Scranton Counseling Center Unveiled New $15 Million Headquarters in South Scranton A seven-year vision to develop a new state-of-the-art campus for Scranton Counseling Center became a reality Thursday at the corner of Cedar Avenue and Cherry Street in south Scranton. The ribbon cutting for the new $15 million multi-building complex that provides counseling services to mostly uninsured and underinsured consumers suffering with behavioral health and substance use disorders was held in front of the new campus. The historic site originally housed The Scranton Button Company, and later became the home of Capitol Records. The conversion to Scranton Counseling Center’s new headquarters preserved the main and adjoining buildings while modernizing the structures and significantly upgrading the service spaces, including everything from the windows to all building systems for the nonprofit’s thousands of annual consumers and staff. The Counseling Center has moved from its previous cramped and outdated space on Adams Avenue – its home for over 3 decades – that was previously a Sears store. “This bright and modern new home is welcoming, inviting and functional,” relayed Dr. Edward F. Heffron, who retired as president and CEO of the Counseling Center last week. “This was a seven-year labor of love that has many supporters and facilitators to get us to today’s event,” he continued. “This opening is the goal that kept me energized and focused during that time. Once we opened the doors, I felt my mission had been completed.” Jefferson-Werner LLC is the developer and Hemmler and Camayd the architects of the project that was aided with state and federal funding, including a $4 million state Redevelopment Assistance Capital grant and $7 million in new markets tax credits. Grants from The Moses Taylor Foundation, The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, The Hawk Family Foundation, The Margaret Briggs Foundation, Peoples Security Bank and Trust, and Community Support Group added to the financing support of Commonwealth Cornerstone Group and PNC Bank. A tribute wall planned for the first-floor hallway of the new facility recognizes the various individuals and groups who aided with the project. The tribune wall names the Scranton Counseling Center board members, the elected officials who supported the funding, the foundations and financial entities who are invested, and the architects, engineers and contractors who completed the work. Developer Charles Jefferson said, “Some projects are more rewarding than others to complete. This campus renovation is a shining example of improving the needs of the marginalized individuals in our community, preserving and modernizing a historic building, revitalizing this section of south Scranton and connecting a wide and diverse stream of funding to make it happen… in a single focus.” Scranton Counseling Center is a community-based private nonprofit behavioral health provider serving children, adolescents, adults and families with mental health and substance use disorder issues in Lackawanna, Susquehanna and surrounding counties. The Center is northeast Pennsylvania’s largest integrated provider with over seven decades of quality accessible services for those in need.
Marywood University Awards Noyce Scholarship to Mathematics/Secondary Education Junior Marywood University recently awarded a Noyce Scholarship to Jason Holman, Taylor, Pa., junior mathematics/secondary education major. A graduate of Riverside High School, Holman is benefiting from the tuition coverage of the scholarship, as well as the connections that he’s making with faculty and staff on the University’s campus. Marywood’s Advancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Teaching (MAST) Program is a scholarship opportunity for biology and math secondary education majors. MAST scholars earn bachelor’s degrees in biology or math and are eligible for a Pennsylvania secondary teaching certification in biology or mathematics. Holman learned of the Noyce Scholarship from a science professor, and then the message was reinforced by Dhanapati Adhikari, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics/computer science. Dr. Adhikari explained that students are eligible to apply for the scholarship during their sophomore year, or after passing their sophomore screening for education. After applying, students are invited for an interview and get a status notification by May 1 each year. Beyond the financial benefits, Holman said, “It [the Noyce Scholarship] puts you out there—doing a lot of tutoring, puts you on the campus map with other people, particularly with faculty and staff members. In the future these connections can serve as recommendations in securing a teaching position.” Outside of gym classes, math was always Holman’s favorite subject. Having the added benefit of developing a strong relationship with his high school math teacher, who he had during his four years of high school, helped Holman solidify his talents for math and teaching. Enjoying tutoring and seeing the progression of someone learning is what drives Holman in his pursuit of teaching. Knowing that the Noyce Scholarship will help him get ahead, both financially and in securing employment post-graduation, Holman appreciates the teaching apprenticeship that the scholarship affords, as well as the bonds he has formed with faculty and staff at Marywood University. The Noyce Scholarship has a service component which requires scholarship recipients to teach in underserved school districts for two years post-graduation, while also providing scholarship recipients with the added benefit of helping to organize the math competition at Marywood, tutoring, and a teaching apprenticeship. Holman said, “I grew up in the area, and I want to stay here where I can make a difference in building up students to better themselves, which in turn betters the area. I hope to teach in Lackawanna or Wayne County post-graduation.” The Noyce Scholarship is not limited to tuition and can also be applied to other costs, such as room and board and books. Holman is technically a transfer student, since he transferred to Marywood just days after beginning his studies at another college. He sees the benefits of the Noyce Scholarship for both transfer and traditional undergraduate students, as students can apply during their sophomore year for junior year eligibility. In addition to his academic work, Holman is also a student-athlete, playing on the University’s men’s basketball team, which brings him full circle to his two favorite subjects—those of a love of math and of basketball.
