United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties' Annual Report 2018-19

2018-19
ANNUAL REPORT

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

LIVE UNITED

United Way of Lackawanna
and Wayne Counties

OUR MISSION

To improve the quality of life for the people of
Lackawanna and Wayne Counties and surrounding
communities by serving as a catalyst for community
problem solving and by conducting an efficient,
encompassing volunteer fund raising effort to positively
impact the community’s most compelling social
problems.

UNITED WAY
FIGHTS FOR THE

EDUCATION,
FINANCIAL
STABILITY

AND HEALTH
OF EVERY

PERSON IN
LACKAWANNA

AND WAYNE
COUNTIES.

Children participating at the Summer Learning site
at Connors Park, Scranton.

UNITED WE FIGHT. UNITED WE WIN.

LIVE UNITED

CONTENTS

1 Charity Navigator 23-24 Working Together in Wayne County
2 Leadership Message 25-28 Campaign: Year in Review
3 Board of Directors and Staff United Way and Organized Labor:
4 About United Way 28 Working Together for Impact
4 Agency Program Partners Volunteer
5-6 Impact at a Glance 29-30 Statements of Financial Position
7-14 Education Spotlight
15-18 Financial Stability Spotlight 31
19-22 Health Spotlight

On the cover: Top left: Dave Tressler, 1982 Campaign Chair, Past Board Chair and long-time United Way volunteer, oversees a ramp construction project during Day of Caring ‘18. Top Right: Two
students participate in the NEPA Girls’ STEM Competition at Valley View High School in April, 2019. Bottom left: Veronica Bowen, a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) intern from Penn State
Scranton completes a tax return during the 2019 tax season. Bottom right: Children enjoy playing with kinetic sand during the Summer Learning Series in July, 2018 at Connors Park.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY

UNITED WAY OF LACKAWANNA AND WAYNE COUNTIES
EARNS 7TH CONSECUTIVE 4-STAR RATING

For the 7th straight year, the United Way With our most recent score, the United Way of
of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties
has attained Charity Navigator’s highest Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is ranked in
possible 4-star rating for demonstrating strong
financial health and a stalwart commitment to the top 20 among United Ways of all sizes across
accountability and complete transparency.
the country, and we’re ranked first among the 12
Utilizing objective, annual analysis, Charity
Navigator has awarded only the most fiscally United Ways in Pennsylvania to receive a 4-star
responsible organizations with a 4-star rating.
Our score of 97.87 out of a possible 100 rating last year.
includes a perfect score in the Accountability
and Transparency metric which indicates our “ Based on its 4-star rating, people can
organization operates in accordance with industry trust that their donations are going to
best practices and maintains open transparency
with our donors and stakeholders. a financially responsible and ethical

According to Charity Navigator, only five percent charity when they decide to support
of charities in the country perform at this high
level, which demonstrates that the United Way ”the United Way of Lackawanna and
of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties far exceeds Wayne Counties. ~ Michael Thatcher
industry standards and outperforms most other President and CEO, Charity Navigator
charities in America.
We remain proud of this achievement and pledge
1 | United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties’ 2018-19 Annual Report to continue our faithful stewardship of the
resources entrusted to us by this very generous
community.

Visit Us Online
Learn more at uwlc.net/charity-navigator

LEADERSHIP MESSAGE

Dear Friends,

On a Scranton-bound train following a Kiwanis convention, a group of concerned community
leaders endeavored to create an all-encompassing fundraising drive to generate enough money
to substantially impact the issues of the day facing our community. The year was 1921, and this
idea would form the genesis of the Community Chest in Scranton which would ultimately evolve
into the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties as we know it today.

Nearly 100 years later, at the heart of our United Way is the same basic tenet that only together
— United — can we make our community better. It’s as true today as it was a century ago that
solutions to our community’s greatest challenges can only be found when organizations and
individuals work together.

As we stand on the cusp of a second century of service, a changing market and donor
expectations, punctuated by an ever-increasing complexity of community needs, calls us to
evolve once more and increase our ability to meet these needs while broadening our reach to
impact the lives of everyone in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties. With this in mind, the United
Way established a Funding Review Committee which spent more than a year conducting an
in-depth study of our current method of fund distribution while exploring new approaches to
increase our resources and allow for greater flexibility to broaden our reach on these pressing
issues. With the unanimous support of the Board of Directors, the Committee recommended
implementing a change to our fund distribution process. Beginning in 2020, we will issue a
Request for Proposals within our current program partner agencies placing highest priority on
our well-established programmatic pillars of education, financial stability/economic mobility and
health. While we know this shift won’t be without its challenges, we are looking toward the future
with a renewed sense of purpose, as an ever-evolving grassroots organization nimble enough to
change with the changing times — just as we have for nearly 100 years.

As you read this report of our work in the past year, we remain humbled by your generous support
of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties and gratefully thank you for helping us
continue to fight for the education, financial stability
and health of every person in our community.

Warmest regards,

Tom Donohue
Chairman of the Board

Gary Drapek
President and CEO

Learn more at UWLC.NET | 2

LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT

2018-19 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is governed autonomously by a local Board of Directors comprised of
volunteers who are leaders in the community and in their respective fields. The Board meets seven times per year to help the
United Way strategically carry out our mission.

Executive Committee MEMBErS-AT-LARGE Katie Leonard
Tom Donohue, Chair Tracy Bannon Johnson College

Lamar Advertising St. Joseph’s Center Foundation John Marsico
Community Volunteer
George Lynett, Jr., Senior Vice Chair The Honorable Michael Barrasse
Times Shamrock Communications Lackawanna County President Judge James Mirabelli
Abington Heights School District
David Raven, Vice Chair, Barbara Bossi
Resource Development Community Volunteer Dr. Deb Pellegrino
The Honesdale National Bank University of Scranton
Sandy Chickeletti
Randy Palko, Vice Chair, M & T Bank Dr. Donald Preate
Community Impact Delta Medix
Community Volunteer Michael Cordaro
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. Attorney Joe Price
Noelle Lynett, Vice Chair, Dougherty, Leventhal and Price, LLP
Community Impact Marketing Justin Davis
Community Volunteer PA Health and Wellness Walter Serafinko
Community Bank, NA
Lewis Critelli, Treasurer P.J. Dempsey
Wayne Bank Dempsey Uniform & Linen Supply Kelly Scheinman
Healthcare Consultant
Dr. Erica Barone Pricci, Secretary Kathie Gaughan
Lackawanna College Commonwealth Health Moses Taylor Hospital Drew Simpson
Carpenter’s Union Local 645
Alex Fried, Campaign Chair Jill George
The P&G Paper Products Company The Dime Bank Mark Slayton
Penn Foster
Judith Graziano Jason Kavulich
Honorary Lifetime Member Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging Stephen Uliana
Quadrant EPP
PROFESSIONAL STAFF
Lisa Berardelli Dr. Marwan Wafa
Gary Drapek Director of Education Programs Penn State Scranton
President and CEO
Bill Cockerill Jonathan Watt
Jack R. Evans AFL/CIO Community Services Liaison Hendrick Manufacturing
Senior Vice President and CFO
Stig Fromm
Nikki Keller Director of Community Impact
Vice President of Community Impact
Marketing Frank Kincel
Campaign Manager
Peg Kopko
Vice President of Community Impact Maripat Kovalkoski
Operational Systems Manager
John Orbin
Vice President of Resource Development/ Elena Kozloski
Campaign
Office Services Manager
Angela Bassani, CPA
VITA Program Coordinator Sue Youtz Members of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne
Campaign Manager Counties staff showing their support for the Go Green for
UCP of NEPA awareness event in March, 2019.

STRONGER TOGETHER ABOUT UNITED WAY

Each year, the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties Learn more at UWLC.NET | 4
harnesses the caring power of generous individuals, companies,
organizations and foundations to improve our community.

