40 Years of Graduating Community Leaders in the Greater Scranton Region Leadership Lackawanna, a nonprofit organization dedicated to community leadership and professional development, an affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, recently graduated its 40th class at a “Celebration of Leadership” luncheon ceremony at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center. Over 375 people attended this milestone event which included the premier of a historical video that told the story of the organization’s history, the impact of Leadership Lackawanna community service projects, and an overview of the five projects completed by this year’s CORE program participants. A PowerPoint presentation covering achievements from this program year and the presentation of certificates to graduates was also a major highlight. The Celebration of Leadership was only possible due to the generous support of our sponsors: 25-8 StudiosAllied ServicesBenco DentalCenter City PrintCommunity Bank, NAFNCB BankGeisingerGertrude HawkHawk Family FoundationHighmark Blue Cross Blue ShieldHilton Scranton & Conference CenterIron Tree DataLackawanna CollegeLackawanna CountyMaximus FoundationNBT BankPenn East Federal Credit UnionPeople’s Security Bank & Trust CompanyPNC BankPPLScranton Area Community FoundationThe AZEk CompanyThe Honesdale National BankThe Wright CenterTimes Shamrock Communications Front row, left to right: Tressa Parker, Greater Scranton YMCA; Joy Hubshman, United Neighborhoods Centers of NEPA; Nicole Paolicelli, Penn State Scranton; Taylor Carito, Benco Dental; Alyssa McQuillan, NBT Bank; Jasu Acharya, Community Bank NA; Jennifer Aglialoro, Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA; Kristin Bender, Gertrude Hawk Chocolates; Alissa Weiss, The Honesdale National Bank; Karla Perks, Empower Retirement; Jessica Mislinski, Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA; Middle row: Alexandria Alliah Small, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine; James Warren, Warren Construction; Kyle Peter Gattuso, PNC Bank; Kelley Laird, Fidelity Bank; Ariana Argust, Allied Services; Carmelo Rivera, El Coqui Construction LLC; Patrick J. Ruane, Tobyhanna Army Depot; Joel Perkins, Penn State Scranton; Brianna M. Larose, Procter & Gamble; Jennifer Thomas, FNCB Bank; Anthony P. Portanova, Tobyhanna Army Depot; Back row: Hannah Gaul, Tobyhanna Army Depot; Joseph Cholko, Sordoni Construction; Sarah E. Sorrells, Penn East Federal Credit Union; Thomas Chairge, Jr., Prudential Retirement; Rebecca Cerra, Lackawanna College; Theodore Kowalick, FNCB Bank; Gerard N. Walsh, The Azek Company – Vycom; Caleb Hicks, Northeast PA Youth for Christ; Paul DePrimo, Tobyhanna Army Depot; Zachary Morgart-Filipski, Hilton Scranton & Conference Center; Kristin Armstrong, NBT Bank; Absent from photo: Andrew Kirby, Montage Mountain Resorts and Paul J. Ballard, Ph.D., Marywood University About The Greater Scranton Chamber of CommerceThe Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization that works to improve the area’s economic environment and quality of life by offering programs and services which stimulate economic growth, promote business prosperity and nurture educational opportunities. For more information about the Chamber, visit www.scrantonchamber.com. About Leadership Lackawanna Leadership Lackawanna is a 501(c)(3) charitable, nonprofit organization in northeastern Pennsylvania dedicated to community leadership and professional development. Its six programs – Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, Leadership Collegiate, Core, Leadership Fundamentals 2.0, Executive, and Welcome Scranton! – enhance the skills, connections, and knowledge of emerging and established leaders, enabling them to better serve in our communities, workplaces, and organizations. Established in 1982, Leadership Lackawanna has created more than 2,500 community leaders. For more information, visit www.leadershiplackawanna.com.
