UNC Launches Free Strengthening Families Program

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC), in partnership with the Carbondale Area School District and PROSPER Partnerships, will offer the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) for Parents and Youth ages 10–14 this fall. The seven-week series helps families build stronger relationships and supports children as they transition into the teen years.

The program runs Thursdays, October 2 through November 13, 2025, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Carbondale Area Elementary School. Each session begins with a free family dinner at 5:30 p.m. and includes on-site childcare for younger siblings. Families who participate are eligible for weekly prizes such as board games, gift cards, and movie passes.

Parents and caregivers learn practical strategies for setting loving limits, creating household routines, encouraging positive behavior, managing stress, and preventing substance misuse. Youth in fifth and sixth grade build skills to prepare for the teen years, communicate effectively with parents, handle stress and peer pressure, and make healthy choices.

Registration: Space is limited. To register, contact Nathan Masco, UNC PROSPER Coordinator, at nmasco@uncnepa.org or 570-961-1592 ext. 103.

Wayne Bank Hires Valerie A. O’Hare as Corporate Training Manager

Jim Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is excited to announce the hiring of Valerie A. O’Hare as Corporate Training Manager.

“I am thrilled to welcome Valerie to the Wayne Bank team. Her extensive training experience will be an asset in guiding our departments as we continue to develop and implement the best possible training practices for our employees,” said Donnelly.

As Corporate Training Manager, Valerie will be responsible for creating and overseeing training programs, including job-specific instruction and compliance/regulatory training. She will also collaborate with various departments to design training initiatives that support the bank’s needs and long-term goals.

With more than 28 years in the banking industry and over a decade of targeted training experience, Valerie brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Wayne Bank team.

Valerie graduated from Delaware Valley High School in 1997. She attended PA Bankers Association School of Banking in 2017 and Advanced School of Banking in 2021. An active member of her community, Valerie currently serves on the United Way Community Impact Committees for Pike and Lackawanna counties. She resides in Pike County with her husband Tom.

WVIA Wins Awards at NETA Conference

WVIA is proud to announce that it has been honored with two prestigious recognitions at the 57th Annual NETA Public Media Awards, presented by the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA). The awards celebrate excellence in public media content, community engagement, and education nationwide.

WVIA earned recognition in the following categories:

  • Community Engagement – Local Project: American Dreams
  • Community Engagement – Kids & Family: Carl the Collector Family Engagement

The American Dreams project explored the intersection of arts and civic engagement through partnerships with five arts organizations across four counties. WVIA produced three short films that were featured in an hourlong TV panel discussion program, Keystone Edition Arts: American Dreams. The Exchange in Bloomsburg showcased 70 works by 40 artists; the Wayne County Arts Alliance featured 200 student pieces in The Dinner Party exhibition; and Nigerian artist Ibiyanka Alao inspired 400 West Berwick students with art for peace. Misericordia University’s Pauly Friedman Gallery presented veterans’ reflections on war before hosting the TV taping with 100 attendees. The program examined visual art, pottery, poetry, jazz, and the historic role of art in civic life.

WVIA Education’s Carl the Collector Family Engagement activities brought inclusive educational experiences to the community through screenings, activities, and the launch of a sensory-friendly space at the Pittston Memorial Library. The initiative engaged more than 100 participants at local events and drew civic leaders, PBS leadership, and families. Serving an estimated 320,000 residents, the project was celebrated both in person and online as a powerful example of public media fostering creativity, inclusion, and community connection.

These honors highlight WVIA’s commitment to creating innovative and impactful projects that serve the needs of families, educators, and communities across Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania.

“We are absolutely delighted that the creative work we do to address the unique needs of young people in our region and amplify the voices of students of all ages is not only recognized by our community but also by our peers across the country,” said Vicki Austin,  WVIA’s Chief Education, Grants and Corporate Relations Officer. “We remain dedicated to our mission of service to all and are grateful for the countless partners who bolster our efforts.”

The NETA Public Media Awards are among the most respected honors in the industry, recognizing work that strengthens communities, educates citizens, and enriches cultural life. This year’s competition included entries from dozens of public media stations across the country.

“Receiving two NETA Public Media Awards is a powerful recognition of the creativity and dedication of the WVIA team,” said Carla McCabe, WVIA President & CEO. “These honors highlight our commitment to producing innovative projects that truly engage and uplift the communities we serve, and they underscore the vital role public media plays in enriching lives every single day in our region.”

My Benefit Advisors, The Future of Employer-Sponsored Healthcare

Moving into the later stages of 2025, employer-sponsored healthcare is undergoing a dramatic transformation driven by technology, cost pressures, and shifting workforce expectations. Traditional models focused solely on insurance coverage are giving way to holistic, data-driven strategies that prioritize prevention, personalization, and accessibility.

The rise in virtual care has redefined the healthcare experience and telemedicine, once a convenience, is now a cornerstone of care delivery. Employers are increasingly adopting virtual-first health plans, combining digital platforms with in-person networks to improve engagement and lower costs.

