Scranton Cultural Center Receives Grant from SACF The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple received a $5,000 Critical Needs Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation to assist with restroom upgrades. The Scranton Cultural Center houses 26 restrooms, eight of which were in great need of repair and refurbishment. To safely and efficiently serve the community, corrective measures were needed to ensure that bathrooms are accessible, safe and clean to both the public and the organization’s staff. Hosting hundreds of events per year and approximately 80,000 visitors, the SCCMT is highly utilized. The continued success of the SCCMT and its services depends heavily on the ongoing preservation and modernization of the building. That, along with challenges presented by COVID-19, it was vital to undertake hygiene upgrades for the protection of the public and staff.
Johnson College Receives Grant Johnson College has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation to support the development of a new Biomedical Equipment Technology laboratory to be housed in the new campus gateway building, Ideal Saldi Hall. The new laboratory will provide critical hands-on learning on the latest technology available and in use throughout the region in healthcare facilities. The program trains students as entry-level biomedical technicians with medical terminology and human physiology principles, as well as the maintenance and support, planning, and installation of medical equipment according to standards and guidelines. The future promises revolutionary advancements in the biomedical equipment technology industry. New technology such as 3D printing, computer miniaturization, and nanotechnology, will provide exciting new opportunities for biomedical equipment technology graduates. The construction of the new gateway building is one of the four pillars of the College’s comprehensive, 5-year capital campaign, Innovation at Work. The building will highlight students’ future career potential by showcasing various industry training opportunities within classroom and laboratory spaces such as a Biomedical Equipment Technology laboratory. In recognition of its support, the new biomedical equipment technology laboratory will be named in honor of the Foundation. Campus visitors will have the opportunity to see students actively learning within the new lab through large glass viewing areas. The two-year Biomedical Equipment Technology associate degree program prepares students as entry-level biomedical technicians with skills training that include medical terminology and human physiology principles, as well as the maintenance and support, planning and acquisition, and installation of medical equipment according to standards and guidelines.
Hospice of the Sacred Heart Receives Grant From the SACF Hospice of the Sacred Heart recently received a grant for $12,000 from the Scranton Area Community Foundation to support caring for patients and families during the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. The grant is part of the Scranton Area Community Foundation 2022 Spring Community Needs Grant Cycle and was funded in 2022. “The COVID-19 Pandemic continues to ravage our community, state and nation. This generous grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation will go a long way in advancing our mission of providing comfort, care, hope and choice to patients and their families,” said Diane Baldi, CEO, Hospice of the Sacred Heart. The mission of Hospice of the Sacred Heart is to provide comfort, care, hope and choice to patients and their families, while guiding them through their end of life journey.
Scranton Cultural Center Receives Grant From Scranton Area Foundation The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple received a $25,000 Community Needs Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation to assist with HVAC repairs. “The last significant upgrade to our system happened about a decade ago,” said Deborah Moran Peterson, Scranton Cultural Center Executive Director. “We are grateful to the SACF for this Community Needs Grant which helped to support us financially with this expense.” The funds received will be utilized to complete deferred maintenance and COVID related upgrades to the SCC’s HVAC systems, including repair of mechanical chillers and cooling towers, as well as improvements that ensure energy efficiency of air circulation throughout the most utilized areas building. The overall goal of the project is to create a better heating and cooling system that will lead to increased utilization and efficiencies, as well as cost savings over time.
Misericordia Awarded Pasmart Advancing Computer Science and Stem Education Grant Misericordia University is among 42 organizations across the Commonwealth to be awarded funding through the 2021-22 PAsmart Advancing Computer Science and STEM Education Grants Program. The university was awarded a grant in the amount of $375,750 in response to their proposal, “Teach STEM!: Strengthening the STEM Pipeline by increasing the number of culturally-responsive Computer Science and STEM teachers in Luzerne County.” Launched by Governor Tom Wolf, PAsmart is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. PAsmart strategically invests resources in education and training opportunities to support Pennsylvania’s economic growth now and in the future. According to the PAsmart website, over the next decade, most of the better paying jobs in Pennsylvania will require some form of education or training after high school, especially in the fast-growing fields of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and computer science. “The success of our initiative is predicated on the collaboration amongst valued regional stakeholders such as the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce. Joining us in this partnership are Luzerne Intermediate Unit-18 and the Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Development Board. Each of these organizations possess a unique, yet interconnected role focused toward alleviating the extreme teacher shortage, particularly in the secondary STEM field, that is impacting the quality of learning experienced by our young students spanning the county,” said Colleen Duffy, Ed.D., chairperson, Teacher Education Department and director of Graduate Teacher Education at Misericordia University. Additionally, through distinct partner-driven offerings such as new certification programs and professional development courses, the program looks to effectively reverse declining enrollment in teacher preparation programs. These efforts will supplement the STEM workforce pipeline by growing student interest in pursuing CS/STEM majors and careers. Since 2018, the Wolf Administration has secured $60 million and strategically invested in education and workforce development through PAsmart. The Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board provided initial recommendations and approved the framework for the funding priorities. Targeted and Advancing PAsmart grants support high-quality STEM and computer science learning and professional development opportunities to communities across Pennsylvania, including within early learning centers, libraries, out-of-school time providers, career and technical centers, post-secondary institutions, and K-12 schools. The department awarded a total of 438 PAsmart grants since the 2018-19 school year. Misericordia University was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1924, in Dallas, Pennsylvania. It is Luzerne County’s oldest four-year college offering 37 degree programs in three academic colleges, including Health Sciences and Education, Arts and Sciences, and Business. Faculty at Misericordia are accomplished scholars and educators who prepare students to emerge into a challenging society as ethical leaders, through challenging academic standards and high levels of engagement with students, including research, service to others, and career preparation.
