JOSHWAY and the Power of Resilience is a heartfelt adventure that empowers children to face challenges, believe in themselves, and uplift others along the way. With imagination, courage, and a spark of inner strength, every child can become the hero of their own story.
“Every challenge is a chance. Every child is a hero. All we need is a light to find our way—and sometimes, that light is already inside us.”
Welcome to JOSHWAY
What Is JOSHWAY?
In 2021, Josh’s journey with mental health challenges and addiction came to a tragic end. From that loss, JOSHWAY was born rooted in the belief that every young person deserves a pathway forward. JOSHWAY is a bridge. We partner with youth-focused organizations and schools to guide young people across five foundational pillars: Money Smarts, Speak Up & Shine, Digital Knowledge, Health & Well-being, and Future Ready. Each step of the journey helps students build confidence, resilience, and purpose, developing the kind of holistic leadership that lasts a lifetime. Whether we’re in a classroom, after-school program, or community center, our mission remains the same: to help every young person cross that bridge to inspire, learn, and lead.
IN THE UNITED STATES ALONE
From the pressures of social media to the rise of digital distractions, today’s youth are navigating a world that demands more from them than ever before.
Over 90% of teens use social media daily, leading to heightened feelings of anxiety, isolation, and self-doubt.
Screen time now averages 7 hours a day, reducing time for meaningful, real-world connections. Exposure to unrealistic expectations and cyberbullying is taking a toll on mental health.
Dream Big, Learn More, Lead Forward
At JOSHWAY, we believe that these challenges don’t have to define the next generation. Instead, we see them as an opportunity—a chance to Inspire youth to rise above the noise.
Inspire. Learn. Lead.
Our programs are designed to turn the digital world from a source of stress into a tool for growth, creativity, and leadership.
Help youth dream beyond the screen by showing them what’s possible through art, music, and storytelling.
Teach practical skills like coding, creative expression, and mindfulness to help them turn their dreams into reality.
Inspire youth to take what they’ve learned and make a meaningful impact in their communities.
With the right tools and support, youth can:
Let’s reimagine the digital landscape together. Let’s create a brighter, more intentional future.
🧠 Meet Terry – Board Member
Meet Terry Riches, Director of Strategy at Shift4 and passionate advocate for youth empowerment.
With a career that’s taken him from the UK to PA, Terry blends global insight with local impact—bringing leadership, data strategy, and heart to the Joshway board.
Inspired by the Robertson brothers` mission, he’s helping build pathways for young leaders in our community.
Want to support the mission? Head to joshway.org to get involved.
#joshway #leadershipinspired #lehighvalleycommunity #youthempowerment #boardmemberhighlight
Two years of Joshway.
Two years of heart, hustle, and hope.
What started as a vision to uplift youth has turned into a movement—empowering the next generation through creativity, leadership, and community. From workshops and mentorships to mic moments and art-filled afternoons, we’ve watched young voices rise, confidence bloom, and impact multiply.
This anniversary isn’t just about time—it’s about transformation. And it’s only the beginning.
Thank you to every supporter, volunteer, parent, and partner who believes in the mission.
Here’s to the next chapter. More kids reached. More dreams unlocked. More futures rewritten.
💙 Get involved or learn more at joshway.org
#joshway #youthempowerment #2yearsofimpact #creativeyouth #youthleaders #nonprofitlove #communitygrowth #arteducation #mentalhealthmatters #nextgenvoices #supportlocalyouth #lehighvalleyyouth #bethechange
⚡️ Meet Josalyn Vanfleet – Board Member
Meet Josalyn, fintech expert, PSU alum, and lifelong Easton resident committed to building up the next generation.
Whether coaching youth sports, mentoring future leaders, or giving back through Joshway, her roots run deep in the Lehigh Valley.
She believes in hustle, heart, and showing up for her community—on and off the field.
Learn more about our mission and how to help at joshway.org
#joshway #womenwholead #communitydriven #lehighvalleyproud #boardhighlight
💡 Meet Nick – Board Member
Meet Nick Benatti, a seasoned leader with 15+ years in enterprise consulting and digital transformation.
