Conestoga Valley SEEDS

Conestoga Valley SEEDS was formed to cultivate a healthy, thriving Conestoga Valley community.  We are enriching lives by connecting our community to Housing Resources, Educational Supports and Health Services. 

Conestoga Valley SEEDS was born out of a heart of love from Conestoga Valley school social worker, Katie Reiff.  As she worked with families, she continued to see that there were many barriers that limited access to tools and resources needed for healthy thriving individuals.

Did you know Conestoga Valley has 42 different home languages represented within it?  
We LOVE that!
The first program SEEDS launched, in Oct 2022, was free adult English Language Development classes for our neighbors who do not have English as their home language.  Staffed by amazing community volunteers, this SEEDS program offers 6 week (12 class) sessions where childcare, transportation, a meal and class are offered free of charge.  This program serves the purpose of helping our neighbors grow in their English language ability, but it also is building relationships and community.  
And it is a JOY! 

In January of 2023 we hired our first employees, our Co-Directors Michelle Kime and Kristen Hershey.  And, in October 2025 we hired our first Adult Advocate, who is walking alongside our neighbors struggling with housing insecurities. 

This past year has been a year of growth as we launched our 7th session of adult English Language Development classes, we continued our partnership with Elizabethtown College for our Parent-Child playgroups with an emphasis on Occupational Therapy supports, we enjoyed the summer hosting a CV Summer Library hosted by our local elementary school, we began formal partnerships with East Lampeter Township and Union Community Care, as we walk alongside our neighbors with housing insecurities.  AND - we moved into our own location, which allows us the opportunity to continue dreaming, growing and connecting more fully with our neighbors.  

Did you know that in the 2024-2025 school year, Conestoga Valley School District had 207 children who were identified as homeless?   And, in we started the 2025 school year with 107 children identified as homeless.  With our heart of growing connection and community, we began a program called Refreshing Recreation, specifically for the families who are living in hotels.  This is a monthly gathering, at a local church's gym, where kids can run around, there is made-to-order breakfast available, a table of art supplies, and the growth of relationship, shared resources, and connected community. 

As we move forward in our vision of a healthy, thriving Conestoga Valley community, your gift means A LOT!

We have BIG dreams for ways we can walk alongside our neighbors in the areas of Housing, Education and Health.  And we are excited for what is to come! Will you partner with us in these next steps?