Johnson College Awarded Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant to Support RISE Students Johnson College has been awarded a $199,675 Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to support students enrolled in manufacturing programs through the College’s Readiness in Skilled Employment (RISE) initiative. The grant program’s mission is to work collaboratively with local manufacturers to identify and teach essential skills missing from entry-level applicants for existing or near-future open positions, engage youth or those with barriers in awareness-building activities related to career opportunities in manufacturing, and advance capacity for local or regional manufacturers. The funding will provide tuition assistance and critical wraparound support services for up to 15 RISE students pursuing manufacturing-focused education at Johnson College. Supported programs include Mechatronics Technology, Electronic Engineering Technology, Welding Technology, and Welding Fabrication and Manufacturing Technology. RISE, launched in 2021, is a workforce development program designed to help individuals gain technical training while receiving additional supports that remove barriers to education. The program primarily serves low-income students seeking sustainable career pathways and upward economic mobility. By addressing challenges such as transportation, childcare, and access to essential resources, RISE empowers students to focus on their education and long-term success. Grant-supported students will engage directly with regional manufacturing employers through industry-focused activities, including Lunch and Learn events held on the Johnson College campuses in Scranton and Hazle Township. These experiences build on the College’s strong industry partnerships, many led by alumni, and ensure that students explore career pathways, strengthen professional and soft skills, and receive an education aligned with current workforce needs. Community partners play an essential role in supporting RISE students throughout their educational journey. United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) provides coaching, ESL services, and assistance with barrier removal, while PA CareerLink supports workforce training through WIOA funding. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) helps coordinate manufacturer visits and industry presentations. Manufacturing partners committed to the project include McGregor Industries, Power Rail, and Pride Mobility. Since its inception, RISE has supported 75 students across four cohorts, helping participants overcome obstacles and gain the skills needed for family-sustaining careers. With support from the Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant, Johnson College will continue to expand access to education while strengthening the regional manufacturing workforce and economic vitality of Northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information about RISE, visit neparise.org. This program is funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development’s Manufacturing Training to Career Grant program.
NEPA Philharmonic Celebrates Support From Scranton Area Community Foundation The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic is proud to celebrate its longstanding relationship with and deep appreciation for the Scranton Area Community Foundation, whose continued support has played a vital role in expanding the Philharmonic’s educational, cultural, and community-focused initiatives throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. Through the Scranton Area Community Foundation, the NEPA Philharmonic received multiple generous grants in 2025 that help to advance access to music and the arts for all ages across the community. In early 2025, the Philharmonic was awarded a $4,000 Community Needs grant through the Fall 2024 grant cycle to support its mentoring program for talented high school students, providing young musicians with professional guidance from NEPA Philharmonic Musicians. In Spring 2025, the Community Needs program also provided a $10,000 grant in support of the launch of RxArts NEPA, an innovative new initiative in development that will prescribe arts experiences to older adults across the region at risk of social isolation and loneliness. RxArts NEPA received additional support of $4,450 through a Women in Philanthropy grant from the Foundation, further strengthening the program’s future community impact. The Scranton Area Community Foundation has also facilitated important grants for the NEPA Philharmonic’s programs from additional community partners, including the Robert H. Spitz Foundation and the Community Foundation of Monroe County. The Robert H. Spitz Foundation awarded the Philharmonic a $12,000 grant through its Spring 2025 grant cycle to promote Jewish music and culture across the region. This grant provides underwriting support for Dreams & Klezmer, an upcoming chamber music performance, Sunday, February 22nd at 3pm at WVIA’s Sordoni Theatre in Pittston, that will explore rich Jewish musical and cultural traditions with clarinet and string quartet. The Spitz Foundation grant also provides support toward free Angel Tickets for Philharmonic concerts for individuals in need, distributed through local Jewish community organizations, as well as a free public lecture on “Klezmer & Kabbalah” that happened in early February. An additional grant of $4,800 administered through the Scranton Area Community Foundation from the Community Foundation of Monroe County’s Myra Kyle Fund for the Arts will enable the Philharmonic to expand its music education programs to libraries and schools across Monroe County later this spring. These programs include Once Upon an Orchestra, pairing live music with story-time for children ages 2–6, as well as Music in Our Schools, introducing K-12 students to musical instruments and professional musicians. These Philharmonic programs aim to foster early musical engagement, imagination, and a lifelong connection to the arts. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic looks forward to continuing this meaningful partnership with the Scranton Area Community Foundation and expanding its mission to serve the region through music, education and inclusive cultural experiences. For tickets or more information on concerts and community programs, visit NEPAPHIL.org, or call the NEPA Philharmonic Box Office at (570) 270-4444.
