In 2000 and early 2001, United Way spoke with more than 70 local non-profit agency, business and community leaders, and more than 1,200 older adults. As a result, and with overwhelming community support, the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) created the Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging (LVAA/the Alliance) in May 2001. LVAA's vision is that the Lehigh Valley will be a community in which older adults can remain in their homes and continue to live full lives with as much choice as possible. The mission is to advance strategies that ensure long-term care and supportive service systems meet the existing and emerging needs of all older adults.

Governance of the Alliance rests in a 25-person steering committee that is staffed by the United Way, which also acts as fiduciary agent. The LVAA maintains a current membership of more than 140, with an average attendance or participation rate of 87% on all planning levels. Alliance members participated on one or more of the five Priority Area sub-committees: Communications, Housing Options, Workforce Development, Mobility Options, and Intergenerational Opportunity. Older adults are equally represented on all planning levels.

Now that specific recommendations have been made by these subcommittees, volunteers are working on specific implementation goal areas.

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