Scranton Cultural Center Receives PA Historic and Museum Commission Grant The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple is pleased to announce the completion of a long-range study that will guide its future efforts in the ongoing preservation, restoration, and modernization of the historic structure. The study was funded through the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission and the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office. The completed report provides a comprehensive look at all of the building systems and spaces and identifies work remaining to be done. The study ranges from mechanical systems such as ventilation and plumbing to illumination and preservation of doors and historic paintwork. Taking slightly over a year to complete, the report was prepared by Highland Associates, an architectural and engineering firm located in Clarks Summit, Pa. The firm has over thirty years of experience in doing detailed analysis of structures and in designing solutions to achieve the multi-faceted goals of the SCC. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by renowned architect Raymond Hood, the 180,000+ square foot structure has been in constant operation since opening in 1930. The building encompasses two theaters, a grand ballroom with balcony, several masonic lodge rooms, meeting spaces, a library and a youth theater space, as well a offices and support spaces. At one time, the facility housed an eight-lane bowling alley and a billiard room – both now converted for alternative uses. “We were delighted to have been chosen by PHMC as a grant recipient. This study is absolutely critical to our ability to plan the next steps in the restoration program and will serve as guidance for our future development and capital campaigns,” Deborah Moran Peterson, executive Director of the SCC said. “As a non-profit organization, this type of support is critical in our ongoing efforts to restore and improve our building so that we can continue to serve a broad and diverse population as a center for cultural and entertainment activities.” PHMC / PA SHPO provided $25,000 in a matching grant with the matching balance being provided by a private donor. Previous restoration and modernization work totals over $17,000.000 dollars, starting in 1987 with the formation of the Scranton Cultural Center and the award of $8,000.000 from the state of Pennsylvania under then Governor Robert Casey. A state funded exterior restoration project is currently being developed and is anticipated to begin in late spring of 2024. Future projects will include restoration of the Weinberg theater interior and modernization of stage mechanical, audio and lighting systems, addition of air conditioning to the second, third and fourth floor spaces, upgrades to the facility computer, phone and security systems, modernization of restrooms and dressing rooms, modernization of the facility HVAC control systems, and energy efficiency improvements, among others.
Lackawanna College Center for Technology Innovation Receives Donation from Coterra Energy Lackawanna College and Coterra Energy have partnered again on a new initiative to help expand workforce opportunities in northeast Pennsylvania. Through the Pennsylvania Neighborhood Assistance Program/Special Program Priorities (NAP/SPP), Coterra has donated $1 million to Lackawanna College to assist with the implementation of its new Center for Technology Innovation (CTI) to be launched in 2024 at their Scranton Campus. The collaboration between Lackawanna College and Coterra Energy is driven by a shared commitment to fostering innovation, technology, and workforce growth in the region. The CTI will serve as an education and corporate training space for both new students and existing professionals in the industrial technology workforce. “This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the modern workforce. The Center for Technology Innovation will be a catalyst for innovation, creating a bridge between education and industry to drive economic growth in our community,” President and Chief Innovation Officer Jill Murray said. Coterra Energy’s donation reflects their commitment to supporting local communities and investing in the future of the workforce. This collaboration builds on the success of previous partnerships between Lackawanna College and Coterra Energy, underscoring the ongoing dedication of both organizations to the prosperity of northeast Pennsylvania. “Coterra has a history of investing in education locally, and Lackawanna College has been a great partner. From the School of Petroleum and Natural Gas in Tunkhannock, we have seen local students transition into solid careers with family sustaining wages,” Coterra Director of External Affairs George Stark said. “We expect the CTI to have the same impact here in Scranton. We are proud to call NEPA home and are excited to foster growth in new technologies and careers.” The CTI offers undergraduate degree programs, corporate training, as well as short term, stackable certificates, to prepare individuals for the jobs of tomorrow in areas such as robotics, electric vehicles/advanced automotive, cybersecurity, and communications technology. The CTI is now accepting enrollment in programs that will lead to careers in industries such as transportation and logistics, warehousing and distribution, industrial automation, and technology and communication. Lackawanna College’s vision for the CTI is to ensure the College’s role as an economic, social, and community development leader that supports the future industrial ecosystem.
Leadership Lackawanna Holding “Howl at the Moon” Dueling Pianos Fundraiser Leadership Lackawanna will host another amazing “Howl at the Moon” Dueling Pianos Fundraiser on Friday, October 20 at 7 PM at The Radisson Lackawanna Station in Scranton. The event will feature live entertainment, courtesy of the national “Howl At The Moon” dueling pianos group. Attendees are invited to sing, dance and howl as versatile and talented musicians perform their favorite songs from 80’s rock, 90’s pop and today’s dance hits on pianos and more in a high-energy show! The event will also feature basket raffles, a selfie station, and other ways for attendees to get their spooky on! Tickets are available now at ScrantonChamber.com and a limited number of tickets will be sold at the door. All tickets include event admission and five raffle tickets for a variety of fantastic prizes. Attendees can “tip” the musicians to play their favorite song. The higher the tip, the sooner their song plays. All tips go directly to Leadership Lackawanna. Danielle Weinschenk, Leadership Lackawanna Board of Directors Vice Chair, says the event will be the best one yet. “Our new location at the Radisson will allow more people to enjoy this fantastic night of dancing, singing and supporting a great cause! Come for the music, stay for the opportunity to win amazing prizes and dance the night away. The Howl at the Moon musicians will play anything from ‘Ghostbusters’ to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ – and beyond!” All proceeds from the event will support Leadership Lackawanna’s mission of enhancing the skills, connections and knowledge of emerging and established leaders in Northeastern Pennsylvania, as well as supporting community service projects conducted by Leadership Lackawanna participants.
