Wayne Bank Honored with Community Award Wayne Bank has been honored with one of the prestigious Pillar of the Community Awards by FHLBank Pittsburgh. This recognition is a testament to the bank’s unwavering commitment to community service and excellence in local engagement. Wayne Bank received the award at their Member Appreciation Event in Philadelphia on June 10th, 2024, and celebrated alongside other distinguished recipients. Pillar of the Community Awards are presented to member financial institutions that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community development. Awardees have also demonstrated exemplary efforts and effective use of FHLBank’s community products. This award is FHLBank’s highest organizational honor and is presented annually to select FHLBank members in recognition of their commitment to community revitalization. “We are deeply honored to receive this award,” said Jim Donnelly, CEO of Wayne Bank. “Our commitment to the community is at the heart of everything we do! This recognition inspires us to continue our efforts to make a positive difference in the communities we serve.” Wayne Bank has a long history of community involvement, including making close to 400 contributions to local schools, food banks, first responders, and charitable organization throughout the year in 2023. Their generous and caring employees have participated in countless community events including parades, fundraisers, races, and many more. Along with their community involvement, Wayne Bank was chosen as a Pillar of the Community because of their commitment to providing their communities they serve with innovative banking technologies and tools. By utilizing the First Front Door program, they have funded households and provided down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers. By partnering with the Home4Good program, they’ve supported over twenty projects and have helped the homeless or people at risk of homelessness by providing grants to fund the initiative of securing homes for those in need. Lastly, they’ve supported small businesses in their region through Banking on Business and the Banking on Business Inclusion and Equity Fund. These funds were used in financing the startup, maintenance, or expansion of a business, while also utilizing the Community Lending Program to create commercial developments and a hotel.
NeighborWorks NEPA 2024 Beautiful Blocks Program NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania is pleased to partner with the City of Scranton, City of Carbondale, and City of Pittston to announce the block groups selected for funding in the 2024 Beautiful Blocks program cycle. Our 2024 cycle will see a total of 155 properties in Scranton, 34 properties in Carbondale, and 44 properties in Pittston being awarded grant funding., NeighborWorks staff and local officials expect to see a significant positive impact in neighborhoods where projects are set to take place. A full list of groups receiving funding is attached to this release. Beautiful Blocks is a home improvement program which provides matching grants of up to $1,000 per property to groups of residents to help them make exterior improvements to their homes. 2024 represents the debut of the Beautiful Blocks program in the City of Pittston, as well as the sixth consecutive program cycle in the City of Scranton, and the fourth consecutive cycle in the City of Carbondale. Members of selected groups have until November 1 to complete their individual exterior home improvement projects, with all participating properties being eligible for up to $1,000 in matching grant funding. Participating properties in the City of Scranton that are completing sidewalk repair and replacement projects are also eligible for up to $4,000 in funding for their projects, in an effort to increase walkability in the Electric City. Resident groups are also eligible for a $500 stipend to conduct a community celebration or service project.For our 2024 cycle, NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania anticipates awarding $335,000 to projects in Scranton, $73,000 for projects in Carbondale, and $38,000 for projects in Pittston. The total of $446,000 awarded is the most in any year since the Beautiful Blocks program was launched in 2019. According to NeighborWorks President & CEO Shane Powers, “Beautiful Blocks continues to be a powerful catalyst for community transformation, bringing residents together to enhance their neighborhoods. We are excited to announce our expansion into Pittston, adding to our existing communities in Scranton and Carbondale. This year, we saw an unprecedented level of interest in the program, resulting in the highest number of applicants ever for Beautiful Blocks. We deeply appreciate the support from our funding partners who make this growth possible and look forward to fostering even more physical improvements to homes and stronger connections between neighbors in all three communities.” “Neighborhoods within the City of Carbondale continue to thrive!” Carbondale Mayor Michele Bannon said of the impact of Beautiful Blocks. “We have a record number of teams in our 2024 Beautiful Blocks program thanks to the incredible staff at NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania. We are excited to have multi-year teams returning and new teams forming relationships to make an impact on their neighborhoods together. Our neighborhoods formed because we need each other to succeed, and we enjoy building our lives within our communities together.”“Thriving, United, Safe and Joyful…. that’s the City of Carbondale’s goal for our Neighborhoods!” Beautiful Blocks in Carbondale is made possible with support from Coterra Energy, First National Bank, Wayne Bank, Honesdale National Bank, FNCB, NBT Bank, Gentex, and the Carbondale Lackawanna Industrial Development Corporation (CLIDCO).