Helping children grow: The mission of new CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Allentown

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — In her children’s book “It’s Harvest Time!” Katarah A. Jordan crafts a heartwarming story that celebrates the power of a family sowing seeds and nurturing crops in its home garden and the unbreakable bonds that result as nature works its magic.

Jordan said she plans to apply a similar philosophy in her new position as chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown.

Jordan’s appointment was announced on Monday by Paul Barbehenn, chairman of the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown board of directors and search committee.

“The Boys & Girls Club has been a pillar for after-school and for summer programming for so many children,” Jordan said. “Them having this open door, to be able to come in and use the space and facilities, is life changing for them.

“The closer we are to the community, the better we are to serve them.”

Jordan replaces Deb Fries Jackson, who is retiring after 40 years of service with Girls Club of Allentown and the combined Boys & Girls Club of Allentown.

A well-known member of the Allentown nonprofit community, Jordan is a lifelong learner and educator who said she believes every child deserves to be successful and thrive cradle to career.

'Dynamic and engaging'

Most recently, Jordan was director of the James Lawson Freedom School in Allentown, a program of Resurrected Community Development Corporation.

Her focus was providing their scholars with an enriching learning experience designed to foster mastery and a love of one’s community.

“The Boys & Girls Club serves the same students as we do at Lawson school,” Jordan said. “Also, my daughter has gone to the Boys & Girls Club throughout her life, so I've always been familiar with the mission.

“It’s a big task, but I’m very excited. I want to help our children grow.”

Jordan was chosen from among a long list of impressive candidates.

“Through the entire search process, we were looking for someone who was dynamic and engaging, and that’s Katarah [Jordan],” Barbehenn said.

“The job requires multiple skills, from drilling down to managing and creating a budget to managing facilities. She has broad experience across the board in those areas.

“Katarah’s background in education was also a big deal for us. We’re not just an after-school program. When we get [the children], we want to do something with them.

“Her commitment to the city of Allentown and the community was also very important.”

'I want to build upon it'

Prior to her time at Lawson Freedom School, Jordan was director of Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania, where she worked to fight food insecurity in our region.

“Working at Second Harvest during COVID, I got a background knowledge of how food insecurity plagues so many in the Lehigh Valley,” Jordan said.

“Education is my realm. I worked in literacy programs with families and kids.

“What’s important to me is that the children of Allentown seize the opportunities for them here. Have them exposed to books and technology.”

Jordan has a masters of education degree in Instructional Technology from East Stroudsburg University, a bachelor's degree in communication and media studies from Lincoln University and a master gardener certification from Penn State University.

Jordan recently was named a 2024 Take the Lead Honoree by Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, a 40 Under 40 Honoree by Lehigh Valley Business and a Woman of Influence by Lehigh Valley Style.

Jordan praised her predecessor Jackson's work over four decades.

“You don’t see people like Deb doing this so long nowadays,” Jordan said. “She’s dedicated her life to a cause and a mission for children. She created great safe spaces for them.

“The foundation she built is sturdy; I want to build upon it and help the children flourish.”