Women in Philanthropy Awards $35,000 in Grants Women in Philanthropy (WIP), the initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation that focuses on empowering and transforming the lives of women, girls, and their families in Northeastern Pennsylvania, announces the recipients from its 2023 grants cycle, awarded after a highly competitive grant process. A total of $35,000 in grant funding was awarded to eight local nonprofit organizations during the Women in Philanthropy Quarterly Meeting held at the Century Club of Scranton on Thursday evening, April 20. The recipients included nonprofits Catherine McAuley Center ($6,000), Outreach Center for Community Resources ($5,500), United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA ($5,000), Center for the Living City ($4,500), Penn State Scranton ($4,500), The University of Scranton ($3,500), Junior Achievement of NEPA ($3,000), and Saint Joseph’s Center ($3,000), all to support innovative projects and/or programs that work to transform the lives of women or girls across the Northeastern Pennsylvania region. The grant award recipients and grant amounts were selected by Women in Philanthropy supporters, who had the opportunity to vote after hearing presentations from each of the nonprofit organizations. The Women in Philanthropy (WIP) initiative is comprised of a group of over 120 supporters committed to transforming the lives of women, girls, and their families in Northeastern Pennsylvania. WIP engages its supporters in collective decision making to help move women in the region to levels of personal empowerment and economic self-sufficiency. Since its inception in 2014, WIP has provided over $130,000 in grant funding to local nonprofit organizations; STEAM education to over 2,000 students in K-12 local public schools; $25,000 in full ‘STEAM Stars’ Scholarships to the nationally-recognized Level Up Program at Lackawanna College; loan capital and training support to help launch 15 local women-owned businesses; grant support to 21 women business owners in Lackawanna County facing COVID-19 hardships; a dollar for dollar match to women with low-to-moderate-incomes trying to build a savings; and more. To date, Womenin Philanthropy has raised over $1.6 million to benefit women, girls, and their families in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Women in Philanthropy is an initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. To learn more about Women in Philanthropy, visit wwwsupportnepawomen.org.
HNB Promotes Lisa Valentine Promoted to AVP, Branch Manager Thomas E. Sheridan, President and CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, announced Lisa Valentine has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager overseeing the HNB Montdale Office. In making the statement, Sheridan noted, “Lisa is an experienced and valued member of the HNB team. We are eager to see her grow in her new role. Her vast understanding of our offerings and standards is a valuable resource for providing the best service to our customers”. In her current role as Branch Manager, she is responsible for managing the daily operations of the HNB Montdale Office, building customer relationships, and capitalizing on opportunities to grow business opportunities. Valentine has 18 years of experience in the financial industry. She started as a part time teller at HNB, then teller/CSR, was promoted to head teller, then Assistant Branch Manager, to her current role as Branch Manager at the Montdale Office. In mentioning her role at HNB, Valentine said, “I’m grateful to HNB for giving me the opportunity to advance in my career. I love getting to know customers and helping them with their financial needs.” She currently lives in Lenox Township on her family farm. She graduated from Forest City Regional School District. Outside of the bank, her spare time is spent gardening, hiking and exploring the outdoors. The Honesdale National Bank, established in 1836, 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. The Honesdale National Bank offers personal banking, business banking and wealth solutions. For more information on HNB’s products and services, visit www.hnbbank.bank.