Together with numerous community partners, we fight for a quality
education that leads to graduation, stable employment and steady,
sufficient income to support a family’s financial stability and economic
mobility while enjoying good physical and mental health with a solid
safety net in times of crisis.

Where gaps exist in educational opportunities, financial stability or
access to health services, we distribute funds to programs helping to
address these issues, or we create innovative initiatives and develop
collaborative partnerships that do.

Please join together with us and help continue the fight!

AGENCY PROGRAM PARTNERS

American Red Cross of Lackawanna County • The ARC of
NEPA • Boys and Girls Clubs of NEPA • Catholic Social
Services • Day Nursery Association • Greater Carbondale
YMCA • Greater Scranton YMCA • Jewish Community
Center • Jewish Family Service of NEPA • Lackawanna Blind
Association • Meals on Wheels of NEPA • Northeastern
PA Council, Boy Scouts of America • St. Joseph’s Center •
The Salvation Army • Scranton Primary Health Care Center
• Senior Day Services/Telespond • Serving Seniors, Inc.
• United Cerebral Palsy of NEPA • United Neighborhood
Centers of NEPA • Women’s Resource Center

Wayne County grantees are listed on page 24.

IMPACT AT A GLANCE

EDUCATION
Providing children and teens with opportunities for quality learning
and skill development.

AGENCY PROGRAM PARTNERS Greater Carbondale YMCA NEPA Council, Boy Scouts of America
• Day Camp - Financial Aid • Scouting - Financial Aid
Boys and Girls Clubs of NEPA • Preschool
• After School Shuttle Program and • Quality Out-of-School Time United Cerebral Palsy of NEPA
Financial Aid • Lekotek
• Summer Day Camp Greater Scranton YMCA
• Day Camp - Financial Aid United Neighborhood Centers
Day Nursery Association • Day Care - Financial Aid of NEPA
• Child Care - Financial Aid • Day Care - Financial Aid
Jewish Community Center • Leaders in Training
of Scranton • Project Hope
• Day Camp - Financial Aid
• Day Care - Financial Aid

91% 90%

of children’s academic achievement of preschoolers were ready for success

improved 87% in Kindergarten 91%

of the children served developed of children participated in quality
new skills and knowledge out-of-school time programming

FINANCIAL STABILITY
Helping families and individuals achieve greater self-sufficiency by empowering
them with skills and knowledge.

AGENCY PROGRAM PARTNERS St. Joseph’s Center 97% 89%
• Mother/Infant Home
Catholic Social Services of families received of families
• Relief Assistance/Counseling The Salvation Army help with basic needs learned how to
• St. Anthony’s Haven: Men’s and • Comprehensive Emergency better manage
Women’s Homeless Shelter Assistance 90%
expenses
United Neighborhood Centers
of NEPA of individuals 85%
• Community Services were referred for
• Heating and Utility Assistance appropriate benefits

Women’s Resource Center 91% 76% of households
• Domestic Violence participated
of households in programs
99% secured employment to improve
of families in need obtained
affordable housing their financial
stability and
of families improved safety
their savings and assets

HEALTH

Providing all residents the opportunity to achieve optimal physical and
mental health while promoting healthy lifestyles and communities.

AGENCY PROGRAM PARTNERS Greater Carbondale YMCA St. Joseph’s Center
• Youth • Maternity Services
American Red Cross
of Lackawanna County Jewish Community Center Scranton Primary Health Care Center
• Disaster/Emergency Services of Scranton • Unemployed/Uninsured
• Education & Recreation - Adults Financial Aid Program
The Arc of NEPA • Senior Adults
• Adult Day Care • Youth Senior Day Services / Telespond
• Advocacy Services • Adult Day Care
Jewish Family Service of NEPA • Dementia Care/Respite Services
Boys and Girls Clubs of NEPA • Counseling Purchase of Service • Senior Companion Respite
• Core Program • Free Dental Clinic
• Park It Program • Older Adult Services and Serving Seniors
Casework Management • Community Services
Catholic Social Services
• General Counseling Purchase Lackawanna Blind Association United Cerebral Palsy of NEPA
of Service • Client Support Services • Assistive Technology
• Prevention of Blindness • Home Services
• Radio Reading Service
• Social Activity Program United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA
• Center Services - Teens/Adults
Meals on Wheels of NEPA
• Fast Track Home-Delivered Meals Women’s Resource Center
• Crisis Intervention Hotline

97% 87%
of people improved
98% their lives by choosing of the people served had 84%
healthier behaviors access to physical and
behavioral healthcare

of individuals had access of individuals increased their
to safe homes and healthy physical activity levels and improved
communities
their healthy eating habits

TO LEARN MORE, PLEASE VISIT US ONLINE AT UWLC.NET.

Learn more at UWLC.NET | 6

EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT

Every child deserves the opportunity to Together with our partners, we work to give
achieve their full potential and fulfill their children a strong start and to help parents and
dreams. Quality education, beginning at caregivers turn everyday moments into brain
birth, gives children that opportunity. building ones. We work to ensure preschoolers
are prepared to enter kindergarten with the tools
The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne they need to succeed, and we work to help them
Counties is focused on ensuring all area children stay on that path to a successful future and a
are prepared for success in school and life. lifetime of learning.

7 | United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties’ 2018-19 Annual Report

Creating pathways to success
for all children

TRANSFORMING CHILDREN’S FUTURES OUR VISION
Every child in our community
The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is proud will have access to the supports
to lead Transforming Children’s Futures (TCF) — a high impact needed to attain third grade
collaboration that is actively building networks with like-minded reading proficiency.
organizations to improve the third grade reading proficiency of children
in Lackawanna County. OUR MISSION
Develop and implement a
TCF is taking our lead from the Campaign for Grade Level Reading—a comprehensive and collaborative
national initiative which strives to disrupt generational poverty by system of support which ensures
mobilizing communities to find solutions to help third grade students pathways to reading proficiency
read on grade level. Research shows that reading proficiency by the end by the end of third grade for all
of third grade is the most important predictor of high school graduation Lackawanna County students.
and career success. If this critical milestone is missed, the trajectory of
the child’s future changes dramatically. OUR BOLD GOAL
90 percent of Lackawanna County
Children are learning to read from third grade students will read on
birth through third grade. From grade level by 2023 as measured
fourth grade on, they are reading by the Pennsylvania System of
to learn. School Assessment (PSSA).

In Lackawanna County, 38 percent of third grade students scored below OUR CORE FOCUS AREAS
proficient in reading on the last two Pennsylvania System of School • School Preparedness
Assessment (PSSA) exams. At the same time, county-wide high school • Regular School Attendance
graduation rates have become unstable. During the 2010-11 school • Summer Learning
year, 90 percent of high school seniors graduated while only 83 percent • Growing Healthy Readers
graduated in 2018, according to the County Health Rankings from that
year.

In response to these alarming trends, the United Way is proud to lead
our partners from the Lackawanna County Office of Youth and Family
Services, Scranton Lackawanna Human Development Agency (SLHDA)
Head Start and the Scranton Public Library to provide supports for
struggling early grade readers; promote healthy growth and development
in younger children; engage families to help their children read, grow and
develop and mobilize the community to take action and improve early
grade reading success. A TCF Cabinet of concerned stakeholders was
launched in January.

SCHOOL PREPAREDNESS VROOM. TCF is pleased to offer VROOM to help parents,
caregivers, early learning providers and others with simple
Kindergarten Dialogue. The United Way of Lackawanna activities to help make everyday moments with children
and Wayne Counties is working with a dedicated team from birth to age 5 into brain building moments. Whether
of educators and community stakeholders to help better it’s mealtime, bathtime, bedtime or anytime, there are
align Early Childhood Education (ECE) and school districts always easy ways to nurture a child’s growing mind.
while building a strong bridge for families to help ensure
every child in our community is supported through VROOM offers tools, resources and a Daily VROOM app to
all stages of growth and development. To nurture the help spark these brain building moments with thousands
creation of this alignment, the United Way and PNC Bank of simple activities right at your fingertips.
sponsored the first-ever Lackawanna County Kindergarten
Dialogue at PNC Field in November. Over 100 people were Visit uwlc.net/vroom to sign up as an individual or to
in attendance, including 39 teachers and administrators become a VROOM Brain Building Corporate Partner and
from 20 elementary schools with 52 early care teachers receive a starter kit to share VROOM tools, resources and
and administrators from 32 early learning centers. the app with your employees.

