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Home > Community Development > Community Profiles > Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) > Community Organizations

Community Profile: Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Community Organizations

This section provides information about affordable housing, social service, economic development, and community revitalization organizations in the area whose interests, activities, and initiatives improve the housing conditions and employment opportunities of residents. These groups represent potential partners for bankers seeking to more fully address the credit needs of each region's low- and moderate-income people and communities.

The information in this section was obtained directly from the websites of the community organizations.

• Ben Franklin Technology Partners
• CAN DO, Inc.
• Catherine McAuley Center
• Catholic Social Services
• Commission on Economic Opportunity of Luzerne County
• Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Northeastern Pennsylvania
• The Diamond City Partnership
• Ecumenical Enterprises, Inc.
• Friends of the Poor
• Habitat for Humanity of Lackawanna County
• Hazelton Area Habitat for Humanity
• Housing Development Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania
• Lackawanna County Housing Coalition
• Lackawanna Neighbors, Inc.
• Luzerne County Housing Partnership
• Neighborhood Housing Services of Lackawanna County
• Northeast Pennsylvania Center for Independent Living
• Penn's Northeast
• Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency, Inc.
• Scranton Tomorrow
• TREHAB
• United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania
• Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania
• Wyoming Valley Habitat For Humanity

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern PA

Mission

To boost the economy of the region with new and retained jobs, new technology companies, and established manufacturers that are more competitive.

Year of Origin

N/A

Core Programs

• Capital: Takes calculated risks investing in technology companies that could not secure seed funding through conventional means and assists early-stage firms as they prepare to raise additional capital and provide an important initial endorsement for a new company.
• Business Expertise: Provides companies with benefits from the collective experience of seasoned professionals who focus on turning high-potential ideas into high-growth businesses, which is complemented by their Solutions Network of advisers, service providers, and investors, creating a powerful and comprehensive support program for clients.
• University Resources: Provides a crucial link between the Commonwealth’s companies and the wealth of knowledge, facilities, and manpower resources in the state’s higher education institutions.
• Ben Franklin TechVentures: Operates a technology incubator/post-incubator facility on the campus of Lehigh University in Bethlehem.

Service Area

Tioga, Bradford, Susquehanna, Wayne, Sullivan, Wyoming, Lackawanna, Pike, Monroe, Luzerne, Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Montour, Columbia, Schuylkill, Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, Lycoming

Contact Information

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern PA
Phoenix Plaza, Suite 200
22 E. Union Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701-2721
Phone: (570) 819-4002
Fax: (570) 819-4005
E-mail: gephault@nep.benfranklin.org
Website: http://nep.benfranklin.org/

CAN DO, Inc.

Mission

CAN DO’s mission is to create employment opportunities in selected businesses and industries in the greater Hazleton area. Its basic operating philosophy is to provide industry with what it needs to do business.

Year of Origin

1956

Core Programs

• Works with site selectors, location consultants, real estate developers, and companies from the earliest stages of a relocation or expansion through government approvals, funding, and construction. 
• Has developed and owns three industrial parks and one corporate center. 
• Leases space in parks and provides water and sewer services.

Service Area

Greater Hazelton, PA, including portions of Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties

Contact Information

CAN DO, Inc.
One South Church Street
200 Renaissance Center
Hazelton, PA 18201
Phone: 1-800-54CANDO or 570-455-1508
E-mail: cando@hazletoncando.com
Website: http://www.hazletoncando.com/

Catherine McAuley Center

Mission

To directly minister to women and to the economically poor.

Year of Origin

1984

Core Programs

• Temporary Housing: Operates a number of day residences for homeless women and children.
• Transitional Housing: Offers transitional housing facilities for single low-income women and homeless children along with rental assistance and case management services.
• Permanent Housing: Operates permanent housing facilities for low-income families.
• Family Support: Offers an empowerment program designed to help women and children overcome the trauma of homelessness as they move toward self sufficiency. The program provides supportive and emergency services to nonsheltered women and children.
• Food Pantry: Works to supplement food items to individuals who are homeless or experiencing financial crisis that leaves them temporarily without food.
• Furniture Bank: Provides good, used furniture and household items, at no cost, to women as they move back into safe, decent, affordable housing.