The Honesdale National Bank Foundation Makes Contribution to Leadership Lackawanna The Honesdale National Bank Foundation has recently made a $2,100 contribution to Leadership Lackawanna. The funds will be used to support their SimSoc Program. HNB President & CEO, Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., stated, “The Foundation is pleased to assist in creating leaders in our community” He then mentioned, “members of our area are supplied with an assortment of skillsets and qualities, and it is important to provide options to drive their opportunity for impact in today’s society.” SimSoc is a training program that cultivates an unlimited amount of skills such as communication, trust, problem-solving, empathy, decision-making, interpersonal feelings, and much more. This program will be implemented into their Core program to give participants experience and a better understanding of the complexity of our society. The Honesdale National Bank Foundation was established to further support the Bank’s commitment to contributing to the growth and development of the communities we serve. Leadership Lackawanna is a 501(c)(3) charitable, nonprofit organization in northeastern Pennsylvania dedicated to community leadership and professional development. Its six programs – Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, Core, Executive, Leadership Collegiate, Leadership Fundamentals, and Welcome Scranton! – enhance the skills, connections, and knowledge of emerging and established leaders, enabling them to better serve in our communities, workplaces, and organizations. All program curriculum follows the format and standards of all other community leadership programs throughout the United States. Since its inception, Leadership Lackawanna has graduated more than 2,400 community leaders. The Honesdale National Bank Foundation is a 501(c)3 entity established by The Honesdale National Bank to engage in community giving initiatives that foster the area’s growth and resources as it has remained committed to since its founding in 1836. The Foundation’s aims to fulfill that mission through initiatives that support the sustainability and strengthening of resources and programming that make local communities thrive and remain desirable places to live, work, and play. The mission will be upheld through the provision of funding for public charities, institutions, schools and other not-for-profit organizations throughout our local area. The Honesdale National Bank (HNB), established in 1836, is a subsidiary of Honat Bancorp, Inc. HNB holds the distinction of being the area’s oldest independent community bank headquartered in Northeastern PA, with offices in Wayne, Pike, Susquehanna, Lackawanna, and Luzerne Counties. Photo Caption: Nikki Morristell, Leadership Lackawanna, Jill Robinson, Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, Alissa Weiss, Cash Management Officer at HNB, Andrew Pickett, The Miles Company, Jim Warren, Warren Construction, Gina Suydam, Leadership Wyoming.
Camp Freedom Awareness Walk Please join us at Camp Freedom on Sunday, April 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. for an Awareness Walk. Camp Freedom is a nonprofit organization that provides healing through outdoor activities and adventures for veterans, first responders, and Gold Star Families. These activities remove individuals from clinical settings and into the healing environment of the outdoors. Proceeds from the Awareness Walk will go to aiding in the development and installation of trail marking and safe access to the 26 miles of trails. One trip to the camp could be what it takes to save someone’s life! This event will educate the general public on what Camp Freedom is doing for their community as well as give a preview of the new trail and sign markers that are being installed on the preserve by the Camp Freedom Project Team from Leadership Lackawanna Core Class. The Awareness Walk will feature light refreshments, entertainment from Froggy 101 and basket raffles. We hope to see you there!! Pre-registration is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Awareness Walk is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The First 100 people at the event will receive a free t-shirt. Children 12 and under register for free. Event will take place at 284 Number 7 Road Carbondale, PA US 18407.
