Scranton Area Community Foundation’s NEPA Gives Raises $1.23 Million The Scranton Area Community Foundation’s fifth annual NEPA Gives, which took place on June 6th and 7th, 2024, raised $1,229,151 for 241 local nonprofit organizations and charitable causes across Northeastern Pennsylvania in just 24 hours. The Scranton Area Community Foundation hosted the region’s largest giving event in partnership with The Luzerne Foundation, Wayne County Community Foundation, Greater Pike Community Foundation, Carbon County Community Foundation, the Community Foundation of Monroe County, Posture Interactive, and other community sponsors to raise awareness about the critical work nonprofit organizations carry out across the region and to help charitable organizations raise much-needed funds. Nearly 7,000 donors generously supported NEPA Gives, which was also generously supported by numerous sponsors, including the Moses Taylor Foundation, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Neighborly, Lamar Advertising, Schwartz Mack Foundation, Women in Philanthropy, the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, Minooka Subaru, and many others.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Recognizes Employees of the Quarter Every quarter, Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) recognizes one junior and one senior member of its world-class workforce with an Employee of the Quarter (EoQ) award. Great candidates are easy to come by as there are many talented and hard-working artisans supporting TYAD’s vast and varied missions. For the 2nd Quarter of FY24, it is Michael Benner of the Installation Services directorate and Michael Rudick of the Production Engineering directorate receiving the honors respectively. Benner joined Team Tobyhanna as a firefighter in October 2020. He began his career in 2004, serving as a volunteer firefighter alongside his uncle and two cousins near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He earned a Fire Science degree from Harrisburg Area Community College, where he lived in a firehouse opposed to a traditional dorm. A native of Blakeslee, PA, he also served as a police officer with the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department and an emergency medical technician with Pocono Mountain Regional Emergency Medical Services. Benner is no stranger to the United States Army and its values as he joined the Army component of the Pennsylvania National Guard in 2012. One of the Army core values, “selfless service,” goes hand-in-hand with the type of work he performs on a daily basis. He said that helping people is something he feels naturally compelled to do. “It’s something that I’ve always done,” said Benner. “I’m very familiar with the Army values and selfless service. I feel like everybody should have these values and help their fellow persons.” Daryl Gebhardt serves as Chief of the Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) Branch. He lauded Benner for his commitment to team cohesion and his strong sense of duty and dedication. “Firefighter Benner exemplifies selfless service through his unwavering commitment to the Army values. He consistently prioritizes the needs of others above his own, demonstrating a willingness to sacrifice personal comfort and convenience for the greater good,” said Gebhardt. “Whether it’s volunteering for challenging assignments, offering support to fellow firefighters, or going above and beyond to assist the community, Mr. Benner’s actions reflect a deep sense of duty and dedication. His selfless service not only enhances team cohesion and morale but also strengthens the overall effectiveness for the F&ES Branch.” Benner recently led a small team tasked with developing the F&ES Branch’s Box Alarms, a system that ensures a structured and standardized response posture when dealing with emergencies. To do so, Benner met with mutual aid partners in the counties surrounding TYAD to develop a better understanding of what emergency response capabilities they were prepared to provide. He worked with them to ensure they knew exactly what was expected of them should the alarm rise to their level. The partnership works both ways so that TYAD’s emergency responders may also be dispatched should an emergency occur outside the gates of the installation. Gebhardt added that Benner’s efforts have made a lasting impact on the F&ES Branch’s capabilities. “Implementing Box Alarms under firefighter Benner’s leadership streamlined resource deployment, improving response efficiency. His initiative set a precedent, inspiring others to adopt similar structured approaches,” said Gebhardt. “By optimizing response protocols, Mr. Benner exemplified proactive leadership, enhancing overall departmental productivity. His innovative strategies not only expedited emergency responses but also fostered a culture of excellence. His commitment to efficiency sets a standard for operational effectiveness within the department, while his dedication to continuous improvement drives ongoing enhancements, ensuring sustained efficiency in emergency response.” Benner said he was grateful that leadership within the F&ES branch provided him the opportunity to lead a project so early into his depot career. “The fire department is really great in letting junior members really take projects and run with them,” said