NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania Names Shane K. Powers President and CEO NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania (NeighborWorks) today named Shane K. Powers president and CEO. Powers, who currently serves as the organization’s chief operating officer, succeeds Jesse J. Ergott, who is departing in April 2024 (https://tinyurl.com/Ergottdeparture). “We thank Jesse for his service and contributions to NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania over the past two decades,” said Teddy Michel, NeighborWorks board chair. “We wish him well in his future endeavors and are fortunate to have someone of Shane’s caliber ready to step into this role as we launch into an exciting new chapter of opportunity for our organization. “Shane will lead a talented team at NeighborWorks, one that is focused on extending our strong track record of collaboration, innovation and impact,” Michel said. “She will undoubtedly continue the organization’s trajectory of meaningful community leadership.” Powers, who joined NeighborWorks on Jan. 3, 2022, brings extensive experience in relationship management, securing funding awards, scaled project delivery, staffing optimization and programmatic expansion. Her knowledge of operations, combined with a foundational belief in metrics and data analysis, enables her to develop coherent visions, strategies, and objectives. Prior to serving as chief operating officer at NeighborWorks, she worked as chief operating officer for the Tunkhannock Area School District, general manager for DHL Supply Chain and department leader at Procter and Gamble. “I am very excited to begin this next chapter and work alongside the NeighborWorks Board of Directors, community partners and our NeighborWorks team. I’m eager to listen and engage with these key stakeholders as we deliver on our mission to create stable, vibrant communities by amplifying the voices of residents and providing critical housing assistance, financial guidance, community development services and proactive partnerships,” said Powers.
NeighborWorks Accepting Applications for the Beautiful Blocks Program NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania Beautiful Blocks program is still accepting applications for our 2024 program cycle! Residents of the City of Scranton, City of Carbondale, and (new for 2024!) City of Pittston are invited to join with their neighbors to apply for our Beautiful Blocks program. Beautiful Blocks provides matching grants of up to $1,000 per property to groups of five or more residents in participating communities to help them make exterior improvements to their homes. The Beautiful Blocks program seeks to make neighborhoods throughout Scranton, Pittston, and Carbondale more attractive places to live. Eligible exterior improvements include everything from landscaping and painting to larger projects like sidewalks, front porch repair, door and window replacement, and more! This is the first year Beautiful Blocks is available to residents of the City of Pittston. Also new this year, Scranton residents who decide to replace their front sidewalk are eligible for an additional $3,000 in grant funds, on top of the $1,000 standard grant and the property owner’s $1,000 match. Our Beautiful Blocks program closes for applications at the close of business on Monday, March 18. Don’t miss your chance to improve your neighborhood through this innovative and engaging program! Interested residents are asked to read and review our pre-application instructions, before working with neighbors to complete the pre-application document. These items are available on our Beautiful Blocks homepage, where interested residents can also access video testimonials from our past program cycles. More information is also available by contacting Gerard Hetman, NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania Community Development Specialist, at (570) 558-2490 or ghetman@nwnepa.org.
NeighborWorks NEPA Collaborates on Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania (NeighborWorks) and the Luzerne County Area Agency on Aging have collaborated to bring the Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO) program to Luzerne County to help older adults live safely and independently near caregivers in their community. NeighborWorks and the Luzerne County Area Agency on Aging have been given the opportunity to provide the first ECHO unit to Luzerne County older adults thanks to a grant awarded to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) and Pennsylvania for Aging (P4A) through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). ECHO units are small, separate manufactured homes that are temporarily placed on the property of an older adult’s friend or family member, allowing the older adult to maintain independence while the property owner continues to provide caregiving to ensure the older adult’s safety. Applications will be taken until February 15, 2024. Interested parties can access the application and Frequently Asked Questions on the NeighborWorks website at www.nwnepa.org or at the Luzerne County Area Agency on Aging office located at 111 N Pennsylvania Boulevard, Suite 100, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701. Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria: host property located in Luzerne County, PA; older adult income at or below 80% area median income; older adult must be able to live independently but require occasional caregiver assistance; older adult must be agreeable to paying affordable rent. Build and unit placement will be provided by Simplex Homes. For more information and a schedule of events please contact Sean McDonough, Project Manager at 570-558-2490.
NeighborWorks Northeast Pennsylvania Receives Grant from PPL Foundation NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania is pleased to announce it has received a $2,500 grant from the PPL Foundation. These funds will support the Smart Home Technology for Older Adults program. The Smart Home Technology for Older Adults program, a part of NeighborWorks’ Aging in Place program, which provides accessibility and critical safety modifications to older adults, allowing them to continue living safely and independently in their homes and communities. This program is made possible through a partnership with the University of Scranton’s Occupational Therapy Department and Lackawanna College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program. The program includes the installation of smart home technology items such as Echo Shows, Ring Doorbells, Smart Plugs, Alexa units, and exterior solar lights. These devices enhance safety and independence for older adults, helping them with tasks like identifying visitors at the door, turning on lights, and setting medication reminders. Mary Endrusick, NeighborWorks’ Aging in Place Manager, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “The installation of these smart home devices will significantly improve the safety and quality of life for older adults in our community. We are grateful for the generous support of the PPL Foundation in making this program possible.” About NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania:NeighborWorks is a nonprofit organization that has worked for more than 40 years to increase the financial stability of families and individuals by providing programs and services that create and preserve responsible homeownership and affordable housing throughout the City of Scranton, Lackawanna County and Northeastern Pennsylvania. With programs including homeownership coaching and education, aging in place, home renovation services, and neighborhood revitalization initiatives, NeighborWorks is deeply ingrained in the community. More information about NeighborWorks can be found at www.nwnepa.org. About the PPL Foundation:The PPL Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization formed to support community initiatives in the areas served by PPL Corporation’s utilities. Through strategic partnerships, the PPL Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that are engaged in innovative and groundbreaking work to create vibrant, sustainable communities; advance diversity, equity and inclusion; and support children’s success from cradle to career in both Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Learn more at pplcares.com.
