UNC to Host Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New CEDAR Center

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new CEDAR (Community Education, Development, And Revitalization) Center on Friday, August 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at 526 Cedar Avenue in South Scranton. All media outlets and public officials are invited to attend.

UNC officially moved into the CEDAR Center on June 23, 2025, marking a major milestone in the organization’s 100+ year history. The CEDAR Center now serves as UNC’s regional hub for adult education, workforce development, and a range of community-based programs. Speakers at the event will include Senator Marty Flynn, Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan, Mayor of Scranton Paige Cognetti, Lisa Durkin, UNC President and CEO, and Dr. Kellyn Williams, UNC Board Member. 

The building, a former branch of the South Side Bank & Trust Company, was generously donated by Peoples Security Bank in 2014. Construction began in April 2024, transforming the space into a welcoming and accessible facility designed to meet the growing needs of the community.

UNC extends sincere thanks to the many funding partners who helped bring the project to life, including Senator Robert P. Casey Jr., Peoples Security Bank, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (RACP), the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (Keystone Communities, Local Share Account, and Neighborhood Partnership Program), Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, Lackawanna County, the City of Scranton, the Oppenheim Foundation, PNC Bank, PPL Electric Utilities, and The Dime Bank. We’d additionally like to thank Project Architect Ralph J. Melone, AIA, and General Contractor Robert Bamford of Mar-Paul Construction Co., Inc.

The ribbon cutting will celebrate the opening of this vital new space and UNC’s continued commitment to serving individuals and families across Northeastern Pennsylvania.