Geisinger Data Shows COVID-19 Vaccine Proving Effective With more than a quarter million doses administered, and eligibility expanded to everyone 16 and older, Geisinger’s data indicates the COVID-19 vaccine is proving effective among those vaccinated in earlier phases. To date, Geisinger has administered 266,000 vaccine doses. Based on Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines in December 2020, Geisinger employees were among the first groups to be vaccinated. As a result, the weekly average of new positive COVID-19 tests among employees has remained in the single digits since early February, down from the mid-30s in early December. Since employee vaccinations began in mid-December, we saw positive testing rates among employees plummet through January and stay consistently low as more employees received the vaccine (see figure 1). The trended COVID-19 vaccinations of Geisinger employees versus the seven-day average of COVID-19 positive employee tests. Similarly, the average number of COVID-19 admissions for those age 65 and older has also decreased significantly as vaccines have been rolled out to that age group starting in mid- January. “The science — and our data — clearly demonstrates these vaccines are proving effective in helping prevent illness, hospitalizations and death,” said Jaewon Ryu, JD, MD, Geisinger president and chief executive officer. “If we are looking to put this pandemic behind us and return to a sense of normalcy, the vaccine is a great way to get there.” While the vaccine is proving effective for many who have received it, a worrying trend is emerging across Geisinger’s communities. For the second week in a row, the majority of those being hospitalized for COVID-19 are younger than 65, with a growing number between age 25 and 49. “What we don’t want is this increase of hospital admissions among younger people to accelerate. The vaccine can keep that from happening,” Ryu said. “Masking, social distancing and other mitigation efforts have helped us as well so far, but the best way we can win this fight is with the vaccine. It will help us get out in front of this virus and its potential mutations that threaten our ability to get our communities back to normal.” Vaccine appointments remain available at Geisinger’s four vaccine centers in central and northeastern Pennsylvania. You can self-schedule a vaccine appointment through myGeisinger or by calling 570-284-3657. It still remains critical for everyone – vaccinated or not – to keep wearing a mask, physical distancing, and practicing good hand hygiene to stop the virus’ spread. For the latest information on the COVID vaccine, visit geisinger.org/COVIDVax.
NeighborWorks Seeking AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Volunteers Looking for a fun and meaningful way to spend your summer? NeighborWorks is seeking two responsible, self-motivated individuals to provide 10 weeks of service, June 7 to August 13, 2021, through AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America). NeighborWorks is a nonprofit organization that revitalizes neighborhoods and creates opportunities for families to improve their lives through quality housing and financial guidance. VISTA Summer Associates are an integral part of our dedicated, hardworking team, which is devoted to bringing low-income individuals and communities out of poverty. About the PositionVISTA Summer Associates will work with residents and volunteers to improve West Scranton and serve seniors through NeighborWorks’ aging in place program by: • Coordinating volunteer home repair projects• Installing home safety kits for seniors• Visiting businesses to enroll them in a business association• Coordinating neighborhood and park cleanups• Maintaining vacant lots• Picking up litter along main commercial corridors• Documenting and reporting quality of life issues (code violations, missing street signs, etc.) This position requires a commitment to serve as a full-time team member for a 10-week period this summer. Although this is a non-salaried volunteer position, VISTA Summer Associates receive a bi-weekly living allowance and are eligible for an education award or cash stipend at the end of their term of service. For more information about the AmeriCorps VISTA program, visit https://americorps.gov/serve/fit-finder/americorps-vista. Qualifications• U.S. citizen at least 18 years of age• Ability to work independently on a variety of projects and lead others in service activities• Excellent verbal and written communication skills• Basic computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office• Valid driver’s license and privately owned vehicle for service-related travel How to ApplyApplications will be accepted until May 7, 2021, or until the positions are filled. To apply, email your resume to Todd Pousley, Neighborhood Revitalization Manager, at tpousley@nwnepa.org.
