The Sordoni Art Gallery at Wilkes University presents Loud Silence: Expressions of Activism from Oct. 23 to Dec. 16. Curated by Heather Sincavage, assistant professor and director of the Sordoni Art Gallery, the exhibition examines silenced communities and artists who create awareness around those communities.

The exhibition features the works of 39 artists and focuses on the unique perils of living while a woman, while of color, while indigenous, while LGBTQ, and while an immigrant. The exhibition calls on the viewer to examine their own blind spots and understand suffering they may have never known through art. It features the work of Judy Chicago, named on the 2018 list of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people, and Kara Walker, a 1997 MacArthur Genius Fellow. Other notable artists include Ana Mendieta, Cannupa Hanska Luger and Jenny Holzer.

In conjunction with the exhibition, the Sordoni Art Gallery will host events and discussions surrounding the works.

• Curator’s Tour and Reception, 4:30 p.m. on 24: Sincavage will provide a free, guided tour at 5 p.m. with a light reception from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
• “Inspired to Act: Why Young Women Combat Sexism,” 12 p.m. on Oct. 30: Women have taken action against sexual assault by joining movements such as #MeToo. This lecture presented by Jennifer Thomas, Wilkes associate professor of psychology, examines why some women take action while others do not and how factors may influence a feminist identity.
• Out of Silence: Activism and Empathy in the Art of Elizabeth Catlett,” 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 7: The art of Elizabeth Catlett is grounded in what she regarded as the historically based necessity to give voice to the lives and experiences of those who have historically been forced into silence. This lecture presented by Melanie Herzog, dean of the School of Arts & Sciences and professor of art history at Edgewood College, will examine what Catlett believed art could do: raise consciousness of injustice, expose abuses of power, and illuminate possibilities for social transformation.
• Film Screening of “Human Flow,” 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 14: Artist, activist and director, Ai Weiwei captures the global refugee crisis – the greatest human displacement since World War II – in the breathtakingly epic film journey.

For more information, visit www.wilkes.edu/sordoniartgallery.

The $3 million, 7,000-square-foot Sordoni Art Gallery is a culmination of a gallery revitalization plan to enrich the arts for students, faculty and staff while contributing to cultural life in the local community. More than double the size of the former gallery, the new space opened in 2017 and is outfitted for high-end national art exhibitions and includes versatile opportunities for teaching and learning. The gallery shares space with the Karambelas Media and Communication Center at 141 S. Main St. in Wilkes Barre.

About Wilkes University:

Wilkes University is an independent institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence through mentoring in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs. Founded in 1933, the university is on a mission to create one of the great small universities, offering all of the programs, activities and opportunities of a large, research university in the intimate, caring and mentoring environment of a small, liberal arts college, at a cost that is increasingly competitive with public universities. The Economist named Wilkes 25th in the nation for the value of its education for graduates. In addition to 47 majors, Wilkes offers 25 master’s degree programs and five doctoral/terminal degree programs, including the doctor of philosophy in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, doctor of education, doctor of pharmacy, and master of fine arts in creative writing. Learn more at www.wilkes.edu.

Prepare for emergencies

Smart planning can help you keep your business running if disaster strikes. You’ll want to take the right steps to prevent and prepare for disaster, and know where to get aid if disaster strikes.

Emergency preparedness
An estimated 25 percent of businesses don’t open again after a major disaster, according to the Institute for Business and Home Safety. Protect your small business by identifying the risks relevant to your location, both natural and man-made. Then, keep your plan of action updated.

Preserve your equipment and business records by referencing this IRS guide on protecting your information before an emergency strikes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also offers an emergency preparedness checklist and toolkit.

The Small Business Administration also offers emergency preparedness training with a self-paced overview of SBA’s disaster assistance programs, resources and regulations.

Get financial assistance after a disaster
When a disaster hits your small business, first contact FEMA to apply for financial assistance. They can provide money for housing along with other personal expenses including food, clothing and medicine.

The SBA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture provide low-interest loans for damaged and destroyed assets in a declared disaster. These include repair and replacement costs for real estate, personal property, machinery, equipment, inventory, and business assets.

Disaster assistance loans
Check to see if one of these loans apply.

Home and Property Disaster loans
Economic Injury loans
Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster loans
Farm Emergency Loans

Other sources of disaster aid
Disaster unemployment assistance helps individual employees while they’re unemployed due to a disaster, and flood recovery assistance can help workers displaced by flooding.

