Misericordia Hosts Conference on Pathways Out of Poverty

Misericordia University invites attendees to participate in a one-day conference on poverty, titled “Pathways Out of Poverty.” The event will bring together state and national leaders, educators, community-serving non-profit organizations, and institutions of higher education to discuss the implications of poverty for northeastern Pennsylvania and its most vulnerable families.

Click here to RSVP:

https://www.misericordia.edu/admissions-aid/ruth-matthews-bourger-women-with-children-programs/pathways-out-of-poverty-conference

Marywood Sets Virtual Info Session for Dual Enrollment Program

Academically focused high school students can get a head start on college by participating in Marywood University’s pre-collegiate program, Momentum. Courses in the Momentum program are offered at a special rate of $95 per credit, providing students with a head start on their collegiate career at an affordable price.

To provide program details to students who are interested in taking dual enrollment classes, Marywood is hosting a virtual information session on Wednesday, November 20, from 6-7 p.m. Students should be ranked in the top 50% of their high school class or have a 2.75 High School GPA (80%) to participate in the Momentum program. Students can register for the virtual session at https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/Momentum.

Marywood University’s dual enrollment program provides qualified high school students with the opportunity to earn college credits while completing requirements for high school graduation. Students choose from a wide variety of courses during the summer, fall, and spring semesters. Dual enrollment courses use the same curriculum, assessments, and instructional materials as other college-level courses.

Momentum students are eligible to receive:

  • Privileges to utilize Marywood University’s academic and recreational resources (e.g. library and fitness center).
  • Free parking on campus.
  • A Marywood University ID (This can be used for local university student discounts!)
  • Free admission to most Marywood University athletic, musical, social and cultural events.

Laugh to Live: Laughter Yoga to Relieve Holiday Stress

During a season known for generosity and gift-giving, the one person who needs to be at the top of your list but is often forgotten, is you. Two Scranton-area organizations are collaborating to offer residents the gifts of stress relief and a boost to their well-being on Saturday, November 23 at 10 a.m. at Connell Park in Scranton.

Laugh to Live, a Scranton-based business founded by Jeannine Luby, is teaming up with Valley in Motion’s Connell Park Walking Club to provide stress-reducing laughter yoga activity before the Club’s weekly walk around the park.

Luby said she suggested the inclusion of laughter yoga to Walking Club Manager Roxy Brown because this time of year can feel overwhelming.

A 2015 survey conducted by Healthline, a consumer health information site, revealed that 62 percent of respondents described their stress level as “very or somewhat” elevated during the holidays, while only 10 percent reported no stress during the season. Among the holiday stressors listed by respondents were the financial demands of the season, negotiating the interpersonal dynamics of family, and maintaining personal health habits such as an exercise regimen.

Luby said, “We all experience stress in our everyday lives, but the holidays can add extra pressure as many of us feel the need to live up to family traditions or what we see others doing on social media. It is often more than we have the capacity for whether it is because of time constraints, limited financial means or our emotions. So it’s important to set manageable expectations but also build in time for stress relief like walking outdoors, talking to a good friend and laughing.”

Luby received an ARPA (American Rescue Plan) Creative Grant from the City of Scranton in 2024, in part to deliver laughter yoga to Scranton residents, and when she met Gus Fahey, president of Valley in Motion, and learned about the nonprofit’s weekly walking club at Connell Park that incorporated special guests on wellness-related topics, she coordinated with him and Brown to plan laughter at the park.

“The Connell Park Walking Club is a great way to connect with friends, get some exercise, and learn new ideas for healthy living. Partnering with Laugh to Live provides our participants with a fun and innovative way to both enjoy the outdoors and lower stress levels,” said Gus Fahey, president of Valley In Motion.      

Laughter therapy has been around for a long time, but it seemed to gain credibility and the attention of the medical community when magazine publisher Norman Cousins’ article “Anatomy of an Illness (As Perceived by the Patient)” was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1976.  Cousins would later publish a book with the same name in 1979 to fully detail his experience of how laughter provided him with relief from pain caused by connective tissue disorder.

Luby explains thatLaughter Yoga isnot the same as traditional yoga or what people picture when they hear the word “yoga.” Laughter Yoga was created in 1995 by a medical doctor in India named Dr. Madan Kataria who believes in the researched health benefits of laughter that include lowering the stress hormone cortisol, improving blood flow and immune system performance, boosting brain chemicals and endorphins that help to manage pain and so much more.

In the laughter yoga that Luby will lead on November 23, participants will not use a yoga mat, need to wear fitness clothes, or even touch their toes; they will follow Luby’s instructions to breathe, clap, laugh and repeat. You can learn more at www.laughtolive.net for follow Laugh to Live and Connell Park Walking Club on Facebook.

The Connell Park Walking Club meets every Saturday at 10am at Connell Park at 800 Gibbons St. in Scranton and is free and open to everyone.

Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum Hosts Conversations in the Gallery

Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum is pleased to announce Conversations in the Gallery with Scott Herring, which will take place on Saturday, November 23. 

Site Administrator, Dr. Bode Morin, said,  “Scott Herring is the last Anthracite Photographer having spent the last 50 years chronicling the changing coal and industrial landscapes of Northeast Pennsylvania.  Scott’s unique relationship with the land and its people is reflected in his vast work.  This exhibit is as much a celebration as it is a record.”

Join us as we kick off the holiday season with a curated and insightful gallery talk. On Saturday, November 23, visitors can meet the “Last Anthracite Photographer,” Scott Herring, in his new exhibit, Anthracite Family Album. Herring will give opening remarks, then spend time answering questions and chatting with visitors in the exhibition. Conversations in the Gallery will start at 2pm and end at 3:30pm.   

