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Just over one year ago, the outbreak of COVID-19 created a demise in consumer demand across almost every sector of the economy. The 2020 job market was bleak, and unemployment skyrocketed. Thankfully, 2021 is showing signs of renewed hope. Covid vaccines have become widely available, and the economy is beginning to surge once again. A recent CNBC article noted that U.S. employers hired far more workers than expected during March 2021, with the Labor Department reporting that employment rose by 916,000 jobs. A staggering 280,000 of those jobs were those in the leisure and hospitality fields, which originally fared the worst in terms of pandemic layoffs. There is no question that these industries are coming back strong with people desperately seeking a change of scenery after over a year of restrictions and lockdowns. This boom is great news for hospitality job seekers, particularly those in Pocono region of Pennsylvania.

For years, the Poconos has been an extremely popular drive-to tourist destination for many people in the Northeast. It is home to a wide variety of large resorts, hotels, and waterparks as well as quaint inns and bed and breakfasts that employ a large portion of the region’s residents. One such property, Woodloch Pines, voted by USA Today as one of the best family resorts in the country, will host its very own in-person job fair on April 27. The event will take place from 2:00-6:00 PM at The Inn at Woodloch located at 731 Welcome Lake Road in Hawley, PA.

The Woodloch family of properties encompasses Woodloch Pines, The Country Club at Woodloch Springs, The Lodge at Woodloch: A Destination Spa, and The Market at Woodloch. There are openings available at each location, and applicants are encouraged to come to the fair and fill out an application. Attendees will also have the opportunity to interview on the spot with managers from various departments. As added incentive, Woodloch will be offering up to $200 sign-on bonuses for select positions.

Openings are available for the following positions:

• Bussers – Bartenders – Cocktail Servers – Hostess – Servers
• Bell – Valet – Front Desk
• Cooks – Line Cooks – Dishwashers – Kitchen Prep
• Housekeepers – Laundry Attendants
• Engineering – Maintenance
• Lifeguards
• Gardeners – Landscapers
• Golf Course Maintenance – Golf Ranger
• Massage Therapists – Hair Stylists – Nail Technicians – Cosmetologists
• Deli Associates – Baristas
• Retail Sales Associates
• Social staff
• Spa Concierge – Spa Attendants – Spa Night Housekeepers
• Intern/Externships

Woodloch offers full-time benefits that include health and life insurance, 401K and paid time off. For more information about what it is like to work at Woodloch, prospective applicants can view video as well as complete job applications on the company’s website. 

The Inn at Woodloch will also serve as the location for the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB) region-wide, in-person job fair on Thursday, May 13 from 10 AM to 2 PM. As stated on the PMVB website, the goal of its job fair “is to introduce job seekers to the hundreds of fun and exciting positions that are available throughout the Poconos’ hospitality industry.” Attendees will have the chance to meet a wide range of employers and discuss full-time, part-time, seasonal, and entry to executive-level opportunities. For more information, please visit the PMVB website. 

Both job fairs will instate protocols to ensure the health and safety of all in attendance. Masks and social distancing are required.

Lackawanna College Towanda Center students, faculty, and staff joined Child Hunger Outreach Partners (CHOP) for a pop-up food pantry at the Center to benefit individuals in need in Bradford County.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvania— particularly Bradford county is seeing a rise in food insecurity,” said Brad Reid, director of the Lackawanna College Towanda Center. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with CHOP to help distribute much-needed food to members of our community.”

Lackawanna College students, faculty, and staff helped CHOP volunteers unload, organize, and distribute food boxes.

“Hunger doesn’t magically end the second someone graduates high school,” said Dani Ruhf, Founder and Executive Director of CHOP. “The prevalence of food insecurity at the college level is staggering, especially among off-campus students.  We are here to help.”

CHOP works to close the meal gap and end childhood hunger by collaborating with local food banks, schools, volunteers, and donors. The organization serves thousands of students weekly in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Learn more at www.lackawanna.edu.

As COVID-19 continues to impact employment across the country, Pennsylvanians have a second chance to enroll in healthcare coverage through the state-based marketplace — Pennie.

During this special enrollment period, anyone can enroll in a plan through Pennie until August 15. The recently passed American Rescue Plan also includes updates that result in significant additional savings for Pennsylvanians shopping for coverage and those already enrolled through Pennie.

“Everyone should have access to healthcare, and many Pennsylvanians are unaware of all the coverage options that are available to them or that they may qualify for financial assistance,” said Kurt J. Wrobel, Geisinger Health Plan (GHP) president and executive vice president of insurance operations for Geisinger. “We can help you enroll in the right plan so you don’t have to go without coverage and have to pay for COVID-19 related treatment and services on your own.”

It’s also smart to explore all options when it comes to coverage and financial assistance. That includes government programs like the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which offers comprehensive coverage for children and teens up to age 19.

According to a recent study, nearly half of all uninsured Americans did not consider all their options for healthcare coverage and financial assistance.

Many uninsured adults were also aware of publicly subsidized coverage options, but assumed they didn’t qualify. However, nearly 9 out of 10 people covered by plans through Pennie receive financial assistance and their savings increased this year.

GHP can help Pennsylvanians enroll in the right healthcare coverage and apply for financial assistance. Here’s how to find out about coverage options:
• For marketplace coverage, call 866-325-8108 or visit go.geisinger.org/Marketplace
• For CHIP, call 855-955-1441 or visit go.geisinger.org/GHPKids
• For Medicare, call 855-605-1517 or visit go.geisinger.org/Gold