Johnson College Earns Designation by Pennsylvania Department of Education The Pennsylvania Department of Education has designated Johnson College as a “Hunger-Free Campus.” This pilot program, spearheaded by Pennsylvania First Lady, Frances Wolf, aims to build a coalition of colleges and universities focused on addressing hunger and other basic needs for their students. Johnson College received the designation in October before becoming eligible to apply for grant funding through the Department of Education to support student initiatives to address food security. “We know that food and other basic need insecurities act as barriers that hamper our students’ abilities to focus on their education,” Amy Driscoll McNulty said. Amy is currently the Associate Director of Student Success at Johnson College and will lead the campus-wide initiative. “With this designation and related efforts moving forward, our goal is to lessen or remove those barriers, increase awareness of resources, and provide healthy food options so that students spend less time worrying about their next meal and more time pursuing their educational goals.” According to national studies, over one-third of students know someone who dropped out of college due to food insecurity during the pandemic, and roughly 52 percent of students who faced food or housing insecurity in 2020 did not apply for support because they did not know how. Colleges and universities across the country are taking steps to address these issues. Students who may need assistance at Johnson College may stop into the Office of Counseling and Disability Services in the Moffat Student Center on campus to access the student food pantry and to discuss other options and resources such as local food banks and the State’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). For more information about this initiative, visit www.education.pa.gov/Postsecondary-Adult/PAHungerFreeCampus.
The Wright Center, Kolcharno Presents at Meeting Maria Kolcharno, LSW, director of addiction services and leader of the Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support (MOMS) program at The Wright Center for Community Health, recently outlined the novel program to participants at the Pennsylvania Perinatal Quality Collaborative Virtual Meeting. Kolcharno addressed the importance of collaborative relationships for making referrals and establishing communication pathways between OB/GYN and medication-assisted treatment providers to coordinate patient care for mothers with substance use disorder. “In 2016, The Wright Center began a journey to offer opiate use disorder treatment. When it started, there was a large influx of pregnant women with substance use disorder coming into the program,” Kolcharno said. “Our leadership team looked at how we can better serve people who have so many needs. They were not coming in just for counseling. They were experiencing food insecurity, lack of safe housing, and they weren’t receiving the medical care they needed. Our Healthy MOMS program grew from the needs of the women in our community.” During the event’s breakout session, Kolcharno provided workflow charts to assist organizations looking to replicate the relationships and processes the Healthy MOMS program has established with maternity care times and medical Centers of Excellence. Part of that process involved visiting birth hospitals to meet with labor and delivery nurses and doctors to introduce them to the Healthy MOMS program. “The biggest part was talking about the stigma of being a mother with a substance use disorder and being pregnant. It’s two things people never want to hear together – pregnant and addicted to a substance,” said Kolcharno. The labor and delivery staffs were open about their feelings for treating the patient population and the ways in which they can offer support to the new mothers. Out of these conversations, a small, but effective tool, was designed by providers: A Healthy MOMS pin. According to Kolcharno, when mothers in the program see the pin, they know the nurses are an extension of the Healthy MOMS program that has become an integral part of their lives. Part of The Wright Center’s Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence, the Healthy MOMS program was co-founded with multiple agencies to assist women who are pregnant and have a substance use disorder. Healthy MOMS provides prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum care, including medication-assisted treatment to women coping with a substance use disorder, and strives to break the stigma associated with the disorder while building their self-esteem during and after their pregnancies, ideally engaging them in recovery support services. Currently there are 142 mothers active in the program, with 206 babies born through the program. Since its founding, more than 300 mothers have participated in the program. The Pennsylvania Perinatal Quality Collaborative includes more than 60 birthing hospitals and newborn intensive care units and over 10 health plans across the state. Overall, the organization works to reduce maternal mortality and improve care for pregnant and postpartum women and newborns affected by opioids. For more information about the Healthy MOMS program, call 570-995-7821 or text healthymoms to 555888. Information about the program and its partners is also available at healthymoms.org. Go to thewrightcenter.org/services for information about the Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence.
Allied Services Welcomes New Employees Brenda Reibson, MDiv: Allied Services Integrated Health System proudly announced Brenda Reibson, MDiv, as the new Bereavement Coordinator for their Hospice program. Reibson holds a Master of Divinity and a Certificate in Counseling from Missio Seminary (formerly Biblical Theological Seminary). In her role, Brenda will provide support services and spiritual care to bereaved families and individuals after the passing of a loved one. She brings more than 6 years of pastoral experience to her new role at Allied Services. Alysha Suley, MM, MT-BC: Allied Services Integrated Health System welcomed Alysha Suley, MM, MT-BC, as a new Music Therapist for their Wilkes-Barre Hospice Center. Suley holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy and a minor in Psychology from Berklee College of Music and a Master of Music Therapy from Colorado State University. In her role, Alysha will provide music support services to patients and families receiving care at the inpatient center in Luzerne County. She brings more than 10 years of music therapy experience to her new role at Allied Services.
