Students awarded James F. Swift scholarships

Posted on August 3, 2022 by The Dunmorean

JAMES F. SWIFT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS include, first row, from left: Tori Kovalchick, Nina Sampogne, Mia Muskey, Ritu Begmi, Elina Joshi, Sofia Flores-Weidner, Elizabeth Stone, Alyssa Cosklo, Chloee Rumford.

Second row, same order: Joel Cali, Ava Aulisio, Michael Kazmierczak, Molly White from Holy Cross High School; Gwyneth Serowinski, Olivia Manarchuck, Hannah Carr, Nicholas Guerra.

Third row: Tyler Muskey, Owen Morgan, Finley McHale, Riley Clarke, Jacob Vituszynski, Joshua Vituszynski, Ryan Salony, Antonio Pugliese. Also in photo: Cathy Fitzpatrick, Grants and Scholarship Manager, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Frank Caputo, Grants and Communications Coordinator, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO, Scranton Area Community Foundation.

Recipients missing from photo include Eliana King from Dunmore High School, and Dana Mackin from Holy Cross High School.

Grant Money to Support Aquatics Staffing at YMCA

Posted on July 6, 2022 by The Dunmorean

Shown at a check presentation are from left: Cathy Fitzpatrick, Grants & Scholarship Manager, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA; Ken Brewster, Aquatics Director, Greater Scranton YMCA, and Frank Caputo, Grants & Communications Coordinator, Scranton Area Community Foundation.

The Greater Scranton YMCA has been 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.

Trinity Child Care Center Gets Helping Hand

Posted on November 30, 2021 by The Dunmorean

The Matt McGloin Foundation, administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, recently presented a $9,000 grant to fund a new outdoor accessible play area at Saint Joseph’s Center Trinity Child Care Center.

Shown from left: Atty. Charles Volpe, David Price, Scranton Area Community Foundation board secretary; Keith Eckel, Bailey McGloin and Matt McGloin, The Matt McGloin Foundation; Michele Johnston, RN, Director of Trinity Child Care Center; Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, IHM, President and CEO, Saint Joseph’s Center, and Brittany Pagnotti, Scranton Area Community Foundation communications manager.