Another major trend is the integration of mental and behavioral health services. In the wake of the pandemic and growing awareness of stress and burnout, companies are embedding mental health solutions directly into their benefits ecosystem…from on-demand counseling to manager mental health training. Additionally, wearable health technology and AI-driven analytics are enabling real-time monitoring of employee well-being, allowing for more proactive interventions.

My Benefit Advisor offers access to Chamber members as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings.

PS Bank Hires New Commercial Loan Officer / Vice President

Anthony J. Gabello, President and Chief Executive Officer, is pleased to announce the hiring of Brian E. Burd as Commercial Loan Officer / Vice President.

With over 25 years of experience in commercial lending, Brian brings a wealth of expertise to the team. In this role, he will help grow PS Bank’s lending portfolio and extend its robust product line to new business customers.

“True community banks are becoming rare and I’m very fortunate to have found a great place in PS Bank to continue my banking career. I’m looking forward to connecting local businesses with their best banking option,” said Burd.

Anthony J. Gabello, President & CEO of PS Bank, added, “As our bank continues to grow, our lending department is proud to add Brian to our commercial lending area. His experience and network provide growth opportunities in the Luzerne, Wyoming, and Lackawanna County markets.”

Brian holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton, and an MBA from Misericordia University. Brian currently serves as the treasurer of the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce; board member of United Way Wyoming County; member of the finance and audit committee for GirlScouts in the Heart of PA, and is a member of Soo Bahk Do Martial Arts Federation.

He resides in South Abington Township with his wife, Cristan, with whom he shares three children.

Hospice of the Sacred Heart Hosts Remembrance Walk

Hundreds of walkers are expected to pause and remember their loved ones in a unique and special way at the Hospice of the Sacred Heart Remembrance Walk. The walk will take place on Saturday, September 27th at McDade Park in Scranton. Registration begins at 8:30 am and the walk will kick off at 10 am. The Wright Center is the presenting sponsor. 

The one-mile walk around scenic McDade Park is wheelchair accessible and pet-friendly. The $25 registration fee ($30 after September 12th) includes lunch and a long-sleeve t-shirt with a customizable pin-on bib so participants can walk in memory of a loved one. Teams of five or more are $20 each and children 18 and under are free. There will be a DJ, basket raffle, children’s activities, a ceremonial balloon launch and ice cream courtesy of Fidelity Bank. Proceeds from the walk will help support Hospice of the Sacred Heart programs and services. 

The event will begin with an opening prayer and WNEP-TV anchor and reporter, Stacy Lange, will start the walk. Diane Baldi, Hospice of the Sacred Heart CEO, will be available for interviews. 

Those wishing to participate individually or as a team can register online at www.HospiceSacredHeart.org, by calling 570-706-2400 or at McDade Park the day of the walk. 

Jeannine Luby and Joy World Wealth Partners Host “Comedy for A Joyful Cause”

Jeannine Luby, comedian and owner of Laugh to Live, a business focused on promoting the healing and wellness benefits of laughter and humor, is collaborating with Megan Alpert of Joy World Wealth Partners to deliver an evening of laughter and joy. Luby will produce and perform in “Comedy for A Joyful Cause,” a stand-up comedy show on Thursday, September 25 at 6:30PM, for ages 18 and over, that will feature three of the region’s funniest comedians: Jeremy Pryal, Micki Orlowski and Luby, who was a semifinalist in this past summer’s NEPA’s Funniest Competition hosted by Wise Crackers Comedy Club. This event will feature complimentary popcorn and nonalcoholic beverages.

Alpert of Joy World is excited to host the comedy show at her business because she celebrates September as Joy Month, created in honor of her dear friend Lindsay who died of cancer and inspired the nonprofit spreadJOY.  A portion of ticket sales will benefit spreadJOY the nonprofit whose goal is to fulfill needs for and give a pick-me-up to people going through a difficult time in their life. This might mean delivering a hot meal or a house cleaning service to someone in need, it might mean giving someone an Uber gift card to use for rides to doctor appointments, or it might mean being able to provide someone with an amazing memory-making experience! The public can nominate someone, and the board approves.

Tickets for “Comedy for A Joyful Cause” taking place at Joy World, 125 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, may be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1664836814729?aff=oddtdtcreator.

United Neighborhood Center 17th Annual Frolic

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) is excited to visit the community to our 17th Annual Frolic –Harvest at the Hilton, presented by PNC.

Formerly known as the Chocolate & Wine Frolic, this signature fundraiser has been reimagined into an evening that showcases the region’s finest — from decadent sweets and savory bites to craft drinks, fine wines, live music, and the warmth of community coming together. All proceeds directly support UNC’s essential programs for children, families, and seniors.

The event will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:30 PM at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center. Tickets are $50 and include one drink ticket (21+).

Guests will enjoy tastings from more than 20 local chocolatiers, chefs, brewmasters, winemakers, and artisans — all while making a difference in their community. Offerings include wine from three local wineries such as Lucchi Family Wine Cellars, beer samples from Susquehanna Brewing Co., sweet treats from four local bakeries and Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, a giant charcuterie display from the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center featuring locally sourced farmers market items, and both sweet and savory dishes from six area restaurants, including A’teria 519 and Andy Gavin’s Eatery & Pub.

Tickets and sponsorship details available at uncnepa.org.