Misericordia University Hosts 2025 MILK Event Join us as on January 20th in Lemmond Theater as we host Emerald Garner, daughter of the late Eric Garner, for a fireside chat discussing her book Finding My Voice. Through her experience, we shall talk about the story of family and community, and the strength it takes to survive, to stand, to speak.
Misericordia University Launches Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic The Misericordia University College of Business has launched a Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic to serve residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The clinic offers free representation to low-income taxpayers involved in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Jim Pierson, J.D., CPA, dean of the College of Business, serves as the clinic director, while Richard Brogan, MBA, MS (Tax), EA, acts as the clinic’s tax specialist. Business students will assist with cases under the supervision of qualified representatives, allowing them to gain practical experience while serving the community. The clinic’s mission is to ensure fairness and integrity in the tax system for low-income individuals and those who speak English as a second language. It aims to: Provide pro bono representation in tax disputes. Educate taxpayers about their rights and responsibilities. Advocate for issues impacting low-income taxpayers. “If you have received a tax notice or have unresolved issues such as audits, refund claims, collection actions, identity theft, worker misclassification, state tax concerns, or other matters, please contact us for a confidential consultation,” Pierson said. The clinic receives matching federal and state funding to provide free services for qualifying taxpayers. “Our goal is to advocate for low-income taxpayers so they can achieve fair resolutions to their disputes,” Pierson said. “We’re also committed to educating them about their rights and responsibilities under the tax system.” To reach the Misericordia University Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, call (570) 674-1472 or email taxclinic@misericordia.edu. For more information, visit misericordia.edu/LITC.
Maternal and Family Health Services: Honoring Cervical Cancer Awareness Month January marks the beginning of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the importance of early detection, education, and access to care in the fight against cervical cancer. As the President and CEO of Maternal and Family Health Services (MFHS), I am proud to lead an organization that is dedicated to empowering women to take control of their health, supporting them with the resources and services they need, and ensuring they have access to the critical screenings that can save their lives. Cervical cancer, while preventable, continues to claim lives every year, especially among women who face barriers to healthcare access. But through consistent screenings, education, and HPV vaccinations, we have the power to reduce the incidence of this devastating disease and improve outcomes for women everywhere. At MFHS, we are committed to providing the essential healthcare services women deserve. As a trusted partner in reproductive and maternal healthcare, we offer a range of services designed to make preventive care and screenings accessible, affordable, and welcoming. This month, and every month, let us take action to protect our health, spread awareness, and advocate for better access to care for all women. Schedule a screening, talk to your healthcare provider, and know that you are not alone in this journey. MFHS is here to support you every step of the way. We are proud to offer services that make women’s health a priority, and we are committed to breaking down the barriers to care that too often prevent women from seeking the screenings and treatments they need. MFHS has HPV vaccines and same day appointments available. To learn more about cervical cancer, screenings, or to schedule an appointment, visit mfhs.org. or call 570-595-4496. Together, we can reduce the impact of cervical cancer and ensure that every woman has the opportunity to live a healthy, empowered life. Maria Montoro Edwards, PhD President & CEO, Maternal and Family Health Services
Marywood University Student, Former Chamber Intern and Sister Present in San Diego Marywood senior multimedia communication students Liz and Maddie Adams, twin sisters who co-founded and host the podcast, Courageously Kind, are traveling to San Diego to share messages of kindness and self-esteem with children and families affected by facial differences. Their presentation will take place on Saturday, January 18, at the Girls Scouts of San Diego Balboa Service Center in San Diego, CA. This effort began after Liz shared her story about her facial disfigurement and condition. She wanted to inspire others to be kind to those who look different. Her twin sister, Maddie, suggested starting a podcast to encourage others to be kind. Courageously Kind got its start as a quarantine passion project while the two Brackney, Pa. natives were still seniors in high school. The initiative has grown throughout their college years to include a worldwide audience of more than 170,000 followers in 70 countries. Their upcoming presentation, in collaboration with ConnectMed and the University of California San Diego, will seek to equip kids with tools to boost their self-confidence and to share kindness with others in their community. It is a part of a research study led by UCSD and ConnectMed, to show the impact of peer-to peer-support groups on social image, wellbeing, and self-esteem.
