NeighborWorks NEPA Awards Home Improvement Grants NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania is pleased to partner with both the City of Scranton and the City of Carbondale to announce the block groups selected for funding in the 2023 Beautiful Blocks program cycle. With a total of 103 properties in Scranton and 34 properties in Carbondale 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. 2023 represents the fifth consecutive program cycle in Scranton for Beautiful Blocks, with the program entering its third consecutive cycle in Carbondale after launching in the Pioneer City in 2021. Members of selected groups have until November 1 to complete their individual exterior home improvement projects, with groups also eligible for a $500 stipend to conduct a community celebration or service project. According to NeighborWorks President & CEO Jesse Ergott, “Beautiful Blocks is all about bringing people together to improve the neighborhoods they call home. We are thrilled that the program is resonating with so many of our neighbors in both Scranton and Carbondale and are greatly appreciative of all of the funding partners who help to make it happen. We are looking forward to continued growth of this program in both communities as we facilitate both physical improvements to homes and strengthened connections between neighbors.” “It is so exciting to see our residents working as a team making improvements to their home and their neighborhoods,” said Michele Bannon, Carbondale City Clerk and former board chair for NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania. “Year two of Beautiful Blocks has made a tremendous impact on the City. Each year the program is growing bringing more homeowners together. It’s amazing to see the impact of committed, empowered homeowners on our community.” Beautiful Blocks in Carbondale is made possible with support from Lackawanna County Commissioners Jerry Notarianni, Debi Domenick, Esq., and Chris Chermak; with additional support from Millennium Packaging, Coterra Energy, Gentex, and other local businesses. “It’s inspiring to see the improvements made to our neighborhoods thanks to Beautiful Blocksprogram and out community-minded residents,” said Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti.“We’re thankful to the team at NeighborWorks and their volunteers who work with us to makeScranton a beautiful place to live.” Beautiful Blocks in Scranton is made possible with support from the City of Scranton, withadditional support from Community Bank, NA, The Dime Bank, M&T Bank, and The HonesdaleNational Bank. Over the first four cycles of Beautiful Blocks in the City of Scranton, more than 340 individualprojects have been completed by Scranton residents, grouped into 45 block groups. More than$287,000 in grant funding has been distributed to as part of these projects, with participatingresidents contributing more than $735,000 in matching funds to improving their neighborhoods. In the first two years of the Beautiful Blocks program operating in Carbondale, seven groups ofneighbors have participated, with more than $37,000 in grant funding awarded. This grantfunding helped to leverage more than $66,000 in funds invested from participatinghomeowners. Residents of Scranton and Carbondale who are interested in participating in future cycles ofthe Beautiful Blocks program are encouraged to access more information by visiting theprogram homepage at https:// www.nwnepa.org/programs/beautiful-blocks.html. Moreinformation is also available by contacting Gerard Hetman, NeighborWorks NortheasternPennsylvania Community Development Specialist, at (570) 558-2490 orghetman@nwnepa.org.
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded the Greater Scranton YMCA a $ 3,000 grant to support its summer literacy program, Summer Scholars. This local grant is a part of the Foundation’s largest, one day literacy donation of more than $13 million throughout the 47 states in which Dollar General operates to support adult, family and summer literacy programs. The Greater Scranton YMCA’s Summer Scholars Program is a free research based and researchproven six week summer learning program with a goal to get elementary students on track toread at or above grade level by the start of their next school year. In summer 2023, the programwill serve rising first, second and third grade students attending the Dunmore School District. Participants’ days consist of 2.5 hours of literacy in the morning followed by lunch and enrichmentin the afternoon. Enrichment activities include field trips, as well as trips to the Greater ScrantonYMCA for use of the pools. The program is instructed by certified teachers and YMCA staff.
NET Credit Union Sponsors Little Free Libraries in Lackawanna County NET Credit Union is the sponsor for new Little Free Libraries throughout Lackawanna County that will be an accessible resource for reading in the community with book exchange boxes. The Little Free Libraries are part of the Scranton City Pride Project. NET Credit Union partnered with Scranton Tomorrow, NeighborWorks of NEPA, and United Neighborhoods Centers of NEPA to make this community project a reality. The Albright Memorial Library ensured there was a wide variety of books included in each of the Little Free Libraries and will also maintain the reading material. Carpentry students from The Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County built the little libraries while art students from West Scranton High School painted some. The current Scranton locations of the Little Free Libraries are 135 Jefferson Avenue, 815 Smith Street, and 1158 Luzerne Street. More will be added soon in other Scranton neighborhoods. Visit https://www.scrantontomorrow.org/ for location updates.
Misericordia University to Host Art Gallery Summer Exhibit The Pauly Friedman Art Gallery at Misericordia University hopes to awaken the inner railfan in everyone with “The Ties That Bind: Railroading in NEPA.” This art exhibition, held in partnership with the Back Mountain Railroad Club, will focus on the historical significance of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, which stretched from Buffalo, New York, to New York City, New York, during its run from 1846 to 1976. This exhibit features train-themed photography and artwork by regional artists, including Bloomsburg-based artist Oren B. Helbok. A model train layout of Dallas Borough and surrounding areas of the Back Mountain will be displayed from the late 1930s through the late 1940s. Also displayed are artifacts from Wilkes Barre’s historical trolley that used the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Other artists include Sue Hand, Bob McCormick, Dan Troy, and Eric Williams. The Gallery will host MU’s Ticket To Ride Board Game Night on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Board Game Night is co-sponsored by Chick-fil-A Express at Misericordia University, operated by Metz Culinary Management. This event will feature different versions of the beloved classic train-building board game, “Ticket to Ride.” Beginners welcome. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Preregister as a single player or a table of 4 players on the gallery website. Beginning and experienced photographers are invited to spend an afternoon with Oren Helbok, the Chasing the Train Cellphone Workshop on Thursday, July 13, 2023, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oren will share the stories of how he captures the trains in his photography while participants hone their own composition and timing skills with our in-gallery model railroad. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Preregistration is required, but space is limited. The public is invited to meet Oren and other artists at a free reception on Thursday, July 13, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. The University Welcome will be given by Joe Curran, Ph.D., professor and chair of Religious Studies; director of the Medical and Health Humanities program; Associate Director, Honors Program, and Train Enthusiast. Dean Mastrangelo will perform live piano music. Gallery Summer Hours are Wednesday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Other times and free Director-led tours are available by appointment. The gallery is closed during university closings and holidays. Admission is always free to all. Please call or check the gallery website, www.misericordia.edu/art, to confirm your visit. For a free tour, private appointment, or more information, please contact the Gallery director Lalaine Little, Ph.D., at (570) 674-8420 or email llittle@misericordia.edu.
Jewish Family Service of NEPA Holds Annual Community Matters Event On June 1, 2023, Jewish Family Service held its 5th Annual Community Matters Event at the Scranton Cultural Center. This marked the first time since 2019 the event was held due to the Covid pandemic. Prior to Covid Natalie Gelb was selected as the next honoree. Although Natalie would have to wait three years to be honored it was well worth the wait! The event which was sponsored in part by Toyota Scranton was attended by over 140 people and raised $20,118 for JFS programs and services, both record amounts for the event. Sara E. Solfanelli was the guest speaker and spoke about her mother’s years of impact on our community. For over 100 years Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania has been helping individuals and families in our region achieve well-being, health, and stability. The Annual Community Matters community recognition event is our major event fundraiser each year. The event helps support JFS programs and services including Mental Health Services, Financial Assistance, Case Management, Guardianship of Person Service, and the Mae S. Gelb Kosher Food Pantry.
Moses Taylor Foundation Welcomes Tom Bisignani as CFOO Tom Bisignani has joined Moses Taylor Foundation, a private foundation with a mission to improve the health of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania, as its Chief Financial and Operations Officer. He will be responsible for all aspects of the Foundation’s financial and business operations, along with supporting strategy development, program implementation, and grants management within the Foundation’s 11-county service area. Bisignani is a highly accomplished, results-driven financial executive with 20 years of experience in hospital operations and finance. He brings notable expertise in the healthcare sector with demonstrated success in blending quality and fiscal management to improve outcomes and satisfaction for physicians, patients, and team members. Most recently, Bisignani served as Commonwealth Health’s Market Chief Financial Officer – Scranton Market, overseeing fiscal operations for its two-hospital integrated healthcare delivery system and Physicians Health Alliance. Bisignani previously held Chief Financial Officer roles at Regional Hospital of Scranton and Moses Taylor Hospital. “Tom has built an impressive career in healthcare leadership and is deeply familiar with our regional community health needs. In this new role, Tom will provide leadership and expertise as we continue to advance the Foundation’s mission across our service area,” said Danielle Breslin, President and CEO of Moses Taylor Foundation. Bisignani assumes this role in advance of the planned July 14, 2023, retirement of the Foundation’s long-time Chief Financial Officer, Thomas Kelly, Jr. Bisignani holds a Master of Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Scranton. He assumed his responsibilities at Moses Taylor Foundation on June 12, 2023. Moses Taylor Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to building healthy communities and providing opportunities for people in Northeastern Pennsylvania to lead healthier lives. The Foundation was endowed in 2012 with the net proceeds from the Moses Taylor Health Care System sale to Community Health Systems of Franklin, Tennessee. Since its formation, the Foundation has grown to support approximately $4 million in annual grantmaking in Bradford, Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties. For more information, visit www.mosestaylorfoundation.org.
Special Olympics Selling Tickets for RailRiders Game Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Northeast Region is proudly selling RailRiders tickets for their home game against Buffalo on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 6:05. Tickets are in sections 13 and 14 and cost only $15 each. There is plenty of accessible seating and it’s golf towel giveaway night. Join them in celebrating the joy of baseball and the possibilities of a more inclusive world as a lucky Special Olympics athlete is chosen to throw the first pitch of the game. To buy tickets, please click here.
Steamtown National Historic Site to Host Railfest and Arts on Fire Celebrate the area’s industrial heritage with the return of Steamtown National Historic Site’s Railfest and Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum’s Arts on Fire on Saturday, June 17, 2023. Both sites are excited to be collaborating to provide an interactive experience showcasing our community’s history. In addition to free admission, there will be no cost for Steamtown’s short train rides. A complimentary shuttle service will be available throughout the day to transport visitors between Steamtown NHS and the Scranton Iron Furnaces. Steamtown’s Railfest event will take place from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Steamtown National Historic Site (350 Cliff St, Scranton). Programming will be offered throughout the day, including short train rides, the Scranton Limited yard shuttle and the Caboose Hop experience, cab tours of the Union Pacific 4012 and Canadian Pacific 2317, tours of Mattes St. Tower, demonstrations within the locomotive shop, “Ring of Fire” demonstrations, and a Junior Ranger scavenger hunt activity. Several community partners will be in attendance as well.Anthracite Heritage Museum’s Arts on Fire will take place at the Scranton Iron Furnaces (159 Cedar Avenue, Scranton) from 11 AM to 5 PM. The event kicks off at 11 AM with a ceremonial lighting of the furnace and will feature art demonstrations, food trucks, live music, and the return of Hot Metal to the furnaces. Artist and sculpture professor Brian Glaze will fire up his cupola furnace and melt iron. Scratch blocks will be available for your artistic expressions in cast iron. Admission to Railfest and Arts on Fire are FREE!
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Announces Staff Promotion The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s President, Karen Saunders, recently announced a staff promotion of Ms. Karen Ryczak from Director-Surveillance & Navigation Programs to Vice President- Programs & Surveillance. Karen Ryczak, RN, of Archbald, has over 30 years of experience in oncology and will provide organizational supervision and management of Community and Patient Services programs in her new role. In addition, she will continue to manage the Cancer Surveillance Program, including providing an annual report on cancer to the community. Ryczak, who attended the University of Scranton and is a graduate of Mercy Hospital School of Nursing has been an employee of the Cancer Institute since 2000.
The Chamber Announces New and Re-Elected Board of Directors The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce’s newly elected board members are Michael Curran, Moses Taylor Hospital & Regional Hospital of Scranton; Jose de los Rios, Procter & Gamble; Julie Eisenman, WNEP; Elizabeth Nagy, The Honesdale National Bank; and Abe Salam, Epic Revenue Consultants. Michael Curran Julie Eisenman Elizabeth Nagy The Chamber announces the re-election of the following members of the board of directors: Laura Gillette-Mills, Hemmler+Camayd Architects; Dr. Jill Murray, Lackawanna College; Eric Pusey, R.Ph., CDE, Better Health Pharmacy & Wellness; Kristen Shemanski, Gertrude Hawk Chocolates; and Frank Suraci, Bedrock Technology. Laura Gillette-Mills Jill Murray, Ph.D. Eric Pusey, R.Ph., CDE Kristen Shemanski Frank Suraci About The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization that works to improve the area’s economic environment and quality of life by offering programs and services which stimulate economic growth, promote business prosperity and nurture educational opportunities. For more information about the Chamber, visit www.scrantonchamber.com.
