessness. She makes connections with people who share our values and support our mission while striving to support and provide resources so every individual can believe in themselves and succeed through self-sufficiency.

Yaseleen joined Sixth Street Shelter in October 2021. She was born and raised in the Lehigh Valley. As a single mom overcoming her personal struggles and many challenges, Yaseleen is a sign of hope to all of our Shelter residents. In her free time, she loves cooking and spending time with her family of seven.

In October 2021, Lizette joined the Sixth Street Shelter as the Counseling and Intake Specialist and has been employed by Community Action for 23 years and counting! She began as a receptionist for Community Action in 1999, after graduating from her own time spent at the Sixth Street Shetler. After six years, Lizette became an OnTrack Customer Representative and in 2018, she was promoted to Director of the OnTrack program. In 2021, Lizette was also the Office Administrator for Second Harvest Food Bank, another program of Community Action Lehigh Valley.

The first half of Jean’s career focused on healthcare before she joined the field of education and development. Jean brings with her occupational experience from positions at Penn State Lehigh Valley, Lehigh Carbon Community College, PA CareerLink, YouthBuild Allentown, and Urban Career Pathway Project. Serving community boards, Jean is a Co-Chair on the Human Relations Commission with the City of Allentown. She also serves community boards at Star Community Health and YWCA Allentown. Jean is passionate about being a voice for the voiceless. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and gardening.

Craig joined the Sixth Street Shelter at the start of 2023 after leading a workforce development program in Allentown. His experience owning a construction business makes him a firm believer in, "hard work pays off" and his time spent coaching rugby has instilled the ideology that, "a little teamwork goes a long way." Guests of the Sixth Street Shelter can expect to experience a combination of those two philosophies delivered with a lot of energy and positivity!

Maritza Elmi is our Care Associate at the Sixth Street Shelter. Originally from "El Barrio" in New York, she understands the struggles of poverty and brings her ten years of awareness to assist our unsheltered families. In her spare time, Maritza is a loving mother of six and a sweet, caring grandmother of four.

Proud of his culture, Richard comes from Dominican Republic. He moved to the United States in 2012 looking a better lifestyle and went to LCCC for Digital Design and Communication. Richard joined Community Action in May 2022 as a case worker for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Since then, he has continued his career with Community Action by becoming a Caseworker at Sixth Street Shelter.