NEPA Alliance Attend National Conference NEPA Alliance President and CEO Jeff Box welcomed attendees to the 2023 National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) Washington Conference. The event featured a full day of learning and networking for regional development organizations and their stakeholders.
Outreach Receives Grant Outreach – Center for Community Resources received an $18,500 grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation in June of this year for Outreach Early Childhood and Parenting Programs for Moms and their Children. The grant will provide necessary funding for programs administered by Outreach, a state-designated Family Center, supporting family needs in early childhood education, parenting, workforce development, financial literacy, and others. Additionally, Outreach connects families to supplemental services that are available from the numerous nonprofit partners in the Scranton region, providing a safety net of unique services. Outreach provides families with the services and programs they need to gain family stability and economic self-sufficiency throughout Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties. Outreach child-serving programs aim to improve school readiness through high-quality activities that enhance cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Outreach parenting programs allow parents to gain the skills to implement positive parenting techniques that result in improved behavioral outcomes for their children and connect them to a social network of other parents. The Scranton Area Community Foundation has been serving the Northeastern Pennsylvania region for over 65 years as a steward, a grantmaker, a charitable resource, and a catalyst for change and growth. The Scranton Area Community Foundation was established as a community trust in 1954 by the Scranton Family, whose initial gift was the seed that has grown into a permanent vehicle for donors to accomplish their philanthropic goals while helping to support positive change within our community. Today the Scranton Area Community Foundation holds and manages a variety of funds from individuals, organizations, and corporations. Through these gifts, the Foundation responds to community needs and has provided grants to support regional nonprofits.
The Gallery of Scranton Grand Opening Get your first look at Scranton’s newest art gallery and see inside the minds of some brilliant regional artists during First Friday Scranton’s first time event on Friday, April 7.Acclaimed Scranton artist Helen Lavelle invites the community to celebrate the grand opening of TheGallery of Scranton, and the launch of its inaugural exhibit “The Artist’s Soul”, from 5-9 p.m. at 323North Washington Avenue in Scranton. In addition to Lavelle’s art, “The Artist’s Soul” show features work from prominent Northeast Pennsylvania artists Robert Bergstrasser, Michele Davis, Paul DeLuca, Timothy Hawkesworth, Earl Lehman, Allison Maslow, Travis Prince and Frank Wengen.“As a direct result of my recent successful exhibit in New York, I was moved to show off the talent ofincredible artists right here at home. These artists provide creative, intellectual and emotional insights into society at large,” states Ms. Lavelle, a nationally recognized leader in the advertising industry. “Their work impacts the masses and challenges the status quo.” The Gallery is located in the historic Professional Arts Building, (formerly the Medical Arts Building);the street location which Ms. Lavelle believes will enhance the exciting Renaissance happening inDowntown Scranton. “The importance of the arts and creative sector on economic growth and vitalityis often overlooked, but cannot be overstated,” continues Ms. Lavelle. The theme “The Artist’s Soul” challenged the willingness of this diverse group to reveal the real, the raw, the honest art that is coming out of Northeast Pennsylvania. The show which will be personally curated by Ms. Lavelle, breaks the barriers down between Lackawanna, Luzerne and surrounding counties as well. “Great art knows no bounds, we know no boundaries.” This group has exhibited locally and regionally…some nationally and internationally—to critical acclaim. This inaugural show gives the community the opportunity to meet and interact with these artists. Lavelle said she plans to host more collaborative events at The Gallery in the future. Bringing the arts in every genre together sets the stage for memorable human interactions…all focused on quality of life. For more information about The Gallery in the future and its grand opening celebration, contact Lavelle at hlavelle@lavellestrategy.com.
