A community resources center that opened recently in Lehighton wants to ensure its clients are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Borough council at its meeting recently heard from a representative from the Willow Foundation, along with an attorney from Disability Rights Pennsylvania.

Amanda Gipson, CEO of the Willow Foundation, spoke about the Alderwood building, a community resource center that opened last month at 191 S. First St.

Gipson said the Alderwood building is appointment-based and structured.

“What we do is make those connections,” Gipson said. “We help people get jobs, work toward stable housing.”

Gipson added that if they can’t help their clients, they’ll help find the people who can.

“Anyone who lives in the community that comes to Alderwood, we’re hopefully creating space (to help them get there),” she said. “We want to be (good neighbors), be present in a positive way.”

Gipson said their intention is to provide the services and do the work that they came here to do.

“We’re not going to change the fabric of Lehighton, but we’re (very glad) to be part of it,” she said.

Disability Rights Pennsylvania

Andra Metcalfe, attorney with Disability Rights Pennsylvania, told council a video targeted the Alderwood office as a means to shut down the building.

Metcalfe said she saw the video in April that clearly discusses plans to surveil and establish a community watch.

“People with addiction, mental illness, homelessness, these are all human beings (who deserve access to public services),” said Metcalfe, who added the people are seeking those services because it’s the best option for them. “They’re there for addiction and mental health services.”

Metcalfe added the services are “to make the Lehighton community safer,” and that “these are services the people deserve to have.”

Borough Manager Dane Dewire asked Metcalfe if they received any push back from the borough zoning office, and questioned why the zoning office was targeted as part of her remarks.

“This zoning office, there was zero push back from us,” DeWire said. “The zoning office provided all permits (without) push back.”

Councilwoman Becky Worthy added, “It’s been long discussed for us to have more police presence. It’s been (a topic) that’s been discussed at this table long before (Alderwood opened).”

But, Metcalfe countered, “It’s clearly stated in the video to shut this (Alderwood) building down.”

Borough Mayor Ryan Saunders assured, “There would not be any targeting of Alderwood.”

Saunders did note that the borough has responded to several drug overdoses over the past few months.

Alderwood office

The community resources center seeks to provide services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity and/or food insecurity.

Gipson, along with Kristen Topolski, vice president of the Willow Foundation, explained that the center’s work is connective, as staff sit down with residents to help them reach services, such as counseling, recovery support, primary care, benefits assistance and employment resources.

Each person who makes an appointment develops his or her own goals, Topolski said.

Gipson said that in 2025, the Willow Foundation was invited by St. Vincent de Paul, whose Cold Weather Station had been operating a seasonal day program and recognized a broader need in the community.

She stressed that St. Vincent de Paul continues its own work with the Cold Weather Station, and maintained Alderwood is a separate, year-round program.

Both Gipson and Topolski touted the location’s affordability, along with the fact that it’s open space and flexible.

Gipson said the response she’s heard from the community has been “overwhelmingly positive.”

Topolski said homelessness is an issue that exists and you either become part of the solution, or it inevitably gets worse and persists.

Gipson said those who visit will be led in the right direction.

The Willow Foundation, a Northeastern Pennsylvania nonprofit, is organized around clear goals and consistent follow-through; along with a peer-informed practice in which staff includes individuals with lived experience, strengthening engagement while maintaining clear expectations and accountability.

Gipson said the founders bring a combined 50 years of leadership experience in human services, and Willow’s five-member board of directors have backgrounds in behavioral health, academic research, nonprofit operations, and clinical practice.

Willow employs 20 staff members across its programs, supported by trained volunteers and graduate-level interns from regional universities.

In 2025, the Willow Foundation supported more than 17,000 visits across its programs, serving residents from Wilkes-Barre to Hazleton, and Tamaqua to Peckville.