NeighborWorks Presented with Two Significant Awards NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania (NeighborWorks) received the Organizational Impact Award during the National NeighborWorks Association (NNA) 20th Annual Excellence Awards in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, April 10. Read more about the award here, and watch our nomination video here. Additionally, NeighborWorks and the City of Carbondale were recognized for the expansion and sustained success of the Beautiful Blocks program in Carbondale with the Building Community Partnerships Award during the Governor’s Awards for Local Government Excellence ceremony, held at The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg this past Wednesday, April 10. Read more about the award here.
WVIA Honored with Seven American Advertising Federation of NEPA Awards WVIA, Northeastern Pennsylvania’s PBS and NPR station, is thrilled to announce a resounding win at the 2024 American Advertising Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania (AAF NEPA) Awards. Taking home an impressive seven awards, WVIA’s content and creative teams were recognized for their exceptional work in crafting impactful messages that resonate with viewers. “This recognition is a true testament to the dedication and talent of our entire production team,” said WVIA President & CEO, Carla McCabe. “At WVIA, we believe in the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and make a difference. These awards validate our commitment to using that power to serve our community.” WVIA’s award-winning entries spanned a diverse range of categories, showcasing their versatility and ability to deliver impactful messages across platforms. From promotional campaigns to documentaries, their work left a lasting impression on the AAF NEPA judges. “We are incredibly proud of the stories we tell and the messages we share,” continued Ben Payavis II, WVIA Chief Content Officer. “These awards motivate us to keep pushing boundaries and finding new ways to connect with our audiences on a deeper level.” This significant win at the AAF NEPA Awards further solidifies WVIA’s position as a leader in creative storytelling within the region and their dedication to using their platform for positive impact. WVIA received the following seven awards: GOLD (Single Spot)- ROAR Documentary Trailer. GOLD (Single Entry and Best of Show)- The Hooded Graves of Catawissa. GOLD (Integrated Campaigns and Judge’s Choice)- Pizza! SILVER (Television Advertising)- ROAR Documentary. SILVER (Integrated Campaigns)- ROAR Documentary. The award ceremony was held on Friday, March 8th at The FM Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre. All winners and professional entries can be viewed here.
WVIA Recognized for Impact with Six Prestigious PAB Awards WVIA, Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania’s public media station, is honored to announce it has received six awards from the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters (PAB) for its outstanding work in 2023. These prestigious honors recognize WVIA’s commitment to delivering essential local news, informative programs, and captivating arts and entertainment content for our region. “These awards represent so much more than success for WVIA. They acknowledge the important role we play in informing, educating, and entertaining our neighbors, and inspire us to continue delivering essential public media that strengthens our region.” said WVIA Chief Content Officer, Ben Payavis II. “We are deeply grateful for the continued trust, support, and encouragement from our communities, and look forward to building upon this success in years to come.” The PAB Awards represent the pinnacle of broadcasting excellence in the state, judged by a panel of industry professionals. WVIA’s six recognitions span a variety of categories, reflecting its commitment to serving audiences across various interests and representing all facets of its communities. Outstanding Use of Digital Media WVIA presents PIZZA!, Digital Short-Form Documentary Series ROAR: The Story of the Southern Columbia Football Tigers, Documentary Launch Mind Over Matter, Season Recap Outstanding Feature Story/Report The Hooded Graves of Catawissa, VIA Short Take Conversation group in Scranton Helps refugees from around the world, WVIA News story Outstanding Television Documentary ROAR: The Story of the Southern Columbia Football Tigers, Documentary In addition to these awards, WVIA’s impact extends far beyond broadcast. In 2023, the station reached over 2 million viewers and 1 million listeners, provided educational resources to thousands of students, and hosted community events that engaged residents across the region. “These awards are a reflection of the countless hours, late nights, and passionate hearts poured into every story we tell,” stated WVIA President & CEO, Carla McCabe. “We do this together, for our communities.” Winners were announced online on Friday, February 9th, and a luncheon will be held at The Harrisburg Hilton on Friday April 26th, 2024, at noon, where winners will receive their awards.