DK USA Inc. Announces New Product DK USA Inc is the outpost of global sourcing, sales and marketing from stationery to automotive maintenance products. Every person likes to drink to their fullest and embrace the party until the next day. Introducing BYS Wellness, a dietary supplement based on Eastern herbology that can offer full recovery from excessive drinking. It is a perfect solution for party lovers, bar patrons as well as occasional drinkers who are looking forward to enjoying the night and not experience any after-effects the next day. This wellness supplement is made of specialized formulas that utilize ancient Korean remedies to solve modern dilemmas of intoxication and post consumption experiences. Composed with the practices of age-old cures and timeworn treatments, this is the perfect solution for everyone that includes no side effects but only the wellness of organic elements. Led by a renowned Korean chemist and engineer, BYS Wellness thrives to offer herbal solutions to consumers which lend to the potency of traditional antidotes. The herbal dietary supplement comes with a unique blend of organic ingredients like DHM, GMT-ALC, Korean Dendropanax leaf, ginseng, turmeric root, and many others. These elements are medically proven to rehydrate the human bodywhile promoting good gut and liver health. All the ingredients are collected from nature as the agency promotes organic elements and ancient recovery techniques. DHM or Dihydromyricetin is an extract from a Japanese Raisin Tree that has been used as an anti-alcohol herb for centuries. Similarly, GMT-ALC is collected from an extract of fermented soybean and rice germ. This compound helps to boost the good bacteria level and promotes good gut health. It also helps to get rid of the bad breath that is caused by excessive drinking. Dendropanax leavesare widely known for detoxifying the digestive system and improving liver health. It is also used in the treatment of cancer, and paralysis as well as to treat migraine and dysmenorrhea. Lastly, there is turmeric which is considered a strong anti-inflammatory ingredient. It can block any kind of action by the inflammatory molecules in the body. A well-balanced blend of all these ingredients makes BYS one of the best organic recovery supplements in the market. BYS Wellness offers the best hangover supplement for drinkers and it also justifies its title Before You Start as it offers a boost of energy to start the next day in a healthy way. Highly effective and fairly reasonable, this organic supplement helps to recover after a night out, and dehydration while promoting good liver health. Whether one has to hit the gym in the morning or needs to attend an early meeting at the workplace, this supplement can help everyone start fresh with any effects of a hangover. Occasional drinkers find it very difficult to deal with intoxication and uneven drinking patterns. With help of Before You Start, one easily deals with such issues. “As a former professional NFL player, I’m always seeking the best things for my body and mind. BYS gives me that edge everyday.” BYS COO, Mr. Sean James.Before You Start, better known as BYS, is currently available on Amazon, Shoprite, Gerrity’s Supermarkets, and local liquor stores. Those who want to purchase it online can find more information at www.buybys.com and opt for a suitable pack.
Marywood University Earns Second Place in Design Challenge Marywood University’s School of Architecture (MUSOA) captured second place honors in the Retrofit Housing division in the final stage of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon® 2023 Design Challenge, which took place in Colorado on April 22. The student team was led jointly by MUSOA faculty Jodi La Coe and Maria MacDonald, with design advisors Elizabeth Andrzejewski (MUSOA), Sara Melick (Marywood), Cole Hastings Goldstein (Johnson College), Jeremy Leaidicker (Penn State Extension–Susquehanna), Paul Pearson (University of Scranton), Matthew Finkenbinder (Wilkes University), and Joseph Wheeler (Virginia Tech) and industry partners Richard Pedranti Architects and Greenman Pedersen, Inc. Students competing in the Solar Decathlon Design Challenge work in multidisciplinary teams to create innovative and high-performance building designs that address real-world issues related to climate change, affordability, and environmental justice. Marywood University was among 55 Finalist Teams representing 61 collegiate institutions during the 2023 Design Challenge. Teams presented their zero energy building designs to a panel of industry experts, and finalists were selected based on their innovations, technical plans, and the quality of their presentations. The competition included six residential and commercial divisions: New Housing, Retrofit Housing, Attached Housing, Multifamily Housing, Office Building, and Education Building. “Just making it (to the finals) is a major accomplishment,” stated MacDonald, founding director of Marywood’s interior architecture program and Center for the Living City executive director. “To earn second place at this level of international competition is a prestigious honor and accomplishment.” Together with faculty, design advisors, and industry partners, students designed Glacier Jane—two floating cabins on Ely Lake and a Girl Scout troop house in the forest at Girl Scouts at the Heart of Pennsylvania’s Camp Archbald in Brooklyn Township, PA. Glacier Jane is inspired by urban activist Jane Jacobs, who attended Camp Archbald, and Ely Lake, formed during the Last Glacial Period. Utilizing solar panels, wind turbines, and rainwater collection, Glacier Jane will be completely grid- and utility-independent. During the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 Semesters, 15 architecture students worked as a team to design the buildings and hillside of Mariners’ Unit. Also, during the Spring 2023 Semester, these 15 students were joined by students from other disciplines at Marywood University to create a 1:1 model of the floating cabins, which is on display in the Kresge Gallery in Insalaco Center for Studio Arts at Marywood and is open to the public. Over the next two years, while competing in the 2025 Solar Decathlon Build Challenge (SDBC), these and many more students will build this project at Camp Archbald gaining valuable experiences alongside industry partners. For this phase of the project, Marywood University’s new Living City Lab will organize students, faculty, and experts to build Glacier Jane.