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant Award In June, 2023, the Greater Scranton YMCA was awarded a $15,000 Community Needs grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. Grant funding will support the expansion of the Y’s Early Learning Center. Since the onset of the COVID-19 public health emergency, the need for child care services in our community has grown substantially. Enrollment in the Greater Scranton YMCA’s early childhood education programs has grown significantly, with more than 60 children currently on a waitlist. The Greater Scranton YMCA is limited in space and at maximum capacity. In order to open an additional 30 child care spots each year, the Greater Scranton YMCA will renovate its second floor, which is currently being used for storage and the location of H-VAC. Through renovating the space, the Greater Scranton YMCA will create three new classrooms, each licensed to serve up to 10 children. The classrooms will specifically serve children ages zero to two, as the need for infant care is great. “Thanks to incredible community partners like the Scranton Area Community Foundation, the Greater Scranton YMCA will grow its Early Learning Center to serve more children and families from our community who are in need of care,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Through expanding the center to open an additional 30 spots annually, we will provide parents and caregivers with a safe, nurturing environment for their children to thrive in while they are able to work. We are so grateful for this support.
Geisinger Honored by American Medical Association Geisinger has earned recognition from the American Medical Association (AMA) as a Joy in Medicine™ recognized organization. The prestigious AMA distinction is granted only to organizations that attest to the rigorous criteria of the Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Program and demonstrate a commitment to preserving the well-being of clinical care team members through proven efforts to combat work-related stress and burnout. “While there is still work to do, this recognition is a testament to our commitment to building a culture that allows our Geisinger family to thrive both personally and professionally,” said Susan Parisi, M.D., chief wellness officer. “When we create change at a system level to truly improve our care team members’ well-being, our patients and our entire Geisinger community benefit. We’re excited to join this collaboration of like-minded organizations where the mental health and well-being of our care team members is a priority, and we’re eager to continue this important work.” Burnout rates among the nation’s physicians and other health care professionals spiked as the COVID-19 pandemic placed acute stress on care teams and exacerbated long-standing system issues. While the worst days of the pandemic are past, the lingering impact of work-related burnout remains an obstacle to achieving national health goals. “Health organizations that have earned recognition from the AMA’s Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program are leading a national movement that has declared the well-being of health professionals to be an essential element for providing high-quality care to patients, families and communities,” said AMA President Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., M.P.H. “Each Joy in Medicine recognized organization is distinguished as among the nation’s best at creating a culture of wellness that makes a difference in the lives of clinical care teams.” Geisinger was recognized for its efforts to improve employee well-being through its Center for Professionalism and Well-being (CPW) — a team that offers Geisinger employees a variety of services related to mental health, burnout mitigation, community building, peer support and crisis response. In 2022, Geisinger named Dr. Parisi the health system’s first chief wellness officer to oversee the CPW and guide the implementation of a systemwide strategy to improve the mental health, professional fulfillment and overall well-being of the Geisinger family. Since its inception in 2019, the Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Programs recognize more than 100 organizations across the country. In 2023, a total of 72 health systems nationwide earned recognition with documented efforts to reduce system-level drivers of work-related burnout and demonstrated competencies in commitment, assessment, leadership, efficiency of practice environment, teamwork and support.
Allied Services Receives Patient Satisfaction Award for Second Consecutive Year Allied Services has been recognized as a Superior Performer for achieving an overall family satisfaction score that ranked in the top 20% of all eligible SHP clients. The annual SHPBest™ award program was created to acknowledge home health agencies that consistently provide high-quality service to their patients and hospice providers that consistently provide high-quality service to families and caregivers of patients receiving hospice care. The 2022 award recipients were determined by reviewing and ranking the overall HHCAHPS survey satisfaction score for more than 2,500 home health providers and the overall CAHPS Hospice survey satisfaction score for more than 1,000 hospice providers. Assistant Vice President of Hospice and Palliative Care at Allied Services, Laura Marion, said, “These awards are so meaningful to our team because they are the result of feedback from our patients, caregivers, and families. To know that they see and value the quality and compassion of the care we deliver is the greatest reward.” Allied Services Hospice has served the community since 2015, providing care to more than 4,200 individuals and families in that time. Today, Allied Services’ hospice professionals provide compassionate end-of-life care in homes around Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania, and at their Hospice Centers in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. The Allied Services Hospice staff is very proud to achieve this honor for the second time. They were previously recognized as a ‘Premier Performer’ in 2021. With the largest HHCAHPS benchmark and CAHPS Hospice benchmarks in the nation, SHP is in a unique position to identify and recognize home health organizations that have made patient satisfaction a priority and hospice organizations that have made family and caregiver satisfaction a priority. Read more about the SHPBest awards program, including methodology and recipient lists at www.shpdata.com/hospice/shpbest-caps-hospice.
