Scranton Area Community Foundation awards grant to The Wright Center The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education will use a $18,700 grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation to help its patients in need with transportation, hygiene supplies and household items. Specifically, the grant money will be used to buy bus passes, transportation vouchers and gas cards for patients enrolled in The Wright Center for Community Health’s Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support program and patients being helped by The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s new street medicine program to get to and from doctor appointments at Wright Center community health centers and at community partners across the region. “Transportation assistance is essential to help patients access critical services and reduce barriers to care,” said Dr. Douglas Klamp, who leads the street medicine team and serves as The Wright Center’s senior vice president, chief medical education officer, and physician chair of resident and fellow talent acquisition. “By improving transportation access, patients will be better able to attend appointments, adhere to treatment, and remain engaged in care, especially if they are experiencing financial difficulties, housing insecurity, or other challenges.” The money will also be used to provide hygiene supplies and household items to patients at the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Clinic.
Outreach – Center for Community Resources to host Children’s Career Fair Outreach- Center for Community Resources will host its annual Children’s Career Fair on Saturday, August 22, from 10 am to 1 pm. The career fair will be at 431 North 7th Avenue in Scranton and will have the theme “Professions for Parents, Too!” Kids ages 2 to 12 and their parents will be able to explore more than 40 career options and discover their interests in a fun, hands-on environment. Professionals from local industries will lead interactive activities. Parents and caregivers will also be able to speak with local employees to learn about potential career pathways and opportunities in the area. This year’s “Professions for Parents, Too!” component will allow adults to explore careers alongside their kids. Each child will complete a “career passport” as they move through the booths at the event. When it’s complete, they can choose an educational item from the free children’s store. There will also be face-painting, live music, STEAM projects, free back-to-school haircuts, back-to-school supplies, take-home career materials, and complimentary food and treats. “We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to dream big and aspire to greatness,” said Lori Chaffers, MSW, President/CEO of Outreach. “The Children’s Career Fair gives children the chance to explore different professions, spark their imaginations, and picture a bright future. By connecting parents with local employers at the same time, we support the whole family in working toward stability and self-sufficiency.” For more information about this event, you can contact Liz Ratchford at (570) 558-7562 or lratchford@outreachworks.org.
The Dime Bank names 2026 scholarship recipients The Dime Bank has awarded scholarships to six students from local school districts in honor of their academic achievements and leadership potential. This year’s recipients are Genevieve Neenan from Wallenpaupack attending Syracuse University, Timothy Jason from Delaware Valley attending Penn State, Mia Tallo from West Scranton attending Penn State, Megan Hartman from Scranton attending Penn State, Trevor Dressler from Wayne Highlands attending Shippensburg University, and Simon Kowalchuk-Swartz from Wayne Highlands attending Queen’s University in Kingston. To qualify for the scholarship, students have to be pursuing higher education in business, economics, finance, management or accounting. Each graduating senior received a $1,000 scholarship to support their continued education. You can learn more information about The Dime Bank’s scholarship program at www.thedime.bank/scholarship.
Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins Announce 2026-27 Regular Season Schedule The Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins have announced their 2026-27 regular season schedule along with home opener game. The home opener game will take place on Saturday, October 3rd at 6:05 pm at Mohegan Arena.
Geisinger College of Health Sciences Welcomes Community Participation in Medical Student Admissions Geisinger School of Medicine invites the public to participate in student recruitment by becoming an interviewer during the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) process. The MMI consists of a series of short, structured interviews that assess a variety of non-cognitive qualities and people skills such as teamwork, reliability, resiliency and communication. All interviews will be held virtually. Learn more at go.geisinger.edu/mmi, where you can complete a form. The Admissions Office will then contact you.
My Benefit Advisor addresses the hidden cost of caregiver stress Many employees are balancing their careers with the responsibility of caring for aging parents, spouses, children with special needs, or other family members. While these responsibilities occur outside the workplace, their impact is often felt throughout the organization. Caregivers frequently face competing demands on their time, unexpected emergencies, and ongoing emotional stress. As a result, employers may experience increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, higher healthcare utilization, and greater turnover risk. Because caregiving challenges are often personal and rarely discussed openly, many organizations underestimate how many employees are affected. Yet as the population ages, caregiver responsibilities are becoming increasingly common across all workforce demographics. Forward-thinking employers are beginning to view caregiver support as a workforce strategy rather than simply an employee benefit. Flexible work arrangements, employee assistance programs, mental health resources, and caregiver support services can help employees better manage their responsibilities while remaining engaged and productive. Organizations that recognize and address caregiver stress may be better positioned to improve retention, support employee well-being, and strengthen overall workforce performance. The hidden cost of caregiver stress extends beyond the individual. For employers, it represents a growing workforce challenge that deserves greater awareness and a proactive response. The hidden cost of caregiver stress extends beyond the individual. For employers, it represents a growing workforce challenge that deserves greater awareness and a proactive response. The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at gscc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Rob Higginbotham at (800) 377-3539.