The United Way’s Success By 6 team designed and
implemented the program to unite Lackawanna County
elementary school staff and the quality early care centers
which support them and encourage a collaborative
approach to ensuring alignment and improving school
readiness skills as well as introducing a unified
Community Transition Packet, available to view and
download at uwlc.net/kindergartentransition.

Kindergarten Transition. We continued our proven
Kindergarten Transition program with custom “What Do
You Wonder About Kindergarten” books reaching more
than 825 families in the Dunmore, Lakeland, Riverside,
Scranton and Valley View School Districts. With the help
of a Scranton Area Foundation grant, we supported a
Kindergarten Readiness program for 16 children at John
Adams Elementary over a two-week period and provided
transition materials for 66 families at Kindergarten
Orientation. We also participated in WVIA’s Be My
Neighbor Day at Viewmont Mall in August and shared
information about kindergarten transition and VROOM
with more than 250 families.

Transforming Readers is a volunteer tutoring 501 44 1,105
program for Kindergarten - 2nd grade students Volunteers Hours
who are reading just below grade level and Children
provides a strong foundation for improved early grade
reading success.

In partnership with the Voluntary Action Center
and Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging,
44 volunteers were recruited and trained to work
in 25 classrooms at Sumner, Adams, Kennedy,
McNichols Plaza and Whittier Elementary Schools
in the Scranton School District. These caring
volunteers gave over 1,105 hours of time to work
one-on-one or in small groups with the children
using materials and curriculum developed by each
school’s reading specialist. The reading specialist and
teachers evaluate individual student need and select
appropriate materials for each session.

With two sessions during the 2018-19 school year,
our Transforming Readers program reached 501
young students in kindergarten - 2nd grade. Initial
results indicate 98 percent of Transforming Readers
students demonstrated academic progress in their
student learning objective. Consider the example of
one first grade student from Kennedy Elementary
who was Strategic on the Dibels evaluation in
September. After working one-on-one, twice per
week with his Transforming Readers volunteer, the
student progressed to Core and went from earning a
C in Reading on his report card to an A. Transforming
Readers is generously sponsored by the PPL
Foundation.

Learn more at UWLC.NET | 10

REGULAR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE attendance as early as preschool. To increase awareness about
this issue, we worked with WNEP and morning news anchor
Every Student, Every Day. A student missing an Mindi Ramsey to develop an Attendance Awareness campaign
average of just two days of school monthly, that featured a public service announcement filmed in Mrs.
whether excused or unexcused, is chronically Cabot’s 6th grade Social Studies class at Northeast Scranton
absent and at risk of academic failure. Chronic absence Intermediate School. The PSA ran throughout the school year
during the foundational early learning years can cause and was aired more than 500 times.
a child to fall behind by as much as a full month at the
end of the school year. Children with high risk factors With funding from the Scranton Area Community Foundation,
such as poverty, homelessness, frequent moves and we also provided Attendance Mini Grants to Dunmore High
chronic health issues can least afford to miss school. School, North Pocono Middle School and Mid Valley High
Good attendance matters for school success, starting as School to implement chronic absentee systems and encourage
early as Kindergarten and throughout elementary school. regular school attendance.
By middle and high school, poor attendance is a leading
indicator of dropout so developing the habit of good
attendance at a young age prepares students for success
in school, on the job...and in life!

The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is
working with the Lackawanna County Office of Youth and
Family Services and their S.T.A.R.S. Truancy Program
Liaisons to address this important issue with schools,
families and the community as we work together
to identify and overcome barriers to regular school

11 | United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties’ 2018-19 Annual Report

SUMMER LEARNING

Lunch and Learn. Children can lose up to two months of The Summer Learning program was sponsored by the Scranton
essential math and reading skills during the summer Area Community Foundation, and our partners included the
months. Last year, the United Way continued our Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO), Boys & Girls
pledge to keep kids learning and healthy in the summer so Clubs of NEPA, Friends of the Poor, United Neighborhood
they can thrive in the upcoming school year. Centers of NEPA, Elm Park United Methodist Church and
volunteers at Connors and Fellows Parks in Scranton.
More than 550 children enjoyed our “Shaping Into Summer”
Lunch & Learn series at nine sites throughout Lackawanna The United Way also worked with the Scranton School District
to provide an intensive summer reading camp targeted to help
County once per 140 students in kindergarten - 2nd grade reading below grade
week over four level. Of the 72 students who attended the program regularly,
weeks for Summer 100 percent improved their reading scores as demonstrated on
Learning fun. pre and post assessments.
Based on “The
Greedy Triangle” by
Marilyn Burns, the
children learned
through play with
fun activities such
as making shapes out of kinetic sand, on geoboards and
with marshmallows and toothpicks. Each child also received
books to take home.

Learn more at UWLC.NET | 12

GROWING HEALTHY READERS Improvement, Scholarship and Opportunity Scholarship
Organization. Thanks to the generosity of these local
Comprehensive Community Developmental Screening companies, hundreds of children from preschool to high
and Referral System. The United Way is proud to school are on the path to a bright future. Please visit
be part of a community collaborative that seeks to uwlc.net/tax-credits for more information.
improve quality referrals among early intervention, the
medical community and other early childhood providers. Tax Credit Supporting Businesses
We’re working with the Wright Center to incorporate • Brown Brothers Harriman
information and parental consents into their established • Community Bank, N.A.
electronic medical records system to allow for a • Dempsey Uniform & Linen Supply
seamless, automated referral system for families such • The Dime Bank
as early intervention and early childhood programs. With • Fidelity Bank
the help of the Wright Center, we’re working to share this • FNCB Bank
system with all pediatricians and medical providers in • The Honesdale National Bank
the community. • Lackawanna Casualty Co.
• M & T Bank
To ensure the implementation and accuracy of this • Mariotti Building Products
community-wide system, our Success By 6 program • NBT Bank
partnered with Community Services for Children to offer • PNC Bank
a comprehensive training program surrounding the Ages • PPL Utilities
and Stages Developmental Screening Questionnaire • UGI Storage Company
(ASQ). In November, 24 human service providers and • UGI Utilities, Inc.
68 early childhood educators received the ASQ training • UHS of Fairmont, Inc.
at the Anthracite Heritage Museum in Scranton. In • Waste Management
March, we offered a Positive Connections Workshop • Wayne Bank
at the Albright Memorial Library in Scranton during • Weis Markets
which 35 participants explored positive methods of
communicating with families regarding their child’s Thanks to this outstanding generosity, the United
developmental progress. Later in the spring, United Way awarded 82 scholarships for students attending
Way’s Success By 6 team partnered with NEIU 19 to fee based schools last year. We also supported
offer a course called Teaching Children with Challenging Environmental Education, Robotics and Music and Arts
Behavior: An Introduction to Positive Behavior after-school programs for students in Wayne County.
Interventions and Supports Additionally, we leveraged more than $197,000 in tax
(PBIS). Success By 6 credits to help 133 Pre-K students in four counties attend
provided the 120 participants quality preschool programs. In addition, we sponsored
with classroom kits to help the inaugural Lackawanna County Family STEM Night
implement the PBIS program at Valley View High School. This program was designed
with their students. The kits and organized entirely by an all-girl leadership team of
were assembled by on-site six Valley View High School students and was open to
workplace volunteers from area families with children in 5th-8th grade. More than 20
VaxServe. families participated in this event and worked together
to program Sphero robots while also designing their own
INNOVATIVE LEARNING electrical circuit robot card.
OPPORTUNITIES
“Thank you for the opportunity
Educational Tax Credits: FY 2018-19. Our United Way is to help my children achieve great
approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Community things.” ~ Excerpt from a thank you letter
and Economic Development as a Pre-K, Educational
received from the mother of two of
13 | United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties’ 2018-19 Annual Report our scholarship recipients.