Businesses in federally declared disaster areas could qualify for special tax provisions for financial recovery. The Farm Service Agency also provides a disaster assistance guide for farmers and ranchers after natural disasters.

Disaster cleanup
Take precautions to avoid injury or illness occurring in the cleanup process following a disaster. The wide range of hazards range from downed power lines and contaminated waters to hidden molds and toxins.

Disasters are magnified by their consequences on health and health services, so the Center for Disease Control (CDC) serves as an important resource through its Health Studies Branch. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published cleanup tips specifically for hazards during natural disaster recoveries.

If you encounter hazardous material spills or discharges, call the National Response Center, and contact the National Pesticide Center if applicable. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) outlines reporting for spills and environmental violations.

More assistance
Visit FEMA to find emergency management agencies in your state.

For more emergency preparedness advice, visit ready.gov/business or contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

You can also receive local business counseling to determine the best way to prepare for emergencies and the next step when disaster strikes.

SCRANTON, PA (October 1, 2018)—Marywood University will host a Professional Continuing Education program titled, “Complex Trauma in Children,” on Monday, October 8, 2018, from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The program will take place at the Nazareth Student Center in the Upper Main Dining Hall.

This program aims to promote an understanding of the impact of complex trauma on child development. When children are exposed to complex trauma, they experience many problems that are misunderstood, and, therefore, inappropriately treated. This is critical for people who work with children including: addiction counselors, art therapists, audiologists, certified case managers, counselors, prevention specialists, psychologists, social workers, speech language pathologists and professionals seeking information in this field.

Susan Cohen Esquilin, Ph.D., ABPP, will be the featured presenter. Dr. Esquilin is a licensed psychologist, trained in developmental and clinical psychology at the University of Chicago, with a diplomate in clinical psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology. She has served on the faculties of Montclair State, Rutgers, and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of N.J. Dr. Esquilin has testified as an expert in criminal, family court, and civil matters. Her career has focused on the impact of trauma on children, with particular attention on the underserved populations.

This course is Pennsylvania Certification Board approved for six hours for addiction counselors, certified case managers, and prevention specialists. Audiologists, speech language pathologists, psychologists and educators will earn six continuing education hours through the program. This program is approved for six continuing education hours for social workers in N.J., N.Y., and PA LSW licensure renewal; and Marywood’s Professional Continuing Education program has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider. Art therapists, licensed professional counselors will earn 6 NBCC clock hours.

The program fee of $125 includes continental breakfast and lunch. Online registration is available at www.marywood.edu/contedurge, or in person with cash or check made out to Professional Continuing Education, located at the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life. To register by mail with check or credit card, mail to: Professional Continuing Education, Marywood University, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, Pa. 18509. Please provide an authorization letter from an agency providing payment, and fax to (570) 961-4798, or register by phone with Visa, MasterCard, or Discover Card, at (570) 340-6061.

SCRANTON, PA (October 1, 2018)—Marywood University and the NEPA Aging Network Alliance (NANA) will co-host a Professional Continuing Education program titled, “Addiction in our Aging Population: Awareness and Treatment Options,” on Wednesday, October 10, 2018, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the All Seasons Hall, 3729 Birney Avenue, Moosic, Pa. 18507.

To address the addiction crisis in the elderly, this program aims to provide information, community resources, and education to cultivate an awareness of the scope of this emergency and enable participants to be more prepared for assisting those suffering from addiction. The program presenters represent those on the ground working with our elderly population dealing with addiction. By providing vital addiction and treatment data, this program aims to present a clear picture of the current state of the opioid addiction crisis facing our aging population.

Any organization or individual that provides professional services to the senior population in Northeast Pennsylvania (NEPA) is encouraged to attend, including: addiction counselors, art therapists, certified case managers, counselors, funeral directors, nursing home administrators, prevention specialists, social workers, and professionals seeking information in this field.

The program is Pennsylvania Certification Board approved for six continuing education credits (CEU’s) for addiction counselors, certified case managers, nursing home administrators, and prevention specialists. Social workers are approved for six CEUs for N.J., N.Y., and Pa. LSW licensure renewal. Marywood University’s Professional Continuing Education has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) for six NBCC clock hours for art Therapists and counselors. Funeral directors are approved for six hours by the Pennsylvania State Board of Funeral Directors.

