Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant from PPL Foundation The Greater Scranton YMCA is pleased to announce it has received a $5,000 grant from the PPL Foundation. These funds will support the Y’s Summer Scholars Program, a free six-week summer learning program. The goal of Summer Scholars is to prevent summer learning loss for children from low- income families through a combination of literacy instruction (using the Four Blocks Model), enrichment activities aligned to literacy instruction and positive youth development opportunities. The program targets struggling readers and serves rising first, second and third grade students attending the Dunmore and Mid Valley School Districts. “The Greater Scranton YMCA is so grateful to the PPL Foundation for their generosity,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO. “Thanks in part to this grant award, and additional support from local foundations, businesses, and proceeds from the Annual Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament, our YMCA will continue providing the Summer Scholars Program for struggling readers in our community at no cost to families. It’s because of the commitment of community partners like the PPL Foundation that we are able to serve those in need.” For more information about the Summer Scholars Program, contact Helen Cruser, Education Director, at hcruser@gsymca.org.
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant from Peoples Security Bank & Trust On October 8th, Peoples Security Bank & Trust presented the Greater Scranton YMCA with a $500 donation, awarded through their #PSBTGives Campaign. Danithza Farrell, Peoples Security Bank & Trust, Branch Manager, Dickson City Office; Meghan Carnevale, Greater Scranton YMCA, Mission Advancement & Marketing Director
Greater Scranton YMCA Appoints Next President & CEO On September 26, the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Board of Directors appointed Rich Surridge as the organization’s next President & CEO. Rich has worked at the Greater Scranton YMCA for 17 years, beginning his YMCA career in July of 2007. During his time with the YMCA, Rich served in various roles at the Greater Scranton YMCA and Greater Wyoming Valley YMCA. Previous to being appointed President & CEO in September and Interim CEO in June, Rich served as the Greater Scranton YMCA’s CFO from 2007-2015; the CFO for both the Greater Scranton YMCA and the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA from 2015-2021; and, most recently, the CFO and COO at the Greater Scranton YMCA from 2021 through June of this year. “On behalf of the board of directors, we are thrilled to name Rich as President and CEO of the Greater Scranton YMCA,” said Megan Wolff Galko, Chief Volunteer Officer, Greater Scranton YMCA. “His passion and dedication to the Y makes him the perfect person to continue our legacy of serving a critical need within the Northeast PA community by offering healthy meals for children and seniors, training in water safety, encouraging healthy habits, and offering a safe place for residents of all ages to spend time with their friends.” As President & CEO, Rich’s primary focus will be ensuring the Greater Scranton YMCA’s successful operation, including membership, program development, volunteer recruitment, staff supervision, community relations, collaborations, budgeting, and financial results. “I am honored to serve as the next President & CEO of the Greater Scranton YMCA,” said Rich. “I will work diligently to not only continue the important work of our YMCA, but also to grow our programs to meet the changing needs of our community. Working alongside our dedicated staff team, I am so excited to be a part of the impact the Greater Scranton YMCA will continue to make on the lives of children, adults and families from across our community.”
Greater Scranton YMCA Announces Retirement of President The Greater Scranton YMCA announces the retirement of its esteemed President & CEO, Trish Fisher, due to health concerns. Trish’s unwavering dedication to the development of the Greater Scranton YMCA during her ten years of service will forever be appreciated, and they express gratitude for her. During Trish’s tenure, the Greater Scranton YMCA underwent nearly $10 million in capital improvements, including the renovation of the welcome center and the creation of a commercial kitchen, teaching kitchen, universal locker room, power cycling room and more. Under Trish’s leadership, enrollment in its Early Childhood Education Programs has more than tripled, which motivated the opening of its second Early Learning Center in Olyphant in April of this year. The YMCA’s membership has also tripled during this time, fully rebounding from the hardships incurred during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Throughout the pandemic, Trish was proud to continue paying all staff, even during the times when the facility was forced to shut down. Since Trish joined the Greater Scranton YMCA, $10,963,376 has been raised to support these efforts and continue fulfilling the mission of turning no one away for an inability to pay. Trish played an integral role in the establishment of the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Year-Round Food Program, which provides daily breakfast, lunch and snacks to the children in their care. Understanding the importance of year-round education for all children, Trish spearheaded the implementation of the Summer Scholars Program at the Mid Valley and Dunmore School Districts. The program operates for six-weeks during the summer months, is free of charge and is targeted to rising first, second and third grade students who are struggling with reading. The members, staff, and volunteers are profoundly grateful to Trish for her cause-driven leadership and wish her all the health and happiness in the world as she enters her well-deserved retirement!