NEPA Girls STEM Competition. The United Way Learn more at UWLC.NET | 14
once again leveraged Educational Improvement
Organization (EIO) tax credit dollars to power the
NEPA Girls STEM Competition at Valley View High School,
led by Marisa Barilka, Valley View’s STEM coordinator.
Giving girls the opportunity to explore the fields of science,
technology, engineering and math helps them explore
career pathways that previously may have seemed unlikely.
This year’s competition grew to 163 students in 5th - 8th
grades, an increase of 60 percent over the previous year.
The students competed on 58 teams representing Abington
Heights, Delaware Valley, Dunmore, Forest City Regional,
Lackawanna Trail, Mid Valley, MMI Prep, Mountain View,
Scranton, Valley View and Western Wayne School Districts.

The annual NEPA Girls STEM Competition exposes girls to
science, programming, engineering and math through four
different events, including designing, building and operating
a “Mousetrap car” in the engineering event. The competition,
now in its 4th year, has inspired coaches across the region
to create after-school STEM clubs to engage the students in
the months leading up to the competition.

The competition continues to grow each year, empowering
female students to reach their full potential and pursue
careers in STEM fields that they may not have considered.

“The generous support provided by the United Way allows
the mission of increasing interest and involvement of girls in
STEM education to continue. With the ongoing commitment
from the United Way, we’ve been able to reach a growing
number of girls in NEPA helping to improve their lives
through education,” said Mrs. Barilka.

FINANCIAL STABILITY SPOTLIGHT

Since 1921 and our founding as the the best way to break the cycle of poverty
Community Chest in Scranton, the United is through new initiatives and time-tested
Way has been looked to as a leader to programs that help hard-working individuals
help our most vulnerable residents during times and families achieve their dreams by increasing
of crisis. Nearly 100 years later, we distribute income, building savings, establishing or
more than $500,000 to address basic and repairing credit and gaining assets for greater
emergency needs many of us take for granted economic independence and mobility. Everyone
such as food, clothing and shelter. Yet, we know benefits when financial stability leads to a better
workforce and a healthier, stronger community.
15 | United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties’ 2018-19 Annual Report

hELPING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES
ACHIEVE ECONOMIC MOBILITY

INCOME TAX PREPARATION ASSISTANCE

As the cornerstone of our commitment to Financial
Stability, the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne
Counties offers two options for low and moderate
income individuals in our community to file their local, state
and federal taxes for free.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). In our 12th year, the
United Way’s VITA program offers free and confidential tax
preparation services for households with income of $54,000
or less. Our VITA program is under the direction of Angela
Bassani, CPA along with Richard Kokas, CPA and Dillon Lukas,
Enrolled Agent.

Expanding upon our long-time partnership with the University 2,745
of Scranton, the United Way’s VITA program continues to grow
and serve an ever-increasing number of tax clients. With the FREE tax returns filed
help of Lackawanna College and Penn State Scranton, we’ve
added numerous student interns to our team of dedicated, $841,914 $411,750
IRS-trained and certified volunteer tax preparers. Last year, in Earned Income
we expanded our VITA satellite office at the United Way in Tax Credits Saved in tax
Scranton as well as a week-long “VITA on the Road” Tax Tour to prep fees
six mobile sites throughout Lackawanna and Wayne Counties
during which our team completed over 600 tax returns. Once $2,796,330
again, our volunteers also provided one-on-one VITA service in
New Milford at the request of the United Way of Susquehanna $2in,3Fe1d8era,7l r6efu3nds back to our community
County and on-site to patients at Clarks Summit State Hospital.
In support of the VITA program’s continued growth, we once
again received a federal grant from the IRS and received a
perfect 100 percent score during our unannounced IRS Site
visit during the 2019 tax season. Appointments are available
beginning January 2 on our website at uwlc.net/taxes or
by calling 2-1-1, our area’s regional information and referral
helpline.

My Free Taxes. For households with income of $66,000 or less
comfortable filing their own taxes online, the United Way offers
My Free Taxes, a free, online tax filing option powered by H&R
Block. Last year, 165 returns were filed in Lackawanna and
Wayne Counties through My Free Taxes with an average Earned
Income Tax Credit (EITC) of $2,370 and an average refund of
more than $1,884.

Learn more at UWLC.NET | 16

Workforce Development. To help our community thrive ALICE in Northeastern
in a changing and growing economy, the United Way is Pennsylvania. Our United
part of a long-range, regional Workforce Development Way is part of an advisory
Planning Committee. We also participated in an council led by the United
intensive four-day workshop sponsored by the Harry Way of Pennsylvania
and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and presented by to launch a state-wide
the Aspen Institute. The sessions brought together data project called ALICE, an acronym for Asset Limited,
regional business, educational and community leaders Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE is a new way of
to develop a working group that begins closing the skills defining and understanding the struggles of hard-working
gap in our region and fills highly in-demand job openings households that earn above the Federal Poverty Level,
while further enhancing and improving upon workforce but not enough to afford a bare-bones survival household
development activities in Northeastern Pennsylvania. budget. Released in June, the PA ALICE report includes
a website and interactive simulation as well as state-
Gift of Warmth. The Gift of Warmth program, established wide and county level data to help our United Way lead
in 2008 by former United Way board member Patrick community engagement and guide ALICE families along
McMahon of One Point, raises additional funds for the the path to financial stability. According to the report, the
United Way’s Emergency Heating program. Through this number of ALICE households in both Lackawanna and
innovative initiative, business leaders and individuals are Wayne Counties exceeds the state average of 24 percent
encouraged to give the Gift of Warmth in lieu of holiday with 25 percent of Lackawanna County households and 30
gifts to vendors, clients, and friends. With this generous percent of those in Wayne County earning more than the
support and that of several area foundations, Gift of Federal Poverty Level but less than the basic cost of living
Warmth funds are used to provide emergency fuel/utility for the county.
assistance and emergency furnace repair as well as
meeting other emergent needs to keep people of all ages Multicultural Acclimation Program (MAP). The United
safe and warm. Over $60,000 was utilized to more than Way provided a grant to United Neighborhood Centers of
150 families in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties last NEPA to implement the MAP program with two main goals:
year as approximately 460 people received the Gift of helping new immigrants and refugees acclimate to life in
Warmth during last year’s frigid winter. Over 60 percent of this country and in our community as well as educating
the households receiving the Gift of Warmth had a senior our community about cultural awareness and differences.
citizen living in the home. The program helps these new residents overcome
employment, cultural, and language barriers as they work
towards assimilation. Last year, 87 individuals participated
in ESL and Citizenship classes with 10 completing the
Immigrant Leadership Education and Development
program. In addition, the 2nd Annual Welcoming Scranton
event was held in September, bringing together more than
25 community partners and over 400 people to promote
cross-cultural understanding. At this event, five graduates
of the leadership program created a “Language Lounge”
to showcase three different languages and countries:
Spanish (Mexico), French (Democratic Republic of Congo),
and Gujarati (India). This student-driven initiative brought
community members together to learn new phrases
in various languages, share information about each
participant’s native country and encouraged cross-cultural
dialogue between participants and Welcoming Scranton
attendees.

