SACF To Host Press Conference The Scranton Area Community Foundation is hosting a press conference on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at the Hilton Scranton Hotel & Conference Center to announce that it was selected to serve as a host site for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Workforce Leadership Academy, a fellowship program designed by the Aspen Institute designed to support leaders in workforce development committed to the advancement of the regional workforce ecosystem. The Scranton Area Community Foundation was one of only eight organizations chosen from across the country selected through a competitive process to deliver an Academy in partnership with the Aspen Institute. Other cities selected include Tucson, Detroit, Cleveland, Memphis, San Antonio, Baltimore, and Buffalo. The Workforce Leadership Academy will bring leaders – recognized as Fellows of the Academy – from across the local workforce ecosystem together for a year-long series of retreats, workshops, and action learning projects. Fellows work with leading practitioners throughout the country as they deepen networks; strengthen systems leadership skills; apply race, equity, and systems change frameworks to their work; and increase understanding of effective strategies and programs. An advisory board comprised of regional experts will help to shape the Academy. WHAT: Members of the media are invited to a press conference including Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, The Institute’s Executive Director Teri Ooms, Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Durkin, NEPA Black Chamber of Commerce Director of Operations Rashida Lovely, and Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO Laura Ducceschi. WHEN: Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. WHERE: Hilton Scranton Hotel & Conference Center (2nd floor outside the Casey Ballroom)
SBDC WVIA Live Business Segment On Monday, December 12th, join moderator Steve Stumbris, Director of Bucknell University SBDC, for an all-new Keystone Edition Business, find out what business owners are doing to reinvigorate and reinvent downtown shopping. Host Steve Stumbris is joined by a panel of experts including Julie Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Downtown Center; Betsy Kramer, Revitalization Coordinator at SEDA COG PTAC and Michael Lombardo, the Mayor of Pittston.
Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn’s Free Movie Event A free, family-friendly holiday event returns to the Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre this month after a two-year break. The law offices of Hourigan, Kluger, and Quinn are once again sponsoring the free movie event for kids of all ages. “We are so proud and so happy to bring back this holiday tradition that was put on hold for two years because of the pandemic,” said lead HKQ Attorney Joseph A. Quinn, Jr. “We truly hope the free movie event will add to the wonderful holiday spirit that’s so strong here in northeastern Pennsylvania.” It all takes place on Saturday, December 17, beginning at 12 p.m. at The F.M. Kirby Center in Downtown Wilkes-Barre. This year’s free movie event will feature Disney’s ENCANTO, which the studio describes as “the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charming place called an ‘Encanto.’” Doors at the Kirby open at noon on Saturday, December 17, with live entertainment. The movie begins at 2 p.m. and includes free popcorn and a special gift for children 12 and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All are welcome to attend as a holiday gift to the community from Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn.The law firm has offices in Kingston and Scranton and serves Wilkes-Barre and all of Luzerne County; Scranton and all of Lackawanna County; Allentown and all of Lehigh County; and Stroudsburg and all of Monroe County.
Keystone College To Host Holiday Concert The Keystone College Department of Performance Music will host its winter holiday concert, “It’s Not Just a Day,” on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Theatre in Brooks. The free concert, which is open to the public, will feature familiar vocal and instrumental music ranging from traditional holiday favorites to jazz arrangements of music of the season. In addition, audience members can enjoy complimentary holiday treats, visits from seasonal characters, and gifts for children. Those attending will also have the opportunity to make donations to three local charities: The Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, Toys for Tots, and The Catherine McCauley Women’s and Children’s Shelter. For more information, email music@keystone.edu,visit www.keystone.edu/music, or call (570) 945-8599.
Johnson College to Host Transfer Day Johnson College is holding a Transfer Day on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Moffat Student Center on its campus in Scranton, PA. The College is encouraging current college students that are interested in changing the direction of their education and ultimately their career path to visit its campus. Students will meet with Enrollment, Financial Aid, Career Services, and Counseling and Disability Services representatives. In addition, staff members from the Registrar’s Office will be on-hand for transfer credit analyses and review potential schedules for the upcoming semester. Students will learn why Johnson College is the leader in hands-on education, how it exposes students to industry from day one, and how its two-year degree programs, focusing on careers in in-demand industries, have the highest return on investment in the short term. To attend Transfer Day at Johnson College, students must register online at https://johnson.edu/transfer/ or contact the College’s enrollment team at enroll@johnson.edu or (570) 702-8856.