“We are grateful for the positive impact NeighborWorks NEPA has on our neighborhoods through the Beautiful Blocks program,” Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti said of the program’s impact. “This program brings residents together for a common goal, improves residences, and increases property values.” Beautiful Blocks in Scranton is made possible with support from the City of Scranton, with additional support from the Regional Foundation, First National Bank, PS Bank, Coterra Energy, M&T Bank, Peoples Security Bank, and Community Bank, NA.“I am extremely excited about our new partnership with NeighborWorks,” Pittston Mayor Michael A. Lombardo said of the program’s launch in his city. “Our initial phase of the beautiful blacks program has already proven to yield significant success. 44 total projects were approved and organized into five block groups. This program gives us another tool toward neighborhood revitalization. Congratulations to all participants.”Beautiful Blocks in Pittston is made possible with support from Coterra Energy. Over the first five cycles of Beautiful Blocks in the City of Scranton, more than 420 individual projects have been completed by Scranton residents, grouped into 57 block groups. More than $353,000 in grant funding has been distributed to as part of these projects, with participating residents contributing more than $923,000 in matching funds to improving their neighborhoods. In the first three years of the Beautiful Blocks program operating in Carbondale, 12 groups of neighbors have participated by completing 73 exterior improvement projects, with more than $62,000 in grant funding awarded. This grant funding helped to leverage more than $140,000 in funds invested from participating homeowners. Residents of Scranton, Carbondale and Pittston who are interested in participating in future cycles of the Beautiful Blocks program are encouraged to access more information by visiting the program homepage at https:// www.nwnepa.org/programs/beautiful-blocks.html. More information is also available by contacting Gerard Hetman, NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania Community Development Specialist, at (570) 558-2490 or ghetman@nwnepa.org.
Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau Hosts Grant Writing Workshop One for Nature, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, and PennState Extension will host a full-day Grant Writing Workshop on Thursday, July 25 at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. Whether you’re new to the world of grants or have some experience as a grants writer, this workshop will break the grant writing process down into workable strategies to ensure a more successful outcome. Program components will include…the Grant Seeking Process, Components and Expectations, Showcasing and Managing Your Project, and Grant Review Process and Follow-up. The program will include engaging instruction, a panel discussion, as well as educational activities. Tickets are $40.00 per person and include light breakfast, refreshments, lunch and materials. Ticket purchases directly support One for Nature. Registration is required and space is limited. There are currently 25 spots remaining. Once all seats are sold out, registration will be closed. Deadline to register is Monday, July 22, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
The Dime Bank Celebrates Employee Milestones Every year, The Dime Bank hosts a dinner celebration to recognize and honor employees marking five-year career milestones with the organization. In 2024, nineteen employees were celebrated by The Dime Bank, one employee with an impressive 40 years! The bank values these anniversary events as crucial for acknowledging and showing gratitude for the dedication and effort of its employees. It’s a special occasion to commemorate their accomplishments, milestones, and commitment to The Dime Bank. President and Chief Executive Officer commented, “Our employees at The Dime Bank are truly appreciated as they contribute to making our bank unique. Their positivity, dedication, and loyalty ensure that our customers receive exceptional service. Each employee is highly valued and plays a crucial role in the success of The Dime Bank. We extend our gratitude to them for their dedication and hard work.” Pictured at the dinner celebration with years of service in brackets: Bottom left to right– Karen Brown (40); Michelle Urban (20), Lisa Steiner (20). Top left to right– Raynell Lenz (10), Amy Caggiano (10), Justin Mikolaski (10), Lisa Cavage (10); Maurice Dennis (5), Linda Matylewicz (5), Kristina Rode (5), Erika Norman (5), Eva Pino (5), Emily Rice (5), Ferdinand Feola (5). Not pictured: Barbara Marsicano (20), Gwynn Bartholomay (10), Donna Peters (5), Shiann Hook (5), Christopher Kearney (5).
Geisinger Doctors Recognized as America’s Best Vascular Surgeons Geisinger Vascular surgeons James Elmore, M.D., and Christopher DeMaioribus, M.D., were named to Newsweek and Statista’s America’s Best Vascular Surgeons list for 2024. The recognized physicians were announced on June 12. “Our vascular teams continue to deliver the highest quality of care every day, and these recognitions are a testament to our physicians who continue to make better health easier for our patients in central and northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Alfred S. Casale, M.D., chief medical officer Surgical Services and chair of the Geisinger Heart and Vascular Institute. The list was compiled using the following four data points: Physician performance data from Medicare An online survey of medical experts A quality-of-care score from peers of each surgeon Consideration of their American Board of Surgery certifications This is the first time Newsweek and Statista have recognized the top vascular surgeons. To learn more about vascular surgery at Geisinger, visit geisigner.org/vascular.