Service Area

Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and sections of Lackawanna County, PA

Contact Information

Catherine McAuley Center
709 Madison Avenue
Scranton, PA 18510
Phone: (570) 342-1342
Fax: (570) 341-8108
E-mail: contact@catherinemcauleycenter.org
Website: http://www.catherinemcauleycenter.org/

Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Scranton

Mission

To care for those less fortunate with the necessities of life- food, shelter, and clothing, serve residents of Northeast PA with essential humanitarian programs, and solve issues of fear, hatred, and prejudice through the teachings of Christ and the social doctrine of the Catholic Church.

Year of Origin

1877

Core Programs

• Adult and Family Services: Offers programs such as individual, family, pre-marriage, parent-child, anger management, employee assistance, and pregnancy counseling, as well as counseling for women in need and for a group of suicide survivors.
• Housing/Shelter: Provides residential and pre-release services to inmates preparing to be paroled or discharged to the community along with a variety of housing for low- and moderate income-people, case management services, and housing counseling services.
• Offers adoption and foster care services.
• Provides mentoring through Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
• Offers day care services, guardianship for those who cannot take care of themselves, drug and alcohol programs, and Hispanic outreach.
• Also offers other services including immigration and refugee services, employment resources, a literacy program, material and relief assistance, a monthly legal clinic, a parent-child home program, elderly assistance, a soup kitchen, and youth services.

Service Area

Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne and Wyoming counties, PA

Contact Information

Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Scranton
516 Fig Street
Scranton, PA 18505
Phone: (570) 207-2283
Fax: N/A
Website: http://www.cssdioceseofscranton.org/

Commission on Economic Opportunity of Luzerne County

Mission

The Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO) was established to combat poverty. Over the past four decades, hundreds of thousands of individuals and families have benefited from the programs offered by CEO. It is a member of the Community Action Association of Pennsylvania.

Year of Origin

1965

Core Programs

• Housing counseling: A HUD-approved comprehensive counseling agency that works with renters and homeowners facing housing difficulties.
• Weinberg Food Bank: Services charitable organizations by providing food to alleviate hunger and promote proper nutrition.
• Financial Assistance Programs: Provides financial assistance to community members in emergency situations and to those unable to pay fuel bills.
• Community Food and Nutrition Support: Seeks to help the community through various projects such as sponsoring summer and after school meals for low-income children, an emergency food pantry, and a community gardening program.
• Increasing Self-Sufficiency: Offers several programs for welfare-to-work transitions, offers the Family Savings Account program, and operates a transitional housing program for homeless veterans.
• Energy and Environmental Initiatives: Offers a weatherization program designed to reduce energy consumption in low-income households, works to remove barriers and develop markets by implementing sustainable, renewable solar energy programs through the Million Solar Roofs Partnership, and operates a demonstration site for solar technology.
• Children and Youth Development: Assists parents to secure quality childcare, provides summer camping for low-income youth, offers academic scholarships and SAT preparation, and offers an after school nutrition and educational enhancement program.
• Promote Health and Independence of the Elderly and Disabled: Provides services to the elderly and disabled adults to prevent unnecessary institutionalization.
• Policy Leadership: Provides comprehensive responses to homelessness and works to advocate for environmentally sustainable innovations.  

Service Area

Luzerne, Lackawanna, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties, PA

Contact Information

Commission on Economic Opportunity
165 Amber Lane
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Phone: (570) 826-0510
Fax: (570) 829-1665
E-mail: ceo@sunlink.net
Website: http://www.ceopeoplehelpingpeople.org/

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Inc.

Mission

The mission of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Inc. (CCCS of Northeastern PA) is to educate and assist the general public on the intelligent and prudent use of consumer credit; to provide professional budget and housing counseling to families and individuals; and, where appropriate, to arrange a debt management program for financially distressed consumers to liquidate their debts in an orderly and equitable manner.