WVIA Awarded Grant to Expand Local Environmental Journalism WVIA was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation, administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, to support expanded environmental journalism, strengthening local reporting on critical issues affecting Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. The funding will allow WVIA News to deepen coverage of environmental topics, including water use, energy demand, land impact, and community concerns related to proposed data centers in the region. The grant marks WVIA’s first funding specifically dedicated to environmental journalism and will support reporting by WVIA journalists Kat Bolus and Isabela Weiss, who are embedded in the communities they cover and respond directly to issues raised by local residents. WVIA has also identified a growing need for sustained environmental reporting based on community feedback gathered at community events, and, especially, through its News Listening Tours across 22 counties. “WVIA plays an essential role in helping our region stay informed and connected to the issues shaping daily life in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “Through the Robert H. Spitz Foundation, we are proud to support environmental journalism that helps ensure communities have access to clear, reliable information about topics that matter.” As part of this initiative, WVIA News will produce a series of in-depth stories examining the effects of data centers on water resources, power infrastructure, and surrounding communities, with additional investigative reporting to follow. These stories will be featured across WVIA’s platforms, including radio, digital, and video, and collected on a dedicated landing page to serve as an ongoing public resource. WVIA has already begun reporting on data center proposals in the region, with multiple stories by reporter Kat Bolus available at wvia.org. “For many, data centers are shrouded in uncertainty despite how much they’re demanding from communities where they will coexist,” said Faith Golay, WVIA News Managing Editor. “By providing in-depth coverage on the subject, our reporting raises awareness, educates residents and property owners, promoting dialogue between parties to address challenges and explore areas of opportunity.” In addition to expanded reporting, WVIA will further explore the topic through its flagship public affairs program, Keystone Edition. The episode titled Data Centers: Deal or Dilemma? examines what data centers are, how they are used and why they have become a point of debate locally. Through this grant-funded initiative, WVIA continues its mission to provide trusted, in-depth local journalism that equips residents with the information they need to understand complex issues and participate meaningfully in civic life. For existing and upcoming WVIA News coverage of data centers, visit this page.
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant from The Les Paul Foundation The Greater Scranton YMCA is among a select group to receive a grant from the Les Paul Foundation for its Music Education and Guitar Lesson Program for children enrolled in the Y’s Before and After School Program. The program will combine music education with hands-on guitar lessons, giving students the opportunity to explore their creativity while building self-confidence through the power of music. “At the Y, we believe in nurturing the potential of every child and teen, and music is a powerful tool for that growth,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Music education inspires creativity, builds confidence, and gives young people a voice. Through programs like this, rooted in our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, we’re creating safe, inclusive spaces where youth can thrive, belong, and discover who they are. This is how we strengthen our communities and live out our mission each day.” For more information about the Music Education and Guitar Lesson Program at the Greater Scranton YMCA, contact Brandon Whipple, Senior Program Director, at bwhipple@gsymca.org.