Greater Scranton YMCA to Host “Thriving Together” On Saturday, June 29th the Greater Scranton YMCA will host “Thriving Together,” a free community event being held to acknowledge and celebrate that Mental Health is Wealth, and to encourage all those that participated in, and from, the YMCA s Wellbeing Initiative programming to continue engaging in activities and/or practices to support their mental and emotional health. The family friendly event will be held from 11:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. at the Greater Scranton YMCA’s facility, located at 706 North Blakely St., Dunmore, PA 18512, and will feature a photo booth, the Alpacas of Windy Haven Farm, multiple inflatable activities, 9-hole mini golf, climbing rock wall, face painting, a band and more. All are welcome. In 2022, the Greater Scranton YMCA was awarded an approximate $1.836 million dollar grant through SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), made possible through Community Project Funding from Congressman Cartwright’s office, to support the Wellbeing Initiative. The project is a collaborative effort between the Greater Scranton YMCA, Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA (which includes the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA and Greater Pittston YMCA), Greater Carbondale YMCA and Wayne County YMCA. Since the Y Wellbeing Initiative began in 2023, more than 11,500 people have taken a proactive approach to their mental and emotional health by participating in YMCA Wellbeing Initiative programming throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania with our youngest participant being 10 months old and our oldest being 102 years old, spanning over a century of lived experience. Through the Wellbeing Initiative, participants had the opportunity to engage in programming such as Groove and Grow with Me, Thriving Minds, The Art of Connection, Calm Your Mind Yoga, Sound Meditations, Drums Alive, Art 4 Healing, Hatha for Healing, Healthy Minds in Harmony, Food Mood and many more. “The Wellbeing Initiative has provided our YMCA with the opportunity to support the mental and emotional well-being of our community through free programs for all,” said Rich Surridge, Interim CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “We are so grateful to Congressman Cartwright for allowing us to bring this initiative to life.” For more information about the Thriving Together event, contact Katie Moran, Coordinatorof the Wellbeing Initiative, at kmoran@gsymca.org.
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.
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant In April 2024, the Greater Scranton YMCA was awarded a $15,000 Community Needs Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The grant will support the purchase of outdoor playground equipment at the Y’s new Early Learning Center in Olyphant. The center opened in April 2024. Through the opening of the new center, the Greater Scranton YMCA’s goal is to offer our community much needed childcare services, allowing parents to work knowing their child(ren) are in a safe and nurturing environment. The center will provide children with the tools and resources needed for success in kindergarten and beyond, and the outdoor playground equipment will provide children with daily opportunities for outdoor play. The new center, which is licensed to serve up to 125 children, will also aid jobseekers, creating 16 full-time and two part-time positions. “It’s because of the incredible generosity of community partners like the Scranton Area Community Foundation that the Greater Scranton YMCA is able to serve so many members of our community,” said Rich Surridge, Interim CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “The opening of our second early learning center will allow our Y to provide care to the substantial number of children and families in need of childcare services. The outdoor playground will be such a wonderful asset to the center.” For more information about early childhood education at the Greater Scranton YMCA, contact Tressa Parker, Senior Director of Education, at tparker@gsymca.org or visit the Y online at www.greaterscrantonymca.org.
Greater Scranton YMCA Provides Tips and Programs During Heart Month February is American Heart Month, and with recently published research indicating blood pressure control has worsened in both men and women since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greater Scranton YMCA urges community members to make their health a priority by getting a blood pressure screening. Blood pressure guidelines from American Heart Association indicate that nearly half of all Americans (46 percent) have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is often referred to as “The Silent Killer” because there are typically no warning signs or symptoms. While high blood pressure and heart disease are serious conditions, the good news is a healthy heart is an achievable goal through lifestyle changes such as lowering sodium intake, eating healthier, and getting more physical activity. Getting help can be as easy as contacting the Y and taking part in the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program. The Greater Scranton YMCA is continuing its increased availability of the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program – which is part of the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program. The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program helps adults at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles to help reduce their chances of developing the disease. Type 2 diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and people with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or suffer a stroke as those who do not have it. Here in the Greater Scranton region, we have offered the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program for 12 years. The program provides a supportive environment where participants work together in a small group to learn about eating healthier, increasing their physical activity and making other behavior changes with the goal of reducing body weight by 7 percent in order to reduce their risk for developing diabetes. A trained Lifestyle Coach leads the program over a 12-month period. Increased physical activity and moderate weight loss not only reduce diabetes risk, but also have an impact on lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. The Greater Scranton YMCA has seen many participants who had previously been living a sedentary lifestyle come through the program and not only improve their quality of life, but go on to attend multiple group exercises classes a week, as well as regularly visit our wellness center and weight room. The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program introducespeople to the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and is essential in creating healthier habits bothinside and outside the gym. In addition to monitoring your blood pressure, reducing sodium intake is a great way tokeep your heart healthy. Per the American Heart Association (AHA), too much sodium inyour system puts an extra burden on your heart and blood vessels. In some people, thismay lead to or raise high blood pressure. Everyone, including kids, should reduce theirsodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day (about 1 teaspoon of salt).Having less sodium in your diet may help you lower or avoid high blood pressure. “While there are many ways to keep your heart healthy, making a conscious effort to tackleyour blood pressure and decrease sodium intake are two quick, effective ways to preventheart disease,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “No matter whatyour heart health goal is this year, the Y has a variety of resources to help you get startedand achieve them.” The Greater Scranton YMCA offers a community of diverse individuals who can support allpeople in meeting their health and well-being goals. Learn more by visitingwww.greaterscrantonymca.org or stopping into the facility, located at 706 N. Blakely Street,Dunmore, PA 18512.
The Dime Bank Donates to the YMCA Project The Dime Bank donates $124,250.00 to the YMCA Project through the Department of Community and Economic Development under the Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credit Program. The Wayne County YMCA has outgrown the current historical building and needs a new facility as the current facility is becoming too costly to operate. The Dime Bank believes in supporting our community by partnering with many non-profits. Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey Roche stated, “The Dime Bank aspires to be an integral part of the neighborhoods that we service and where our customers and employees work, raise their families, and live. We are proud to help create a modern, state-of-the-art facility for everyone to enjoy.” “A community project of this size and scope would not be possible without the support of The Dime Bank. Their donation of $124,250.00 will enable us to complete phase 1 of this project which includes the development and completion of engineering/design work, site development plans, sewage design, and various permits. We thank The Dime Bank for their commitment and participation in this critical community project,” stated YMCA Board President Jennifer DeYoung.