Year of Origin

1978

Core Programs

• Budget counseling: Teaches individuals sound methods of managing money and credit to avoid financial problems.
• Debt management program: Establishes orderly repayment plans between an individual and his or her creditors.
• Credit report review: Obtains and reviews an individual's credit report. Services also include providing recommended actions to repay debt, advising on resolving errors, and teaching the individual to understand the credit reporting process.
• Housing counseling: Offers several mortgage counseling programs ranging from affordable housing programs for first-time home buyers to mortgage delinquency counseling.
• Education programs: Offers a variety of money management, credit and first-time home buyer programs to schools, colleges, businesses, lenders, and civic organizations.
• Employer assistance: Offers this service to businesses that have training programs for their employees. Topics include, but are not limited to, budgeting, using credit wisely, and correcting one's credit report.
• Pre-bankruptcy counseling: Includes an evaluation of an individual's financial situation, a review of alternatives to bankruptcy, and the development of a personal budget plan.
• Offers a personal financial management instructional course.

Service Area

Twenty-three counties in northeastern and central Pennsylvania

Contact Information

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania
401 Laurel St.
Pittston, PA 18640
Phone: 570-602-2227 or 1-800-922-9537
Fax: 570-602-2238
E-mail: info@cccsnepa.org
Website: http://www.cccsnepa.org/

The Diamond City Partnership

Mission

The Diamond City Partnership (DCP) is Wilkes-Barre’s public-private alliance for downtown revitalization, serving as the custodian of our community’s vision for downtown Wilkes-Barre.

Year of Origin

2001

Core Programs

• Economic Restructuring Committee: Works to develop the downtown economy through programs designed to achieve growth in the areas of office, commercial, retail, and housing opportunities.
• Promotion Committee: Works with the city and private and nonprofit partners to improve the image and viability of downtown Wilkes-Barre.
• Design Committee: Encourages and oversees the creation of a historic mixed-use downtown as guided by the Historic Preservation Working Group and the Downtown Design Workshops.
• Organization Committee: Develops and cultivates partnerships among government, organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and residents in order to sustain the financial stability of the revitalization and perpetuation of a vibrant downtown Wilkes-Barre.
• Downtown Residents Association: An advocate for the collective interest of those calling downtown Wilkes-Barre home.
• Also manages the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Improvement District.

Service Area

Wilkes-Barre, PA

Contact Information

The Diamond City Partnership
c/o Two Public Square
P.O. Box 5340
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18710-5340
Phone: (570) 208-9737
Fax: (570) 822-5991
E-mail: info@diamondcitypartnership.com
Website: http://wbdcp.com/

Ecumenical Enterprises, Inc.

Mission

To provide housing and health-care services to low- and moderate-income elderly and handicapped individuals.

Year of Origin

1968

Core Programs

• Manages subsidized apartments for elderly residents whose income falls within limits set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• Operates a skilled nursing care center with a full array of personal dining, therapeutic, social, spiritual, and recreational services.
• Provides child day care.

Service Area

Northeastern Pennsylvania

Contact Information

Ecumenical Enterprises, Inc.
1075 Memorial Highway
Dallas, PA 18612
Phone: 570-675-7336
Fax: 570-675-8236
E-mail: eeimngt@epix.net
Website: http://www.eeidallaspa.com/

Friends of the Poor

Mission

Seeks to ease the burden of living in poverty and enhance the quality of life for all who live in the low-income community.

Year of Origin

N/A

Core Programs

• Provides emergency food.
• Distributes used clothing.
• Provides used furniture.
• Encourages preventative healthcare and distributes healthcare information.
• Assists in community health projects.

Service Area

Lackawanna County

Contact Information

Friends of the Poor
Jackson Terrace
148 Meridian Avenue
Scranton, PA 18504
Phone: (570) 348-4428 or (570) 348-4429
Website: http://ihmnew.marywood.edu/4.SponosredInstitutions/4IHMFriendsofthePoor.html

Habitat for Humanity of Lackawanna County

Mission

To help eliminate poverty housing by building simple, safe, decent, affordable, owner-occupied housing, for and in partnership with low- and very low-income families.

Year of Origin

N/A

Core Programs

• Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build future Habitat houses.  

Service Area

Lackawanna County

Contact Information

Habitat for Humanity of Lackawanna County
550 Madison Ave
Scranton, PA 18510-2402
Phone: (570) 342-7911
E-mail: info@habitatlackawanna.org
Website: http://www.habitatlackawanna.org/

Hazelton Area Habitat for Humanity

Mission

Hazelton Habitat for Humanity is an interfaith ministry working to eliminate substandard housing by building houses for low-income families.

Year of Origin

1998

Core Programs

• Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build future Habitat houses.