Local Organizations Receive Almost $250,000 to Reduce Homelessness FHLBank Pittsburgh recently announced Home4Good funding awarded to programs across the state working to reduce homelessness, including seven organizations in Lackawanna County and one in Luzerne County that split $248,190.55. FNCB Bank was one of six local financial institutions to serve as a member co-applicant to make these awards possible. Distribution of the funding was overseen by local Continuum of Care organizations. Home4Good is a flexible grant product that supports projects, programs and activities that lead to stable housing for those who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. In response to COVID-19, FHLBank Pittsburgh and their partners – the Delaware State Housing Authority, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and the West Virginia Housing Development Fund (collectively, HFAs) – changed the 2020 Home4Good process so that funding could more swiftly reach communities, families and individuals experiencing homelessness as a result of COVID-19. FHLBank Pittsburgh awarded $4.8 million to the 2020 Home4Good initiative. The HFAs in Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia added an additional $2 million, bringing the total funding amount to $6.8 million. Local organizations receiving grants were: Valley Youth House Committee, Inc., Community Intervention Center, Catherine McAuley Center, Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton, Inc., United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA, Women’s Resource Center Inc., Saint Joseph’s Center and the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO). “The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is grateful for its partnership with the United Neighborhood Center, the Scranton Lackawanna County Continuum of Care, and the continued support of FNCB Bank. WRC provides comprehensive services for victims of domestic and sexual violence in our community. The monies allocated were used toward staffing for homeless prevention, rehousing as well as cleaning supplies. Also, rental assistance for its program participants,” said Amy Everetts, Women’s Resource Center Director of Development. If you have any questions about Home4Good, please contact Kate Swanson at Kate.Swanson@fhlb-pgh.com or 412-288-7350.
Marywood University Confirms Plan to Return to In-Person Classes for Fall 2021 Marywood University has confirmed its plan to return to in-person classes for the fall 2021 semester. Structured with the goal of keeping the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff paramount, the in-person plan was developed by Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., Marywood University president, in collaboration with a team of experts from across the University. Sister Mary Persico, said, “We’ve been looking forward to a return to normalcy since the beginning of the pandemic. While our foremost concerns have always been, and continue to be, the health, safety, and welfare of our students, faculty, and staff, we are excited to return to in-person classes for the 2021-2022 academic year. Our plans are made possible as a result of the continuing cooperation of our campus community.” Marywood’s overall goal is to provide the best in-person experience possible. If the situation changes, the University is prepared to make whatever adjustments are necessary to keep students, faculty, and staff safe. Marywood University’s fall semester classes begin on Monday, August 23, 2021. For additional information, please visit marywood.edu, or call the Office of Admissions at (570) 348-6234. While vaccinations will not be required for students to attend classes, the University strongly encourages students to vaccinate against Covid-19 and to continue to follow CDC guidelines. For questions, please visit marywood.edu/forward/communications-contact-information/, or call Marywood University, at (570) 348-6211.
License, ID Card Holders Can Save Lives Through Organ Donation In conjunction with the national observance of Donate Life Month in April, the Pennsylvania departments of Transportation and Health are spreading the message that driver’s license and identification card holders can easily help another person live a fuller, longer life by registering as an organ donor. An organ donor designation can be added by selecting “Become an Organ Donor in 30 Seconds” at www.dmv.pa.gov. “It is easy to add an organ donor designation to your driver’s license or identification card,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Making the decision today to become an organ donor can potentially lead to saving a life.” Once the designation is added, individuals will receive a designation card that they must carry with them to affirm organ donor status until they renew or replace their driver’s license or identification card. There is no charge for adding the designation to your driver’s license or identification card. More than 48 percent of current driver’s license and identification card holders are registered organ donors – that’s more than 4.9 million Pennsylvanians. More than 7,000 Pennsylvanians currently await organ transplants. “Registering to be an organ and tissue donor has the potential to save many lives and only takes a few seconds, as you can register online,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said. “Organ and tissue transplants have become an integral part of health care in the state and across the nation. We are encouraging Pennsylvanians to register as organ donors and learn more about the importance of organ and tissue donation.” Driver’s license and identification card holders, as well as registered vehicle owners, can also support organ donation programs by donating $3 to the Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund at the time of application and/or renewal. Customers renewing their vehicle registration for a two-year period can donate $6 to the fund when renewing online. Proceeds from the fund are used to educate and promote awareness of the importance of organ donation through non-profit organizations like the Center for Organ Recovery and Education and the Gift of Life Donor Program. Pennsylvanians have generously donated more than $16.8 million over the life of the fund. More information on organ and tissue donation in Pennsylvania can be found at www.donatelife-pa.org.
