When you talk to David Robertson about Pennsylvania’s future, it’s hard not to walk away inspired.
David is the founder of JOSHWAY, a nonprofit based in the Lehigh Valley that empowers young people to explore their creativity and embrace innovation.
But while JOSHWAY is focused on driving a successful future, its beginnings were rooted in tragedy. The organization was founded in memory of David’s brother, Josh, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 32 after battling mental health challenges and addiction. In the wake of this loss, David and other community leaders were determined to ensure Josh’s legacy would live on. They channeled his creativity and passion into a mission: to meet the needs of Lehigh Valley youth and help them thrive.
JOSHWAY partners with schools and community centers to deliver impactful, arts- and tech-focused educational programs. As David explains, “We didn’t want to create our own community—there are already plenty of nonprofits in the area doing great work. What we noticed, though, was that many were operating in silos. So, we decided to support those organizations and help them
build capacity. JOSHWAY is about revolutionizing how nonprofits collaborate.”
The programs JOSHWAY connects students with are designed to build future-ready skills—ones that spark creativity, passion, and opportunity. For instance, when the local Apple Store offered free coding courses, JOSHWAY stepped in to boost enrollment by spreading the word and encouraging participation. “Thanks to our efforts, that Apple Store generated over $30,000 in revenue and personally recognized JOSHWAY’s contribution. But it wasn’t just about helping Apple—it was about teaching students a valuable, real-world skill.”
JOSHWAY’s offerings go beyond tech. The organization also promotes sports, graphic design, drawing, creative writing, and other activities that foster teamwork, leadership, and emotional well-being. These programs help students express themselves, build confidence, and develop healthy ways to manage mental health challenges.
“Our mentors are experienced, passionate leaders who offer more than just technical skills—they provide guidance and support,” David says. “From coding and painting to public speaking through the Toastmasters youth program, and even just being a listening ear, we’re helping young people develop both hard and soft skills. We want them to feel confident in their creativity, resilience, and direction as they step into adulthood.”
As JOSHWAY continues to grow, financial literacy has become a key focus. The organization connects students with experts from both the public and private sectors to help them build essential
money management skills.
Another exciting initiative is JOSHWAY’s free app, which allows students to track their volunteer hours with the organization. David hopes schools and universities will eventually recognize this involvement and offer tuition credits. “Young people deserve to be rewarded for prioritizing community engagement,” he says. “That’s something we’ll be advocating for moving forward.”
Despite the success JOSHWAY has seen in just a few short years, David believes the organization’s greatest impact is still ahead—and it will be driven by community involvement. “If no one had taken the time to hear our story or meet with us early on, JOSHWAY might never have taken off,” he reflects. “It was the incredible people of the Lehigh Valley who made this possible—we owe them everything.”
To learn more about JOSHWAY and its work in the Lehigh Valley, visit https://joshway.org.