Commonwealth Health Scranton Donates Peanut Butter To help address hunger in our community and in celebration of National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day on April 2, Commonwealth Health Moses Taylor Hospital and Regional Hospital of Scranton have donated more than 900 jars of peanut butter (and other nut butters) to CEO Weinberg Food Bank and Bread Basket of NEPA. All of that peanut butter was donated by Moses Taylor Hospital and Regional Hospital employees, medical staff members, volunteers and The Wright Center during the recent Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive. According to Feeding America, 12.7 percent of residents in the Lackawanna County struggle to put food on the table. The Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive was launched to help support individuals who are facing food insecurity, which is a social determinant of health. “With the rising cost of basic life necessities such as food, more and more individuals and families are reaching out for help just to get by. Local food banks are struggling to keep up with this increasing demand.” Said Greg Drapek, Commonwealth Health Moses Taylor Hospital and Regional Hospital of Scranton board member. “ The success of the Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive will not only provide a helping hand to so many in need, but is also indicative of the kindness and long standing support of our community that has been the hallmark of our employees.”Peanut butter is one of the most requested items for food banks because it is highly nutritious and has a long shelf life. Unfortunately, many food banks in America report it is also one of the least donated food items. Other foods needed by food banks include non-perishable items such as cereals, pasta, and canned foods such as soups, vegetables, beans or fruit.People can support CEO Weinberg Food Bank and Bread Basket of NEPA by volunteering their time, hosting a food drive, donating food and/or money.
Johnson College to Host Annual Carpentry Auction Johnson College’s Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology program will host an auction to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, inside the Moffat Student Center on the Johnson College Scranton campus. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., and the auction starts at 6:00 p.m. The auction is open to the public. More than 60 items will be available to bid on, including cutting boards, tables, cabinets, a bookcase, and more. All items were created by students in the Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology program. Many of the items were made from re-purposed material. The 2022 Carpentry Auction raised $5,781 to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA. To learn more about the Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA, visit https://cacnepa.org/.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Collaborating with U.S. Army Information Systems Employees at Tobyhanna Army Depot are leading the charge to connect warfighters in the field with their leadership back at home. The depot is now collaborating with the U.S. Army Information Systems Engineering Command to lead the Mission Command Facility (MCF) workload across the Department of Defense. The MCF effort is an offshoot of the Home Station Mission Command Center effort, which established and modernized joint operations mission centers around the world. Similar to a situation room, the facilities are outfitted with high-end teleconferencing equipment such as projectors, video monitors, microphones, and speakers for real-time communication, visibility and decision-making. Taking over the mission represents a classic opportunity to meet a customer need and own a niche market, according to Robert Hagenbaugh. “Although the formal HSMCC program concluded, units across the world were eager to get their own command centers to increase communication,” he said. “Tobyhanna quickly stood up our own program to fill a gap in the market, and we have a heavy demand for these state-of-the-art installations.” Hagenbaugh is an engineering technician in the Production Engineering Directorate. Tobyhanna’s initial support for HSMCCs provided electricians and equipment installers. The quality product provided by those teams led to an expanded scope of work, which included custom cabinetry, wood fabrication, networking support, wireless installation, and full-spectrum engineering support – all of which has endured through the new MCF program. Hagenbaugh noted positive word of mouth was a big driver in the workload’s expansion. “Our customers love us. I’m proud to say we have never left a job with an unhappy customer. That level of work speaks for itself – and every happy customer leads to another opportunity for this workload.” A MCF mission begins with a site survey, where engineering personnel develop exact customer needs. Personnel then develop the installation proposal, acquire equipment once the proposal is approved and assemble the installation team. To accomplish this broad scope of work, the MCF program requires support from a cross-functional group of employees across the depot. Mission teams include employees from a variety of Tobyhanna organizations, to include C4ISR, Production Engineering and Systems Integration and Support. The teams also have support back on-post at Tobyhanna from Production Management and other mission support organizations. MCF installations are part of a bigger push across the services to modernize facilities and increase communication stability. “The Army now operates in a multi-domain battlefield. The MCF updates/ installations gives joint Commanders the latest technologies to monitor and execute missions real-time, every single day,” said Hagenbaugh. Because of the high demand for the MCFs and the complex nature of the mission, volunteers are always needed, said Engineering Technician Patrick Mullen. “We are always looking for members of Team Tobyhanna willing to travel the world in support of this dynamic workload – specifically those with audio-visual, telecommunications, or information technology backgrounds. Desirable certifications and/or trainings include those from Avixa, BICSI, and Crestron. We welcome all qualified members of Team Tobyhanna who want to be a part of the MCF mission team!” Ronald Kolment, Chief of the SATCOM Integration and Testing Engineering Branch, lauded the entire team that supported the MCF workload. “This is a great team, and I’m very proud of the work that they do.” Upcoming MCF missions will take place in Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, Japan, Korea, and Texas. Current depot employees interested in volunteering for an MCF mission should contact the MCF Coordinator at (570) 615-8087. MCFs are a critical part of warfighter readiness, and the mission directly aligns with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035, which has four focus areas: Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications. TOBY2035 aims to posture the depot for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider. Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners. Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters. About 3,100 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to empower the Soldier with winning C5ISR capabilities.
