United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania

UNC/TCMC host community forum on poverty & poor health

administrator — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:44:04 +0000

On May 1, United Neighborhood Centers collaborated with The Commonwealth Medical College to host its first special event in celebration of the agency’s 90^th anniversary in 2013. “Poverty & Poor Health-Changing the Equation” was a community forum that allowed a discussion about the correlations between being poor and having poor health. Sondra Myers moderated a panel that consisted of nationally-recognized speakers Dr. Buz Cooper, Tine Hansen-Turton and Mariana Garrettson. Over 100 community members, including those from the medical arena, attended the event. The next event for the 90^th anniversary celebration will be a launch party and video premiere to be held June 11 at the Scranton Cultural Center.

NANA donates new Wii system to West Side seniors

administrator — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:17:57 +0000

Board members from the NEPA Aging Network Alliance (NANA) recently donated a new Nintendo Wii system to members of United Neighborhood Centers’ West Side Senior Center. The older adults use the system to play games, exercise and compete in bowling tournaments. Pictured (from l-r) front row are West Side Senior Center members Paula McGraw and John Kaminski. Back row: Linda Korgeski, Theresa Gilhooley, Laurie Fleming, West Side Senior Center Manager; Jessica Engel, NANA President; Beth Rossi, Mike Sukolowski and Maria Malettahastie.

Youth at UNC Bellevue Center host Hop-a-thon for charity

administrator — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:19:22 +0000

Over 100 students at United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Bellevue Childcare Center hosted a Hop-a-thon to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The children collected donations themselves and helped raise $450. Shown (from l-r) are: FRONT ROW- Madisyn Matos, Emma Kearney and Javian Albarran. BACK ROW- Noe Escalante, Sadarrah Carmody, Caden Plunkett and Margaret Adolfson, Center Director.

International Dinner honors 12 new U.S. citizens

administrator — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:28:17 +0000

UNC & SCOLA recently celebrated 12 new American citizens at its annual International Dinner held on April 18 at the South Side Senior Center. The new citizens hail from countries such as Russia. China and the Domincan Republic. All new citizens were given a certificate from Senator Bob Casey and an American flag. These adult students work hard to learn English, most attending classes and tutoring sessions at SCOLA while holding down jobs. The dinner is made by the students and some of the tutors and features dishes from their country of origin. This year, over 20 different countries were represented.

Young Professionals host Beatles fundraiser for UNC

administrator — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:46:35 +0000

On April 23, members of UNC’s Young Professional Auxiliary Board hosted a fundraiser to support the agency’s overall efforts. “Beatles, Burgers and Brew” was attended by over 100 community members at Morgan’z in Scranton. Local Beatles cover band, the Fab Three, performed while attendees enjoyed draft beers and burgers. There was also a basket raffle and t-shirt sale. The fundraiser was co-chaired by members Carolyn Tugend Quinn and Jude McDonough. The event raised over $3,000 for UNC! Stay tuned for the next event from the Young Professionals.

PA Aging Secretary visits UNC

administrator — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:26:46 +0000

PA Aging Secretary Brian Duke visited United Neighborhood Centers’ West Side Senior Center last week to talk about older adult issues and the Governor’s budget in front of local leaders and senior citizens. Shown from left to right are: Harry Forbes, Director of the Governor’s Northeast Office; State Representative Marty Flynn, Brian Duke, PA Senator John Blake and Michael Hanley, UNC Executive Director.

Dunmore Elementary holds food drive for UNC’s Angel’s Attic

administrator — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:35:27 +0000

Students at Dunmore Elementary School recently held a food drive to benefit United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s emergency food and clothing bank, Angel’s Attic. Pictured, from l-r, are: (First row) Andrew Padula, Jeffrey Walsh, Andrew Durkin, William Portanova (Second row) David Day, Micah Madrazo, Kyle Jenkins, Sarah Pettit (Third row) Margaret Hart, Assistant Principal; Jessica Carrion, UNC Emergency Services Supervisor; and Matthew Quinn, Principal.

UNC announces 90th anniversary celebration committee

administrator — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:20:58 +0000

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania is celebrating its 90^th anniversary in 2013. A group of past and present UNC staff and board members, as well as local community leaders, have come together to help plan special events and programming throughout the year to commemorate the anniversary. The committee is chaired by Atty. Drew Hailstone who has served on the UNC Board of Directors for 43 years. Committee members include (l-r) STANDING: Lisa Durkin, Alison Woody, Ruth Gerrity, Michael Gilmartin, Hailstone, Morey Myers, Kevin Rogers, Sr. Margaret Gannon and Michael Hanley. SITTING: Dawn Brennan, Former Scranton Mayor Dave Wenzel, Sondra Myers and Nancy Dressel. Missing from photo are: Jane Oppenheim, Elizabeth Burns, Thaddeus Kenny, Dr. Dan Ginsberg, Gail Waters, Ken Knelly, Jay Weinschenk and Jude McDonough.

Groundbreaking held for second phase of Cedar Ave. project

administrator — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:00:23 +0000

On Friday, March 22, United Neighborhood Centers held a groundbreaking ceremony on the 600 block of Cedar Avenue in Scranton to announce the second phase of the three phase South Side Revitalization Project. The second phase will include six homeownership townhouses with three bedrooms and retail space on the bottom floor. The first phase was completed last year with the opening of the Willow Apartments and SCOLA/Elm Street’s new offices. Completion of the second phase is expected by the end of 2014. Many community members, staff and local political leaders came out to support the groundbreaking including Scranton Mayor Doherty, Lackawanna County Commissioners Wansacz and O’Malley and Senator John Blake. A reception and tour of the new offices at 629/631 Cedar Avenue followed the ceremony. For more information about the project, please click here.

Local author’s book supports UNC

administrator — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:02:16 +0000

Local author Jeannine Luby has made her book, “Wartz and All”, available for donation on her website to the children United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania serves. Ms. Luby recently presented donated books to the agency. To purchase a book for United Neighborhood Centers, please go to jeannineluby.com/donate-a-book.