Kelly Sanders Named Director of Special Projects of Sustainable Energy Fund Kelly Sanders has joined the team at Sustainable Energy Fund as the Director of Special Projects. In this role, Kelly will be responsible for the execution of the organizations educational program and oversee the internal administration of the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program. Kelly rejoins Sustainable Energy Fund after previously holding the same title and leaving to devote time to family. Previously in this role, Kelly developed and maintained Sustainable Energy Fund programs such as Energypath, the Nonprofit Energy Makeover Contest, the annual ESP Event, and Sustainable Energy Education Workshops. Prior to shifting her nonprofit work to education in sustainable energy, Kelly spent ten years creating exhibitions and programs in public history and the museum field. She received a BA in History from Ramapo College of New Jersey and an MA from Seton Hall University. Kelly is also committed to working with regenerative living systems and striving to make the world a healthier place. “We are excited to welcome Kelly back to the team at Sustainable Energy Fund,” said John Costlow, President and CEO of Sustainable Energy Fund. “We look forward to her leadership in achieving the vision of Sustainable Energy Fund.” If you are interested in learning more about Sustainable Energy Fund’s programs and projects, please call Kristen Sehn at 610-264-4440 or visit www.thesef.org today.
Johnson College to Host 4th Annual Auction for Children’s Advocacy Center Johnson College’s Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology program will host an auction to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA on Wednesday, April 28th, 2021 on the Johnson College campus. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the auction starts at 6:00 p.m. More than 60 items will be available to bid on including cutting boards, tables, cabinets, a book case and more. All items were created by students in the Carpentry & Cabinetmaking program. Most of the items were made from re-purposed wood. Face masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed. The 2019 auction raised over $7,000 for the local non-profit. No auction was held in 2020 due to the on-going pandemic. To register, please visit johnson.edu/events/annual-carpentry-auction. Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a caring environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their careers. Johnson College degrees become essential careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912, and is the region’s premier technical college, offering 15 associate degree programs and 3 academic certificates. An emphasis on hands-on instruction is supported by a low student-to-teacher ratio. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industry to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
Lackawanna College to Help Local Hospitality and Leisure Industry A new partnership between Lackawanna College Lake Region Center and the Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance aims to help local hospitality and leisure businesses grow their staff and train their existing workforce. “The well-rounded training courses that we are offering will be crucial to helping our hospitality and leisure businesses start to rebuild their workforce that was drastically affected by the pandemic,” said Jennifer Passenti, Lackawanna College Lake Region Center Director “We are proud to work with the Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance to help this industry survive and continue to grow.” USDA Rural Development awarded a grant to the Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance to provide internships and online training programs through the Lackawanna College Lake Region Center’s Continuing Education Department. Training courses include marketing and communications, design, Microsoft Office programs, skilled labor, and more. “Workforce Alliance is offering paid internships and free training to qualified businesses in Wayne & Pike Counties,” said Lucyann Vierling, Workforce Alliance Executive Director. “Assisting our local businesses by providing much-needed resources to upskill existing or future staff, will not only assist individuals to retain or gain the skills that can lead to career advancement within the organization, but it also helps support the recovery efforts of the many businesses impacted by the pandemic.” To get connected to the right training program, employers can complete the Train to Retain Form or call 570-390-7613 Ext. 702 for more information. Non-Discrimination Statement
RailRiders Set PNC Field Safety Protocols for Upcoming Season With the 2021 season opening early next month, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have set their safety regulations and protocols for fans attending games at PNC Field. These changes have been put in place to help protect everyone at the ballpark this year, from the fans and staff to the players on the field. “We want our loyal fans to have the best time possible as they return to PNC Field this year, but that truly requires some changes to how we operate for the best interest of everyone involved with making RailRiders baseball happen,” stated John Adams, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s team president. “These protocols and procedure changes are necessary to ensure that our facility remains one of the premier venues in Minor League Baseball. We appreciate the cooperation and understanding from our fans and staff while we ensure that watching a RailRiders game at PNC Field is a safe and enjoyable one. Most areas of operations at PNC Field have had policies and procedures updated in accordance with state, CDC and Major League Baseball guidelines. This includes: Ticketing and SeatingTickets to RailRiders games this season will now be digital. This helps eliminate contact points for fans and employees, increasing safety as your enter PNC Field.Due to state and CDC guidelines, PNC Field will not open at full capacity at the outset of the season. The RailRiders will incorporate “pod” seating within the ballpark and tickets will be limited based on social distancing guidelines and procedures. Seats in the vicinity of each “pod” will be zip-tied to prevent use and to assist in maintaining proper distancing.Single-game