UNC’s Camp Kelly Overnight Camp Registration Still Open

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) still has available space at our Camp Kelly Traditional Girls Overnight. The camp is in the countryside of Tunkhannock, Wyoming County, just 30 minutes from Scranton. UNC’s Camp Kelly provided a weeklong, authentic, great outdoors version of cabin camping for girls. We created an environment where every girl can learn to feel confident in their abilities and where they are committed to building upon their sense of self with each activity. Our camp is designed to foster confidence, connection, and character in every guest.

It is sometimes the first time many young girls stay overnight away from home, starting a memorable personal growth and unique experience. We encourage them to act like children but empower them to become self-sufficient and independent. We also give them the tools they need to become responsible adults. For many girls, it is not only their first time sleeping away from home but in a cabin near the wilderness or without the amenities they are used to.  They must embrace getting out of their comfort zone.

Campers are invited to register for week 1, July 7 -12, or week 2, July 14-19. The cost is only $405 per camper. If you would like to feature our available space, Kelly Langan, our Director of Children & Teens, is available for interviews and tours of camp. She can be reached at klangan@uncnepa.org. We can also provide interviews with staff and campers.  To view pictures of our camp, visit UNC’s Camp Kelly on Facebook.

UNC’s Pine Brook Free Summer Programming

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) Pine Brook Revitalization Neighborhood Revitalization Plan has scheduled free summer programming for the community. The programs include a yoga class, a walking club, and a book club for children.

Start your week aligned with Yoga every Monday during July and August at the Capouse Corner Green Space at 1371 Capouse Street at New York Avenue. The free class for all levels of ability is at 5:30 p.m. The dates are July 8, 15, 22, and 29, and August 5, 12, 19, and 26.

Get your steps with Walking Club every Tuesday during July and August. The free group will meet at John Adams Elementary School at 5:30 pm. Walks will be approximately 30 to 45 minutes at all paces. The dates are July 9, 16, 23, and 30, and August 6, 13, 20, and 27.

Feed your mind at Reading in the Park, a children’s book club, every Wednesday during July and August at 11 am. Children will be provided with a book and snack. The dates are July 10, 17, 24, and 31, and August 7, 14, 21, and 28.

In the event of inclement weather, please check United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA’s Pine Brook Neighborhood Plan page on Facebook for cancellation and rain dates.

UNC’s Pine Brook Neighborhood Community Revitalization Plan is funded by Coterra, FNBC Bank, and Peoples Security Bank through the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP). Their annual contribution of $50,000 for six years will help rebuild, restore, and revitalize Pine Brook, a designated Elm Street Community, through the Pennsylvania Keystone Communities program. 

UNC Holds Pine Brook NPP Community Celebration

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) invites the public to our Pine Brook NPP Community Celebration. This event celebrates the significant contributions of our Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP) investors: Cottera Energy, FNCB Bank, and Peoples Security Bank & Trust. The celebration is scheduled for Friday, June 21, 2024, from 2 PM to 4 PM, at the Capouse Corner Green Space, 1371 Capouse Avenue at New York Street in Scranton. The event will feature food, games, a plant giveaway, and fun activities for the community to enjoy. We ask attendees to bring a book to donate to the Little Free Library located in the space.

This celebration highlights the generous $50,000 annual contributions from Cottera Energy, FNCB Bank, and Peoples Security Bank & Trust through the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP). These contributions, totaling a $900,000 investment over six years, are instrumental in our ongoing efforts to rebuild, restore, and revitalize the Pine Brook community, a designated Elm Street Community through the Pennsylvania Keystone Communities program.

The Dime Bank Supports United Neighborhood Centers

The Dime Bank donated $18,000.00 to United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program.

UNC uses the funding to help run Project Hope Day Camp, a safe, healthy place for low-income families who reside in the City of Scranton to learn and grow during the out-of-school months. Campers learn skills in emotional regulation, mindfulness meditation, physical activity, and connecting with others. It provides an opportunity for children ages 5 to 12 to gather with their peers during four weeks in July for social, educational, recreational, and artistic opportunities that they otherwise would not be able to access. Each child receives nutritional meals and transportation to and from Camp Kelly in Tunkhannock, a 60+ acre country setting. It is expected that 140 youth will participate in this outdoor summer day camp.

Jeffrey Roche stated, “At The Dime Bank, we believe that investing in early childhood education is investing in the future of our community. We’re proud to support UNC’s Project Hope and help nurture the bright minds of tomorrow.”

UNC’s Carbondale Farmers Market is Re-Opening with New Vendors

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) invites all to their Grand Re-Opening of the Carbondale Farmers Market. The Market will be open every Thursday, starting May 9from 3:00pm-7:00pm at UNC’s Fallbrook Senior Community Center at 185 Fallbrook Street in Carbondale.

With 12 new vendors, the market will include fresh coffee beans from Milestone Coffee Roasting, canned vegetables and salsas from Canned Classics, decadent chocolate bars and sweets from Electric City Sweets, freshly made breads, muffins and scones from The Patchwork Kitchen and fresh baked cookies from The Little Ladybug Bakery. Make sure to bring your appetite for authentic Puerto Rican food provided by Amor de Mami and authentic Mexican foods from El Buen Amigo!  And get ready to stock your freezers with fresh beef, pork and chicken from Winola Farm, fresh eggs from Berger’s Hollow, and produce from Purple Pepper Farm. With more vendors to come, this is a weekly farmers market you will not want to miss! Be sure to stop by all the vendors, take a seat, and relax to music provided by UNC.