Johnson College Announces Fall President’s List Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO of Johnson College, has announced the President’s List of students who have completed the 2022 Fall Semester with a grade point average of 3.90 or higher. Jacob Banta, Automotive Technology, Trucksville, PA Dominic Bulzoni, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Scranton, PA Rachel Butler, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Lake Ariel, PA Richard Christianson, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology, Susquehanna, PA Briana Curtis, Electronic Engineering Technology, Blakely, PA Colton Esslinger, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Susquehanna, PA Brandon Grandinetti, Computer Information Technology, Olyphant, PA Hope Hoanzl, Electronic Engineering Technology, Forest City, PA Jared Hodorawis, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Honesdale, PA Anthony Kutchmanich, Physical Therapist Assistant, Greenfield Twp., PA Andrea Marques, Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology, Sybertsville, PA Dustin McAllister, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology, Scranton, PA Chase Notz, Computer Information Technology, Scranton, PA Devin Nowicky, Radiologic Technology, Drums, PA Ryan Phillips, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology, Dallas, PA Carley Riefler, Physical Therapist Assistant, Honesdale, PA Julie Ristics, Computer Information Technology, Dunmore, PA Thayer Rogers, Veterinary Nursing, Hershey, PA Devin Walsh, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology, Olyphant, PA Karl Weninger, Diesel Truck Technology, Kingston, PA Kevin Williams, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology, Eynon, PA Kyle Williams, Electronic Engineering Technology, Greentown, PA
Outreach Center Coordinates Toyland Workshop Outreach – Center for Community Resources is currently coordinated its annual Toyland Workshop to provide pajamas, socks, books, educational toys, and grocery gift cards for children and families in our shared community. Through an incredible outpouring of support, numerous contributions, grants, and in-kind donations by several foundations, corporations, local businesses, charitable organizations, and individuals were made to Outreach for its annual Toyland Workshop. This year, Outreach is providing gift packages to over 200 participant families. Outreach FamilyDevelopment Specialists are delivering gifts to more than 330 children for the holiday season. Manytoys were purchased online through our Amazon Wish List. Contributors that were logged into Amazon Smile had an additional percentage of their purchase donated to Outreach by Amazon in support of the numerous programs provided to our shared community. Students from the University of Scranton and Holy Cross High School also shared their goodwill by collecting toys and adopting Outreach participant families this season. For more information, please call Lori Ryan at (570)-558-7565. Outreach Center for Community Resources delivers parent/child and workforce development services and programs to the regional community to promote family stability and economic self-sufficiency. Outreach provides evidence-based early childhood programs that help families and children gain the skills needed to be healthy and productive members of the community. Outreach improves the lives of over 4,000 individuals each year with programs that support people as they navigate life’s challenges.
FNCB Bank Invests in Scranton Project FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, today announced an $11,013,953 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Investment for the Scranton Square Apartments project through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). The project, located on Dickson Ave. in the Green Ridge section of Scranton, will consist of 36 newly constructed senior housing units. Of the 36 units, 32 are slated to be one bedroom and four are two bedrooms. The units will be affordable to low-income households falling below various levels of the area median income (AMI). “The need for affordable, safe and accessible housing is great in our community,” said Jerry Champi, FNCB Bank President and CEO. “This project will not only provide much needed housing for low-income senior citizens, but it is also redeveloping a large vacant lot in the city. FNCB Bank is pleased to be a partner on this project by providing a significant portion of the total cost.” Additional partners include Quandel Construction Group as the general contractor, and the project’s developer, QSP Development, which is a Quandel Enterprises affiliate. Scranton Square Project is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB is making a difference through volunteerism, donations, and outreach programs.
HNB Contributes to Construction Project The Honesdale National Bank has made a $124,250 contribution to the Wayne County YMCA. The funds will go towards phase one on their construction project which includes, development and completion of engineering design, site development plans, development approvals, sewage, and PennDOT approvals of highway access. HNB President & CEO, Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., stated, “We are pleased to support our local YMCA as a financial partner forth is impactful project.” He continued, “It is an organization that puts forth a facility and programs for our community, which can be influential for development for generations to come.” Located at 105 Park Street in Honesdale, and in communities across the nation, the Y is a leading voice on health and well-being. With a mission centered on balance, the Y brings families closer together, encourages good health, and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun, and shared interests. As a result, millions of youth, adults, and families are receiving the support, guidance, and resources needed to achieve greater health and well-being for the spirit, mind, and body. Paul Edwards, board member of the Wayne County YMCA, mentioned, “Every journey begins with a first step. This exciting new building project for the YMCA is a first step in enhancing our services to the local community. It wouldn’t be possible without the support of The Honesdale National Bank. We so appreciate HNB’s community spirit and the great support as we initiate this project.” The funding has been contributed through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) managed through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). 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. HNB is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender with NMLS ID # 446237. Photo Caption (from left to right): YMCA Board of Directors, Sherman Bronson, Tim Minella & Elise Burlein, YMCA Board of Trustees Eric Linde, Paul Meagher, Honat Bancorp, Inc. Board of Directors, Bill Schweighofer, Chairman of Honat Bancorp, Inc. & Thomas E. Sheridan, President and CEO, The Honesdale National Bank.
Johnson College Receives $2,000 Contribution for the Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association Scholarship Members of the Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association recently presented a $2,000 contribution to Johnson College to support the annual Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded to two students in the Automotive Technology Program for the 2023-2024 academic year. The Pocono Mountain Street Rod Association was established in 1975 and has been funding the scholarship at Johnson College since 2009. The club raises funds through Cruise Nights held at the Viewmont Mall parking lot throughout the year.
