The Dime Bank Supports United Neighborhood Centers The Dime Bank donated $18,000.00 to United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. UNC uses the funding to help run Project Hope Day Camp, a safe, healthy place for low-income families who reside in the City of Scranton to learn and grow during the out-of-school months. Campers learn skills in emotional regulation, mindfulness meditation, physical activity, and connecting with others. It provides an opportunity for children ages 5 to 12 to gather with their peers during four weeks in July for social, educational, recreational, and artistic opportunities that they otherwise would not be able to access. Each child receives nutritional meals and transportation to and from Camp Kelly in Tunkhannock, a 60+ acre country setting. It is expected that 140 youth will participate in this outdoor summer day camp. Jeffrey Roche stated, “At The Dime Bank, we believe that investing in early childhood education is investing in the future of our community. We’re proud to support UNC’s Project Hope and help nurture the bright minds of tomorrow.”
UNC receives NPP Support from FNCB for Revitalization United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) received $50,000 from FNCB Bank through the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP). This six-year annual contribution will help rebuild, restore, and revitalize the Pine Brook community, a designated Elm Street Community, through the Pennsylvania Keystone Communities program.
UNC to Host International Dinner and Celebration United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) is excited for the return of our International Dinner and Celebration held during National Volunteer Week on Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at our Oppenheim Center for the Arts, 1004 Jackson Street in Scranton. UNC welcomes all media outlets to cover this culturally diverse showcase of our growing Community Education Department programming. The international potluck festivity highlights our students, their accomplishments, and recognizes our volunteers for their incredible work and dedication. Students and their families will share culinary dishes specific to their native countries, and enjoy arts and crafts, music, remarks, and presentation of certificates of achievement. There will be special emphasis on the students who recently obtained their United States citizenship. Remarks will also be made by Lisa Durkin, UNC President and CEO; and Terilynn Brechtel, UNC Director of Community Education. Both will be available for interviews during the event.
UNC’s 3rd Annual Pine Brook Family Arts Festival Date Set United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) and partner John Adams Elementary School are hosting the 3rd Annual Pine Brook Family Arts Festival on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from Noon to 4 pm on the school’s playground. Activities include kids’ yoga, drum making, upcycling planters with flowers, DIY tie-dyes, suncatchers, face painting, balloon making, rock painting, food, music, and more! Antonio’s Pizza and El Buen Amigo will be serving pizza and tacos, for an additional fee. Joining us for the first time is Snook’s Wings and Things, selling burgers, fries, wings, and more. We will be supplying free ice cream from Scoopz Ice Cream truck for all attendees. Our partners Marywood University and The University of Scranton will provide arts education and make and take crafts. We are also hosting five local artists to assist children in creating artwork, this is made possible through a sponsorship from Lackawanna County Arts ENGAGE. Other organizations presenting crafts and resources include Penn State Extension 4H & Master Gardeners, Albright Memorial Library, Be SMART, Scranton Tomorrow with Keep PA Beautiful, and My Center for Independent Living. This free festival is a part of the UNC Pine Brook Neighborhood Revitalization Plan and offers access to different arts and activities for families in the neighborhood to enjoy,” said Holly Yorkonis, UNC event organizer. UNC’s Pine Brook Neighborhood Community Revitalization Plan is funded by Coterra, FNBC Bank, and Peoples Security Bank through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Neighborhood Partnership Program. Anyone interested in volunteering at the annual event should contact UNC Assistant Director of Community Revitalization, Holly at Hyorkonis@uncnepa.org or (272) 228-1366.
UNC’s Illumination Youth Arts Opening Night Reception & Exhibit United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) Illumination Youth Arts is presenting their first ever multimedia interactive exhibit titled “Illuminated Echoes: Ancient Games and Youth Artistry.” The public is invited to their opening night reception on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 6:00 pm at AFA Gallery, 101 Penn Avenue in downtown Scranton. The show runs until April 18, 2024. The display includes photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, and pottery from 22 UNC Youth Artists. Guests are encouraged to mingle with the artists on March 28 to learn about their masterpieces and play the interactive component of the exhibit – the recreation of lost and ancient games. They will learn the history of the games and how to play the replicas created by the artists using 3D design/printing and pottery techniques. Featured artists include Jaida Rosa, Fourth Grade, featuring her ceramics. Tiana Jeter, Seventh Grade, highlighting her photography and ceramics. Janyah Currie, a high school sophomore, displaying her photography, mixed media, and ceramics. Janiya Jones, a high school sophomore, will be presenting her 3D design and photography. Lizmary Camacho, a high school senior, will be showing photography and mixed media. Enjelis Madera, a high school senior, will be featuring her photography, mixed media, and ceramics. Illumination Youth Arts is funded by Lackawanna County, The City of Scranton, United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, and the Overlook Estate Foundation. For more information, contact Kylee Colvin, UNC’s Community Youth Manager at 570-961-1592, ext. 105.