Leadership U Applications Open Leadership Lackawanna, the Chamber’s premier community leadership and professional development affiliate, has opened applications for its Leadership U program – in partnership with Penn State Scranton. Leadership U is a three-credit college summer course for high school students called Effective Speech. Participants will gain leadership and community engagement skills in the areas of communication and public speaking. The course aims to provide participants with the confidence and expertise to engage in public speaking, use S.T.E.A.M. to empower students to take thoughtful risks, and use historical awareness and appreciation to provide an understanding of our region’s past, present, and future while developing financial literacy skills and college/career preparation. Leadership U applications are open to high school juniors and seniors, charter school, and homeschooled students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The cost of the program is $400. Limited scholarships are available. Deadline to apply is May 4. Leadership U is scheduled to be held in person at Penn State Scranton, every Wednesday from June 29 to August 10 from 1:00-3:15 p.m. Upon successful completion of Leadership U, participants receive three college credits to Penn State for a general education, 100 level class which are transferable to most institutions. Apply through May 4 at www.LeadershipLackawanna.com. APPLY
Applications Open for Leadership Collegiate Program APPLY Leadership Lackawanna, the premier community leadership and professional development affiliate of the Chamber, has opened applications for its Leadership Collegiate program. The program is open to students currently enrolled in a trade school, college, or university anywhere in the United States. The courses will be offered March 7 through April 18 and participants work on weekly course content at their own pace. There are six mandatory, one-hour Zoom meetings throughout the course. This 6-week virtual program, consisting of online modules, will provide current and aspiring leaders with an innovative and flexible online learning experience – complete with a variety of personal and professional development skills that are ideal for building a solid resume and honing leadership, interview, and career readiness skills. In addition, the opportunity to connect with students from around the state and build connections via a private LinkedIn group will be plentiful. This program is co-facilitated by Leadership Lackawanna executive director, Nicole Morristell and 68 Rising leadership consultant, Dr. Matthew Sowcik. Cost for Leadership Collegiate is $300 per person with payment plans and scholarships available. Applications close on February 25. Apply at www.LeadershipLackawanna.com.
Apply for Leadership Fundamentals 2.0 Our affiliate Leadership Lackawanna is hosting Leadership Fundamentals 2.0 — an 8-week virtual course that will provide advanced leaders with an innovative and flexible online learning experience – complete with a variety of personal and professional development skills. The program begins February 14, 2022 and ends April 8, 2022. Participants can work on weekly course content at their own pace. There are eight mandatory Zoom meetings: February 15 and 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and April 5 (every Tuesday from 12-1 p.m.). APPLY NOW
Leadership Lackawanna Hires Program Coordinator The Chamber is proud to announce the addition of Jennifer Strzelec as program coordinator for its affiliate Leadership Lackawanna, the area’s premier community leadership and professional development organization. In this role, Strzelec primarily supports the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today program – a seven-month initiative for high school juniors. This includes recruitment, marketing, evaluations, and administrative support. Strzelec has several years of experience as a preschool aide at Bright Beginnings Preschool in Mt. Cobb and at the YMCA in King George, Virginia. She also served in the United States Army in the avionics division at both Fort Hood in Texas and Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. Strzelec earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Temple University and is currently earning her MBA at West Chester University.
Apply today for a Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Grant Does your organization provide work in any of the following areas? Environmental and/or Local Parks ProjectsFacility Improvement for Animal WelfareHomeless Programs Grants are available through the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (TLT) grants program. The Scranton Area Community Foundation is accepting requests for proposals for the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (TLT) grants program. Applications will be accepted from charitable organizations in Lackawanna County through Friday, January 15, 2022. What is the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (TLT) grants program? Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (TLT) is a youth leadership program of Leadership Lackawanna that provides high school juniors with the opportunity to meet with community leaders and decision-makers. In addition to leadership development, the students are also required to complete a philanthropy curriculum conducted by the Scranton Area Community Foundation. TLT seeks to help participants realize what they can do to make a difference in their community as young philanthropists and to further develop their leadership skills. The Scranton Area Community Foundation is proud to partner with Leadership Lackawanna in introducing the concept of philanthropy and grantmaking to our region’s youth. The Scranton Area Community Foundation allocates funding for the TLT class to grant. Priority areas are chosen by the TLT students. In 2022, grants will be provided to organizations working to make a difference in the following Priority Areas: Environmental and/or Local Parks Projects Facility Improvement for Animal Welfare Homeless Programs Grant applications for the TLT grants program are available through the Scranton Area Community Foundation’s online grant management portal. The maximum grant amount awarded per grant for a 2022 TLT grant is $2,000. Applications will be accepted from charitable organizations in Lackawanna County through Friday, January 15, 2022. Apply To submit an application, you will need to first create an account in our online grant management portal if your organization has not already done so. Please email grants@safdn.org with questions.
Leadership Lackawanna Mix, Mingle and Jingle Ugly Sweater Party Basket raffle tickets will be on sale – 5 for $10 and 10 for $15.