Outreach Awarded $75,000 Grant from William McGowan Fund The William G. McGowan Charitable Fund has graciously awarded Outreach – Center for Community Resources $75,000 to support Adult General Educational Development “GED” programming at Outreach’s Seventh Avenue Center. The McGowan Fund has provided tremendous support to Outreach and its programming for adults in Lackawanna County. Left to right: Jennifer Shoemaker, Outreach Prison, Reentry, and GED Manager; Nikki Price, Court, GED, Young Adult, Prison, Reentry, and Workforce Development Program Director; Leo McGowan, William G. McGowan Charitable Fund Board of Directors President; and Lori Chaffers, Outreach President/CEO. Outreach provides GED services to community members at the Outreach Seventh Avenue Center and in 2025 re-initiated GED classes and testing at the Lackawanna County Prison. Attaining a GED is not only a milestone achievement for many, but it also has the potential to increase earnings by 25%. More than 600,000 adults in Pennsylvania lack a high school diploma. This equates to 9.4% of residents aged 25 to 65 who have not completed their high school education or obtained a GED (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Outreach began providing GED services at its Seventh Avenue Center in Scranton during the COVID-19 pandemic, pivoting from providing services at the Lackawanna County Prison. This proved to be a critical moment in the development of Outreach’s GED program, allowing them to serve not only individuals reentering the community from incarceration, but many others from young adults to seniors. Outreach employs two full-time GED instructors who work directly with participants, providing one-on-one and small-group sessions. Outreach is the educational provider at the Lackawanna County Prison, and connects individuals to Outreach’s programs upon release, including GED. Many GED participants are justice-involved individuals. Achieving a GED can significantly alter an individual’s life trajectory and help families achieve stability. The GED is a four-part exam that is certified as equivalent to the academic knowledge required for a high school diploma. The average individual takes 240 hours of studying to pass all sections. Many Outreach participants’ schedules are busy with family, work, and other obligations. Outreach GED instructors work with each individual to create a GED tutoring and preparation plan that best suits their needs. Outreach’s GED programming aligns with the William G. McGowan Fund’s priority of providing adults with the building blocks they need to flourish and address the root causes of poverty. The McGowan Fund’s continued support of Outreach GED programming has made a significant difference in the lives of individuals and families, enabling them to advance their careers and futures by achieving a GED.
Johnson College Receives Grant from Fastenal BK5K Johnson College received a $1,650 grant from the Fastenal BK5K Youth Fund Committee to support the College’s Girls on Fire events. Girls on Fire is a unique one-day STEM event designed for 6-9th grade students to explore career opportunities in non-traditional STEM fields. Pictured left to right: Tim Frank, Associate Director of Community Engagement, Johnson College; Marcelo DeSousa, Regional Operations Manager S-HUB, Fastenal; Whitney McDonald, S-HUB Help Desk Manager, Fastenal; Dr. Katie Pittelli, President and CEO, Johnson College; Kellyn Williams, Associate Vice President of Special Programs, Johnson College. The event is an integral part of the College’s Women in Industry Initiative and is held in conjunction with International Women’s Day. The Girls on Fire event includes tours of Johnson College’s campuses, presentations about industry experiences from women working in non-traditional STEM fields, and hands-on activities related to many of the programs offered at the College. Fastenal’s support helps Johnson College continue its mission to inspire young women to pursue rewarding careers in STEM and the trades. By connecting students with real-world experiences and industry professionals, the College aims to break down barriers and empower the next generation of women in technical fields. The BK5K, a 5-kilometer road race and walk, is held to honor Bob Kierlin, founder of Fastenal Company and lifelong supporter of youth programs. All proceeds support local youth organizations/programs that demonstrate financial need, where races are held. Learn more at https://www.bk5k.com/.
