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.

The University of Scranton Noel Night Concert

Performance Music at The University of Scranton will kick off the holiday season with its 55th annual Noel Night concert on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Beginning at 8 p.m. in the University’s Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue, the concert will feature The University of Scranton Singers and Chamber Ensembles. Doors open at 7 p.m., with a prelude beginning at 7:05 p.m. Admission to the concert is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis.

The University’s Christmas gift to the community, Noel Night has been a beloved holiday tradition for numerous Scranton-area residents since its beginnings more than a half-century ago when it was founded by Rev. Edward Gannon, S.J.

This year’s concert will feature music by composers J.S. Bach, Randall Alan Bass, Vaclav Nelhybel, Mark Sirett and others, according to Performance Music Conductor and Director Cheryl Y. Boga. Pianist and harpsichordist for the evening is Ron Stabinsky and organist is Christopher Johnson. Performance Music’s fully restored Steinway grand piano and Austin Opus 301 symphonic organ will be heard on the program, and the evening will feature the debut of the department’s newly donated and restored Zuckerman harpsichord. Remarks and readings will be offered by Rev. James Duffy, S.J., M.D., superior for the Scranton Jesuit Community; Robert W. Davis Jr., Ed.D., vice president for University advancement; Leonard Gougeon, Ph.D., professor emeritus, Department of English and Theatre; Hal Baillie, Ph.D., professor emeritus, Philosophy Department; and senior student members of the ensemble.

Scranton Launchbox Career and Development Programs

AutoCAD Training

Level 1: January 17 – February 9, 2023

Level 2: February 21 – March 2, 2023

Tues/Thurs evenings 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Basic Grant Writing

Thursdays, January 19 – February 23, 2023

10:45 am – Noon

Cultural Diversity in the Workplace

Thursdays, March 9 – March 30, 2023

6 pm – 8 pm

NEW! Fundamentals of Fundraising

Thursdays, January 19 – February 23, 2023

9 am – 10:15 am

Leadership Essential Workshops

Thursdays, 9 am – Noon

Meeting Supervisory Responsibilities

1/19/23

Leading Others

2/2/23

Interviewing and Selecting Employees

2/9/23

Building a Positive Work Climate

2/16/23

Professional Engineer Exam Review

PE Civil Review

Tuesdays, February 28 – June 13, 2023

6 pm – 9 pm

Spanish in the Workplace

Level 1: April 25 – June 27, 2023

Level 2: April 27 – June 22, 2023

Tues/Thurs evenings 5:30 pm -7:45 pm

Industry Focused Courses and Credentials

APICS/ASCM Certification Prep Program

CPIM – Part 2

January 19 – March 25, 2023

Thursdays 6 pm – 8 pm/Saturdays 8 am – 10 am

Registration Deadline: January 6, 2023

Personal Care Home Training

Accelerted PCHA 100 hr. Training – 4 Weekends

January 20 – February 11, 2023 or

April 14 – May 6, 2023

PCHA 100 hr. Training – 7 weeks

January 17 – March 2, 2023

Tuesdays/Thursdays 8 am – 5:30 pm

15-hour Assisted Living Administrator Training

Friday, February 24 & Saturday, February 25, 2023

8 am – 4:30 pm

SHRM CP/SCP™ Learning System Course

February 2 – April 27, 2023

Thursdays, 6 pm – 9 pm

SHRM Essentials of Human Resources

May 4 – May 25, 2023

Thursdays, 6 pm – 9 pm

                              REAL ESTATE CLASSES

Real Estate Fundamentals

Mondays, 6 pm – 9 pm

January 30 – April 3, 2023

Real Estate Practice

Wednesdays 6 pm – 9 pm February 1 – April 12, 2023 then classes continue on:

Mondays and Wednesdays 6 pm – 9 pm – April 17, April 19, April 24, and April 26, 2023

                       Certificate Programs

                            “Non-Credit”

NEW! Essentials in Strategic Leadership

Integrated Digital Marketing

Logistics and Operations Management

Project Management Certificate Program

NEW! Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

NEW! Workforce and Career Development Certificate

 Youth Programs

  SAT TEST PREP

  •  January 11, 2023 – February 22, 2023

Wednesdays 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  (5:30 – 7:00 Verbal; 7:00 – 8:30 Math)

