Moses Taylor Foundation Names New President and CEO Philanthropy executive Danielle Breslin has been appointed as President and CEO of the Moses Taylor Foundation, a private foundation whose mission is to improve the health of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Breslin has more than 25 years of experience optimizing health outcomes, with a focus on historically marginalized communities. Throughout her career, she has built an extensive network within the healthcare, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors. Currently, Breslin is Vice President of Operations and Learning for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation. Under her leadership, the Foundation experienced significant growth resulting in a robust portfolio of more than 1,200 grants with $173.8 million invested in communities across North Carolina. Before she transitioned into philanthropy, Breslin spent six years within the Health Care Services Division of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. “Danielle’s qualifications and experience are exceptional, but more importantly, her heart and passion for philanthropy and her dedication to those she is entrusted to serve will raise the work of the Moses Taylor Foundation to the next level,” said Maria Marsili, Search Committee Chair. “We believe she is the perfect fit to guide the Foundation and work with our community partners to continue ongoing initiatives and identify and address exciting new philanthropic opportunities for generations to come.” Breslin is a graduate of Leadership North Carolina, a Fellow of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations’ Change Leaders in Philanthropy, and a Fellow of the Southeastern Council of Foundation’s Hull Leadership Program. She has served on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Network of Grantmakers, Farmer Foodshare, and Girl Scouts of North Carolina Coastal Pines. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Virginia and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. “I am so grateful for this opportunity to work alongside the Moses Taylor Foundation Board and staff to build upon their outstanding reputation and to advance the important work happening throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Breslin. “The organization’s core values mirror my own, and we share a foundational commitment to listening to, and learning alongside, the communities we serve. I am thrilled for what lies ahead and look forward to making this area my home for years to come.” Breslin will assume her responsibilities as President and CEO of Moses Taylor Foundation on March 14, 2022. For more information, visit www.mosestaylorfoundation.org.
Boback’s Bill to Establish Purple Star School Program Legislation to establish the Purple Star School Program in Pennsylvania, sponsored by Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, advanced to the Senate after its unanimous passage in the House of Representatives today. “A child in an average military family may move up to nine times during their school-age years, creating a unique set of challenges,” said Boback. “The Purple Star School Program would make the Commonwealth’s service members aware that a school is dedicated to responding to the special needs their children face during transitions to a new community.” Under House Bill 1867, Pennsylvania schools would be designated as Purple Star campuses if they demonstrate military-friendly practices and meet certain requirements such as: having a military liaison staff member; a webpage that includes resources for military students and families; and professional development training opportunities for staff members on issues relating to military students. Boback noted the program is voluntary for school districts. Pennsylvania would join 27 other states that have Purple Star designation programs if Boback’s bill becomes law.
Brittany Cesarini – EMPOWER Conference Panelist Director of Communications, Global Health Corps Presentation: Managing Conflict Panel The ability to resolve conflict in the workplace is an essential ability for leaders in any organization. When there is open and transparent processes for identifying, resolving, and managing conflict, it is proven to improve productivity and job satisfaction of employees. In this session, our panelists will discuss techniques on how to engage in meaningful conversations and manage conflict in the workplace. Bio: Brittany Cesarini is the director of communications at Global Health Corps, an international nonprofit working to develop rising leaders in the U.S., East and Southern Africa, and beyond. In her role, she oversees internal communications, messaging and storytelling, branding, content creation and editorial, and digital communications. Over the past decade, she’s worked with hundreds of young leaders to find, hone, and share their voices to accelerate progress towards health equity. Brittany has also spoken and facilitated at numerous global events including Diversity Reboot 2021, Women Leaders in Global Health 2021, and New York University’s Social Innovation Symposium in 2020. Prior to her work at Global Health Corps, Brittany led communications and legislative affairs for a Bronx-based New York City Council member, focusing on key health and immigration issues in the poorest Congressional district in the U.S. She began her career working at the intersection of strategic communications and grassroots health advocacy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania as the recipient of the Henry Richardson Labouisse ’26 Prize. Brittany holds a bachelor’s degree in public policy with a double minor in gender studies and African studies from Princeton University. She has also trained in effective coaching with LifeLabs, effective management with The Management Center, and “writing to change the world” with The Op-Ed Project. Fluent in Swahili and an avid reader, writer, and hiker, Brittany currently lives in NEPA with her husband and their young son. GET TICKETS
The Dime Bank Scholarship At The Dime Bank, we want to support our future leaders. We award four $1,000.00 scholarships to graduating seniors. Who is eligible to apply? The student must be a graduating senior in the Wayne Highlands, Wallenpaupack, Delaware Valley, or Carbondale Area School Districts and;The student must be enrolled to attend a full-time accredited school of higher education pursuing a degree in business or a related business major such as accounting, economics, marketing, etc., in the 2022-2023 school year. Children of The Dime Bank employees or directors are not eligible to apply. How much are the awards?The Dime Bank will award one $1,000.00 scholarship to one student from each of the four school districts. Application Period:The 2022 scholarship application closes April 8, 2022. How can a student apply?It is easy! Speak with your school guidance counselor to fill out an application. No essay is required. To access this information on our website, please visit our Scholarship page.