UNC Farmers Markets accepts SNAP/EBT and all benefit holders can receive an extra $2.00 for every $4.00 spent while shopping. For more information about SNAP/EBT, Food Bucks, or to be a cooking demonstrator, contact Taylor Burdick, UNC Carbondale Farmers Market Manager, at tburdick@uncnepa.org.

UNC’s Carbondale Farmers Market is generously funded by Moses Taylor Foundation. Be sure to like us on Facebook to find out about upcoming demonstrations and programs. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, email tburdick@uncnepa.org.

UNC’s Child Care Centers Receive Award from Shapiro Administration

On Wednesday April 24, United Neighborhoods Centers of Northeastern Pennysylvania’s (UNC) Child Care Department received the 2024 Equity in Early Childhood Education (ECE) Champion Award from the Shapiro Administration. UNC staff visited the State Capitol Rotunda to receive the award from Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Dr. Khalid N. Mumin and Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh, along with fellow recipients from across the state.

The Pennsylvania Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Award brings awareness to and highlights the equity work being done within Pennsylvania’s early childhood education and afterschool settings, including child care, evidence-based home visiting, and early intervention.

UNC operates three child care centers that provide affordable before- and after-school care, and preschool services. We understand that reliable, safe, and accessible childcare is crucial to the stability of working families. Likewise, the quality of that care is key to the early development of the child. Our centers are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and operate weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. All three of UNC’s child care centers have 4-STAR ratings, the highest designation from the Keystone STARS childcare quality rating program. UNC child care centers accept Lackawanna County Early Learning Resource Center subsidy and other funding, as well as paying families. For more information about UNC’s childcare centers, see below, or call UNC’s Director of Children and Teens, Kelly Langan, at 272-228-1352.

Pictured: From Left (front row): Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, Secretary for the Department of Education; Mary Ellen Richards, UNC Child Care staff; Nita Barrett, UNC Child Care staff; Shante’ Brown, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Child Development and Early Learning; Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary for the Department of Human Services From left (2nd row): Vuanasha Gatewood, UNC Child Care staff; Kelly Langan, UNC Director of Director of Children & Teens.

UNC’s Project Hope Summer Day Camp Return for 2024

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) Project Hope at Camp Kelly is excited to provide a traditional summer day camp once again for children living in Scranton. Campers are provided transportation to and from the camp located in the beautiful countryside of Tunkhannock, PA and experience arts and crafts, sports, and a variety of other fun and educational activities. They will be served breakfast, lunch, and a nutritious snack before returning home the duration of camp from July 1to July 26.  

Registration for UNC’s Project Hope is required, and opens on May 1, 2024, online at www.uncnepa.org/projecthope.

UNC’s 3rd Annual Pine Brook Family Arts Festival Date Set

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) and partner John Adams Elementary School are hosting the 3rd Annual Pine Brook Family Arts Festival on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from Noon to 4 pm on the school’s playground. Activities include kids’ yoga, drum making, upcycling planters with flowers, DIY tie-dyes, suncatchers, face painting, balloon making, rock painting, food, music, and more!

Antonio’s Pizza and El Buen Amigo will be serving pizza and tacos, for an additional fee. Joining us for the first time is Snook’s Wings and Things, selling burgers, fries, wings, and more. We will be supplying free ice cream from Scoopz Ice Cream truck for all attendees.

Our partners Marywood University and The University of Scranton will provide arts education and make and take crafts. We are also hosting five local artists to assist children in creating artwork, this is made possible through a sponsorship from Lackawanna County Arts ENGAGE. Other organizations presenting crafts and resources include Penn State Extension 4H & Master Gardeners, Albright Memorial Library, Be SMART, Scranton Tomorrow with Keep PA Beautiful, and My Center for Independent Living.

This free festival is a part of the UNC Pine Brook Neighborhood Revitalization Plan and offers access to different arts and activities for families in the neighborhood to enjoy,” said Holly Yorkonis, UNC event organizer.

UNC’s Pine Brook Neighborhood Community Revitalization Plan is funded by Coterra, FNBC Bank, and Peoples Security Bank through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Neighborhood Partnership Program. Anyone interested in volunteering at the annual event should contact UNC Assistant Director of Community Revitalization, Holly at Hyorkonis@uncnepa.org or (272) 228-1366.

UNCDC to Break Ground on Community, Education, Development and Revitalization Center

United Neighborhood Community Development Corporation (UNCDC), the nonprofit housing and economic development subsidiary of United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC), will break ground on the new Community, Education, Development, And Revitalization (CEDAR) Center at 530 Cedar Avenue in South Scranton on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 3pm.

CEDAR Center will rehabilitate and repurpose the historic Peoples Security Bank building into vibrant center for the community. CEDAR Center will offer UNC’s expanding services in job readiness and workforce development, small business, and entrepreneurship services, and a welcome center for new immigrants. Penn State’s LaunchBox will operate a business accelerator and manage a student-run café/retail area. It will also serve as a venue to expand UNC’s regional year-round South Side Farmers Market.

Remarks will be made by Jude McDonough, UNC Board Chair; Senator Marty Flynn, 22nd Senatorial District; Representative Kyle T. Donahue, District 113; Commissioner Bill Gaughan, Lackawanna County; Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, City of Scranton; and Lisa Durkin, UNC President & Chief Executive Officer. 

In addition to the UNCDC, the development team consists of Ralph J. Melone, AIA, Project Architect, and Robert Bamford, General Contractor, Mar-Paul Construction Co., Inc.

The CEDAR Center project is made possible through funding from Senator Robert P. Casey Jr., Peoples Security Bank, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program; PA Department of Community and Economic Development, Keystone Communities; Lackawanna County; City of Scranton; Oppenheim Foundation; PNC Bank; and PPL Electric Utilities.