Service Area

Hazelton Area

Contact Information

Hazelton Area Habitat for Humanity
P.O. Box 786
Hazelton, PA 18201-0786
Phone: (570) 459-6964
Fax: (570) 450-6110
Website: http://www.habitat.org/

Housing Development Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania (HDC)

Mission

To assist low- to moderate-income individuals and families to achieve the dream of owning a home.

Year of Origin

Incorporated in 1984

Core Programs

• Develops affordable housing for homeownership or rent and manages rental properties.
• Provides rental assistance and supportive housing services to formerly homeless persons/families.
• Provides pre- and post-purchase counseling to low- and moderate-income homebuyers, reverse equity counseling, mortgage assistance counseling (including through Pennsylvania’s Homeowners’ Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program), and counseling to renters who are under the threat of eviction or in need of adequate and affordable housing. Also offers fair housing outreach and education.

• Offers technical assistance to communities and organizations seeking solutions to local housing problems.

Service Area

Carbon, Columbia, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wyoming, and Wayne counties

Contact Information

Housing Development Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania
163 Amber Lane
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Phone: (570) 824-4803
Fax: N/A
Website: http://hdcnepa.org/index.asp?Type=B_PRGSRV&SEC={0556E295-2BF7-41C4-99F6-4D1D8425B41F}

Lackawanna County Housing Coalition

Mission

To be a significant catalyst for decent, safe, affordable housing. The coalition members seek to provide housing opportunities and empowerment toward self-sufficiency for all persons in Lackawanna County. This is accomplished through the sharing of information, coordination of resources among nonprofit, public and private entities, and the identification of and response to unmet needs and advocacy at all levels.

Year of Origin

N/A

Core Programs

• Sponsored by the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Research to take a proactive approach to educating Northeastern Pennsylvania residents on pertinent housing topics.
• Provides resources that are user-friendly to consumers in the region. 
• Informs residents about all facets of the housing industry through a resource website that includes information on buying, selling, renting, building, and refinancing homes.

Service Area

Lackawanna County

Contact Information

Lackawanna County Housing Coalition
516 Fig Street
Scranton, PA 18505
Phone: (570) 207-2283
Website: http://www.lackawannahousing.org/

Lackawanna Neighbors, Inc.

Mission

Lackawanna Neighbors believes that to strengthen a community, first the neighborhoods that embody it need to be revitalized. Its goal is simple - transform a collection of houses into a neighborhood of homes.

Year of Origin

1968

Core Programs

• Revitalizes homes and residential neighborhoods. Recent projects include:
  • Revitalization of the Scranton Hill Section: Works to transform the Scranton Hill section of Scranton into a neighborhood in which people will want to live and work.
  • Carbondale Revitalization Project: In partnership with the city of Carbondale and the Greater Carbondale Community Development Corporation, Lackawanna Neighbors is planning, administering, and managing the neighborhood revitalization of targeted neighborhoods in Carbondale.

Service Area

Lackawanna County, PA

Contact Information

Lackawanna Neighbors, Inc.
670 Adams Avenue
Scranton, PA 18510
Phone: (570) 344-9823 or (570) 963-7616
Fax: (570) 963-9604
E-mail: N/A
Website: http://lackawannaneighbors.com/

Luzerne County Housing Partnership

Mission

To be an influential catalyst for the revitalization of the Luzerne County housing market and to establish an event to aid in creating a fair and predictable building environment for the builder, residents and neighborhoods of Luzerne County. The partnership is composed of local, public and private agencies, financial and educational institutions, private corporations, and county agencies.  

Year of Origin

N/A

Core Programs

• Sponsored by the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Research to take a proactive approach to educating Northeastern Pennsylvania residents on pertinent housing topics.
• Provides resources that are user-friendly to consumers in the region. 
• Informs residents about all facets of the housing industry through a resource website that includes information on buying, selling, renting, building, and refinancing homes.

Service Area

Luzerne County

Contact Information

Luzerne County Housing Partnership
411 Main Street
Kingston, PA 18704
Phone: (570) 287-3008
Website: http://www.luzernehousing.org/

Neighborhood Housing Services of Lackawanna County

Mission

Everyone deserves access to homeownership. Neighborhood Housing Services makes it possible through quality counseling and financial services.