Nick’s driven by purpose, bringing strategy, innovation, and heart to Joshway’s mission of uplifting at-risk youth.
He’s helping us move from ideas to action—and making sure young people lead the way.
Discover how you can be part of the impact at joshway.org.
#joshway #futurefocused #communityimpact #lehighvalleyleaders #boardspotlight
She’s the blueprint. Not just for the home we grew up in—but for the dreams we chase, the courage we carry, and the values we live by.
At Joshway, we believe in honoring the ones who build us from the inside out.
The moms who teach us how to speak up, show up, and never give up. Her voice echoes in our confidence. Her strength lives in our resilience.
Behind every bold leader, curious creator, and passionate changemaker... there’s a woman who planted the first seed.
This Mother’s Day, we celebrate her. The original architect of potential.
💙 #shestheblueprint #joshway #mothersday #youthvoices #communityroots #honoringher #futurebuilders #thankyoumom
💙 Meet Amie — small business owner, financial steward, and proud community advocate.
As Treasurer of the Joshway Board, Amie Lyons brings not only years of leadership in the insurance industry but also a heart for meaningful service. From managing one of AAA East Central’s largest sales territories to running her own independent agency, Amie’s career has always been rooted in trust, growth, and people-first values.
She now uses her experience and strategic mindset to ensure Joshway’s mission is backed by strong, responsible support. For Amie, giving back isn’t just something she does—it’s who she is.
Want to support the mission? Head to joshway.org to get involved.
#joshway #leadershipinspired #lehighvalleycommunity #youthempowerment #boardmemberhighlight
Art saves. It teaches. It keeps kids in school.
Students from low-income backgrounds who are highly involved in the arts are 5x less likely to drop out of high school.
(source: NEA, 2012 – The Arts and Achievement in At-Risk Youth)
That’s why at JOSHWAY, we don’t treat the arts like an extracurricular—we treat them like a life skill.
Creativity builds confidence. Expression fuels resilience. And art opens doors.
Drop a 🎭 if the arts changed your life too…
Ask the next generation what they want to learn—and they’ll say one word: Leadership.
They want to make a difference. At Joshway, we help them do just that.
Through creativity.
Through empowerment.
Through technology and coding.
We teach youth to lead with purpose, heart, and skills that shape the future. Because when they raise their hands—we help them raise their voices, too.
You might not see it—but 1 in 7 youth worldwide is fighting anxiety or depression.
That’s one kid in every friend group, every classroom, every team.
At JOSHWAY, we show up for those 1 in 7.
Through safe spaces, mentors, creative outlets, and real support—we’re building mental strength from the inside out.
Let’s stop acting like they’re “just moody” and start giving them the tools they actually need.
💬 Tag someone who always checks in with their people.
Mic check… 1, 2 🎤
Our Youth Toastmasters program isn’t just about public speaking—it’s about unlocking confidence, building leadership, and helping students find their voice in and out of the classroom.
📣 Swipe to hear from the future-ready leaders themselves.
We’re building more than furniture, we’re building community.
As we prepare for our ribbon cutting, the JOSHWAY team hosted a special workshop to assemble custom seating blocks. It was an incredible moment of collaboration, bringing together partners, youth, and skilled hands to create something meaningful for the space.
We partnered with Nella from @cbw.easton and her incredible young people to help with the workshop. It was a true reflection of what this space is all about: intention, inclusion, and impact. Thank you @cbw.easton for making this workshop a success.
Huge thanks to Sean from @northamptoncommcollege for sourcing the wood and to the talented crew from the Lehigh Valley Workman’s Guild for helping us bring this vision to life.
And here’s the surprise, the local news was onsite to capture it all and a few exclusive interviews will be hitting the air soon, and we can’t wait to share more of the JOSHWAY story with you.
Big things are ahead. Stay tuned.
Before she led the room, she led the team. 🏃♀️🏆
69% of women leaders played sports growing up—and that’s not a coincidence.
The court, the field, the track… they weren’t just games. They were lessons in confidence, teamwork, and resilience.