The Waverly Community House Wreath Making

      Wreath Making with Abby Peck changed to Thursday, December 8th         Wreath making takes place from 9am -2pm continuously in The Comm Gym. All are welcome! Make a wreath for yourself and one for The Comm! Reservations are not required. $3 donation suggested. Greens & light refreshments provided. Bring your own pruning shears, work gloves, and any decorations you want to add to your wreath!             Visit “The Upstairs Thrift”! Our upscale thrift shop featuring women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing and housewares. Hours: Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am-4pm; Saturdays 10am-1pm            

Keystone College To Host Sip & Paint Wine Tasting

Keystone College’s Hospitality Business Management Department and the Keystone Chapter of the American Wine Society will host a holiday Sip & Paint wine-tasting event on Monday, December 5 from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at 120 College Avenue in Factoryville.

The event, open to adults ages 21 and over, will offer wines from Lucchi Family Wine Cellars and feature artist and Keystone College Class of 2022 graduate Angela Ceccarelli. The  $40 per-person cost includes wine sampling, a take-home art canvas, paint supplies, and desserts. There will also be an ugly sweater gift-basket contest. Guests may bring their own food.

To register, visit www.keystone.edu/wine or contact brenda.lidy@keystone.edu or call  (570) 945-8334.

Women’s Resource Center Santa’s Snippers

  31st Annual Santa’s Snippers!  
Join the Women’s Resource Center on Sunday, December 11th for the 31st annual Santa’s Snippers. The “Cut-A-Thon” will be at the Career Technical Center of Lackawanna County (CTC) from 10 am – 2 pm. Professional licensed cosmetologists from area salons will be providing haircuts. Haircuts are $15 and all of the proceeds will be donated to the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) toward our work with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault from our community.    

Tickets can also be purchased to be donated to a local family in need. CLICK HERE or call (570) 346-4460, ext. 143 for more information, or email peggyg@wrcnepa.org.   Donations can also be mailed to: Women’s Resource Center P.O. Box 975, Scranton, PA 18501 Checks can be made payable to the “Women’s Resource Center Memo line: Santa’s Snipper’s Donation.    

Santa’s Snippers was created by a Senior Vice President of a national cosmetic company. She had a personal connection to domestic violence and recognized before domestic violence agencies existed women would turn to their hairdressers for advice and help. She created Santa’s Snippers as a way for domestic and sexual violence agencies across the United States to raise funds to support its program participants.  

“Today, our Women’s Resource Center is the only organization participating in this fundraiser. We are happy to continue this tradition for 31 years and hope with community support we can hold it for many more years to come,” said Women’s Resource Center, Executive Director, Peg Ruddy.  

“This event would not be possible without local stylists donating their time and talent, along with the support of the Career Technology Center (CTC). Santa Snippers embodies the spirit of giving during the holiday season,” said WRC association member & event organizer, Colleen Pettinato.

VOLUNTEER STYLISTS NEEDED!
If you are a professional licensed cosmetologist and are interested in volunteering please contact peggyg@wrcnepa.org or call (570) 346-4460, ext. 143.  

Scranton Cultural Center Announces Studio Two: The Early Beatles Tribute

The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple will present Studio Two: The Early Beatles Tribute on January 20 at 8:00 PM in Shopland Hall.  Hailed as ‘New England’s Best Beatles Tribute Band’ by “The Boston Globe,” Beatles tribute band, Studio Two, continues its tour in celebration of The Beatles coming to America.

Studio Two is a headlining Beatles band that pays tribute to the early Beatles years, choosing songs from the pre-Sgt. Pepper era.  Featuring graduates from Berklee College of Music and Beatles devotees, Studio Two band mates met in a “cellar full of noise” in a town slightly west of Liverpool (Milford, New Hampshire!) to pay homage to the greatest rock band of all time.  Band members are experienced musicians of today’s generation dedicated to preserving the memory and fan culture of The Beatles generation.  By recreating the Fab Four’s music, appearance, instruments, and onstage banter, Studio Two performs audiences’ most favorite hits that will bring people to the dance floor.  Studio Two has performed at numerous large and small venues, from large open-air festivals to nightclubs.

The show will take place in Shopland Hall, located on the building’s fourth floor, with doors opening at 7 PM.  Food and drinks will be available for purchase.  Tickets are $33.25 in advance, and will increase to $43.25 on the day of the show.  All ticket prices include fees.  Tickets will be available for purchase beginning November 25 at 10 AM at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster.  For more information or to view a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org.