The program fee is $75, which includes CEUs, program, breakfast, and lunch; $30 for program and lunch only. Online registration is available at www.marywood.edu/contedurge, or in person with cash or check made out to Professional Continuing Education, located at the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life. To register by mail with check or credit card, mail to Professional Continuing Education, Marywood University, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, Pa., 18509. Please provide an authorization letter from an agency providing payment, and fax to (570) 961-4798, or register by phone with Visa, MasterCard, or Discover Card, at (570) 340-6061.

The Human Resources Center, Inc. is proud to introduce Stephanie Santore as our new full-time Director of Marketing and Special Events. Preceding Stephanie in this role was Donna McCormick, who was part of HRC for over 30 years and is now officially retired.

Stephanie received her undergraduate degree from Keystone College. She went on to receive her M.A. in Communication Arts from Marywood University, with concentrations in Marketing, Public Relations, and Management. Starting her career in the field, she worked as one of two Marketing Managers for the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple before moving on to join Net Driven, an internet marketing solution for the automotive and tire industry, where she spent the last three years as an SEO Analyst and Client Results Team Lead. Stephanie brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to HRC and we are very excited to have her join us.

Stephanie says of HRC: “Starting with only a few passionate people looking to make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities, HRC has grown exponentially since 1973. As the organization continues its mission to provide residential and vocational opportunities for the individuals and families it serves, I am honored to be able to help them achieve these goals through our marketing and outreach efforts. For 45 years, HRC has been building a community that promotes acceptance, equality, and individuality while embracing and encouraging independence. It’s a place where “work” takes on a much grander meaning and it’s immediately evident to anyone who walks through the door. HRC is a family, and I’m so proud to be a part of it.”

SCRANTON, PA (October 1, 2018)—Marywood University’s Psychological Services Center will offer free, confidential mental health screening on Thursday, October 11, 2018, from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., in the McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies, on the University’s campus. The free screenings are open to the public and to all ages. No fee and no appointments are necessary.

All attendees will be given a depression screening and referrals for services will be offered when needed. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) will be utilized. The HDRS is the most widely used clinician-administered depression assessment scale, a tool that has proven successful in determining a patient’s level of depression assessment scale.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, mental health screenings are just as important as getting regular check-ups with your doctor. The results of the screenings for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or PTSD can provide insight into whether symptoms that are being experienced—sleeplessness, racing thoughts, confusing feelings, or something else—are a greater sign of a mental illness.

For additional information about the free and confidential mental health screenings, please visit www.marywood.edu/psc/annual-screening-days.html, or call the Psychological Services Center at Marywood University, at (570) 348-6269.

Scranton, PA- For the month of October — National Domestic Violence Awareness month — the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is raising awareness of the impact of domestic violence in Northeastern Pennsylvania through the “An Empty Place at the Table” exhibit. This display honors those individuals from Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties whose lives were tragically cut short due to domestic violence.  Each place at the table is unique  with personal items from the individuals displayed. According to WRC Executive Peg Ruddy, “Each place setting serves as a beautiful, touching, and distinctive memorial.  The exhibit is  a constant reminder to inspire hope and reform in the realm of domestic violence. Awareness is the first step in preventing another empty place at the table.”

The table can be viewed at the following locations in October 2018:

Tuesday, October 9^th; 11 AM – 3 PM

Geisinger Commonwealth Medical College; 525 Pine Street; Scranton

Wednesday, October 10^th; 6:30 PM, An Evening of Reflection & Prayer sponsored by the Sisters of the IHM at the IHM Center at Marywood University

Wednesday, October 17^th; 3 PM – 6 PM

Montrose United Methodist Church, 90 Church Street, Montrose

Thursday, October 25^th; 11 AM – 3 PM

University of Scranton, DeNaples Center, Mulberry Street, Scranton

Sponsored by the Jane Kopas Women’s Center

The WRC was the organization that started the “An Empty Place at the Table” displays that are now seen around the country in 1993. The first project video — narrated by Susan Sarandon – and the display concept has received numerous national state and local honors.

The Women’s Resource Center’s mission is to end domestic and sexual violence through advocacy, education and social change. For more information about WRC and the programs and services it provides, go to www.wrcnepa.org or to the Facebook page – wrcnepa.