17 | United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties’ 2018-19 Annual Report

State and Federal Aid Programs. The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties continued its role as local administrator
for the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The United Way chairs a local
board responsible for the funding decisions, concentrating on direct service hours and client access to healthier food options,
shelter and utility assistance. Board members include:

Sheila Nudelman Abdo Noelle Lynett Emergency Food and Shelter Phase 35 FY 2018-19.
Jewish Family Services of NEPA Community Volunteer Awarded $107,672 to the following organizations:
• Catherine McAuley Center
William Browning Mary Theresa Malandro • Catholic Social Services
Lackawanna County Department Catholic Social Services • Friends of the Poor
• United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA
of Human Services John Nalevanko • Women’s Resource Center
Community Volunteer
Barbara Durkin
Office of Drug and Randy Palko
Community Volunteer
Alcohol Programs
Patricia Sack State Food Purchase Program FY 2018-19.
Brian Ebersole Lackawanna County Awarded $358,777.79 to the following organizations:
Geisinger Springboard Health • Bread Basket of NEPA
Department of Human Services • Catherine McAuley Center
Bill Goldsworthy • Catholic Social Services
American Red Cross Jeff Smith • Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO)
Moses Taylor Foundation • Friends of the Poor
of Lackawanna County • Meals on Wheels
Major Robert Schmig • St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen
John Kaminski The Salvation Army • The Salvation Army
Community Volunteer • United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA
Siemong Wang • Women’s Resource Center
Jason Kavulich Safety Net Ministry
Lackawanna County
Jeremy Yale
Area Agency on Aging Lackawanna County Department

Stig Fromm, Chair of Behavioral Health/Intellectual
United Way of Lackawanna Disabilities/Early Intervention

and Wayne Counties

Peg Kopko
United Way of Lackawanna

and Wayne Counties

Listen for Good Grant. The United Way is in the final year of Pictured from left are: Meghan Loftus, Sister Ann Walsh, both from Friends of the Poor;
a two-year, $30,000 grant from the Fund for Shared Insight’s Jeff Smith, Moses Taylor Foundation and Stig Fromm, United Way of Lackawanna and
Listen for Good initiative dedicated to helping nonprofits Wayne Counties with one of the posters being shared with consumers of the food pantry
listen more effectively to the people we serve. The United at Friends of the Poor to communicate how we are closing the loop and responding to their
Way was nominated for this competitive, nation-wide grant valuable feedback.
by the Moses Taylor Foundation which provided $15,000 in
matching funds. With the help of students from Marywood Learn more at UWLC.NET | 18
University, we are closing the loop and have surveyed
the consumers of 10 area food pantries within six local
organizations—Bread Basket of NEPA, United Neighborhood
Centers of NEPA, Friends of the Poor, Catholic Social
Services, Commission on Economic Opportunity and the
Salvation Army—to better understand their needs and value
their feedback. Among the findings is a need for more dairy
and fresh produce in many of the pantries. Based on the
responses we’ve received, we are working with the Food
Policy Council to implement the requested changes.

The Moses Taylor Foundation assisted with the creation of
bilingual, reusable posters in each of the pantries to report
back to the consumers that their voices were indeed heard
and how the pantries are working toward implementing the
suggestions to better meet the consumer’s needs.

HEALTH SPOTLIGHT

Making the health of everyone in our to whether older adults can safely stay in their
community a priority, the United Way homes.
of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties
remains committed to promoting healthy With numerous partners, the United Way works to
behaviors and improving access to high-quality expand access to preventative care for all ages,
physical and mental health services, safety and encouraging healthy eating and physical activity,
overall well-being. The effects of good health last while offering support to victims of violence and
a lifetime from how well children are able to learn people with special needs to build strong families
and a healthier community.
19 | United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties’ 2018-19 Annual Report

hELPING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES LEAD
HEALTHIER, SAFER AND BETTER LIVES

TELEHEALTH PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS

As part of our ongoing commitment to improving
health for our community’s older adults, the United
Way expanded our two telehealth programs to
help seniors self-manage chronic health conditions such
as cardiovascular illnesses and Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Both our Telehealth Program for Seniors (TIPS) and Tyler Bielinksi, Telehealth Supervisor, explains the ROAM program to United States Senator
Remote Older Adult Monitoring (ROAM) initiatives utilize Robert P. Casey during a visit to the Dunmore Senior Center in May.
student technicians from the University of Scranton who
are trained to use non-invasive, FDA-approved medical 521
devices to measure the seniors’ vital signs including
weight, pulse oximetry and blood pressure weekly. In full older adults monitored
HIPPA compliance, the readings are transmitted remotely
to a nurse who reviews the results and will contact 7,850
the senior directly at the first sign of an alert. Thanks
to support from the Lackawanna County Area Agency vital signs taken
on Aging, our program expanded to 11 sites this year
throughout our two counties. 2,250
alerts shown
Telehealth participants had a 30
percent reduction in emergency
room admissions.

Of the more than 7,800 vital signs taken last year, 28
percent of these fell outside the scope of a healthy reading
and were referred remotely to one of the nurses. In most
cases, the issues were handled by the nursing staff or
with referrals to the seniors’ physician for a change in
medication, dosage or identification of an underlying
health issue.

However, this innovative program is not merely life- Learn more at UWLC.NET | 20
changing but is truly life-saving. Consider the story of an
elderly gentleman who believed his declining health was
simply due to aging. Through the persistence of one of
our student technicians and at the urging of the nurse, he

visited his doctor and was diagnosed with a small brain MOM-n-PA.
bleed. With rehab and family support he was ultimately The United Way
able to return home and live independently. He’s now was pleased to
back to being a regular program participant and proudly help sponsor
carries a note from his student technician everyday to the Mission
remind him how lucky he is. Another gentleman admitted of Mercy in
to initially disregarding the call when he too alerted, but Pennsylvania,
thought better of it and contacted his doctor only to be a free two-day
diagnosed with pneumonia. With treatment, he has fully dental clinic
recovered and is back to good health. Lastly, another held in June at
participant was observed to have a continually low heart Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes Barre.
rate. With the coaxing of his student technician and nurse
intervention, he visited his doctor and ultimately received This free clinic provided donated dental care such as
an implantable cardiac device to regulate his heart rate. cleanings, X-rays, fillings, tooth extractions and root
He reports feeling much better and is even more active canals to help thousands of local people relieve pain
now than he was prior to the procedure. and achieve better oral health. The patients received
information about oral hygiene and available programs
FamilyWize Prescription for follow-up and future dental care. While many of the
Discounts. The United patients were working families who do not qualify for
Way continued to offer assistance or cannot afford dental insurance, the service
FamilyWize Prescription was offered to people of all ages.
Discount cards for
people in Lackawanna
and Wayne Counties
with little or no prescription coverage. Last year 2,006
prescriptions were filled with savings of more than
$250,000 through this free program. More information and
downloadable cards are available at uwlc.net/familywize.

Dental Health Project. Last year, more than 17,500 free dental health bags were distributed to people in need of all ages
throughout Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. Thanks to a generous community sponsor, dozens of organizations
and numerous dedicated volunteers, recipients of the bags ranged from young children to homeless veterans. This regional
project even had a global reach as bags were also distributed to school children in Ghana, West Africa.

21 | United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties’ 2018-19 Annual Report

Longitudinal Community Health Intervention Projects
(L-CHIP). In the second year of a three year study
and unique community partnership with the Geisinger
Commonwealth School of Medicine, the United Way
worked with more than 40 first-year medical students.

The students formed two teams with one group studying
the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) on
children’s health and the other identifying ways to help
area seniors better manage their blood pressure and
understand risk factors for hypertension such as obesity
and added salt to food. The students developed and
distributed an informational brochure and conducted
on-site presentations in area senior centers.

The L-CHIP experience is designed to meet service
learning goals by actively engaging students with the
community, public health and nonprofit organizations
such as the United Way and regional healthcare delivery
systems.

Top: More than 40 first year medical students at Geisinger Commonwealth Medical
School gathered at the United Way for an orientation. Middle: Medical students
present their findings regarding the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on
children’s health during a symposium. Bottom: A medical student discusses the
study on blood pressure with a participant at United Neighborhood Center’s Active
Older Adult Community Center.

Learn more at UWLC.NET | 22

WAYNE COUNTY

Volunteers spend the day helping at the Wayne County Public Library in Honesdale during the Nancy Jackson Memorial Day of Caring in September.