Program included with regular admission: $8 for adults, $6 for youth (ages 3-11), and $7 for Seniors.  Free for museum members.

For more information, call (570) 963-4804, visit our event page, or our Facebook page.

Misericordia University to Host Federal Reserve Economist

Please join Federal Reserve Board Senior Economist Anton Badev, Ph.D, as he presents “A Perspective on Peer Effects in Social Networks.”

Hear Dr. Badev share how social networks influence our beliefs, decisions and behaviors. He will develop the question of how a policy maker can influence the formation of social networks, and provide us a low level overview of a contemporary toolkit for thinking about peer effects in the most flexible way. The talk will introduce the perspective and discuss its implications for designing successful public policies.

This event will be held in the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library, McGowan Room,   Monday, November 11, 2024, from 12:20 to 1:30 pm. Please RSVP Here:

https://www.misericordia.edu/academics/academic-colleges/college-of-business/college-of-business-event-series/cob-event-series-anton-badev-rsvp-form

Lackawanna College Culinary Students Open “MISFITS”

Lackawanna College is thrilled to announce the return of its holiday pop-up event, Misfits, a festive and inclusive experience set to open in downtown Scranton at 409 on Adams, the College’s student-run restaurant. This event will run from November 13th through December 21st, and invites guests to embrace the holiday spirit in an unconventional way – where everyone is welcome and being different is celebrated.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural season, which saw over 7,000 guests, Misfits is set to be bigger and better in 2024. The theme of the event is inspired by the heartwarming story of Charlie, a kindhearted but misunderstood soul who inherits an old boarding house. Inside, the rooms are filled with unique characters and festive tales that bring a fresh perspective to the holiday season. Attendees are encouraged to come, find their tribe, and celebrate the holidays with a twist.

“Misfits is about creating a space where everyone can come as they are and be part of something special,” said [Name], [Title] at Lackawanna College. “It’s a unique celebration that brings together our community, our students, and everyone who supports the College and its mission. Last year was a huge success, and we look forward to welcoming even more guests in 2024.”

A Meaningful Impact
Beyond being a fun and festive experience, Misfits plays a vital role in supporting the mission of Lackawanna College and empowering its students. All proceeds from the event help fund initiatives that provide tangible support for the College’s diverse student body, including:

  • Loaner Laptops for Students – Providing 130 students with the necessary tools to succeed in their education by loaning out laptops to help bridge the digital divide.
  • Fighting Food Insecurity – Through programs like The Common Kitchen, Lackawanna College combats food insecurity among students by offering nutritious food staples, culinary training, and access to a community-driven food bank.
  • Student Leadership Opportunities – Scholarships and workforce training opportunities are provided to upperclassmen who take on leadership roles within the College, preparing them for real-world success.
  • Nourishing Neighbors – In partnership with the Scranton Counseling Center, Lackawanna College has provided over 2,300 meals to local families in need, supported by over 100 hours of student and faculty volunteer time.

“We’re not just celebrating the season – we’re supporting our students and our community,” added [Name]. “By attending Misfits, you are helping to make these programs possible, and together, we can continue to create opportunities for those who need it most.”

Become a Sponsor
Lackawanna College is actively seeking sponsors for the 2024 Misfits season. Sponsorships not only provide visibility and recognition within the community but also directly support the College’s mission to empower students and give back to the Scranton area.

For more information about becoming a sponsor, or to inquire about event details, please contact [Name] at (570) 504-7945 or via email at deckers@lackawanna.edu.

Get ready for AMEX Small Business Saturday on November 30!

Shop Small, an initiative launched by American Express (AMEX), is dedicated to supporting local, small businesses that form the backbone of communities across the country.

Each November, Shop Small culminates in Small Business Saturday, a day encouraging shoppers to choose local businesses for their holiday needs. By doing so, consumers directly boost their local economy, helping to create jobs, sustain neighborhoods, and maintain the vibrant character of their towns and cities.

The Chamber is proud to champion small businesses, which make up 80% of its membership, most of them with fewer than 25 employees. These businesses are the heartbeat of our organization, providing unique products, personalized services, and driving innovation across various industries in northeastern Pennsylvania. The Chamber remains committed to supporting members’ growth through resources, networking opportunities, and initiatives like Shop Small.

This November, we encourage everyone to shop local and support Chamber members that contribute so much to our community. Provided by members is a list of deals and discounts that you can take part in this season.

Search for Chamber members.

Download AMEX Toolkit

Wallenpaupack Freshmen Visit Scranton Enterprise Center to Explore Entrepreneurship and Workforce Resources

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed the Wallenpaupack Area School District’s freshman class of 2028 to the Scranton Enterprise Center for an engaging day focused on business, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. The visit introduced students to resources available in Lackawanna County, such as the IGNITE program and the Chamber’s Career Resource Video Library, aimed at supporting students interested in pursuing careers in northeastern Pennsylvania.

During the visit, students learned about the resources and support available for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners, gaining insights into potential career pathways. “This experience was a great way for students to learn about entrepreneurship and small businesses in our area as a potential career path,” said Maria Day, IGNITE Program Manager.

The event highlighted the resources and programs designed to help students explore career and educational opportunities within Lackawanna County. Throughout the day, students were introduced to incubator businesses and other resources offered by the Chamber, providing them with valuable exposure to the world of entrepreneurship and insights into the opportunities it can offer. Emily Pettinato, workforce development specialist at the Chamber, emphasized the importance of introducing young students to local workforce resources early on to foster a mindset of goal-setting and career exploration.

The Chamber’s commitment to nurturing northeastern Pennsylvania’s future workforce includes initiatives that introduce students to career pathways and encourage proactive planning. Through programs like IGNITE and Skills in Scranton, the Chamber’s workforce development division, aims to inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators.