WVIA & Geisinger Launch Podcast WVIA and Geisinger have launched The Mind Over Matter Podcast. Hosted by Tracey Matisak and produced by Jim Donnelly, The Mind Over Matter Podcast is a continuation of the award-winning mental health initiative produced by WVIA in partnership with Geisinger. Over the next 24 weeks, hear from leading experts who will provide helpful information on a variety of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, grief, and substance abuse. On the first episode which premieres on Thursday, January 12th, Monica Mongiello, who has been living with psychosis for more than 20 years, turns to her mother and others within her support network for strength and perseverance. Hear her story of living with her illness and how it led her to become an advocate for others going through similar struggles. On the second episode Geisinger’s Operations Manager for Virtual Care Ben Gonzales discusses his road to long-term recovery, what led him to seek help, the support he received from loved ones, and how it can serve as a model for others who need help. On January 26th, host Tracey Matisak speaks with Amber Viola. Amber grew up in NEPA and graduated from North Pocono High School. She left the area to join the United States Navy. Amber was a Gunners Mate and Naval Military Training Instructor. While in the Navy, Amber worked as a Department of Defense Sexual Assault Victim Advocate. Future podcast guests include Isabella DiBileo, Dr. Samantha Fitzgerald, Dr. Jessica Sevecke, Darren Weber, Dr. Joshua Blum, and many more. Listeners can find the show at wvia.org/mindovermatterpod or subscribe through any major podcast provider, including Spotify, Apple, Google, Amazon Alexa, Stitcher, and Pandora.
Pennsylvania American Water Awards Grants to 8 Organizations In advance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, celebrating the life and legacy of this prominent civil rights leader, Pennsylvania American Water today announced eight recipients of grants supporting the company’s Inclusion, Diversity and Equity efforts. Grants in the amounts of $3,000-5,000 were awarded to eight organizations across the company’s service territory, totaling $35,000. “Investing in organizations that promote inclusion, diversity and equity-related initiatives is a key component of our community engagement strategy,” said Justin Ladner, president of Pennsylvania American Water. “Through these grants, Pennsylvania American Water shows its continued commitment to helping create inclusive and welcoming communities across the Commonwealth.” Pennsylvania American Water selected the following organizations across its service territory that support and reflect the company’s inclusion, diversity and equity values and efforts: ACLAMO (Norristown)$5,000 to support the Light of Hope campaign African American Chamber of Western PA (Pittsburgh)$5,000 to support programming for small businesses ownersCasa San José (Pittsburgh)$5,000 for the purchase of a passenger van for youth programmingCommunity Cares (Carlisle)$4,000 to support its mission to empower all individuals and families to remain or become housedKeystone Business Alliance (Harrisburg)$3,000 to support programming to help small, diverse businesses succeedLGBTQ Equality Alliance of Chester County (Phoenixville)$3,000 to support the expansion of youth and adult programsNEPA Rainbow Alliance (Wilkes-Barre)$5,000 to support outreach and education programsNEPA Youth Shelter (Scranton)$5,000 to support the Rapid Rehousing program
Scranton Awards First ARPA Grants for Small Business Development The City of Scranton awarded nearly $350,000 to support the creation and expansion of small businesses on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Businesses applied in the Fall of 2022 for the grants that are part of the City’s $68.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. “By investing in small businesses, we’re helping others create new jobs, revitalize buildings, and find solutions to emerging problems in our community,” Mayor Paige G. Cognetti announced at Downtown Deli, 300 Biden St., Scranton. “Our first ARPA Startup and Expansion grants support businesses that are as diverse as the City itself, and there’s still more grant money to help others realize their dream of building or growing their business right here in Scranton.” Through a spending plan approved by City Council in May 2022, the City allocated a total of $1.25 million to support the creation and expansion of Scranton’s small businesses. Applications opened in September 2022, but the City revised grant guidelines in November to make funding more accessible. Applicants can receive up to 25% of eligible costs in their startup or expansion project budget, with a $100,000 limit per business. Approximately $900,000 remains to support startup and expansion projects, and submissions are under constant review. Applications remain open, and funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications were weighed based upon the City’s ARPA mission, which aims to give people access to resources, rebuild infrastructure systems that impact everyday life, and foster equitable wealth generation targeting residents’ needs. All applications were reviewed by the City, compliance consultants from Anser Advisory, and representatives of both the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania for business sustainability and duplication of benefits, among other factors. At Tuesday’s announcement, Mayor Cognetti was joined by grant recipients including Downtown Deli, Retro Café, and Unison Workforce Technologies. “This project is three years in the making. We had the idea to expand into a catering business before the pandemic, but we needed a little extra help to get it off the ground,” said Downtown Deli General Manager Denise Leppo. “It’s wonderful to get this funding from the City to finally get up and running.” “We have been developing our app FYSH (Fuel Your Side Hustle) for over a year now! Covid really delayed our project, yet we continued to pay our staff through the entire pandemic,” added Marilyn Major, CEO of Unison Workforce. “I am so appreciative of Mayor Cognetti and the city for this generous funding that will help make our app successful so we can hire more people in the near future.” Grant recipients, the funding they will receive, and their project details, in alphabetical order, are: Downtown Deli, 300 Biden Street, $77,234 towards the addition of catering services, including the physical expansion of their downtown footprint along Biden Street for both food preparation and service. The Deli will also build a new accessible restroom.Little Wild Refillery, 343 N. Washington Avenue, $19,376 for the ongoing support of the seven-month-old sustainable goods and zero-waste shop, including the creation of a new part-time position. The business previously received a $5,000 Small Business Microgrant from the City.Nlyten Corp., doing business as GUIDE, located at the Scranton Enterprise Center, 201 Lackawanna Avenue, $100,000 for the tech startup’s creation of multiple full-time positions, with a focus on hiring recent graduates of local colleges and universities. The company anticipates a February 2023 launch of its GUIDE mobile app, which is designed to deliver proven behavioral health and wellness practices to veterans and first responders, empowering them to resolve past trauma, improve their well-being, and achieve their highest potential. Details at www.theguideapp.com.Retro Café, 1139 Capouse Avenue, $53,000 for the conversion of a former derelict and condemned Lackawanna County Landbank property into a new café in the Pine Brook section. Funding will support construction costs, inventory, payroll, and more. Retro Café previously received a $70,000 loan-to-grant from the Scranton Office of Community and Economic Development to help fund two new employees.Unison Workforce Technologies, located at the Scranton Enterprise Center 201 Lackawanna Avenue, $100,000 for the ongoing development of its mobile application “FY$H – Fuel Your Side Hustle,” an app designed to support the thriving self-employed gig economy. Grant funding will support user experience development, quality testing, and an ambitious employment growth plan through 2025. The City also announced a $25,000 ARPA grant for small business financial recovery to Crotti’s on Ash, 1431 Ash Street. ARPA funding opportunities for small businesses remain open. The second round of applications for business recovery grants of up to $25,000 and Wage Boost grants of up to $50,000 over two years closes on January 31. Façade improvement grants of up to $10,000 remain open with applications closing in September. Information about Scranton’s ARPA plan is online at scrantonpa.gov/arpa. ARPA funding supports 25% of business development and expansion budgets.The first five organizations will receive a total of $349,610.Nearly all projects include plans for job creation directly in the City.
Oakwood Terrace offers Independent, Assisted, and Memory Care Services. Oakwood Terrace offers memory care services in a personal care home setting. Focusing on awareness, acceptance, and assistance, the dedicated staff at Oakwood Terrace helps those dealing with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia to cope and even thrive. Since 1996, our team has been trained and aims to provide a pleasant, safe, and engaging home for our residents and support for their loved ones. Daily life at Oakwood Terrace allows our residents to enjoy a home and family-like setting where good neighbors become good friends. Our residents like to interact socially as well as participate in daily activities. Our residences provide social interaction, personal space, and a supportive community, just like our programs provide support, stimulation, and education. Our gated community provides safety, security, and peace of mind for all our residents and their families.
FNCB Bank Adopts Families Employees from FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, recently donated $1,100 in grocery gift cards and 200 gifts to 11 local families as part of the Bank’s annual “Adopt-A-Family” holiday project. More than 200 FNCB staff members participated this year in Adopt-a-Family, the Bank’s signature holiday gift-giving event. The program matches local families in need from the Catherine McAuley Centers of Lackawanna and Luzerne County, Children and Youth Services of Wayne County and Victims Intervention Program in Honesdale with those wishing to donate. “Since launching the program eight years ago, 91 families have been matched as well as filling wish lists at three amazing organizations,” said Mike Cummings, Senior Vice President, Marketing Manager. “Our team really gets behind this effort to make a difference in our community.” The Adopt-a-Family project is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB is making a difference through volunteerism, donations, and outreach programs.
2023 EMPOWER Teen Scholarship Program Scranton, PA – The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce announces the launch of a scholarship program to promote leadership development. The EMPOWER Teen Scholarship Program is a unique opportunity for teens to attend the Chamber’s EMPOWER NEPA Women’s Leadership Conference, presented by Geisinger. The EMPOWER Teen Scholarship Program is sponsored by The Honesdale National Bank. The EMPOWER Teen Scholarship program will provide teens with an opportunity to attend the EMPOWER NEPA Women’s Leadership Conference on April 13, 2023. Teens will hear from two keynote speakers that include Emmy award winner: Melissa Gilbert and world-renown communicator: Robyn Hatcher. The lessons and networking opportunities presented to the teens at the EMPOWER Conference will provide unique learning opportunities outside of the traditional classroom. The cost to attend the conference will be covered by the scholarship. Robert Durkin, President of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce shares, “Including these young students in the exciting environment of the EMPOWER Conference is a great element of this event. Their presence and energy will add to the experience of the adult participants, while the students will see that for successful business professionals learning is a life-long commitment.” The EMPOWER Teen Scholarship Program will provide 20 scholarships in 2023. The scholarships are open to teens aged 16 to 18 that are currently enrolled in high school and have a grade point average (GPA) that falls between 2.5—3.0. A maximum of two teens per school will be selected. “The Teen Scholarship Program will provide teens in our community with better visibility to their limitless potential and the gumption to grab the reigns of their future,” said, Elizabeth Nagy, VP, Director of Sales, Marketing, and Digital for The Honesdale National Bank. “The conference’s content, networking resources, and motivational atmosphere will shepherd earlier and necessary acknowledgment of self-worth and capability to drive growth and change.” To apply for a scholarship, students should visit www.ScrantonChamber.com and look for the EMPOWER conference tab the last day to submit applications is January 31. This is a competitive selection process and not all applicants can be selected. Completion of the application does not ensure acceptance. Scholarships will be announced in February 2023. About The Greater Scranton Chamber of CommerceThe 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.
CCA to Host Virtual Career Fair and Exploration Are you interested in exploring career paths in a variety of sectors or looking for a new job? In partnership with the Pennsylvania National Guard Associations (PNGAS), CCA students and families are invited to attend CCA’s first-ever Virtual Career Fair and Exploration event. Speak with employers from a variety of industries about the training, skills, and education necessary to work in a specific field.Explore higher education opportunities available across the commonwealth, such as colleges and universities that offer two- and four-year degrees, skilled-trade programs, and apprenticeships.Enter a different industry or secure a new job.Bring your resume and be prepared to interview online with hiring managers and recruiters from companies across Pennsylvania.
Johnson College Receives Grant Supporting New STEM Program Johnson College has received a $65,000 PPL Foundation Major Grant. These funds will support a new STEM Learning Labs after-school program for economically-disadvantaged students from diverse backgrounds. Throughout the program, students will use hands-on learning and activities to discover and explore potential careers in STEM fields. In a supportive environment that will encourage creativity and lifelong learning, students will work with technology such as Lego Mindstorms, Kinex, robotic arms, 3-D printing, electric circuits, and Ozobot robotic computer programming. The program is designed for seventh and eighth-grade students from Lackawanna County school districts including Nativity Miguel, Old Forge, Riverside, and Scranton. During this five-week program, students will meet after school three times per week for four weeks at their home school. During the fifth week, students will attend programming at Johnson College for additional hands-on experience with more advanced equipment. The PPL Foundation’s Major Grant program makes annual awards through a competitive application and review process. This year, the PPL Foundation received more than 100 applications during this highly competitive grant cycle. Johnson College was one of 17 organizations to be selected for an award. “We are continuously inspired by the caring, commitment and creativity of the many nonprofit organizations such as Johnson College who make a lasting difference in our communities, and this year’s grant recipients are no exception. We’re proud to support their efforts,” said Ryan Hill, PPL Foundation president. For more information about the program, contact Tim Frank, Johnson College Associate Director of Community Engagement, at tfrank@johnson.edu or at (570) 702-8963.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Continues Their Annual Holiday Wish Program Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 4 continued its annual Holiday Wish Program in 2022. Santa arrived on a PennDOT dump truck to bring gifts to 40 children from the Head Start Program in Lackawanna County. PennDOT employees also provided a gift to 52 people, including children and adults from the Domestic Violence Service Center in Luzerne County and three angels from the Lackawanna County Adopt an Angel Program. PennDOT has been running this program since 2010. The funds for the gifts come from the generosity of PennDOT’s District 4 employees. Pictured Left to Right: Jennifer Borino, Chad Faraday, Marsha Boland, Theodore Ritsick (Santa), Kaitlyn Drumheller, Tonya Decker, Steve Taylor, Tom Bradley and Eddie Karwaski MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Taluto, (570) 963.3502