Johnson College Receives Grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation Johnson College has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation to establish a medical assistant laboratory at the College’s satellite campus, Johnson College at the CAN DO Training Center in Hazle Township. The designated laboratory space is being converted into two distinct clinical areas – a hospital room and a physician’s office – to provide a full range of training experiences for students enrolling in the program. These facility updates will allow Johnson College to provide the latest in hands-on education and training to meet the needs of the healthcare industry throughout the region and beyond. The Medical Assistant program is part of the College’s Continuing Education initiative. The program prepares students to assist physicians by performing functions related to the clinical aspects of a medical office including preparing patients for examination and treatment, routine laboratory procedures, pharmacology, and taking and documenting vital signs. Students learn the fundamentals of phlebotomy and venipunctures, anatomy, and physiology, and medical terminology encountered in the field. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to take the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. To learn more about Johnson College’s Continuing Education Medical Assistant program, visit https://johnson.edu/continuing-ed/medical-assistant/.
Johnson College Receives $5,000 from Fidelity Bank Johnson College received a $5,000 EITC contribution from Fidelity Bank to support students in the College’s Industry Fast Track Program. The Industry Fast Track Program (IFT) is a joint partnership with area school districts and the College. The program offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to simultaneously enroll in secondary and post-secondary coursework on the Johnson College campus. Students remain enrolled full-time at their high school while attending classes at Johnson College. Fidelity Bank’s contribution to Johnson College is part of Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. For information about how to participate in EITC program with Johnson College, visit Johnson.edu/eitc.
Johnson College Receives $5,000 Grant from PPL Foundation Johnson College has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the PPL Foundation to support an English as a Second Language (ESL) to Credential pilot program. The program was created through a collaboration among Johnson College, United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC), Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC), and CareerLink of Northeastern Pennsylvania. As part of the pilot program, eight participants will work with UNC to learn English and receive case management services, EOC to obtain their GED, Johnson College to complete career technical training, and finally CareerLink of Northeastern Pennsylvania for employment services. The funding from the PPL Foundation will be used to support participants in the career technical training portion of this program to obtain supplies and support needed to help them succeed. They will enroll in one of three short-term training opportunities at Johnson College to earn recognized industry credentials including CNC Operator Training, Basic Maintenance, and Medical Assistant. “Johnson College’s Industry and Community Engagement department continues to look for ways to engage and create pathways for vulnerable populations to complete training as we know it can lead to high-demand occupations and ultimately life-sustaining wages,” said Dr. Kellyn Williams, Associate Vice President of Special Programs at Johnson College and director of the pilot program. The pilot program closely aligns with the PPL Foundation’s focus on sustainable communities and improving lives through collaboration with community partners. Through this educational collaboration, Johnson College hopes to address workforce shortages throughout the region, build strong communities, strengthen our regional economy, and set participants on a pathway to fulfilling careers with family-supporting wages.
Jeannine Luby’s Donor-Advised Humor Fund Distributes Grant to Abington Library The Scranton Area Community Foundation recently awarded the Abington Community Library with a grant from the donor-advised Humor Therapy Fund developed in 2005 at the request of Jeannine Luby, who initiated the idea for this fund as part of her graduate work at Marywood University. The goal of the Fund is to help area nonprofits spread therapeutic humor and laughter to their clients, employees and/or community members. Luby continues to raise money for the Fund annually and advises on grant disbursement each year. The Abington Library received this year’s grant to fund their ‘Laughter Lab’ project to be held in April for teens in the Abington community. Teens will benefit from the opportunity to connect, express their humor and creativity, and experience stress relief from humor and laughter as they learn comedy improv from instructors at Scranton Improv and Comedy and stress-relieving laughter yoga that will be donated by Luby from her business Laugh to Live! Participants of the Laughter Lab will also receive humor toolkits and have an opportunity to show off their improv skills in a comedy performance that will be follow the April workshop at a later date. Past recipients of The Humor Therapy Fund grant include: Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania, NAMI Northeast Region PA, Goodwill Industries of Northeast PA, Serving Seniors, Meals on Wheels, Volunteers in Medicine, and Laughing At My Nightmare. To donate to the Fund or learn about how your nonprofit can apply for next year’s grant, visit: https://safdn.org/the-humor-therapy-fund/.