(source: https://www.parents.com/leaders-all-have-childhood-hobby-in-common-8738410?utm)
At JOSHWAY, we believe in creating more spaces where girls are seen, supported, and unstoppable—on and off the field.
Tag a young athlete who’s next. 👟
Equipping young individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills for financial responsibility.
Providing mentorship, career exploration opportunities, and workshops.
Raising awareness about the risks and consequences of substance abuse.
Introducing youth to mindfulness techniques, stress management strategies, and self-care practices.
Our dedicated team fosters young Young Innovatorss’ growth through innovative approaches and community collaboration, preparing them for life’s journey with the power of art, education, and technology.
OUR SOLE FOCUS
JOSHWAY is where purpose meets potential. Through real-world experiences, mentorship, and five foundational pillars, we guide young people across the bridge from uncertainty to confident, creative leadership.
When you support JOSHWAY, you’re not just funding a program you’re helping build bridges. Your contribution fuels a bold new model of nonprofit collaboration, where youth-focused organizations are connected with world-class experts to bring real-life skills, purpose, and leadership development to the next generation.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recognizes JOSHWAY as a Section 501(c)(3) public charity.
Our Federal Tax ID Number is 88-4332763.
Contributions to JOSHWAY may be eligible for tax deduction in the U.S.A., please consult your tax advisor for eligibility. No goods or services were offered or provided in exchange for this contribution.
©2025 JOSHWAY. All Rights Reserved | Design by JS Social Agency
Hailing from the vibrant city of Houston, Texas, and nurtured by the Young Innovatorsic energy of both Houston and New York, I’ve woven a tapestry of experiences that have shaped me into the creative advocate I am today. Starting as a poetic youth and young speaker, with transformative years I’ve gone from stage to TV and film and continue the journey of honing my craft. I’ve worn the hat of a mentor and leader guiding youth in the National Peer Assistance and Leadership program.
I’ve been selected and awarded as a lead speaker for the City of Houston’s district attorney’s annual Black History gala and proudly led my alma matter into a national competition as a solo act in the National Thespian Festival. I am truly passionate about connecting with people from all paths of life, promoting self-love, and women empowerment, and inspiring others to reach their highest potential through my Young Innovatorsry and future aspirations.
In my free time, I enjoy traveling, learning new skills, and pretending to be a 5-star spa and food critic. I am a learner of life and believe that we all individually have a divine purpose that awaits us. My mission is to authentically connect, illuminate the paths of others, share my life’s journey along with Josh’s to all of my fellow dreamers, and most importantly shed light and love freely just as he did.
Although his professional success has included helping FinTech Business Solutions transform during two decades with the company and being named to the Electronic Transaction Association’s Forty Under Forty list, David’s proudest achievement has been founding JOSHWAY in honor of his brother, Joshua. The nonprofit’s mission is to inspire and support young Young Innovatorss in the Lehigh Valley. His philanthropic service is deeply rooted in David’s family values and passion for helping others reach their full potential.
With over a decade in the non-profit sector, including the College Hill Neighborhood Association’s executive team, and in the private sector, where she’s the Chief Operating Officer of FineTech Business Solutions, Jennifer’s transformational leadership is unrivaled. She’s committed to mentoring startups, ensuring operational excellence, and advocating for education, training, mentorship, and research.
From the football fields of Dieruff High School and Indiana University of Pennsylvania to the bright lights of the National Football League (NFL), Andrew’s journey has been nothing short of incredible. Now, that journey has taken him back to Lehigh Valley, where, as a successful real estate investor, he wants to leverage his expertise to help the community realize its dreams.
A dedicated Allentown educator for more than six years, Robert teaches his students that life is a continuous journey of growth and understanding. Fueled by a love for competitive sports, traditional values, and helping young people in his community, Robert is grateful for the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the next generation.
As a proactive board member, Chris harnesses strategic insight, leadership excellence, and community engagement to drive social change and make a difference. Dedicated to fostering collaboration, his hands-on approach encourages continuous advancement, champions meaningful transformations, and helps create a better world for all.