Now Accepting Letters of Intent for Fall 2022 Innovative Impact Grants The Scranton Area Community Foundation is now accepting grant applications for Fall 2022 Innovative Impact Grants, and invites charitable organizations working to address the needs of people living in the Lackawanna County region to complete a Letter of Intent by Friday, September 30th. Innovative Impact Grants(up to $25,000) seek to provide resources for a nonprofit, or collaboration of nonprofits and other partners, to make a measurable improvement in the region.These competitive grants are made to those applying organizations that are committed to new, innovative, transformational, and/or collaborative efforts to: Carry out an important goal or address a specific challenge;Become more impactful, effective, and sustainable in their work;Achieve a greater impact in the community they serve;Meet their organizational missions. Applications must meet the following requirements: Impact: Applicants must demonstrate how this program/project will make the community better, what data will be collected in order to measure success, and what goals have been set for the program/project to achieve Budget: Applicants must supply a detailed program/project budget, which includes the uses and sources of funds. The organization’s budget must also be included. Sustainability: Applicants must demonstrate how the program/project will continue after grant funds are expended and what the plan is to build sustainability for the future. Timeline and Evaluation: Applicants must describe when the desired impact might be realized and which populations will benefit from the program/project. Additionally, applicants need to detail how the program/project will be evaluated both during the course of the program/project, and also following the program/project’s completion. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to establish collaborative partnerships Deadlines: Interested applicants must complete a Letter of Intent (LOI) by Friday, September 30th through SAF’s online grant management portal.If invited to apply, applications will be due Tuesday, November 1st. All grants must be used for a charitable purpose and be granted to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Complete an LOI for Fall 2022 Innovative Impact Grants Ready to apply? As part of our ongoing commitment to building the capacity of our nonprofit professionals and to better serve our grant seekers, our grant application process is now streamlined through our online grant management portal. All grant requests are handled through the online portal. No paper or emailed applications will be accepted. The grant application process generally begins with submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI) through the online portal. To submit an LOI, you will need to log on to your organization’s account in our online grant management portal. If your organization does not have an account established, you will need to create an account. If you are unsure of your organization’s account credentials, please contact your organization’s leadership to inquire or email us at grants@safdn.org for further instruction. ACCESS ONLINE GRANT MANAGEMENT PORTAL 1. At the login page, please follow the appropriate next step: a. If you have already created a login: you must login using the credentials you’ve utilized for previous grant applications. NOTE: username is always an email. b. If someone else in your organization has already created a login: please email grants@safdn.org to have a new user added to your organization. c. If your organization has never accessed our online grant portal, create your account using the following information: A username that is an email addressYour contact informationYour organization’s information, including the EIN/Tax ID number (required)Contact information for the organization’s Executive Officer 2. On the applicant dashboard, select “Apply” along the top menu to view available grants.We have provided additional resources, including a written tutorial, to help you with our new grant application process. To access the written applicant tutorial, visit the Applicant Tutorial – Grants All submitted LOIs will be reviewed and select organizations will be invited to submit a full grant application through the online portal before the grant application deadline. If you have any questions about our grant application process, please contact us via email at grants@safdn.org.
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant from SACF On May 20th, 2022 the Greater Scranton YMCA was awarded a $14,000 Community Needs Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The grant will support aquatics staffing at the YMCA. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greater Scranton YMCA was able to fully staff both pools in its facility and offer 283 swim lessons per session. Currently, the YMCA is only able to offer 183 swim lessons per session, a reduction of more than 600 swim lessons annually. The biggest loss, though, has been to our community, as learning to swim is one of the most important life lessons a child can learn. This grant award from the Scranton Area Community Foundation will allow the YMCA to increase lifeguard pay rates with the goal of attracting more staff, as well as retaining existing staff who need a pay increase. Adding more team members to the aquatics department will directly impact the YMCA’s capacity to provide needed services to our community, including offering an increased number of life-saving swim lessons annually, making more pool time available to members and guests, and ensuring the resources are available to implement more youth, adult and family programming. “It’s because of the generosity and support of community partners like the Scranton Area Community Foundation that the Greater Scranton YMCA is able to serve so many members of our community,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “We are confident this grant award will allow our YMCA to better serve our community through aquatics programming!” For more information about aquatics programming at the Greater Scranton YMCA contact Ken Brewster, Aquatics Director, at kbrewster@greaterscrantonymca.org or call (570) 828-3112.