Benner. “When I noticed the alarm system needed to be revamped worked on, I presented it to the chief and he gave me the full power to run with it. Strong teamwork is a concept vital to the job of a firefighter. Benner credited the individuals he worked with on the project for its success. “The team always works better when everybody puts the team ahead of themselves. Everybody benefits from it. If the team is winning, everybody is winning,” said Benner. “The people I work with, I feel like we’re all on the same page. They made it easy to take the lead because they knew what to do and when to do it. Rudick is being recognized for his efforts dealing with the AN/TPQ-53, a multi-mission radar system, and the AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder system. When Army leadership needed a quick response for the evaluation of a AN/TPQ-53, he immediately took the lead to perform the necessary testing and provide a detailed report ahead of the requested deadline. Knowing they would be required to install and upgrade the AN/TPQ-53 system software, Rudick earned his CompTIA Security+ and Network+ certificates. Getting out ahead of this requirement was critical to TYAD being able to complete the AN/TPQ-53 Pilot Program repair effort and provide technical support to fielded systems ahead of planned Depot maintenance. He also took the initiative to better himself and increase his effectiveness at TYAD by achieving his Certified Electronics Technician and Engineer-In-Training certificates. Rudick volunteered to support another requirement by developing a test capability to validate digital phase shifters, a part critical to AN/TPQ-37 Power Amplifier Modules. He developed an automated program to reduce the amount of time required for manual measurements and also worked with the Original Equipment Manufacturer to develop a better understanding of AN/TPQ-53 testing. He then provided training to fellow engineers and C4ISR technicians in order to complete depot transition efforts within the contract timeline. Mike Sherin serves as a Supervisory Electronics Engineer and works closely with Rudick. He said his efforts have made an impact on the entire team around him. “Mike consistently dives head-first in new technical challenges. His self-motivation, positive attitude, and strong work ethic are inspiring to his peers. Mike volunteers for additional work assignments demonstrating a mission-first attitude to his team members and his hands-on approach allows him to lead by doing,” said Sherin. “Mike truly puts his best foot forward each and every day and encourages others to do the same. Mike is recognized by his peers as someone who is always willing to help others solve challenging technical issues, and takes any Pathways students under his wing to ensure they have a fulfilling experience at TYAD.” The Employee of the Quarter awards and other employee recognition programs align with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035 – specifically the Investing In Our People line of effort. The plan aims to posture the depot for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider.
Keystone Mission’s Rejuvenation Project Receives Grant Keystone Mission’s Rejuvenation Project received a generous $10,000 grant from The Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Community Needs Grant. The Rejuvenation Project aims at equipping individuals experiencing homelessness with the tools they need to rebuild their lives. Through this project, Keystone Mission is establishing the Seeds of Hope Community Garden, expanding access to showers, and offering comprehensive training through the Pathfinders’ Vocational Program. Thanks to the generous funding, the Rejuvenation Project has a tangible impact on homeless individuals, providing them with the resources and opportunities to rebuild their lives and regain independence. “We are grateful for the partnership of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. Together we are creating a greater impact on the lives of our guests.” says Danielle O. Keith-Alexandre, CEO & Executive Director. “It is essential for the unsheltered community and those experiencing economic hardship and food insecurity to have access to the necessary tools required for their betterment.” Keystone Mission is thankful for community partners like Scranton Area Community Foundation for supporting the mission to bring help and hope to the homeless, hungry, and hurting people in Northeast PA.
Johnson College Earns Gold Military Friendly School Designation Johnson College has earned the 2024-2025 Gold Military Friendly® School designation. Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2024-2025 survey with 537 earning special awards for going above the standard. The 2024-2025 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com. Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer), and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans. “Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunities for the Military Community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages Institutions to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard.” – Kayla Lopez, National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly®. For more information about Johnson College’s student veteran programs, visit https://johnson.edu/veterans/.
