At a moment when nationwide staffing challenges threaten core public services, Allentown today became the second city in the country selected as a Spotlight City in Work for America’s national initiative to strengthen local public workforces.
ALLENTOWN, PA — At a moment when nationwide staffing challenges threaten core public services, Allentown today became the second city in the country selected as a Spotlight City in Work for America’s national initiative to strengthen local public workforces.
The partnership will bring mission-driven talent to City Hall, modernize hiring systems, and make Allentown a national model for how local governments can deliver more effectively for residents. Mayor Matt Tuerk will also join Work for America’s inaugural advisory board.
“When I took office, one of our biggest challenges was building capacity in city government,” said Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk. “I saw firsthand how much it matters to have strong teams in place - because that’s what allows us to deliver for our residents. That’s why I’m proud for Allentown to be a Spotlight City, and grateful to partner with Work for America to keep building the workforce our community deserves.”
“Allentown’s public servants don’t just do their jobs - they show up for their community with heart,” said Caitlin Lewis, Executive Director of Work for America. “Mayor Tuerk embodies that same commitment, and we’re excited to spotlight the incredible people who make the city work.”
Work for America and the City of Allentown have worked in close partnership since November 2025 when Allentown joined Civic Match, Work for America’s talent-matching platform helping laid-off federal employees find new local public service roles. Through this effort, Civic Match is helping more than 11,000 displaced workers connect to new opportunities from over 1,000 hiring managers across state and local governments nationwide.
As part of the Spotlight Cities launch, Work for America is:
Allentown will be the second of three Spotlight Cities to launch in 2025, as Work for America broadens its initiative to support local governments in strengthening their teams and serving their communities.