WVIA Recognized for Impact: Six Prestigious PAB Awards Celebrate Local Storytelling WVIA, Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania’s public media station, is honored to announce it has received six awards from the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters (PAB) for its outstanding work in 2023. These prestigious honors recognize WVIA’s commitment to delivering essential local news, informative programs, and captivating arts and entertainment content for our region. “These awards represent so much more than success for WVIA. They acknowledge the important role we play in informing, educating, and entertaining our neighbors, and inspire us to continue delivering essential public media that strengthens our region.” said WVIA Chief Content Officer, Ben Payavis II. “We are deeply grateful for the continued trust, support, and encouragement from our communities, and look forward to building upon this success in years to come.” The PAB Awards represent the pinnacle of broadcasting excellence in the state, judged by a panel of industry professionals. WVIA’s six recognitions span a variety of categories, reflecting its commitment to serving audiences across various interests and representing all facets of its communities. Outstanding Use of Digital Media WVIA presents PIZZA!, Digital Short-Form Documentary Series ROAR: The Story of the Southern Columbia Football Tigers, Documentary Launch Mind Over Matter, Season Recap Outstanding Feature Story/Report The Hooded Graves of Catawissa, VIA Short Take Conversation group in Scranton Helps refugees from around the world, WVIA News story Outstanding Television Documentary ROAR: The Story of the Southern Columbia Football Tigers, Documentary In addition to these awards, WVIA’s impact extends far beyond broadcast. In 2023, the station reached over 2 million viewers and 1 million listeners, provided educational resources to thousands of students, and hosted community events that engaged residents across the region. “These awards are a reflection of the countless hours, late nights, and passionate hearts poured into every story we tell,” stated WVIA President & CEO, Carla McCabe. “We do this together, for our communities.” Winners were announced online on Friday, February 9th, and a luncheon will be held at The Harrisburg Hilton on Friday April 26th, 2024, at noon, where winners will receive their awards.
The Wright Center Earns Multiple Recognition Badges The Wright Center for Community Health recently received recognition from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for quality work last year in three performance categories, including its use of health information technology to better serve patients and their families. The Wright Center also made notable achievements during 2022 in these two categories: providing services to combat the COVID-19 public health emergency and screening patients for social risk factors that can impact their health, such as lack of adequate housing and food insecurity. HRSA annually reviews the performance data of health centers across the United States and then highlights the organizations that meet or exceed its goals in categories of special focus, such as improving health equity, access, and other quality measures. It bestows the top performers with its Community Health Quality Recognition badges. HRSA first awarded badges in 2021, using data from the prior year’s reporting period. Since then, The Wright Center has earned 10 badges. This year, the three badges awarded to The Wright Center are “Advancing Health Information Technology for Quality,” “COVID-19 Public Health Champion,” and “Addressing Social Risk Factors to Health.” HRSA displays information about all of its badge recipients – which include many of the country’s 1,370 Federally Qualified Health Centers and 117 Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alikes, including The Wright Center – on an online dashboard accessible via its website, hrsa.gov. The Wright Center was among fewer than 12 percent of Look-Alikes nationwide to receive this year’s “Addressing Social Risk Factors to Health,” according to the dashboard. The Wright Center operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental vehicle called Driving Better Health. Its practices offer integrated whole-person care, 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. It accepts most major health insurance plans, including Medical Assistance (Medicaid), Medicare, and CHIP. No patient is turned away due to an inability to pay. To learn more about The Wright Center for Community Health’s many services, call 570-230-0019 or visit TheWrightCenter.org.