Wayne Bank promotes Deborah Kennedy to Senior VP and Director of Retail Banking President and CEO of Wayne Bank Jim Donnelly has announced that Deborah (Deb) Kennedy has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Director of Retail Banking. Kennedy will begin her new role on July 20. She will lead the Bank’s branch network across Pennsylvania and New York to ensure the continued delivery of exceptional service, while also supporting the growth and development of its retail teams. “Deb is a leader who truly understands the importance of people, both our customers and our employees,” said Mr. Donnelly. “Her ability to connect, inspire, and lead with purpose has made a meaningful impact on our organization, and I’m confident she will continue to do so in this expanded role.” Kennedy has more than 20 years of banking experience. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from King’s College and a Master of Business Administration from Capella University.
User Experience Updates made to Mohegan Pennsylvania Online Casino App Mohegan Digital has made improvements to its online sportsbook experience in partnership with sportsbook technology provider Kambi. The updates will provide users with a more intuitive, engaging and personalized experience. The updates include a new User Interface (UI) with flexible page-building capabilities and enhanced navigation. “Providing a seamless and engaging sportsbook experience is a key part of our commitment to our players,” said Richard Roberts, President of Mohegan Digital. “These enhancements make it easier for customers to discover the markets and content they care most about while creating a more modern and intuitive betting experience. Working alongside Kambi, we’re continuing to evolve the platform with thoughtful improvements that help our players engage with their favorite sports and enjoy a premium sportsbook experience.” This new UI online sportsbook experience is live and available for download across Play.MoheganPAcasino.com and the Mohegan Pennsylvania Online Casino mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Marywood University launching new School of Communication Marywood University has created a School of Communication, which will bring together its Theatre, Multimedia Communication, Film, Music Production, Digital Storytelling, Podcasting, Broadcasting, Journalism and other creative programs. The School will embrace the fact that creative professionals often work across multiple disciplines. The School of Communication will give students the chance to collaborate across several disciplines and prepare them for an ever-changing industry. “The creative professions are evolving more rapidly than at any point in history,” said Marywood President Lisa Lori. “Technology is changing not only how stories are told, but who tells them, where they’re shared and how audiences experience them. While those tools continue to evolve, one thing remains constant: the world will always need creative people who can think critically, communicate effectively and inspire others through art, performance and storytelling. This new School positions our students to do exactly that.” The School of Communication is part of the university’s strategic plan called Into the Future: Defining What’s Next.
Indraloka offering burnout reduction program in light of new findings Indraloka Animal Sanctuary in Dalton has opened registration for its next Resilient Professionals Mastery Series (RPMS). The experience aims to help therapists, educators, healthcare professionals, veterinary professionals, first responders, nonprofit leaders, attorneys and other caregivers strengthen their well-being while earning continuing education credits. RPMS consists of immersive experiences in nature at Indraloka’s 100-acre sanctuary. Participants will have interactions with animals and individualized coaching to help with mindfulness and build sustainable resilience skills. RPMS is a three-day retreat, and participants will earn continuing education credits while learning practical, evidence-based strategies they can apply to their personal and professional lives. “Helping professionals often believe they need to keep giving, even when they’re completely depleted,” said Dr. Indra Lahiri, founder and CEO of Indraloka and an organizational psychologist specializing in trauma-informed leadership. “But compassion isn’t an unlimited resource if we never replenish it. We created this program because caring for the caregiver ultimately benefits everyone they serve.” Continuing education credits are currently available for nurses, social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, educators, and school counselors, with additional approvals pending. Enrollment is limited, and anyone who registers by July 17 will receive a code in their confirmation email for a second registration at 50% off. You can find more information and register at indraloka.org/rpms, by emailing resilience@indraloka.org or by calling 570-763-2908. Participants in an immersive cohort of RPMS experienced a 49% decrease in burnout, a 32% decrease in secondary traumatic stress, and a 20% increase in compassion satisfaction, according to pre- and post-program evaluations using the validated Professional Quality of Life Scale.