Allied Services Celebrates Miracle Makers Allied Services Integrated Health System recently honored the contributions and successes of employees from various divisions with their bimonthly Miracle Maker breakfast. The gathering was held at the Convention Center at Mohegan Sun Pennsylvania, Plains, Pa. “We’re very fortunate to have representatives from across Allied Services Integrated Healthcare System here today – clinical, non-clinical, support staff, administrators – each and every one of you are a reflection of what makes Allied Services great,“ commented Atty. Bill Conaboy President & CEO, Allied Services Integrated Health System. “Your commitment and dedication not only to providing quality care – but also creating welcoming environments for residents, patients, families, and your fellow co-workers, are what make (Allied Services) feel like home to so many”
Keystone Mission Receives Community Grant MileOne Cares, the philanthropic arm of MileOne Autogroup, presented Keystone Mission with a community grant to expand its transportation program throughout the organization. Funds support transportation for clients through public transit or organizational vehicle use. Transportation is a daily part of programming that allows Keystone Mission to safely connect our clients and residents to the proper resources such as medical, dental, and mental health, prescription pick up, job interviews, DMV, or welfare services. “We need to remember that the lack of transportation can result in missed employment opportunities and medical appointments,” says Kathy Regan, Scranton Program Director of Keystone Mission.
Crystal Windows Appoints VP of Sales and Marketing National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems recently promoted Regional Sales Manager Steven Yu to Vice President, Sales and Marketing. Yu, who has been involved in Crystal sales and marketing efforts for nearly 20 years, will direct sales operations across the country as well as corporate marketing initiatives. “Steven brought innovative sales strategies first to Crystal’s Mid-Atlantic Sales Region and more recently to our Metro New York City Sales Region, both with significant results,” said Steve Chen, President. “He has demonstrated tremendous ability to bring complex projects to fruition, grow sales for the company, and market our products to an ever expanding audience.” Yu is now responsible for overseeing sales to commercial and residential trade customers through a team of 36 regional sales managers and sales professionals. He also directs Crystal’s Marketing Department activities, including new product launches, print and online communications, trade show and event participation, and customer engagement. In his new role as Vice President, Yu will focus on increasing market share for Crystal in the Southeast and Midwest, extensively promoting new Crystal commercial and residential product offerings, and enhancing Crystal’s market positioning as a high performance manufacturer. Yu joined Crystal in 2004 as a graphic designer in the Marketing Department. After holding several positions of progressive responsibility, he was promoted to Marketing Manager, where he expanded sales support activities to serve the company’s growing sales team. In 2011 and in addition to Marketing Manager, Yu became Regional Sales Manager for Crystal’s Mid-Atlantic Region, which covers Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland through Virginia. Under his leadership, regional sales increased five-fold. In 2019, he added responsibility for Crystal’s large New York Metro Region, which covers all of New York City and surrounding counties in New York State. Prior to joining Crystal, Yu worked as a website and database application systems developer at Polytechnic University in New York, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science.
Peoples Security Bank Announces Two Recent Promotions Peoples Security Bank & Trust Company (PSBT) recently announced the promotions of Amanda Friday (Scranton) to Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager of the Minooka Office and Elvira Davies (Jessup) to Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager of the Abington Office. Friday and Davies will be responsible for ensuring area customers receive the best in banking services, mentoring their branch staff, and developing relationships with area businesses. Amanda Friday has nine years of banking experience with Peoples Security Bank. “Some of my job responsibilities include coaching the branch and ensuring that all customer services are being met, customer problems are resolved, sales objectives are met, and standard operating procedures are followed,” said Friday. Friday is currently attending Keystone College and majoring in Business Administration. She is on track to graduate at the end of 2023. Elvira Davies has been with Peoples Security Bank for over 16 years and has a Master’s Degree in Financial Law. Starting as a part time teller at the Green Ridge Office, Davies has become a staple in the community. She has volunteered for NeighborWorks and is planning to become a member of the Rotary Club of the Abingtons. “With encouragement and support of my supervisors, I worked myself up to AVP, Branch Manager. I love what I do, and I’m proud to be a part of the PSBT team!” said Davies.
