Stronghold Group Supports The Wright Center with Monetary, PPE Donations Participating in the ceremonial check presentation, from left, are Sean Niquette, co-founder and chief financial officer, Stronghold Group; Dave Henderson, co-founder and CEO, Stronghold Group; William Waters, co-chairperson, The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement; Laurie LaMaster; and Kara Seitzinger, director of public affairs/advisor liaison to the president and CEO, The Wright Center. The Stronghold Group continued its support of regional health care workers who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic by donating 5,000 pieces of personal protection equipment (PPE) and a $5,000 check to The Wright Centers for Community Health and Patient & Community Engagement. A veteran-owned business that specializes in medical equipment, the Stronghold Group donated 20 cases of disposable 3-ply surgical masks and 80 cases of medical gowns to protect clinicians at The Wright Center for Community Health’s eight primary care practices in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties. Stronghold’s financial support will be used to purchase fresh produce and canned goods for the most marginalized in our community who need it most. “Worrying about having enough to eat should be the last thing on someone’s mind when they’re already worried about their health and finances,” said Laurie LaMaster, associate vice president of development and Patient & Community Engagement at The Wright Center. “We know the winter months bring higher heating bills, which further strain household budgets. Too often people are forced to choose between heating their homes and feeding their families. That’s why we are incredibly grateful for the support of the Stronghold Group. Not only are they keeping our health care heroes safe on the frontlines, they’re putting food on the table of the most vulnerable in our community.” For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health, please go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-343-2383.
MetroAction Launches COVID Recovery Loan Program APPLY MetroAction, Inc. – the non-profit, small business financing affiliate of the Chamber – announced its launch of the Lackawanna County COVID Recovery Loan Program, created to provide capital to businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides low-interest loans to Lackawanna County businesses for working capital purposes. Eligible uses include, but are not limited to, lease or mortgage payments, utility payments, payroll, and other operational expenses. In addition, businesses can use the loan capital to purchase machinery, equipment, or technology that will allow the business to expand its operations. The program will provide loans up to $25,000 at 1% to Lackawanna County businesses adversely impacted by the COVID pandemic. The term for the loans will be 36 months with a 3 month payment deferral. “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose great challenges for our small business community. This fund was established to support Lackawanna County businesses with day-to-day operations as well as growth opportunities,” stated Jack Reager, MetroAction President. Funding is limited for this loan program. Applications will be funded on a first approved, first funded basis. Funding for this program was provided by Lackawanna Industrial Fund Enterprises (LIFE), Lackawanna County, the Hawk Family Foundation, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Businesses can apply and find additional program information on www.metroaction.org.
Misericordia to Offer New Pandemic Opportunity Tuition Discounts in Spring ‘22 Misericordia University announced today a special, a one-time pandemic relief discount for new students enrolling in the Spring 2022 academic semester. The university is keenly aware of the financial and life challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and wants to assist both full-time and part-time students who may have postponed their higher education plans. New and former students not currently enrolled in Fall 2021 will be eligible for this university-supported program. New part-time students who enroll in undergraduate or graduate classes for the Spring 2022 semester will receive a 25 percent discount on Misericordia’s per-credit tuition rates for the spring. Students who transfer to Misericordia on a full-time basis to begin classes in January 2022 would receive a one-time $5,000 award from the university for the spring semester in addition to other aid. Misericordia University President Daniel J. Myers, Ph.D., explains, “The pandemic and other disruptions have clearly impacted the higher education opportunities for many degree seekers. Through this program, we hope to reignite the desire of those seeking to advance their education and their career prospects. Many people are in need of additional credentials to compete in the modern workforce, and we know we can provide high quality educational opportunities to them.” In addition to part-time students receiving a discount this spring, Dr. Myers further expands on the opportunities for full-time study. “We believe that Misericordia is an excellent destination for transfer students who have completed one- or two years’ worth of study and either need a change of venue or have temporarily stopped their studies and would like to enroll full-time again. Students who postponed college and are just starting their first semester in January would also be eligible for this one-time, pandemic relief incentive,” says Myers.