The Scranton Area Community Foundation Announces Awards from the Women in Philanthropy Annual Celebration The 2023 recipients of the Margaretta Belin Chamberlin Award and the Roseann Smith Alperin Award were awarded on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, during the Women in Philanthropy Annual Event which took place at POSH at the Scranton Club. The 2023 Margaretta Belin Chamberlin Award was presented to Karen Clifford. The 2023 Roseann Smith Alperin Award was presented to Natalie O’Hara. “Both recipients are an inspiration to others and are recognized for their integrity and selfless dedication to our community,” stated Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. Both awards are presented annually through the support of charitable funds established at the Scranton Area Community Foundation. These charitable funds were established to memorialize a loved one and to honor qualities of leadership and excellence that exist in members of our community. The Margaretta Belin Chamberlin Award has been presented since 1992 to honor her memory and to recognize the accomplishments of women in our community while encouraging their personal and/or professional development. The Margaretta Belin Chamberlin Award is presented annually to a woman whose vision, dedication, and courage have enhanced the quality of life and expanded the opportunities for the people within her community and whose creative interests, energies, and service to others have contributed substantially to the betterment of her community. Past award recipients of the Margaretta Belin Chamberlin Award have included Eleanore Ginader, Rosemary Broderick, Sharon McCrone, Catherine Richmond-Cullen, Mary Elaine Southard, Judith O. Graziano, Carol Weiss Rubel, Charlotte McIlwee Ravaioli, Diana Statsman, Susan S. Belin, Rachel R. Yaklic (10th anniversary youth recipient), Margaret “Peg” Ruddy, Sally E. Bohlin, Andrea J. Mulrine, Natalie Gelb, Mary Ann LaPorta, Sr. Margaret Gannon, IHM, Mary Belin Rhodes, Sondra Myers, Nancy Dressel, Jeanne Bovard, Suzanne Fisher Staples, Jane Oppenheim, Sister Ann Walsh, Nada Gilmartin, Michelle Dempsey, Laurie Cadden, Maria Montoro Edwards, and Teri Ooms. The Roseann Smith Alperin Award was established in 1996 by the Junior League of Scranton to recognize an outstanding, highly engaged female volunteer who exhibits the heart and spirit of Roseann Smith Alperin by demonstrating the capacity to lead, motivate, and inspire others and the community she serves. Prior recipients of the Roseann Smith Alperin Award include Jane Oppenheim, Leah Rudolph, Gail Rees, Margaret Kovacic, Ellie Axford, Mary Ann LaPorta, Lynnie Siegal, Elaine Shepard, Laurie Cadden, Regina Boehm, Kathleen Kintzer, Tracy Bannon, Michele Margotta Neary, Michele Bannon, Tara Atkins, Susan Blum Connors, Anne Falzett, Katie Gilmartin, Amy Betts, Linda Robeson, Tami Prall-Nasser, and Jennifer Novak. “The Scranton Area Community Foundation manages many charitable funds that provide awards to individuals that possess the important qualities donors would like to recognize,” Ducceschi added. “We are grateful for the opportunity to honor these incredible women during the Women in Philanthropy Annual Event each year.” During the event, Pennsylvania State Senator Rosemary M. Brown presented each award recipient with a proclamation congratulating them both on behalf of the Pennsylvania State Senate.
Outreach – Center for Community Resources to Host the 2023 Mighty Oak Awards As Outreach – Center for Community Resources celebrates 35 years, Outreach invites the community to join in the celebration at the 2023 Mighty Oak Awards on October 5, 2023, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Glenmaura National Golf Club in Moosic, PA. This year’s Mighty Oak Awardee is Dr. Ruth A. Connolly, and Kate Holod and Bill Burnell will be honored with the Beth Beh Community Spirit Award. The Mighty Oak Awards honor those in Northeastern Pennsylvania who are pillars for their leadership and contributions to the community. The 2023 Mighty Oak honoree is Dr. Ruth A. Connolly, former Development Director of Outreach. Dr. Connolly has spent over 50 years serving the community through her early childhood, middle school, and high school education work. She served as Outreach, then known as the Economic Opportunity Training Center of NEPA, as the Development Director, where she was instrumental in fundraising for the renovation of the Seventh Avenue Center. Outreach is still located at the Seventh Avenue Center today in Scranton. Most recently, she is the Director of the North Pocono Dry Good Pantry. The Beth Beh Community Spirit Honorees for 2023 are: Ms. Kate Holod is a member of the Outreach Board and Fundraising Committee. Ms. Holod has served as an Outreach Board member since 2006. Before retiring, she worked 35 years in state government, including 15 years as Director of the Bureau of Child Care with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. She is very active in the community. She recently was named President of the Board of the Kiwanis Club of Scranton and actively volunteers at many of the Kiwanis’ local initiatives. Mr. Bill Burnell is a longtime volunteer GED instructor for Outreach. Prior to retiring, he worked in commercial insurance for over 50 years and owned his own agency for nearly 20. Since retiring, he has become a very active volunteer in the community. For over 35 years, he has been a member of the Arc of NEPA Board and is the current Board President. He has a great love of the American Civil War era and actively participates in the Civil War Roundtable as a hobby. In 2022, Outreach began awarding the Beth Beh Community Spirit Award. This award recognizes and honors an individual or group with a long-standing devotion to community service through education, volunteer work, and citizen connections. Beth Beh was the original founder of the Women’s Employment Program (WEP) in 1986, the flagship program of the Employment Opportunity Training Center (EOTC), now Outreach. She devoted her life to developing and expanding community services that focused on single mothers and children in the region and provided mentorship to childcare professionals. The Mighty Oak Awards will include cocktails, hor d’oeuvres, live music, and basket raffles. Participant stories will set the stage for the awards event. Individual tickets can be purchased by visiting the Outreach website at outreachworks.org. Outreach Center for Community Resources delivers family educational and workforce development services and programs to the regional community to promote family stability and economic self-sufficiency. Outreach provides evidence-based early childhood programs that help families and children gain the skills to be healthy and productive community members. Outreach programs support families experiencing adverse life events, including economically disadvantaged families, individuals seeking services that are involved in the Women’s and Veterans Treatment Court System, residents at the Lackawanna County Prison, and justice-involved juveniles. Outreach improves the lives of over 4,500 adults and children annually with evidence-based family development, early childhood education, adult GED services, and workforce programs that support them as they navigate life’s challenges.
