UNCDC to Break Ground on Community, Education, Development and Revitalization Center

United Neighborhood Community Development Corporation (UNCDC), the nonprofit housing and economic development subsidiary of United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC), will break ground on the new Community, Education, Development, And Revitalization (CEDAR) Center at 530 Cedar Avenue in South Scranton on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 3pm.

CEDAR Center will rehabilitate and repurpose the historic Peoples Security Bank building into vibrant center for the community. CEDAR Center will offer UNC’s expanding services in job readiness and workforce development, small business, and entrepreneurship services, and a welcome center for new immigrants. Penn State’s LaunchBox will operate a business accelerator and manage a student-run café/retail area. It will also serve as a venue to expand UNC’s regional year-round South Side Farmers Market.

Remarks will be made by Jude McDonough, UNC Board Chair; Senator Marty Flynn, 22nd Senatorial District; Representative Kyle T. Donahue, District 113; Commissioner Bill Gaughan, Lackawanna County; Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, City of Scranton; and Lisa Durkin, UNC President & Chief Executive Officer. 

In addition to the UNCDC, the development team consists of Ralph J. Melone, AIA, Project Architect, and Robert Bamford, General Contractor, Mar-Paul Construction Co., Inc.

The CEDAR Center project is made possible through funding from Senator Robert P. Casey Jr., Peoples Security Bank, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program; PA Department of Community and Economic Development, Keystone Communities; Lackawanna County; City of Scranton; Oppenheim Foundation; PNC Bank; and PPL Electric Utilities.

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine to Host Black Ties for White Coats Gala

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, with learning venues throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania, will host its Black Ties for White Coats gala on Saturday, April 20, at Mohegan Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre to benefit medical student scholarships. Prominent community members who embody aspects of the school’s founding principles, community service and well-being will also be honored. 

When:       Saturday, April 20, 6 – 11 p.m.

Where:      Mohegan Pennsylvania

                  1280 Highway 315

                  Wilkes-Barre

This year’s honorees are: 

Community Honoree:
The Scranton School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children

Well-being Honoree:
Shubhra Shetty, MD

Founders Honoree:
Tom Churilla, MD ’13

SWB Railriders’ Clayton Beeter Named International League Pitcher of the Week

Minor League Baseball has announced the weekly awards for April 8-14 and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre right-hander Clayton Beeter was honored as the Pitcher of the Week.

Beeter allowed one hit and struck out eight batters over five shutout innings in the RailRiders 3-0 win at Norfolk on Saturday, April 13.

Beeter made his Major League debut on March 29, throwing three pitches in one scoreless relief inning against the Houston Astros. In three starts for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, the Fort Worth native has surrendered three hits total, struck out 13, walked five and has yet to allow a run.

The 25-year-old was acquired by the New York Yankees in August of 2022 in the Joey Gallo trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made his Triple-A debut last season, going 3-5 with a 4.94 ERA over 15 games, including 14 starts.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s second homestand of the season begins on Tuesday night against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs at PNC Field. The RailRiders are riding a seven-game winning streak and are in first place in the International League heading into play in the opener. For tickets or promotional information, visit swbrailriders.com or call (570) 969-2255.

Coal Creative CEO Holly K. Pilcavage Awarded Mentor of the Year

Coal Creative, the full-service digital marketing agency known for its results-driven strategies and collaborative creativity, is proud to announce that CEO Holly K. Pilcavage has been awarded the distinguished Bill McNally Mentor of the Year award.

The accolade will be presented during the tecBRIDGE Business Plan Competition for students and early-stage entrepreneurs, set to take place on May 2, 2024, at 5 PM at the F.M. Kirby Center.

“I am deeply honored to receive the McNally Mentor of the Year award, which recognizes the importance of nurturing and sustaining mentorship in our business and entrepreneurial community,” says Holly.

The tecBRIDGE Business Plan Competition is an annual event that spotlights the innovative potential of local startups and entrepreneurs, bringing them together with subject matter experts to benefit the next generation of business leaders.

While the award is a significant honor, Coal Creative and Holly wish to underscore the importance of the competition itself and the learning opportunities it presents.