WORKING TOGETHER IN WAYNE COUNTY and a new Music and Arts program
to explore the students’ creativity
Since 2006, the United Way has worked together as 15 students wrote an original
with business and community leaders, local piece of music and performed it for
government officials and nonprofit organizations the others while also creating art to
in Wayne County to fight for the education, financial display and take home.
stability and health of everyone in this vibrant and caring
community.

During that time, nearly $650,000 has been distributed Financial Stability. In the 9th year of After school Environmental
to more than a dozen organizations providing critical the Gift of Warmth program in Education program at the
services to advance the common good for Wayne County Wayne County, more than 50 families Wayne County YMCA
residents. Those dollars have been leveraged with direct in need received emergency fuel/utility
and in-kind funds such as educational tax credits, the Gift assistance last winter.
of Warmth, tax preparation services, remote older adult
health monitoring and more for a total impact of United Marking the 10th year of our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Way in Wayne County of well over $1.4 million since 2006. (VITA) program expansion in Wayne County, volunteers
prepared 151 tax returns for Wayne County residents with
Education. During the 2018 campaign, local companies— another 12 filed online through My Free Taxes.
including The Dime Bank, The Honesdale National
Bank and Wayne Bank—contributed to the United Way’s Health. Now in our second year, the Remote Older Adult
Educational Tax Credit program. These funds helped Monitoring (ROAM) program served more than 60 people at the
35 children in Wayne County and one from Pike County Honesdale Senior Center. ROAM is a voluntary program held
attend quality area preschools. In addition, the tax credit weekly that offers Wayne County residents age 60 or older an
dollars supported innovative learning opportunities during opportunity to have their vital signs such as blood pressure,
after school programs for Wayne County students in pulse, blood oxygen and weight monitored between visits with
Environmental Education to learn about natural resources, their physician. Thanks to the generous support of the Villaume
Robotics to gain confidence in math and science skills Foundation as well as United Way funds, there is no cost to

23 | United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties’ 2018-19 Annual Report

participate in the ROAM program. Trained ROAM technicians
use FDA-approved, non invasive medical devices to conduct the
vital sign monitoring. The results are remotely reviewed by a
nurse who will contact the senior at the first sign of an alert.

Additionally, Wayne County residents saved over $96,300 on
nearly 1,100 prescriptions through the FamilyWize Prescription
Discount program. Learn more at uwlc.net/familywize.

Wendall Kay, Wayne County Commissioner; Justin Valinski, Wayne County Risk Manager; 2018 Grant Recipients
Lew Critelli, president of Wayne Bank and 2019-20 United Way Campaign Chair; Brian Smith,
Wayne County Commissioner and John Orbin, vice president of Resource Development/ The United Way’s Wayne County Fund Distribution
Campaign for United Way with a Certificate of Appreciation presented to Wayne County Committee is comprised of individuals who live and
employees for their support of the 2018 United Way Campaign. work in the county and is responsible for awarding
grants to Wayne County organizations. The funds are
“The United Way and those who raised through workplace campaigns, corporate donations,
sustain it need to know how very individual gifts and foundation awards during the prior year’s
much your support means to us. campaign.
Thank you for your commitment to
local families and programs. We • The ARC of NEPA :: Advocacy Services
simply couldn’t do it without your • Catholic Social Services :: Nativity Place Family Shelter
thoughtful generosity.” • Community Action - Lehigh Valley ::

~ Tracy L. Schwarz Expanded Food Access
Director, Wayne County Public Library • The Cooperage Project :: Coop Cash
• Devereux Pocono Center :: Community Integration
• Educational Opportunity Centers :: SAT/ACT Preparation
• Habitat for Humanity :: House #19, Riverside Drive
• Honesdale Communities That Care ::

Scholarship Program
• Hose Co. No. 1 - Honesdale Fire Department ::

Life-saving Tools
• Lacawac Sanctuary :: STEM
• Salvation Army :: Back to School Clothing
• Senior Day Services/Telespond ::

Wayne County Adult Daycare
• Victims’ Intervention Program ::

In-School Counseling Project
• Wallenpaupack Area School District ::

Junior Achievement BizTown
• Wayne County Area Agency on Aging ::

Wayne County Food Pantry
• Wayne County Public Library :: Full STEAM Ahead
• Wayne County YMCA :: Repair and Restore

Learn more at UWLC.NET | 24

CAMPAIGN: YEAR IN REVIEW

Your gift to the United Way of Lackawanna
and Wayne Counties has the power to
change someone’s life—someone like me.

In 1968, at just 3 years old, Alex Fried — 2018-19 United Way Campaign Chair
— and his family escaped the Soviet invasion of their native Czech Republic
and fled to Paris with little more than the clothes on their back. They applied
for immigration to the United States and within a year resettled in the Scranton
area with the help of the local Jewish Federation.

As his parents learned the language and worked to provide for the family, the The Fried Family
Fried family utilized services Alex would later discover had been funded in
part by the United Way—crucial services such as day care at the Day Nursery
Association and day camp at the Scranton Jewish Community Center. Despite
being a young child in a completely new land, Alex had safe and welcoming places
to go while his parents worked.

Thanks to the United Way and this generous community, we got the help we
needed 50 years ago, and my family and I are forever grateful.

As an adult, Alex began his professional career at the Procter & Gamble Plant in Mehoopany, Pennsylvania where he would
eventually be tasked with running the plant’s United Way employee campaign. Seizing the opportunity to repay the life-changing
generosity he and his family experienced, Alex helped the P&G campaign grow over the course of 10 years from $180,000 to
raising more than $600,000 to benefit six regional United Ways during the 2018 campaign.

And, 50 years after the United Way impacted Alex and his family, he was
honored to pay it forward even further when he served as the chair of the
very campaign that made such an indelible difference in his life.

From left: Sondra and Attorney Morey Myers meet Ruth and Alex Fried Last summer, Alex and his wife Ruth had the honor of meeting Attorney
as Attorney Myers was presented with the United Way’s prestigious Morey Myers who served as the United Way Campaign Chair in 1968, helping
Tocqueville Award in recognition of his chairmanship 50 years ago and to raise the funds that had such a profound impact on Alex and the Fried
continued dedication. family as Attorney Myers was presented with the prestigious Tocqueville
Society Award for his continued dedication to our United Way.

Your generous support of the United Way makes a
life-changing impact. I’m living proof.

United Way of Lackawanna
and Wayne Counties

25 | United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties’ 2018-19 Annual Report

BETTER TOGETHER: Learn more at UWLC.NET | 26
2018 CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS

Since the original Community Chest Campaign in
1921, each year hundreds of area companies and
thousands of local people join together to create
the most powerful philanthropic network in our region.
Whether as the Community Chest, Lackawanna United
Fund or the United Way, the annual campaign is the heart
of the United Way movement and fuels our work to impact
the community all year long.

2018 Campaign Review. Inspired by the incredible
personal story of our 2018 Campaign Chair — Alex Fried
of Procter & Gamble — this year’s campaign raised
$3,254,018 and was anchored by a Campaign Cabinet
comprised of more than 60 business and community
leaders working together to help our community. The
campaign was bolstered by the thousands of individuals
that donated and the hundreds of area companies that
made corporate contributions while also conducting
employee campaigns at their workplaces.

The Pillars. Ten companies whose corporate culture
of philanthropy is synonymous with charitable giving in
our community emerged as the Pillars of the campaign
and were honored in April at the Annual Celebration of
Caring Awards breakfast. With combined corporate and
employee giving, these 10 companies joined together to
raise more than $1 million last year.