tickets will be available online only at swbrailriders.com. Entry and Exit PointsThere will be one gate designated for exit from PNC Field to avoid contact with those entering PNC Field. This gate will be located at the Main Gates, but away from the entry gates.There will be no re-entry allowed into the PNC Field once a guest has exited unless there is a rain delay where fans may exit the stadium during the time of the delay to ensure distancing. Mask PolicyMajor League Baseball has enacted a mask policy for the 2021 season and it applies to teams under its Player Development License. All attendees age two years and older will be required to wear a face-covering over their nose and mouth at all times while on the ballpark property other than when actively eating or drinking at their ticketed seats. Exceptions may be made for attendees who cannot wear face coverings for medical reasons and provide written medical verification. These attendees with proper verification will be wristbanded at gate entrances by security for identification purposes. Cashless Points of SalePNC Field will be a fully cashless facility in 2021. This includes all aspects of operation at the ballpark, including parking, ticketing, the SWB Station Team Store and the concession stands and bars. Venues around the country have gone cashless during the pandemic, including nearby ballparks and arenas in Pennsylvania, which has helped minimize health risks by limiting contact. A cashless ballpark should also help minimize wait times. PNC Field will accept credit and debit cards. Additional forms of cashless payment will be available as upgrades are made at each point of sale this season. Bag PolicyThe RailRiders bag policy has been updated for 2021 as well. Fans may only bring medical bags, diaper bags or small wristlets into the ballpark this season. No other bags will be permitted. ConcessionsWhen fans head to the concession stands, they will notice social distancing markers to help keep everyone safe while waiting in line. All concession employees will be required to wear protective gloves and face coverings. Condiments and similar items will be served using pre-packaged servings as opposed to communal displays. RestroomsEvery other urinal will be closed to ensure social distancing. Exterior doors will be propped open to encourage touchless entry/exit. Automatic towel and soap dispensers have also been installed to provide touchless distribution. Restrooms will be cleaned approximately every 30 minutes by PNC Field cleaning staff. Smoking PolicyPNC Field is a smoke-free facility. Designated smoking areas have been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 concerns until social distancing and additional restrictions are lifted. AutographsDue to MLB, CDC and state distancing guidelines, players will not be signing autographs. SWB Station Team StoreCapacity inside the team store will be limited to a maximum of 20 guests at a time. The team store footprint will be expanded to the outdoor concourse to allow for social distancing. Additional Protocols and Procedures– Enhanced cleaning procedures will be put in place throughout the ballpark during the 2021 season.– Water fountains will be disabled for health precautions.– The elevators to the Geisinger Champions Club and suites will be used with limited occupancy. A ticketed group in the same seating pod or suite will be permitted to ride together according to the elevator occupancy limit. PNC Field Gameday Staff will disinfect elevator buttons before each use.– Public address announcements will be made throughout the game to encourage social distancing and to remind fans of the face-covering requirements.– Social distancing guidelines will begin as you enter PNC Field and remain prevalent for the duration of your time at the ballpark. There will be stanchions that will separate and social distance each entrance.– There will be a 12’ buffer zone between the dugouts and assigned seats.– All full-time and game day staff will have their temperature checked during their arrival as well as fill out a COVID-19 Survey. Any staff member exhibiting a temperature above 100.4F or responding to the survey in a way that indicates possible infection will not be permitted into PNC Field. Additional changes or protocol updates may be required as the season progresses due to MLB, CDC and state guidelines or restrictions. Full, Half and Partial Season Ticket Memberships are on sale now. Single-game tickets for the 12 home dates in May will go on sale April 27 at 10 A.M. online at swbrailriders.com. Individual tickets for the remainder of the schedule will go on sale at a later time with eyes on restriction changes throughout the season. For more information, please visit swbrailriders.com or contact the club by calling (570) 969-2255.
Jane Jacobs’s First City Live Book Launch Hear author Glenna Lang at an in-person lecture and slide presentation celebrating the release of her new book—Jane Jacobs’s First City: Learning from Scranton, Pennsylvania(New Village Press). Learn how Jane Jacobs’s influential ideas about vibrant cities developed through her early life in the City of Scranton. This May 4th marks what would have been Jane Jacobs’s 105th birthday and the first annual Jane Jacobs Day in Scranton. Special guests will include Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, architect John Cowder, and Center for the Living City director Maria MacDonald. Audience Q&A will be followed by a book signing. The socially-distanced program will take place at the spacious Theater at Lackawanna College, formerly Central High School from which Jane Jacobs (née Butzner) graduated. Registration is required but free. This program is part of the Jane Jacobs Lecture Series hosted by the Center for the Living City and Marywood University, and is a kickoff for many events in the week-long Observe Scranton: Jane Jacobs’s First City Festival. If you cannot attend in person, tickets for a livestream virtual event will be available soon through the Center for the Living City. Thanks to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) NEPA Chapter for sponsoring this event and offering CES credit for architects attending in-person or virtually. Additional sponsors include Lackawanna College and the Scranton Public Library. Seating is limited—Register now. Masks required. Space is wheelchair accessible.