Lackawanna College Receives Grant Lackawanna College was awarded a $5,142 grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to support adult literacy. Funds will be used to offer two free English as a Second Language (ESL) programs for Spanish speakers at its Hazleton Center in the summer and fall of 2022. This local grant is part of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s recent award of a $10.5 million donation to support summer, family, and adult literacy programs, representing the organization’s largest one-day grant donation in its 29-year history. “We are proud to continue our partnership with Dollar General,” said Casey Weisbeck, manager of the Lackawanna Language Academy (LLA) at the Hazleton Center. “The grant removes a significant financial barrier, giving Spanish speakers with little to no English proficiency access to educational resources. This opportunity opens the door for furthering their education, providing a pathway for future success in our Hazleton community.” Coordinated by the (LLA), the ESL classes will be offered in the summer and fall of 2022 and assist Spanish-speaking students with limited or no English proficiency. ESL classes will benefit 48 Hazleton residents. The 10-week evening courses will be in-person with take-home lessons. After completing the program, students will be eligible for Lackawanna College’s English Proficiency certificate program, an 18-credit program that continues English language learning and prepares students for college-level work. “For nearly 30 years, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has been proud to invest in literacy and education programs in our hometown communities,” said Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “The recent and significant shifts in the educational landscape have made the Foundation’s mission more critically important. As we work to create access to high-quality instruction for all individuals, we share our gratitude for the educators who are working to uplift and empower others. We hope these funds will have a meaningful impact on students and teachers across the country and look forward to seeing the positive impact they have on learners.”
Johnson College News Johnson College Receives Grant Johnson College has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Women in Philanthropy Initiative Fund of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. This grant will support Girls on Fire, a unique one-day STEM event designed for 6-9th grade students to learn about career opportunities in non-traditional STEM fields. The event, part of Johnson College’s new Women in Industry Initiative, will be conducted in conjunction with International Women’s Day in March 2023. The event will include tours of the Johnson College campus, presentations on various STEM-related programs, a keynote speaker who is a successful woman in her field, lunch, and fun hands-on activities in 3D printing, carpentry, and more. Students will learn about mechatronics, computer science, HVAC-R, healthcare, and carpentry – all areas where women have a variety of opportunities for successful careers. Studies show that when the women’s labor force participation rises, so do the economy and the GDP. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes in “Women in the Labor Force: A Databook” that women may represent more than half of all workers within several industries. Despite this, women are substantially underrepresented in industries such as construction, manufacturing, utilities, and other industrial types of employment such as agriculture and mining. They are also underrepresented in services such as repair and maintenance, automotive repair, and commercial and industrial machinery repair. Women’s participation in the U.S. labor force has been a complicated narrative, especially in skilled trades. There are many opportunities, pathways, and resources available to women looking to enter skilled trades. Girls on Fire will help students understand the many pathways for women’s economic equity and increase participation in well-paid, skilled jobs traditionally held by men. Women in Philanthropy is an initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation dedicated to transforming the lives of women, girls, and their families in Northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.supportnepawomen.org. Johnson College Enrolling Students in CNC Machining Training In conjunction with Don’s Machine Shop in West Pittston, Johnson College continues to bring CNC Machining training to Luzerne County. Starting June 20, 2022, students will train to utilize, maintain and program Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines inside Don’s Machine Shop’s classroom and lab at 100 Elm Street, West Pittston. Open enrollment for this 510-Hour CNC class is going on now. Space is limited. To learn more or enroll, visit johnson.edu/continuingeducation or contact the Johnson College Continuing Education Department at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu. CNC machinists manufacture precision products and components used in various applications such as automotive, medical, electronics, aerospace, transportation, military, and more. Industries throughout northeastern Pennsylvania are currently in need of well-trained CNC machinists. This 510-hour class for beginner-level students includes theory and hands-on learning experiences. The hands-on training, delivered at Don’s Machine Shop, is on some of the most state-of-the-art equipment in the region. This unique, one-of-a-kind training will help open new career opportunities right away. This relationship truly demonstrates how industry is a Johnson College student’s campus. The cost of the class is $7,500. Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify.
Moses Taylor Foundation Grant To Support Addition of Birthing Simulator at Marywood University A grant of $79,054 from the Moses Taylor Foundation is supporting the addition of a Laerdal SimMom Birthing Simulator at Marywood University, which will enable the University to better prepare nursing and physician assistant students for entry to practice.