Lackawanna Historical Society Spotlight Art for Anthracite Heritage Month Each January, museums, educational institutions, and public organizations observe Anthracite Mining Heritage Month, a regional observance focusing on the history and culture of the anthracite region of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Lackawanna Historical Society will present two programs at the end of the month, exploring topics of unionization and industry in the coal region. On Sunday, January 26 at 2pm, join us for “Artistic Expressions in Anthracite,” a panel discussion at the Catlin House, 232 Monroe Avenue, Scranton. Our expert panelists will discuss how anthracite has been expressed through different artistic mediums: Chester Kulesa, former site administrator of the PA Anthracite Heritage Museum, will speak on photography; Richard Stanislaus, former curator of the PA Anthracite Heritage Museum, will discuss paintings and illustrations; and F. Charles Petrillo, local author and historian, will discuss the portrayal of the anthracite region in films. The panel will be moderated by Phil Mosely, professor emeritus at Penn State University and author of “Telling of the Anthracite.” Throughout the month a variety of programs will be offered in across the region, from Ashley to Wilkes-Barre, sponsored by the Anthracite Heritage Foundation and various historical societies and museums. When available, a full schedule of events can be found on the Society’s website at http://www.lackawannahistory.org/EventsCalendar.html. For more information or to register, please call the Society at 570-344-3841 or email lackawannahhistory@gmail.com.
Lackawanna County Literacy Committee Holds Book Drive The Lackawanna County Literacy Committee is launching a book drive to collect used books that will be distributed to families in Scranton. Books will be collected in bins across Lackawanna County. At this time, the Lackawanna County Literacy Committee is looking for businesses that would be interested in placing collection bins in their place of business. Bins will be provided and delivered at collection locations at no cost. Interested businesses should contact Patricia Hein at pdakhein@comcast.net or Sandie Lamanna at sslamanna@aol.com for additional information.
Lackawanna College Sonography Program Secures $35,000 Grant The Lackawanna College Sonography program is excited to announce it has received a grant award of $35,000 from the Robert Y. Moffat Family Charitable Trust to purchase state-of-the-art equipment. The grant will fund the purchase of one Mindray sonography machine, providing students hands-on training with cutting-edge technology. The sonography program is currently seeking to purchase a total of five new sonography machines to meet the demand of its recently expanded cohort sizes and to replace older equipment. The grant award will help achieve this goal with the purchase of one new Mindray machine. “Securing new equipment for the program is as essential as having current books for the classroom, without the machines for our students to learn on were missing one half of the picture,” said Mary Kay DelRosso, Assistant Director of Sonography at Lackawanna College. “We can teach them the mechanical and informational aspects of sonography but until they apply it to the scan, it’s of no value to them.” The college’s sonography program has grown rapidly over the past several years. Between 2022 to 2024 the sonography program as whole has experienced a six-fold increase in its enrollment in both Cardiac and Vascular Sonography programs, along with the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program tripling its enrollment. “We’ve seen about an 80% increase in enrollment this semester over our previous semester and had to increase our max capacity of students in the program to 30,” said DelRosso. “This grant is also helping increase the number of machines we have and allows our increased number of students to spend time on these machines. We need to make sure they receive practical and efficient experience on the machines. In order for that to happen we need to have more machines in the room to meet the demands of all the new students.” The Sonography Program at Lackawanna College serves both its learners and the wider local community of patients by readying qualified healthcare professionals to fill these in-demand, frontline positions in the medical field. The purchase of new equipment through the grant is part of a greater expansion in the program to train students into workforce ready graduates. The Lackawanna College Sonography program was notified of this grant award on November 15, 2024 and the program will likely purchase the new equipment in early 2025. “I know I speak for everyone in the department, including the students, that we are very grateful for these kind of donations. Being able to put the students on new machines and make them well-prepared after graduation is the core of our program,” said DelRosso.