Wayne Bank Ranks Amongst Top Banks in the Country Wayne Bank, a subsidiary of Norwood Financial Corp (Nasdaq Global Market – NWFL), was recently ranked by Bank Director magazine as one of the top 25 best banks in the country in their Ranking Banking, The Best US Banks 2023 publication. Wayne Bank was also ranked number ten (#10) in the country for banks in the $1B-$5B asset size category. Bank Director applied a consistent set of metrics to determine the best banks, based on calendar year 2022 results. Wayne Bank was evaluated on its profitability, capital adequacy, asset quality, and total shareholder return. For this 2023 study, Bank Director identified The Best U.S. Banks 2023: those that balance growth and profitability, deliver long-term shareholder value, and execute their goals in a safe and sound manner. They also examined factors that drive performance, including growth, leadership, board oversight, and technological innovation. President and Chief Executive Officer, James O. Donnelly, stated, “We are delighted and honored to be on both prestigious lists of The Best U.S. Banks 2023. Our inclusion in the Top 25 Banks in the Country overall is an accomplishment we have never before achieved. Last year, Wayne Bank was ranked at number seventy-one for banks in our asset size. This year we are proud to say that our dedication and commitment to shareholders, employees, customers, and our communities has helped us rise to number ten in our asset size. This is a testament to the dedication of our employees and to executing our strategic vision.”
WVIA Named A Finalist For Nine Public Media Awards The National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) has announced that WVIA is a finalist for nine Public Media Awards in several different categories. This year is the 55th Annual Public Media Awards. The Public Media Awards, presented by NETA, honor their member’s work in the highest caliber community engagement, content, education, and marketing and communications. WVIA’s works were announced as finalists in the following categories; Education Resources for the Community, Cultural Feature, Annual Report, Integrated Marketing Campaign, Promotion, Social Media, and Special Events. A standout production that was named as a finalist in multiple different categories is WVIA’s original documentary ROAR: The Story of the Southern Columbia Football Tigers. ROAR was released on May 12, 2023, after months of building anticipation and awareness through various promotions, culminating in a community pep rally held at Southern Columbia High School with a special showing of the film the day before the official public release on May 11th. “ROAR became something more than a football documentary to me. I got swept up in the drama of the season and the emotions of the players while capturing this incredible story,” said filmmaker Alexander Monelli. “It’s awesome to not only see the film recognized nationally by NETA, but all of the marketing and promotional efforts as well. So many people at WVIA touched this project and I think we all produced something special that I’ll never forget.” WVIA’s Mind Over Matter, Season 2, a mental health initiative presented in conjunction with Geinsinger, was also named as a finalist. Mind Over Matter began as a television program, but quickly led to a podcast as well. The success of the program has resulted in a renewal for a third season, debuting in fall/winter of 2023. “Our team is honored to be recognized by our public media peers for the content that we produced highlighting the people and places in the communities of Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania which we are proud to serve,” said Ben Payavis II, Chief Content Officer at WVIA. The 55th Annual PMA winners will be announced on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at the 2023 NETA Conference and CPB Public Media Thought Leader Forum in Grand Rapids, MI. With the exception of the overall excellence categories, stations competed within their divisions based on their station size. Awards are judged by a group of expert panelists from within the public media system, as well as industry professionals working outside of public media.
