Scranton Area Community Foundation Celebrated Its New Home at the Historic Century Club of Scranton The Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Board of Governors joins President & CEO Laura Ducceschi in officially cutting the ribbon. The Scranton Area Community Foundation proudly celebrated a significant milestone on Thursday, May 15, 2025, with a ribbon-cutting and open house ceremony marking the official opening of its new permanent headquarters at the historic Century Club of Scranton. More than 250 guests, including donors, community partners, elected officials, and nonprofit leaders, joined Foundation staff and board members for the celebratory event. The evening featured guided tours of the newly renovated space, meaningful remarks from the Foundation’s leadership and community partners, and the dedication of several named spaces made possible through generous philanthropic support. “This new home is more than just a building—it’s a long-term investment in the future of philanthropy, collaboration, and community impact in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful to our donors, partners, and the community for helping make this vision a reality.” During the program, special thanks were extended to the Foundation’s Board of Governors, staff, and the architectural team at Fancy Parsley for their commitment to honoring the building’s rich history while enhancing its functionality for modern use. Deep appreciation was also shared for our generous donors, whose support made this vision possible, and for the talented construction team, whose hard work brought the project to life. A warm recognition was given to the Century Club membership, especially the family of the late Maureen Pesavento, for their meaningful support and partnership throughout the transition. Members of the late Maureen Pesavento’s family were honored during the Ribbon Cutting & Open House in recognition of the Century Club’s support and partnership in the Foundation’s transition to its new permanent home. Their presence was a meaningful tribute to Maureen’s legacy and the shared vision that helped make this moment possible. The Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Board of Governors and President and CEO Laura Ducceschi proudly accepted a congressional proclamation presented by the Office of U.S. Congressman Rob Bresnahan, Jr. during the Foundation’s Ribbon Cutting & Open House. The proclamation, delivered by the Congressman’s Outreach Director, Francene Dudziec, officially commends the Foundation on the grand opening of its new home and recognizes its decades of dedicated service to the Northeastern Pennsylvania region. A full house also gathered inside the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Auditorium at the Century Club to celebrate the Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Ribbon Cutting & Open House—marking the official opening of its new permanent home and a new chapter for philanthropy in Northeastern Pennsylvania. In a special moment during the evening, the Office of U.S. Congressman Rob Bresnahan, Jr., presented the Scranton Area Community Foundation with a congressional proclamation, officially commending the Foundation on the grand opening of its new home and recognizing its decades of service to the Northeastern Pennsylvania region. “The proclamation was received with deep gratitude and is a meaningful reminder of the Foundation’s role as a trusted civic partner and leader in regional philanthropy,” Ducceschi added. The new location at 612 Jefferson Avenue features flexible meeting spaces, collaborative work areas, and dedicated rooms to support nonprofit growth and learning. During the event, many of the Foundation’s signature spaces—including the Welcome Concourse, President’s Foyer, the Hawk Family Foundation Hall, the Garden Room, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Auditorium, and named rooms honoring generous supporters—were unveiled. The Scranton Area Community Foundation looks forward to continuing its work to connect people, ideas, and resources to create lasting, positive change from its new home in the heart of Scranton.
The Chamber Hosts Congressman Rob Bresnahan for Capitol Conversations The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce recently hosted Congressman Rob Bresnahan for the first 2025 session of Capitol Conversations—a series designed to foster open dialogue between business leaders and government officials. The event provided a platform to discuss key issues impacting northeastern Pennsylvania’s economy, workforce, and business landscape. Congressman Bresnahan, moderated by Bob Durkin, president of The Chamber, addressed several pressing topics, including workforce development, housing, childcare, and the challenges facing small businesses. On tariffs, Bresnahan noted that while business owners are adaptable, sudden tariff hikes place undue strain on Americans. He advocated for incremental increases instead of abrupt policy changes. When discussing the housing market, he pointed out how tariffs on supplies influence interest rates and the overall cost of building materials. He called for a stronger push for domestic production and noted that tariffs remain an executive order, not a congressional action. Bresnahan also addressed the ongoing workforce challenges at Tobyhanna Army Depot. He stressed Tobyhanna’s importance as an economic driver, with local companies playing a critical role in its operations. The conversation also covered the Small Business Administration (SBA). Congressman Bresnahan urged the SBA to improve its outreach efforts and more effectively distribute funding to small businesses, recognizing their significant contribution to the region’s economy. Childcare was another focal point, and the congressman emphasized its connection to workforce development. He discussed the difficulty of finding qualified staff and the need for increased support to help families afford services. Tourism, a vital industry for the region, was also discussed. Bresnahan acknowledged the sector’s ongoing workforce challenges and stressed the need for improved self-promotion to combat negative self-perception. “The Capitol Conversations series offers a unique opportunity for our members to connect one-on-one with our elected officials,” shared Bob Durkin, president of The Chamber. “We thank Congressman Bresnahan for his openness to listening to and discussing these issues critical to our business community.” The Chamber’s Capitol Conversations series will continue to bring policymakers and business leaders together, fostering meaningful dialogue and driving advocacy efforts that support economic growth in northeastern Pennsylvania.