The Wright Center Welcomes New Workers The Wright Center for Community Health and residents of Northeast Pennsylvania are offering two new community health workers (CHWs) with specialized services to patients, thanks to a unique program through the National Health Corps (NHC). Harry Yanoshak of Plains Township to work with The Wright Center’s geriatric care teams and Kristin Zaorski of Covington Township will collaborate with The Wright Center’s behavioral health teams. Both CHWs are funded through the NHC’s Community Health Fellowship, a grassroots community health service program that trains local community residents as CHWs. The new employees are committed to addressing the unmet needs of underserved populations and honing their skills as community health leaders. The Wright Center employs CHWs to help connect patients and community members to various resources. In addition to connecting them to food pantries and helping them find safe, affordable housing, CHWs can also help patients address utility bills, transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, health insurance applications, and a variety of other needs. “They bridge the gap,” said Kathleen Doyle, director of patient-centered services at The Wright Center. “They help address basic needs so patients can focus on their health and medical needs. This ties in directly to The Wright Center’s mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services.” The NHC program funds CHWs to work in specialized areas to facilitate integration with The Wright Center for Community Health’s whole-person primary health services. “This is one more step in offering whole-person, integrated care,” said Lou Strazzeri, community and agency referrals coordinator for The Wright Center. “We can now offer a CHW who can focus specifically on what a patient being seen by our geriatric care team might need or what one of our behavioral health patients may need.” Nicole Lipinski, director of The Wright Center’s Geriatric Service Line, looks forward to the unique resources and support Yanoshak will be able to offer to patients and their families. “We are able to help this vulnerable population navigate through the care continuum as they age in place or require additional assistance with care in facilities,” she said. “Having a CHW will only enhance what we can offer.” CHWs are one of the fastest-growing occupations in today’s health care field, with a projected 12% increase in jobs between 2021 and 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Participants in the AmeriCorps-funded NHC program must complete 1,700 hours of service within a term spanning 42-46 weeks. They also must complete a CHW training course offered by the Northeast Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center. They receive a living stipend and are eligible for food and child care assistance, tuition reimbursement, and access to health insurance, including medical, vision, and dental. The Wright Center, headquartered in Scranton, operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental vehicle called Driving Better Health. Its locations offer integrated whole-person primary health services, meaning patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services. For more information, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Geisinger Hospitals Recognized for Maternal Healthcare Five Geisinger hospitals were recipients of the Pennsylvania Perinatal Quality Collaborative (PA PQC) inaugural Designations Awards. The awards, presented May 22 at a ceremony in Harrisburg, recognize hospitals for establishing multidisciplinary teams that have demonstrated improvements in maternal and newborn care by sharing best practices in their hospital and community. Hospitals could earn a designation for each 2023-24 PA PQC initiative in which they actively participated, including: the availaibility of immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception (IPLARC); maternal substance use disorders (SUD) identification and treatment; and standardizing the treatment of the substance exposed newborn (SEN) to reduce the need for drug therapy. The awards are based on meeting quality improvement milestone criteria from April 2023 through March 2024. “These recognitions are a reflection of the focus that our Obstetric and Pediatric teams place on high quality and equitable care across the Geisinger system,” said Sandra Culbertson, M.D, chair of Geisinger’s Women and Children’s Institute. “Responding to the opioid crisis and providing easy access to effective contraception are priorities that reflect the needs of families in our communities.” Geisinger Medical Center earned a silver designation to recognize its work in the issue areas of SUD focusing on health equity and a bronze designation in IPLARC. Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital earned a gold designation in SEN, a silver designation in SUD with a health equity focus, and a bronze designation in IPLARC. Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center earned a gold designation to recognize its work in the issue areas of SUD and a bronze designation in IPLARC. Geisinger Lewistown Hospital earned a silver designation in SEN with a patient voice focus, a silver designation in SUD with a health equity focus, and a bronze IPLARC designation. Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton earned a silver designation to recognize its work in the issue areas of SUD focusing on health equity and a bronze designation in IPLARC. A gold designation signifies a hospital’s proven commitment to health equity and patient voice in their quality improvement work. A silver designation signifies the hospital’s proven commitment to incorporating health equity OR patient voice into its quality improvement work. A bronze designation signifies the hospital met the required quality improvement submission criteria for at least two of the four quarters. In Pennsylvania, perinatal health issues persist, including racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and neonatal outcomes, higher than average maternal sepsis rates, and drug overdose deaths during pregnancy and postpartum. The PA PQC addresses these challenges through various initiatives, including Maternal Opioid Use Disorder, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Maternal Sepsis, and Safe Sleep. Through collaborative efforts, the PA PQC aims to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes across the state. “All Geisinger delivery hospitals have taken an active role in the PA PQC since its inception in 2019. The work is conducted by hospital staff (nurses, care managers and providers) who have shown tremendous dedication to improving care for mothers and babies,” said James Cook, M.D., Geisinger director of newborn services and co-chair on the PA PQC for pediatrics. “This work has been rewarded by the PA PQC with funds to purchase equipment and provide further education to our staff. “Future PA PQC initiatives for 2024-25 will include a focus on reducing the incidence of both maternal sepsis and sudden unexpected infant death across the region,” Dr. Cook added. The PA PQC is administered by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation and WHAMglobal, and it is affiliated with the Northeastern PA PQC (NEPaPQC).
NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania Inaugural Home Fair NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania will host its inaugural Home Fair on July 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton. This community-centered event aims to provide valuable information on housing health and safety, homeownership and affordability resources to residents of Lackawanna County. The Home Fair will feature a diverse array of community resources. Attendees will have access to several homeownership resources, from lenders and realtors to home inspectors and insurance providers. Additionally, the event will highlight essential home safety information on lead, radon, domestic violence and fire prevention.This event is designed for all residents of Lackawanna County. Attendees will find valuable information, whether they are renters, prospective homebuyers, current homeowners, or those interested in learning more about home health and safety. Community members will have the unique opportunity to gather information and connect with various services in one convenient location. The primary goal of the Home Fair is to equip community members with comprehensive resources they may not be aware of. This includes information on home health and safety, homebuying and home maintenance, and government entities that protect residents and consumers. By bringing these resources together, NeighborWorks aims to ensure critical information is readily accessible to the community. “In bringing together multiple resources, we are providing options for our community in a single location, making gathering information on community resources easily accessible to those who need it most,” said Kathi Tavera, Home Ownership Specialist at NeighborWorks. “Our plan is to make this an annual event to allow for many community members to come to a single location and receive information on health & safety, housing affordability, and so much more.” The Home Fair will also serve as a platform to bring new resources to the area. The event is slated to have representatives from various government programs and civil rights groups to provide necessary information on topics like Consumer Protraction and Fair Housing laws. The event will serve as a conduit for community businesses and non-profits to collaborate and learn more about each other’s programs too. This interconnectedness enhances the collective ability to refer clients to the appropriate services, ensuring that community members receive comprehensive support.
NeighborWorks NEPA Allen Park Concert Series NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania is announcing the return of the Allen Park Concert Series for its second year, starting June 14th and running through August 23rd. This year’s series will have a diverse mix of musical genres thanks to a new partnership with NEPA Scene. As part of NeighborWorks’ mission to revitalize neighborhoods, the series will feature six bi-weekly outdoor concerts, offering a diverse range of musical genres from local artists. The concerts will take place every other Friday rain or shine from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Allen Park, located at 1100 Price St., Scranton, PA. “The Allen Park Concert Series is a result of community outreach in West Side. Our 10-year resident-driven plan highlights a desire for free family-friendly community activities,” said Miranda Pace, West Scranton Neighborhood Coordinator at NeighborWorks. “We are thrilled to partner with NEPA Scene this year to expand our reach and enhance the concert experience. This also gives us more opportunity to coordinate additional elements like bringing in the Lackawanna County Master Gardeners (July 12) and having a bike rodeo (July 26).”NEPA Scene, known for its deep connection to the local music scene, is coordinating the bands and assisting with promoting the event. Founder and editor Rich Howells, a West Scranton native, has curated a lineup of talented local bands spanning multiple genres including jazz, funk, pop, indie, and rock. “NEPA Scene works hard to feature local artists of all kinds, so we made sure to include a variety of bands who could share both original songs and covers that anyone can enjoy,” Howells said. “I am a West Sider born and raised, so it feels great to give back to the community I’m from with free, all-ages shows with musicians from across Northeastern Pennsylvania that I believe everyone needs to hear. NEPA Scene also started right here in West Side nearly 10 years ago, so it’s all coming full circle.” The concert series will feature performances from Running in Flip-Flops, Tori V & The Karma, The Contact Collective, Brendan Brisk Band, The Holtzmann Effect and Meet Me on Marcie. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from nearby small businesses, and parking is conveniently located across the street.“We anticipate the event will make even more of a splash this year,” Pace added. “With NEPA Scene’s expertise in promoting local arts and our shared commitment to community engagement, we look forward to seeing everyone out and about enjoying the music and festivities.”