Steamtown National Historic Site Seeking Vendors for Event Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) is seeking proposals from vendors to provide mobile food services on Saturday, June 17, 2023 for the site’s Railfest event. Those submitting proposals will be required to follow the latest version of the FDA food code, follow Temporary Food Event (TFE) guidance provided by the Office of Public Health (OPH), and hold a NPS Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) with Steamtown NHS. For additional information, applications, or clarification of requirements, please e-mail stea_permits@nps.gov or visit: www.nps.gov/stea/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm Steamtown’s 2023 Railfest event is being offered in partnership with the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum’s Arts on Fire event held at the Scranton Iron Furnaces. Both sites are excited to be collaborating to provide an interactive and immersive experience showcasing our community’s industrial heritage. Details are still being ironed out for the events which are expected to include activities such as an iron pour, live music, arts programming, and more! Updates will be forthcoming. Located in downtown Scranton, PA, Steamtown NHS is currently open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; at the time of the event and during summer months, hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. From Interstate-81 follow exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway); then follow the brown and white signs to the park entrance at Lackawanna Avenue and Cliff Street (GPS: N 41.41, W 75.67). General park information is available by visiting the park website anytime.
Johnson College Receives Grants Johnson College has been awarded two Area Development Grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). These grants will support regional workforce training capabilities with campus-wide equipment upgrades and the development of two mobile training laboratories for STEM technology and building trades technology. The grants total $430,000 and include College matching funds of $215,000. The mobile laboratories include 35’ trailers outfitted with student workstations and equipment for training in STEM and the building trades. Equipment is interchangeable and the laboratories will be configured as needed for hands-on education. While identical in the scope of flexible training capabilities, both the first and second mobile laboratories will be deployed in two unique equipment configurations depending on the location and need for each. They will serve different training needs at the same time. The mobile training laboratories will be used to help develop a pipeline for students entering the trades by providing remote, hands-on learning to high school students that are enrolled in the College’s Dual Enrollment and Industry Fast Track programs. Using the latest tools and technology, younger students from rural school districts will experience first-hand, the wider range of STEM-related and building trades education and career opportunities available to them. Additionally, the College plans to deliver short-term, customized training programs at industry partner locations to enhance the skills of essential workers. “These mobile labs will allow us to bring opportunities to those in rural areas who don’t currently have access to hands-on education due to barriers including distance and transportation,” said Dr. Katie Leonard, Johnson College’s President and CEO. “I am excited that with support from the Appalachian Regional Commission, more people will have access to STEM and building trades training.” The two cutting-edge mobile laboratories will serve Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Susquehanna, and Wayne counties. Both will help Johnson College reach more students and industry partners in rural locations and provide access to education and jobs that may not have existed, or been more difficult for them to previously obtain. The new equipment funded under the grant will enable Johnson College to upgrade campus technology and deliver the most up-to-date training to students to prepare them to enter Appalachia’s growing essential workforce. Programs receiving technology upgrades include automotive technology, civil design, electrical engineering technology, heavy equipment technology, welding technology, electrical construction technology, biomedical equipment technology, and computer information technology. This project will build the College’s capacity to help regional employers meet the growing demand to fill essential positions in the workforce and promote economic development, thus improving the economic prosperity of this region’s students, workers, industry, and communities