Geisinger Offering Free In-person and Virtual Culinary Medicine Classes Geisinger is excited to offer in-person and virtual culinary medicine classes at their new state-of-the-art teaching kitchen in Selinsgrove. Culinary medicine is a new program offered by Geisinger, consisting of hands-on classes that combine the art and skill of cooking with the science of nutrition. The curriculum is evidence-based and emphasizes the role of food in the treatment and prevention of disease based on the Mediterranean diet. Free of charge and open to everyone, the series of four classes are led by a culinary-trained registered dietitian. They’re typically held on consecutive weeks or months throughout the year. And you don’t need any cooking experience or knowledge to attend. The first class introduces you to the Mediterranean diet and cooking basics. The remaining three each focus on one of a typical day’s meals and healthy eating habits. You must be 18 or older to participate. Classes begin Tuesday, Dec. 6, and are being offered through May 2023. Participants joining virtually can be located anywhere in Pennsylvania. Register today or learn more at geisinger.org/cooking. Participants use the same entrance as Geisinger’s Multispecialty Clinic in Selinsgrove at 157 Roosevelt Ave. Classes are held in the Family Practice Center community room. Geisinger thanks the Degenstein Foundation for their generous gift that made this teaching kitchen possible for the health and education of the community, as well as the Family Practice Center for partnering with us to use their community room for the classes.
Northeast PA AHEC 1st Annual Health Career & College Exploration Event Northeast PA Area Health Education Center (NEPA AHEC) in partnership with Northern Tier Industry & Education Consortium (NTIEC) held the 1st Annual Healthcare Career & College Exploration Event on Friday, October 14th from 10am-4pm at the Viewmont Mall, Dickson City. This event had over 35 vendors including colleges, universities, and healthcare organizations who were there to educate students on the health career programs they had to offer, scholarships, healthcare employment opportunities as well as employment incentives. Six school districts bussed students to this event and over 200 high school students attended. This is what some of the participants had to say: “At this event, students were able to walk around and visit each table. The tables were made up of both College representatives and employers. This was a great way to branch out and learn more about this field. We had a great time, while still learning and better our understanding of these opportunities.” “This event allowed me to explore colleges, and even job opportunities all in one place!” “I learned a lot about all the different colleges around me and it helped me narrow down my choices.” “The exploration event really helped me figure what colleges I want to go to and helped me betterdetermine what career pathway I want to experience.” “I really enjoyed this time and opportunity I was given, and I feel like it really helped me explore myoptions going into healthcare.” This event was made possible through grant funding, courtesy of the Scranton Area Foundation,Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, and Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance. NE PA AHEC and NTIEC partner together to broaden our reach to help students explore careers and create their individual professional journey. Plans have begun for next year’s event to be held Thursday, October 12,2023.
SACF To Host ‘Elevating Voices for Community Solutions’ The Scranton Area Community Foundation, in partnership with the City of Scranton, is hosting “Elevating Voices for Community Solutions” — listening sessions on Tuesday, December 6, and Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM to address solutions for critical topics from the City of Scranton’s Strategic Economic Development Plan. This is a free event open to all in the community who are interested in learning more about the various needs and challenges in Scranton. During these listening sessions, community leaders from nonprofit organizations will share relevant community needs throughout Lackawanna County. Topics for discussion, taken from the City of Scranton’s Strategic Economic Development Plan, include industry growth; welcoming diverse talent; affordable and quality housing; emergency services; and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). “The Scranton Area Community Foundation is proud to bring together local nonprofit organizations to gain a comprehensive and clear picture of the region we serve,” stated Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “We value our opportunity to work in partnership with the City of Scranton to develop strategies to maximize the use of funding in the region and we look forward to hearing from leaders of nonprofit organizations to get their perspectives on the current issues and challenges they are facing as well as what lies ahead,” Ducceschi added. “Elevating Voices for Community Solutions” Listening Sessions will take place at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center on Tuesday, December 6, and Wednesday, December 7, 2022 from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM. To register to attend, please email the Scranton Area Community Foundation at info@safdn.org.
WVIA Education’s Speaking Grief Virtual Event On- Demand Last month, WVIA Education hosted a virtual workshop focusing on understanding and advocacy for those who are experiencing grief. The full presentation is now available to watch on-demand at wvia.org/speakinggrief. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Educational Television Association (dba WVIA) received a $5,000 grant from the Community Giving Foundation: Berwick to support this second Speaking Grief webinar. The virtual workshop serves as a resource for parents, caregivers, and educators to help those in need. Panelists include: · Beth Anne Harris, Director of Special Education and Student Services at Crestwood School District, · Jennifer Seechock, MS, Director of Counseling Services at Hospice of the Sacred Heart · Kristi Nejman, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Behavior Specialist from PAK Pediatrics “This important workshop not only offers education around the topic of grief but also provides a community of supporters for those experiencing grief,” said Teresa Sabecky, WVIA’s Education Coordinator. The event answers questions such as “What does grief look like in a toddler versus an adult? What events trigger grief?” The program comes as a partner to the documentary film Speaking Grief, which explores the transformative experience of losing a family member in a grief-avoidant society. The documentary addresses the role that supports from friends and family plays in a person’s grief experience, offering guidance on how to show up for people in their darkest moments. Speaking Grief is a production of WPSU.