PennDOT Confirms Michael B.Carroll as Secretary The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that the Pennsylvania State Senate has confirmed Michael B. Carroll as the next Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary. Under the direction of Governor Shapiro, Carroll has prioritized efficiency and customer service at PennDOT and is focused on directly improving the lives of Pennsylvanians through streamlined, helpful services. Carroll has advocated in support of Governor Shapiro’s budget, which will provide increased funding for Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges while ensuring the critical work of the State Police remains fully funded. Among other accomplishments since Carroll has taken office, PennDOT has put 229 construction projects out to bid totaling $869.5 million in value. Additionally, PennDOT has made more than 20 commonly-used driver licensing and motor vehicle forms available for online submission, just one week after Governor Shapiro signed an Executive Order establishing the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience (CODE PA) to improve online services provided by the Commonwealth. Carroll was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2006 and served as Democratic chairman of the House Transportation Committee from 2018 through 2022. “I am honored to have this opportunity, and I’m proud of the team we have assembled to carry PennDOT’s important mission forward,” said Carroll. “Transportation is central to every aspect of our daily lives, and the PennDOT team is hard at work keeping people across the Commonwealth connected to opportunity and each other. I am honored to carry out Governor Shapiro’s vision to ensure PennDOT builds a better future for all Pennsylvanians.” For more information on PennDOT’s mission and leadership, visit the PennDOT website. Subscribe to statewide PennDOT news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.pa.gov/news or choose a region under “Regional Offices.” Information about the state’s infrastructure and results the department is delivering for Pennsylvanians can be found at www.penndot.pa.gov/results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov. Follow PennDOT on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.
The Wright Center Announces Keynote Speaker for 2023 Commencement Innovative keynote speaker, classical violinist, and composer Kai Kight will deliver the inspiring commencement address, “Compose Your World,” during The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s 44th annual commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 24 at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, beginning at 4 p.m. As a classical violinist turned innovative composer, Kight uses music as a metaphor to inspire individuals and organizations around the world to compose paths of imagination and fulfillment. He is on a mission to spark a global mindset shift in which ingenuity is the norm and not the exception. “Whether in education, business, health care, or government, the systems and routines we depended on for so long have disappeared,” said Kight. “While this void has been devastating, it also leaves us with an incredible opportunity – a blank page on which we can compose our future. We will look back at this time as the moment we made leaps forward by creating more innovative technologies, more human-centric businesses, and more inclusive workplaces.” His unique background is a blend of both art and science. As a musician, Kight has performed his original music for thousands of people in venues around the world, from the White House to the Great Wall of China. A graduate of Stanford University’s design and engineering program, the Stanford d.school, and the Behavior Design Lab, Kight studied how to help people create healthy and transformative habits in life. “A musical masterpiece is a unique, alive, just right, timeless blessing that captures and connects the fundamental and essential stories of the musical composer, the music, and the audience,” said Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, FACP, FAAP, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “It remains relevant across time, contemporary circumstances, cultures, and generations. It speaks to humanity about our interdependence and our connectedness to each other and the university. “Kai Kight’s inspiring message to dare to play the music that makes you stronger and his passionate, talented delivery are powerful, therapeutic, and both mission and vision aligned with The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education,” she added. “Through the music he composes and performs and the life stories and lessons he shares, Mr. Kight will certainly relax and entertain us, while paradoxically challenging us to think introspectively and collectively about our own lives, our shared future, and the progressive human journey.” The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Class of 2023 has 80 graduates from seven disciplines: Internal Medicine (35); Regional Family Medicine (11); National Family Medicine (17); Psychiatry (10); Cardiovascular Disease (4); Geriatrics (2) and Gastroenterology (1). “The physicians in our Class of 2023 know the importance of providing inclusive, responsive, compassionate, high-quality health services to the patients, families, and communities we serve,” said Thomas-Hemak. “They know the playbook of ‘Wright’ health care and medical education, and they know the difference between what Mr. Kight calls air violining and real engagement playing their part in the master orchestra of medicine. “We celebrate our graduates and our confidence that they will go forth into thrilling and fulfilling futures, energized by their competence and meaningful contributions to service society and to advance public health, the noble profession of medicine, and medical education.” In July, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education will welcome 88 residents and fourfellows to its regional and national residency and fellowship programs. The resident physicians will train in the following programs: Internal Medicine Residency (40); Regional Family Medicine Residency (12); Psychiatry Residency (12), and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (5). The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s National Family Medicine Residency includes resident physicians at the Tucson, Arizona (4); Auburn, Washington (6); Washington, D.C. (6), and Hillsboro, Ohio (3) training sites. Fellows will also begin training in the Cardiovascular Disease (3) and Gastroenterology (1) fellowships in July. Similar to Kight, The Wright Center sparks innovation in the delivery of primary and preventive care and the cost-effective education and training of an inspired, competent physician workforce. The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education is affiliated with The Wright Center for Community Health, which serves as the cornerstone ambulatory care delivery service organization of The Wright Center’s Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Safety-Net Consortium, the largest in the nation funded by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. Together with consortium stakeholders, The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education train primary care residents and fellows in a community-based, community-needs-responsive workforce development model to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve. For more information about The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, go to TheWrightCenter.org, call 570.866.3017, or email gmerecruitment@TheWrightCenter.org