UNC Receives Support for Pine Brook Revitalization United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) received an investment of $300,000 from Coterra Energy through the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP). This annual contribution of $50,000 for six years will help rebuild, restore, and revitalize the Pine Brook community, which is a designated Elm Street Community through the Pennsylvania Keystone Communities program. Photo attached L-R: Martin Fotta, UNC Chief Operating Officer; Lisa Durkin, UNC Chief Executive Officer; and William desRosiers, Manager of External Affairs for Coterra Energy.
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant In June, the Greater Scranton YMCA was awarded a $7,000 Youth Sports Access Grant from YMCA of the USA. Grant funding will be utilized to provide 125 children with one free session (one month) of youth sports programming. Funding will also support the purchase of much-needed youth sports equipment, including equipment for youth basketball, youth soccer and youth pickleball. Through this project, the Greater Scranton YMCA’s goal is to increase access and equity in youth sports. Thus, scholarships for low-income and/or underserved youth 14 and under will be prioritized. “Here at the Y, we believe all children should have equal access to youth sports,” said Rich Surridge, Interim CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “For many families, though, the financial resources are not available. Thanks to grant funding from YMCA of the USA, we are so proud to provide children in our community with the resources needed to participate in youth sports programming at our YMCA.” The Greater Scranton YMCA has created a form that families who are interested in participating in youth sports can complete. After 125 responses have been received, the YMCA will close the form. The form will open on Monday, June 24th and it can be accessed here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLOTfmBC3xNvYYbxTd6meCCWgrMtcis-K9QBd6g0Ydi0JJ5g/viewform?usp=sf_link. For more information about this scholarship opportunity and youth sports at the Greater Scranton YMCA, contact Brandon Whipple, Senior Program Director, at bwhipple@gsymca.org.
Marywood University Dedicates the Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion Marywood University further expanded its deep commitment to health sciences during the dedication of the Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion, a transformative addition to the Keith J. O’Neill Center for Healthy Families and a cornerstone of the EMPOWER Campaign on Monday, June 17, 2024, at a 10 a.m. ceremony in The Colonels Lorraine and Richard Breen Atrium. The $11.5 million Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion is a realization of Marywood’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities for education in the health sciences. Generously supported by the Pascucci Family and other dedicated donors, this new space elevates the learning experience of future healthcare professionals and contributes to the University’s mission of fostering excellence in education. Students are already taking classes in the new facility, which was finished early and under budget. Congressman Matt Cartwright, who played a significant role in securing Community Project Funding for the project, spoke at the dedication about Marywood being a leader in educating the healthcare workforce in the region. The new pavilion, an exciting space where health professions students can learn and grow together, sharing simulation labs, exam rooms, and the latest equipment and technology, was designed by hc architects, engineered by Highland Associates and LaBella Associates, and constructed by Sordoni Construction Services, Inc., who are also major benefactors of the EMPOWER Campaign. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Pascucci Family and all donors who have played a vital role in supporting the Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion. This dedication is not only about a building but increasing Marywood’s ability to provide much-needed healthcare professionals for our region,” said Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., President of Marywood University. The dedication ceremony coincides with the announcement that Marywood University has successfully reached its $30 million goal in the EMPOWER Campaign. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the incredible support from donors, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of Marywood, as well as the Campaign Steering Committee, which was co-chaired by President-Elect Lisa Lori, J.D. and Robert Tamburro, Marywood Trustee. The campaign has secured crucial funds for scholarships, cutting-edge facilities, the endowment, and innovative programs. “While we celebrate reaching our goal, we acknowledge our donors who have empowered us to enhance learning environments, provide scholarships, and make Marywood a hub of innovation and excellence in education. Their belief in our mission propels us toward an even brighter future for our students and the positive impact they will make in our communities,” noted Renée Zehel, Ph.D., Vice President for University Advancement. Individuals interested in contributing to the EMPOWER Campaign are encouraged to do so by June 30, 2024, as Marywood aims to exceed its initial goal and continue the legacy of transformative education. Go to marywood.edu/empower to give and learn more.