“My own mentors have played a crucial role in shaping my journey, highlighting the profound impact mentorship can have on both personal and professional growth,” Holly continues. “This award reflects not just my efforts, but also the dedication of all mentors who strive to empower and guide the next generation of leaders in Northeastern Pennsylvania.”

Don Webster, tecBRIDGE Executive Director, weighed in, saying “When I reflect on the common characteristics of past McNally Award winners, caring, community, and commitment immediately come to mind. Holly K. Pilcavage is the ideal award recipient to continue with that tradition. For those of you who know Holly K. Pilcavage, you know that she simply makes a difference in the lives of those she connects with. Whether it is work or play, advocacy or action, caring or sharing, she has a unique gift for accomplishing with (and for) those around her.”

Aside from growing Coal Creative into a leading creative agency, Holly’s put the work in as a dedicated and engaged member of the NEPA community—from her efforts championing women’s opportunities and LGBTQ+ rights to her recent initiative to co-found Evergreen, a business specializing in plants, local artist gifts, and workshops. Her leadership style is one of openness, inclusivity, and thoughtful dialogue—promoting an atmosphere that never fails to bring a diverse set of voices to the table.

Urban Co-Works to Host Entrepeneur Night

Urban Co-Works is excited to announce its first Entrepreneur Night, sponsored by Community Bank, will be hosted on April 23, 2024, from 5:30pm – 8:00pm. Local professionals are invited to join for an evening of entrepreneurial innovation, inspiration, and networking at Urban Co-Works, a premiere coworking space located in downtown Scranton.

The night will kick-off with a presentation hosted by NEPA Tech featuring Dr. John G Duesler, president of the PA Drone Association, as he discusses The Innovation Trap: How Ideas, Technologies, and Discoveries Deceive Us. Dr. John G Duesler brings a wealth of experience to the table as the President of the Pennsylvania Drone Association. His focus on the burgeoning drone economy is not just limited to aerial work with sports networks but extends into the realm of agriculture.

“Building a community of individuals who are passionate about technology, entrepreneurship, business, and the arts is a key to the future growth of Scranton and Northeast Pennsylvania as a whole. That is NEPA Tech’s mission since 2016,” said John George, NEPA Tech Committee Chairperson. “NEPA Tech is excited to collaborate with Urban Co-Work’s Entrepreneur Night to further this goal. Collaboration and cross-promotion is multiplicative. Together we will go far.”

Following Dr. Duesler, two young entrepreneurs will pitch their ideas and receive feedback on how to best position their brands. The first to pitch will be David Yeager, CEO and founder of Showcase, a music discovery platform that creates a collective listening experience along with connection points and conversations between both the Artists and the fans. Second to pitch will be Julio Pertuz, CEO and founder of Fidbak, a digital platform transforming the learning and skill development process.

“Entrepreneurship is growing in Scranton and we’re looking forward to hosting Entrepreneur Night here at Urban Co-Works to help foster new business ideas throughout the community,” said Jeff Goronkin, founder and CEO of Urban Co-works. “This will be a unique opportunity for anyone interested in starting their own company to learn from local business leaders, gain insights, forge connections, and be a part of the entrepreneurial spirit driving innovation in Scranton and beyond.”

Goronkin is working with Ken Okrepkie of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania to secure additional entrepreneurs to present throughout the year. 

“Investing in local entrepreneurs is so important so that we can foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem that will lead to job creation and a stronger economy in Scranton and Northeastern PA,” said Ken Okrepkie. “I look forward to working with Jeff to support these entrepreneurs and hopefully bring their companies to fruition in our city.”

WHEN:

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

5:30-8pm

*Presentations to begin at 6:00pm

WHERE:

Urban Co-Works

116 North Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor

Scranton, PA 18503

WHO:

Jeff Goronkin – CEO & Founder, Urban Co-Works

Ken Okrepkie – Regional Manager, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania

Dr. John G. Duesler – President, PA Drone Association

David Yeager, CEO & Founder, Showcase

Julio Pertuz, CEO & Founder, Fidbak

Anyone looking for more information or who wishes to attend can visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/entrepreneur-night-at-urban-co-works-tickets-873625606707?aff=oddtdtcreator to register. 