The University of Scranton Announces Performance The Unviersity of Scranton Players, co-produced by The Jesuit Center will present “A Good Farmer” by Sharyn Rothstein. The show will take place Feb. 25-27 and Mar. 4-6 at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4353 or email players@scranton.edu for more information.
Boback Announces First Responder Grants Twenty-five fire and emergency medical services (EMS) organizations in the 117th Legislative District were awarded more than $331,000 in funding support through the 2021-22 Pennsylvania Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program, Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) announced today. “They answer the call day and night. We truly appreciate the life-saving services these hard-working and dedicated volunteers provide for our communities,” said Boback. “I am so pleased these fire and EMS companies continue to apply for this state support every year, which helps to offset their operating costs.” Following is a list of organizations in the 117th Legislative District that received grants and the amount of the awards: Lackawanna County Fleetville Volunteer Fire Company of Benton Township – $15,000. Luzerne County Back Mountain Regional Fire & EMS Inc. (EMS) – $16,655.Back Mountain Regional Fire & EMS Inc. (fire) – $30,000.Fairmount Township Volunteer Fire & Ambulance Company (EMS) – $8,325.Fairmount Township Volunteer Fire & Ambulance Company (fire) – $15,000.Harveys Lake Fire & Ambulance Company (EMS) – $8,325.Harveys Lake Fire & Ambulance Company (fire) – $15,000.Hunlock Creek Volunteer Ambulance Association Inc. – $8,325.Hunlock Creek Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.Jonathan R. Davis Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.Kunkle Fire Company Inc. (EMS) – $8,325.Kunkle Fire Company Inc. (fire) – $15,000.Lake Silkworth Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.Sweet Valley Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000. Wyoming County Factoryville Fire Company (EMS) – $8,325.Factoryville Fire Company (fire) – $15,000.Lake Carey Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.Lake Winola Fire Company 1 (EMS) – $8,325.Lake Winola Fire Company 1 (fire) – $15,000.Meshoppen Volunteer Fire Company (EMS) – $8,325.Meshoppen Volunteer Fire Company (fire) – $15,000.Northmoreland Township Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.Noxen Community Ambulance Association – $8,325.Noxen Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.Tunkhannock Community Ambulance Association – $8,325. Projects eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training and education, recruitment and retention, or debt reduction. Funds may also be used to supplement operational expenses incurred by the lack of fundraising opportunities resulting from the pandemic. The ongoing funding program was created by the General Assembly. All grants are generated from slot machine gaming proceeds, and not General Fund tax revenue. The program is administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency with the application process handled through the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.
Valley in Motion Bike Social Valley In Motion is working with Veloce, Specialized Bicycles, and Groove Brewing to host an event for bikers, or would-be bike riders, in anticipation of the spring 2022 season. Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 19, starting at 2pm, 120 Franklin Ave in downtown Scranton.