• Fidelity Bank
• Gentex Corporation
• Peoples Security Bank & Trust
• The P&G Paper Products Company - Mehoopany Plant
• PNC Bank
• PPL Utilities
• The Scranton Times-Tribune
• UGI Utilities/UGI Energy Service
• United Parcel Services/UPS Global Business Services
• Wayne Bank

Spirit of Caring Chairman’s Awards. Also presented at
the Awards celebration, the Spirit of Caring Chairman’s
Awards are the highest honor bestowed by the United Way

Top: Alex Fried, 2018 Campaign Chair, addresses the audience during the Celebration
of Caring Awards Breakfast in April which featured an Austin Powers theme from
our snowed out Campaign Celebration event in November. Second: The Community
Impact Band entertains the crowd during the annual Campaign Kickoff/Day of Caring
Celebration and Clam Bake at Cooper’s in Scranton. Third: Volunteers Joyce Tressler
and Deb Kolsovsky of PNC Bank during a Campaign Cabinet meeting. Bottom: Alex
Fried shares his inspirational personal story of United Way impact at UPS Global
Business Services to kickoff their employee campaign.

and the Campaign Chair each year for service above and Mike Munchak
beyond. For the second consecutive year, the Employees Charity Golf
of The Arc of NEPA received this award as their employee Classic. The
campaign increased by more than 20 percent over the prior United Way
year’s record-setting effort. With a 26 percent increase, the was honored
Corporate and Employees of Penn Foster were honored to welcome
as their leadership and employees continue to revitalize Scranton native
their fundraising and partnership efforts with the United Mike Munchak,
Way. Thanks to a continued increase in employee giving 2001 Pro Football
combined with a matching corporate gift, the Corporate Hall of Fame
and Employees of Peoples Security Bank and Trust were enshrinee, former
honored as their overall support grew by more than 14 all-pro Guard
percent during last year’s campaign. The Corporate and for the Houston
Employees at P&G in Mehoopany celebrated their 10th Oilers and current
year in a row of growing their campaign to a remarkable Offensive Line
level – more than $600,000 in 2018 – supporting the six Coach for the Denver Broncos, for the 23rd annual golf
regional United Ways serving communities where their tournament bearing his name. Held at the Country Club of
employees reside. This level of support is the largest of Scranton, the 2018 tournament was our third consecutive
any organization in our area. The Employees of UPS Global sell-out since expanding the field to a 27 hole format in
Business Services received this award as they put the fun 2016 to accommodate more foursomes as more than 200
in fundraising and raised more than $20,000 in monthly golfers teed it up and raised nearly $57,000. For the first
special events in addition to their award winning level of time in the 23 year history of the tournament, a hole-in-one
employee giving through the annual campaign. was made. Congratulations to Russell Preno who hit the
prize-winning shot.
Leadership Giving. The extraordinary generosity
demonstrated by our Leadership Givers has propelled While Mike has enjoyed a storied career as a player and as
them to new heights of philanthropy and continues to a coach, it is his unwavering commitment to the people of
further our work in making the community better, stronger Northeastern Pennsylvania that inspired the establishment
and healthier. The Rhoda Higgins Warren Association
is named after a visionary volunteer with the inaugural SOURCES OF REVENUE
Scranton Community Chest campaign in 1921 who went 2018 CAMPAIGN
on to dedicate her life to making a better life for others
less fortunate than she. Members of the leadership giving BequCeo8ms.mt6us%7n.4&i%tMyEIindsiTtcui.aactxiavetCs1ir3oe.3nd%ailts Employee Giving
society bearing Mrs. Warren’s name contribute $1,000 33%
or more annually and believe in the philanthropic spirit
she embodied for more than 70 years. Additionally, the Corporate Giving FOUNND7o.An7T%-ICOoNrpGOivRiAnTgE
United Way Tocqueville Society of Lackawanna and Giving
Wayne Counties was established in 1994 to recognize 21.5% Individual
those generous donors who contribute $10,000 or more 8.5%
annually to the United Way. The members of the United
Way’s Tocqueville Society fulfill the 19th Century writings
of the French aristocrat, Alexis de Tocqueville, by exhibiting
the American philanthropic spirit. Last year, 27 Tocqueville
Society members contributed $575,679 to the United Way.
Combined with those gifts, the Rhoda Higgins Warren
Association had 243 members, giving nearly $960,000 last
year.

27 | United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties’ 2018-19 Annual Report

of the Mike Munchak Community Services Scholarship Gary Drapek, president and CEO of United Way, presents
awarded annually to a local high school senior who Erin Barrett with her scholarship.
embodies Mike’s commitment to serving the community.
The one-time award of $6,300 pays homage to Mike’s #63, $44,100
retired by the Houston Oilers following his Hall of Fame
career. Last year’s recipient was Erin Barrett, a Scranton AWARDED IN PAST SEVEN YEARS
High School graduate who is attending Schreyer Honors
College at Penn State and pursuing a dual Bachelor of
Science and Masters of Business Administration degree.
Erin was an active volunteer with numerous organizations
including St. Joseph’s Center and the United Way’s Nancy
Jackson Memorial Youth Day of Caring. She served as
Student Council President and was active in a number of
clubs as well as a member of both the Varsity Basketball
and Track & Field Teams and was named Valedictorian of
her class.

Past recipients include: Phil Mosolino and Joe Gigliotti, both
graduates of Carbondale Area High School; Sarah Wagner,
a graduate of Holy Cross High School; Alison Barrett, a
graduate of Scranton High School; Collin Cooper, a graduate
of Lakeland High School and Nori Zaccheo, a graduate of
West Scranton High School.

UNITED WAY AND ORGANIZED LABOR: WORKING TOGETHER FOR IMPACT

Last year, the United Way’s Department of Labor Local 130 and former Labor Liasion for the United Way of
Participation continued successful partnerships with Wyoming Valley. Whether helping guide dislocated workers,
the Lackawanna and Pocono Workforce Investment handling information and referral calls or helping to fill food
Boards as well as the Northeast Pennsylvania Industrial pantries, Walter’s career exemplified service above self.
Resource Center to promote manufacturing in our region,
retain jobs and create new employment opportunities for
displaced workers. The Department also supported the
Letter Carrier Branch 17’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive and
the Scranton Lackawanna Human Development Agency’s
Veteran’s Resource Council.

The Department continues to be an integral part of
the Commonwealth’s Rapid Response Team—meeting
immediately with displaced workers to quickly help them

access important services during
unemployment.

The Department proudly carried The United Way presented a Labor Award to the Pennsylvania Social Service
on the tradition of honoring an Union (PSSU) Local 668, employed by the Lackawanna County Area Agency
individual or group from the on Aging in recognition of their outstanding support through the annual
ranks of organized labor with the campaign. Pictured from left are: Gary Drapek, United Way president; Bill
William E. Cockerill, Sr. award, Cockerill, United Way’s AFL/CIO Labor Liaison; Stacy White, aging care
presented this year to Walter manager and union steward for PSSU Local 668 and Jason Kavulich, director
Klepaski, a retired member of of the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging.
Laborers’ International Union
Learn more at UWLC.NET | 28

VOLUNTEER

Volunteers from NBT Bank and Alex Fried, 2018 Campaign Chair, during the Nancy Jackson Memorial Day of Caring in September working with the Arc of NEPA.