The Wright Center Shares Kidney Transplant Story

In observance of National Donate Life Blue and Green Day on Friday, April 12, The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education is sharing the story of the Desouza family to raise awareness about the gift of organ donation and its impact on others.

Patricia Desouza veered her car off the road as the caller’s words sunk in.

By 5:30 a.m. on April 30, she needed to be at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia for surgery to remove her kidney. Later that afternoon, a stranger would receive her life-changing gift. And there was more.

A match also had been found for her eldest of three sons, 27-year-old Kenneth, who would undergo his own kidney transplant at the same hospital that afternoon — about a year after her husband, Larri, underwent the same transformative procedure at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania.

Only a week had passed since her son had added his name to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) national transplant waiting list, joining more than 106,000 people, including 7,000 Pennsylvanians, in need of a donor. Of those, 87%, or 92,000 nationwide, need a kidney, facing an average wait of three to five years, according to the American Kidney Fund.

From her car, Desouza, a Peckville section of Blakely small business owner, life coach, public speaker, and mentor who actively volunteers at the Peckville Assembly of God, thanked God for answering their prayers. Then the eight-year Wright Center for Community Health board member called her son to share the remarkable news.

“He was like, ‘What? What? I don’t even know what to say,'” she recalls of their March 15 conversation. “He was in shock.”

Although her kidney proved to be a suitable match for her son, the family of five remained steadfast in their belief that God would provide an even better match.

“I reminded my son when he would get a little discouraged that man’s timing is not better than God’s timing,” says Desouza.

The transplant will open doors for the talented musician who plays 10 instruments, manages a gas station, and volunteers at their church as a youth minister with his fiancee, Nicollette Gauthier. He looks most forward to those things often taken for granted in life, such as a good shower or enjoying his upcoming wedding without serious health concerns looming.

Growing up, he contended with many health challenges and hospitalizations, including Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, at age 12; and a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome, by his late teens.

After an appointment with quintuple board-certified physician Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, the president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, her son received a proper diagnosis, treatment plan, and much-needed hope, says Desouza.

“In the face of adversity, the Desouza family’s health journey embodies courage, resilience, faith, gratitude, and the profound impact of selfless, mutual giving,” says Dr. Thomas-Hemak. “Patricia’s and Kenneth’s upcoming surgeries stand not only as an awesome testament to medical marvels, but also to the power of humanity, as a beacon of love, hope, and compassion. Each step, each transplant, is a testament to the miracles that unfold when love, altruism, and generosity intertwine. Their story serves as a compelling reminder of the critical importance of organ donation, highlighting how one selfless act can profoundly transform the lives of others, embodying and honoring the essence of humanity’s interconnectedness.”

Desouza and her husband also became patients of The Wright Center for Community Health. That’s also when things turned around for her husband, following a decline in his kidney functions, most likely from an extended use of gout medication.

Under the care of his primary care physician, Dr. Jignesh Sheth, who serves as chief medical officer for The Wright Center for Community Health, he underwent preparations for gastric bypass surgery to aid in losing enough weight to undergo kidney transplant surgery. Following the successful reduction of his body mass index (BMI) post-surgery, he joined the national transplant list. Despite encountering multiple setbacks, he eventually found a suitable match and underwent a successful kidney transplant last spring.

Freed from the constraints of his triweekly dialysis regimen, the transplant brought about a profound transformation in his life. He embraced newfound freedoms by joining a gym, traveling to their native Brazil, and even competing in track and field events.

“We went through a lot of trials and tribulations,” says Desouza, reflecting on having both her son and husband undergoing dialysis simultaneously at home. “If I didn’t have God, I don’t know how I would have made it through.”

The family plans to travel to Philadelphia the day prior to the surgeries and anticipates staying for up to two weeks.

“I only have to stay one to two days,” Desouza says. “But my son has to stay 10 days to two weeks. For the first week, he will have appointments twice a week there. As a mother, I didn’t want to leave him. So we will stay.”

Unsure who will receive her kidney, her son’s donor is from Wisconsin.

“It was not even a decision for me to donate my kidney,” she says. “It was just a part of my life that I didn’t have to give a second thought. If you can live with one kidney, and make a difference in someone’s life, you just share what you have.”