The Chamber Announces Promotion of Employee The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, the region’s premier member-based business organization, is pleased to announce the promotion of Stephanie Juarez-Ventura to manager, content and strategic communications. Juarez-Ventura will continue working closely with the director of marketing and communications to generate and maintain The Chamber and its affiliate organization’s print and digital content. Expanding on her previous role as communications manager, Juarez-Ventura will train and mentor the communications interns, create and manage content calendars for social media and the monthly Momentum Magazine, and develop content and strategies to increase community engagement and awareness of The Chamber and its affiliates. The new title reflects the additional responsibilities Juarez-Ventura acquired last fall. Juarez-Ventura joined the Chamber’s marketing and communications team as an intern in January 2020. Amidst the global pandemic, Juarez-Ventura assisted in gathering and creating resources to support the business community, including written and graphic content for social media, Chamber and member eBlast, and Momentum Magazine. Originally from Washington State, Juarez-Ventura is a graduate of Marywood University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts double majoring in graphic design and advertising and public relations, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in communication and leadership studies from Gonzaga University.
Chamber Names New Board and Office Administrator The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Amanda Byron as its board and office administrator, a newly established position within The Chamber. As the board and office administrator, Byron will be the point of contact between The Chamber and its affiliate boards and committees. Her responsibilities encompass board management, communication, and reporting. In addition, Byron will provide essential administrative support to The Chamber office and affiliate organizations, Skills in Scranton and Leadership Lackawanna. Byron received an associate degree in paralegal studies from Lackawanna College. She also served as a litigation paralegal at multiple law firms, worked as an insurance customer service representative, and later as a customer care office manager, where she managed a team, handled finances, and enhanced customer satisfaction. With previous experience in office management and legal affairs, coupled with her understanding of the unique needs of organizations like Skills in Scranton and Leadership Lackawanna, Byron brings a wealth of experience to The Chamber.
Update Your Chamber Business Profile! One of the many benefits of Chamber membership is your listing in our online and printed Membership Directory. To ensure we have accurate member information for our 2024 Membership Directory, we are asking you to log in and update your business information. Click this link to Update Your Profile: view, add employees, and make changes to your membership account. STEP #1 – CREATE BILLING CONTACT To make sure the correct person/department receives invoices, a billing contact must be added to your account. Under “EDITABLE PROFILES,” choose ONE employee listed or “ADD NEW PROFILE” as your billing contact and check the “BILLING CONTACT” option and “SAVE RELATIONSHIPS”. STEP #2 – BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION PROFILE UPDATE Click the “PROFILE UPDATE” link (located in the middle column, second bullet). Click the “EDIT MY PROFILE” button. Please review each tab in the shaded section to the left to update your business information. Note the “DIRECTORY LISTING” section to be sure you are listed in your desired and proper “CATEGORY”. You may also add keywords and phrases to distinguish your business from others. Make sure to “SAVE AND SUBMIT” when completed, and you will be returned to your “PROFILE” screen. Please make all updates by Wednesday, October 25, to ensure your information is listed correctly in the 2024 Membership Directory. If you have any questions, please contact Tina Bechaver at tbechaver@scrantonchamber.com or (570) 342-7711, extension 132.
RailRider Announce Player and Pitcher Of The Month Award News from the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders: Minor League Baseball has announced the Player and Pitcher of the Month Award winners for September in each of the 11 full-season leagues in Major League Baseball’s player development system. RailRiders right-hander Will Warren was tabbed as the International League’s top pitcher for the final month of the 2023 regular season. Warren went 1-0 with a 0.63 ERA in five appearances, including three starts, allowing just two earned runs over a league-best 28.2 innings. He led the International League in strikeouts (36) and was second in average against (.152) and WHIP (0.91). His two earned runs allowed were the fewest by a pitcher with more than 14.1 innings of work. Warren was selected by the Yankees in the eighth round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Southeastern Louisiana University. He made his Triple-A debut in May and went 7-4 with a 3.61 earned run average for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre over 21 appearances, striking out 110 batters over 99.2 innings of work. Between the RailRiders and Somerset Patriots this season, the 24-year-old compiled a 10-4 record with a 3.35 ERA, totaling 149 strikeouts and 59 walks over 129.0 innings pitched. Warren is the sixth player in franchise history to earn a monthly honor from Minor League Baseball, joining Brandon Duckworth (Pitcher- July 2001), Jose Pirela (Player- June 2014), Aaron Judge (Player- June 2016), Jake Cave (Player- July 2017) and Michael King (Pitcher- August 2018). Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s 2024 season begins on March 29. Season tickets for the home schedule are on sale now. Please visit swbrailriders.com or contact a ticket sales representative at (570) 969-2255.