UNC Announces 2nd Annual Designer Purse Bingo United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) is pleased to announce our second annual Designer Purse Bingo on Friday, April 5, 2024, at Holy Cross High School at 501 East Drinker Street in Dunmore. The doors open at 5:30pm and bingo starts at 6:30pm. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. A very special thank you to our $10,000 presenting sponsor Grimm Construction. Admission covers 20 games of exciting Bingo with “celebrity” callers for a chance to win amazing designer purses from Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Coach, and many more. Additional purchases can be made the day of the event for three special games, basket raffles, 50/50, and $20 gift card pull. Light refreshments will also be available to purchase. Guests are allowed to bring their own food and beverages including alcoholic drinks, making this event for the 21+ crowd only. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities please visit: uncnepa.org/bingo
Citizens Saving Bank Sponsors UNC in Upcoming Designer Purse Bingo United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) received $500.00 sponsorship from Citizens Saving Bank for our second annual Designer Purse Bingo fundraiser on Friday, April 5, 2024, at Holy Cross High School in Dunmore. The doors open at 5:30pm and bingo starts at 6:30pm. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Admission covers 20 games of exciting Bingo with “celebrity” callers for a chance to win amazing designer purses. Additional purchases can be made the day of the event for three special games, basket raffles, 50/50, and $20 gift card pull. Light refreshments will also be available to purchase. Guests are allowed to bring their own food and beverages including alcoholic drinks, making this event for the 21+ crowd only. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities please visit: uncnepa.org/bingo.
United Neighborhood Center Announces 2nd Annual Designer Purse BINGO United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) is pleased to announce our second annual Designer Purse Bingo on Friday, April 5, 2024, at Holy Cross High School at 501 East Drinker Street in Dunmore. The doors open at 5:30pm and bingo starts at 6:30pm. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. A very special thank you to our $10,000 presenting sponsor Grimm Construction. Admission covers 20 games of exciting Bingo with “celebrity” callers for a chance to win amazing designer purses from Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Coach, and many more. Additional purchases can be made the day of the event for three special games, basket raffles, 50/50, and $20 gift card pull. Light refreshments will also be available to purchase. Guests are allowed to bring their own food and beverages including alcoholic drinks, making this event for the 21+ crowd only. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities please visit: uncnepa.org/bingo
Donate Non-Perishable Food to United Neighborhood Centers The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce hosted the Mardi Gras Business Card Exchange at Urban Co-Works on Wednesday, February 21. Chamber members networked, toured the facility, and ate great food. The Chamber and Urban Co-Works partnered to collect non-perishable food items from Chamber members to support the United Neighborhood Center pantry. Chamber members are encouraged to continue supporting UNC by donating directly to the organization. Through collected efforts of The Chamber and members like FNCB Bank, UNC was gifted non-perishable food items to stock their pantry. You and your business can continue to support UNC and other nonprofit members in the greater Scranton community by donating directly to them. Search for fellow members and see how you can help them.
Knowles Insurance Supports UNC and WNEP Feed a Friend Program United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) received a $500.00 donation from Knowles Insurance in Scranton on Monday, November 13, 2023. All monetary donations to Feed a Friend will help feed families with children in Lackawanna County to receive a gift card to a local grocery store to buy your favorite traditional foods to celebrate Thanksgiving. UNC is grateful to be the designated Lackawanna County WNEP Feed a Friend agency for 39 years. To make a monetary donation, go to: uncnepa.org/one-time-donation/ or mail checks payable to United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania, 425 Alder Street, Scranton, PA 18505. You can make a non-perishable food donation at more than 70 locations throughout Lackawanna County.