Lavish Scranton Opens New Location Lavish Scranton, formerly known as Lavish Body & Home, opened its new location at 200 Adams Ave. The grand opening was held on Friday, April 2. The new location has about 7,000 square feet of space that features its salon, spa, and boutique. Lavish Scranton has consolidated their two previous locations — a store and salon on Linden Street and a spa on North Washington Avenue.
St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen Continues ‘Host for A Day’ Campaign The St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen in Scranton is conducting its annual “Host for A Day” campaign. An individual, a family, a business, a community organization or faith-based group can sponsor the day’s meal at the kitchen. The day’s meals may also be sponsored in memory of a loved one. Under normal operating procedures, the Kitchen serves 250 hot, nutritious meals every day to men, women and children in need.
Penn East Federal Credit Union Makes Donation to Nursing Center Penn East Federal Credit Union’s (FCU) Community Involvement Committee recently donated dozens of crafts, activities, and brain games to residents of Allied Services Skilled Nursing Center. The facility in Scranton is one of the area’s largest skilled nursing centers providing comprehensive quality care for both short-term and long-term patients. The Penn East FCU Community Involvement Committee’s mission is to engage and contribute to organizations to improve and establish connections in the community. Penn East Federal Credit Union is a community-chartered credit union offering membership to anyone that lives or works in Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wyoming Counties.
Scranton Bank Orders Lunch for Geisinger Frontline Workers Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. of Scranton ordered lunch from DaVinci Pizza for 125 employees at Geisinger Community Medical Center last week to honor frontline workers. Throughout the month of March, Peoples Security Bank donated more than 1,600 meals from area restaurants to 13 hospitals across the state and in New York. Up to 125 frontline providers from each hospital received a lunch or dinner, along with a special message of encouragement and appreciation for their selflessness and commitment to their patients. “Over the past year, most of us have spent all of our waking hours thinking about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and what it means for us and our families,” said Alicen Backus, marketing representative for Peoples Security Bank. “People who live in our communities have all faced hardships in one way or another, and no one has experienced the impact more than our health care workers, who have been working on the frontline, day in and day out, through it all.“ To honor their continued service and sacrifices, Peoples Security Bank pledged more than $80,000 in the past year to support health care workers and regional food banks within the bank’s Pennsylvania-based footprint grappling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “On behalf of everyone at Peoples Security Bank & Trust, thank you to everyone at Geisinger for all that you do for our community,” Backus said.
WVIA to Present a Special Keystone Edition Reports WVIA will present a live, hour-long special, Keystone Edition Reports: PA University Merger, which focuses on the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s proposed university integration plan on Thursday, May 6th, 2021, at 8 p.m. on WVIA TV. Viewers are encouraged to join in the conversation and have their questions answered by calling the live broadcast at 1-800-326-9842, emailing keystone@wvia.org, or using the hashtag #keystonereports. The program can also be seen live on PCN, The Pennsylvania Cable Network. Currently, there are 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). A proposed integration of six universities into two would take that number down to eight. Keystone Edition Reports takes a look at the proposed changes and how those changes will affect students, faculties, and the communities where they live and work. The episode will focus on the Northeast Implementation Plan that includes Bloomsburg University, Lock Haven University, and Mansfield University. Guests for the special broadcast include Dr. Bashar Hanna, President, Bloomsburg University & Interim President of Lock Haven University, Dr. Jamie Martin, President of the Association of the Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, Dr. Karen Whitney, President Emerita of Clarion University, Fred Gaffney, President of the Columbia-Montour Chamber of Commerce, and Mayor Mike Detweiler of Mansfield, Pennsylvania, as well as additional interviews with other community members, leaders, and university faculty and students.
Lisa Dowse Promoted to VP, Human Resource Officer David Raven, President and CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, announced Lisa Dowse, is now Vice President, Human Resource Officer. In making the statement, Raven noted, “Lisa continues to play an important role in supporting and contributing to positive employee relations. She is recognized for her contribution in promoting numerous programs to promote the well-being of everyone involved in our bank.” In her current role, Dowse provides support and service for employees regarding recruitment, payroll, benefits, along with many other functions in the Human Resources department. Throughout her career, she has attended the PA Bankers School of Banking and attended many webinars and seminars to advance her knowledge in the financial industry. Dowse will continue to provide her expertise of over 27 years in the industry to HNB as VP, Human Resource Officer. In mentioning her role at HNB, Dowse noted, “ I am happy to be a part of the HNB family and everything that it represents, I recently celebrated my 20th anniversary with HNB.” Dowse is a graduate of Western Wayne High School. She is a participant in many local community events. She is a past board member of the Chamber of the Northern Poconos and also served as a Co-Chair on the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties funds distribution committee. She recently joined the Lake Ariel Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary. Outside of the bank, her spare time is spent with family, her daughter Marissa and grandchildren, Mason, Kamden and Kinley and working around her house. The Honesdale National Bank, established in 1836, holds the distinction of being the area’s oldest independent community bank headquartered in Northeastern PA, with offices in Wayne, Pike, Susquehanna, Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties. The Honesdale National Bank offers personal banking, business banking and wealth solutions. For more information on HNB’s products and services, visit www.hnbbank.bank.