MAKING EVERY DAY A DAY OF CARING

In 1921, a group of volunteers on a Scranton-bound cleaning, friendly visitation with older adults, painting a
train following a Kiwanis convention were inspired to mural for children and building a handicap accessible
join together and form a community based approach ramp among others. Additionally, 55 people volunteered at
to impact the most pressing issues of the day. Those first five different sites in Wayne County.
volunteers possessed a true visionary spirit that lives on
in the thousands of people who carry on their tradition of Over the past 24 years, nearly 12,000 volunteers have
caring by volunteering with United Way annually. We owe given more than 63,000 hours of service, and the value of
our existence to the volunteers on that train, and we owe the more than 1,000 projects they’ve completed during Day
our success to those among us today who continue to of Caring is nearly $3 million!
follow in their footsteps and roll up their sleeves to make
a difference for those most in need. To encourage volunteerism among the next generation
of young leaders, the United Way hosted the 18th Annual
Nancy Jackson Memorial Days of Caring. The Nancy Nancy Jackson Memorial Youth Day of Caring in May.
Jackson Memorial Day of Caring is an annual, organized More than 100 students from Carbondale Area High
day of service named after the long-time United Way School; Northeast Scranton Intermediate School; Holy
volunteer who founded the program in 1994 and chaired Cross High School and St. Clare/St. Paul’s School were
Day of Caring each year until her passing in 2016. Day of mobilized among 14 sites in eight United Way partner
Caring mobilizes hundreds of volunteers into United Way agencies. The volunteer projects for the day included
partner agencies and grant recipient organizations to painting, landscaping, general cleaning and spruce-up,
provide much-needed assistance. clerical work, and direct interaction with clients and
consumers from the local health and human service
On September 6, nearly 350 volunteers rolled up their agencies.
sleeves to make a difference as part of the 24th Annual
Nancy Jackson Memorial Day of Caring, presented by President’s Advisory Council. Chaired by United Way
NBT Bank. The volunteers gave of their time and talents board member Michael Cordaro, this newly formed group
at the United Way and at 19 of our partner agencies. They of community leaders meets regularly to engage the next
completed 45 projects including landscaping, painting, generation of volunteers to more meaningfully connect
with the United Way’s work.
29 | United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties’ 2018-19 Annual Report

Community Impact Fund Distribution ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE HEALTH I COMMITTEE
Volunteers . The United Way’s Randy Palko, UW Board, Molly Scocozzo, Chair
Community Impact Fund is dedicated to Wendy Worobey , Vice Chair
ensuring lasting, collaborative solutions Vice Chair, Community Impact Tony Donato
to the critical problems that stand Kathie Gaughan RN, Dragan Jokic
between us and a better quality of life. John Lamberton
Our Community Impact Fund Distribution Community Impact Chair Christine Rinaldi
volunteers invest donor dollars where Patricia Dunleavy, Sarah Weber
they will do the most good for people in Lisa Widenor
need in our community, addressing the Community Impact Vice Chair
critical issues that no one organization Beth Servas, HEALTH II COMMITTEE
can address by itself. John Marsico, Chair
Community Impact Vice Chair Tammy Jackson, Vice Chair
The investment decisions are made Heidi Bockelkamp
through a rigorous process by these EDUCATION COMMITTEE Sam Ceccacci
dedicated volunteers representing Karen Clifford, Chair Theresa Curto
all walks of life in Lackawanna and Richard Read III, Vice Chair Kelly Hadley
Wayne Counties. They come together Larry Crimi Justin MacGregor
every year to guide Community Impact Tom Didato Matthew Perry
Fund Distribution investments and Glenn Knarr Diane Ross
make sometimes difficult decisions on Jennifer Saunders
where the dollars will make the most Mark Slayton FUND DISTRIBUTION VOLUNTEERS
impact. Investments are directed toward Narda Tafuri
programs delivered by partner agencies This year’s Community Impact
with proven effectiveness in creating INCOME/FINANCIAL STABILITY Fund Distribution volunteers
measurable and sustainable results in COMMITTEE represent:
our community. Jeffrey Witts, Chair
Maureen Gibbons, Vice Chair Bank of America • Community
William Burke • Community Bank, NA •
Lisa Cavage Commonwealth Health Moses
Chris Eboli Taylor Hospital • Commonwealth
Suzanne Kennedy Health Regional Hospital of
Richard Kokas Scranton • The Dime Bank
Carmen Lopresto • Fidelity Bank • Geisinger
Amy Paciej-Woodruff Commonwealth School of
Jaime Ryan Medicine • Highmark Blue
Stephanie Saam Cross Blue Shield • HM Health
Walter Sarafinko Solutions, Inc. • Johnson
College • Lackawanna College •
Total Community Investment of Funds :: 2018 Lackawanna County • Marywood
FUND DISTRIBUTION VOLUNTEERS University • NBT Bank • NET
Federal Credit Union • Northern
FINANCIAL HEALTH Lights Espresso Bar and Cafe •
STABILITY 34.2% O’Malley Harris Durkin & Perry,
PC • Penn Foster • PNC Bank
30% • SLHDA • Times Shamrock
Communications • TMG Health, A
EDUCATION These percentages account Cognizant Company • University
35.8% for the Community Impact of Scranton

Fund Distribution to partner Learn more at UWLC.NET | 30
agencies, Wayne County
grantees and our special
initiatives such as ROAM,

Gift of Warmth, Educational
Tax Credits, FEMA and

State Food, VITA and other
programs detailed
in this report.

FINANCIALS

STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

For the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2018 with summarized comparative information for Fiscal Year 2017.

ASSETS

2018 2017

Cash - unrestricted $ 3,971,498 $ 3,924,000
76,887
Cash subject to donor restrictions 82,799
4,000,887
Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,054,297 $
539,538
Pledges receivable, net of allowance for 2,733,138

uncollectible pledges of $202,297 and 17,733
25,014
$220,575 669,528 77,759
2,563,514
Investments 51,546
19,523
Fixed assets, net of accumulated 36,718
61,000
depreciation
54,644
Prepaid expenses

Other receivables

Beneficial interest in assets held by a

community foundation

Total assets $ 7,459,224 $ 7,445,615

Liabilities LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS $ 99,787
12,840
Accounts payable $ 80,733
977,534
Accrued payroll and payroll taxes 13,761 190,843
163,080
Allocations payable 1,001,037
14,129
Agency funds 162,567 1,458,213

Due to designated agencies 197,700

Reserve for community service 11,464

Total liabilities 1,467,262

Net assets 2,692,198 2,710,884
Unrestricted 1,510,522
1,652,579
Board designated 61,182
Undesignated 63,273 4,282,588
Net investment in land, 4,408,050
buildings and equipment 1,046,037
Total unrestricted net assets 929,684 658,777
Temporarily restricted 654,228
1,583,912 1,704,814
Time restricted 5,991,962 5,987,402
Purpose restricted $ 7,459,224 $ 7,445,615
Total temporarily restricted net assets
Total net assets
Total liabilities and net assets

An independent audit was completed by McGrail, Merkel, Quinn and Associates for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2018 and is available for review at the United Way office or by visiting uwlc.net/accountability. The
official registration and financial information of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties may be
obtained from The Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, in Pennsylvania, 1(800) 732-0999.

Registration does not imply endorsement.

31 | United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties’ 2018-19 Annual Report

23
1

45 6
8
WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

THESE ARE FACES OF IMPACT. YOU CAN BE ONE TOO.
JOIN THE FIGHT. LEARN MORE AT UWLC.NET.

1. Children enjoying summer at United Neighborhood Center’s Project Hope. 2. Lackawanna Blind Association clients displaying
their handmade crafts. 3. Three clients enjoying the garden at Senior Day Services/Telespond. 4. A group of Transforming
Readers volunteers at Kennedy Elementary school. 5. Metlife employees conduct a book drive for United Way. 6. Consumers
from the ARC of NEPA volunteer at the United Way. 7. One of our volunteers during the 24th Annual Nancy Jackson Memorial
Day of Caring. 8. A student participating in the Transforming Readers program. 9. Students at Northeast Intermediate School
during our Every Student, Every Day PSA filming with WNEP. 10. One of our Summer Learning program participants builds
3D shapes with marshmallows and toothpicks. 11. Children enjoying a healthy snack at the Greater Scranton YMCA. 12. A
member plays basketball at the Boys and Girls Clubs of NEPA. 13. A child receives a visit through the Home Services program
at UCP of NEPA. 14. First year medical students at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine gather to learn more about

7 the United Way before beginning year-long studies on health issues for seniors and children.

9 10 11

12 13 14

IT’S AMAZING
WHAT WE CAN
ACCOMPLISH
WHEN WE’RE IN IT
TOGETHER.

615 Jefferson Avenue
Scranton, Pennsylvania 18510
PO Box 526 • Scranton, Pennsylvania 18501-0526
PO Box 328 • Waymart, Pennsylvania 18472
P: 570.343.1267 • F: 570.969.2977

www.uwlc.net