Year of Origin

N/A

Core Programs

• Counseling: Offers foreclosure prevention counseling, homebuyer education training, pre-qualification reviews, individual budget and homeownership readiness counseling, and a financial fitness workshop. Also offers lunch and learn sessions for local employers and information sessions for realtors.

• Property Development: Purchases, renovates, and then sells vacant properties.
• Home Purchase Loans: Offers a fixed-rate mortgage for borrowers to help with home acquisition.
• Rehabilitation and Renovation: Administers the city of Scranton’s rehabilitation grant program.
• Community Development: Provides a resident leadership workshop series. Also sponsors the annual NeighborWorks America event where residents choose a beautification project and volunteers work together to promote community.  

Service Area

Lackawanna County, PA

Contact Information

Neighborhood Housing Services of Lackawanna County
709 E. Market Street
Scranton, PA 18509
Phone: (570) 558-2490
E-mail: info@nhslackawannapa.org
Website: http://www.nhslackawannapa.org/

Northeast Pennsylvania Center for Independent Living

Mission

To improve and enhance the independent living options for people with disabilities. 

Year of Origin

1987

Core Programs

• Advocacy: Center staff assists individuals with disabilities in representing their interests to achieve independent living goals, gain rights and benefits, or resolving individual problems.
• Independent Living Skills Training: Offers individualized and/or group instruction to achieve goals that enhance independence and self-reliance.
• Information and Referral: Consists of providing information to the general public and people with disabilities on topics of special interest, such as architectural accessibility, adaptive equipment, civil rights, communication aids, housing, personal care, transportation, etc.
• Peer Consultation: Offers an opportunity for people with disabilities to explore options with a skilled advisor who has a disability and who can assist the individual to achieve independent living goals.

Service Area

Bradford, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties

Contact Information

Northeast Pennsylvania Center for Independent Living
431 Wyoming Avenue, Lower Level, IBEW
Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: (570) 344-7211 or (800) 344-7211
Fax: (570) 344-7218
Website: http://www.nepacil.org/

Penn’s Northeast

Mission

Penn's Northeast was created through a joint effort of private business leaders, local utility companies, governments, economic development organizations, and chambers of commerce to market the collective assets of the region and to facilitate the creation and retention of quality jobs.

Year of Origin

N/A

Core Programs

• Community Data: Provides a wealth of information about the various regions the organization covers.
• Real Estate: Offers searches for real estate and tax-free real estate, an interactive business park map, information regarding utilities, and information regarding business and technology incubators.
• Workforce: Provides information about top employers in various industries, employment data, detailed occupation and wage breakdown for the region, employer testimonials, and a regional employment website.
• Incentive Financing: Provides a list of programs that help companies stay on top whether relocating or expanding their facility or upgrading the skills of their employees.
• Education: Provides information about the various schools in the region.
• Location: Provides information about the region’s location in relation to major cities and transportation.
• Lifestyle: Provides information regarding employment, culture and recreation, and general living information for the region.  

Service Area

Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe and Wayne counties and the communities of Berwick and Forest City, PA

Contact Information

Penn’s Northeast
1151 Oak St.
Pittston, PA 18640
Phone: (570) 883-0504
Phone: (800) 317-1313
Fax: (570) 654-5137
E-mail: info@pennsnortheast.com
Website: http://www.pennsnortheast.com/

Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency, Inc. (SLHDA)

Mission

To coordinate and mobilize both human and financial resources for the economically challenged citizens of Lackawanna County through cooperation with the federal government and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the areas of education, health and welfare, child care, employment and training, and in other human resources and activities in a concerted and continued attack against poverty and its effects.

Year of Origin

N/A

Core Programs

• Head Start Program: Offers child development programs that serve children from birth to age 5, pregnant women, and their families.
• Work Force Investment Act: Offers a federally mandated program designed to provide employment and training services throughout the country.
• Home Energy Assistance: Provides emergency energy assistance to eligible Lackawanna County residents to resolve or avoid life- and/or health-threatening situations due to harsh weather conditions.
• Emergency Food Assistance: Distributes government surplus food to low-income residents.
• Homeless Assistance: Provides services to pay rent and/or mortgage to prevent eviction and establish permanent residences for homeless individuals and families
• Weatherization Assistance: Provides services such as air sealing, attic insulation and venting, floor insulation, replacement windows, furnace repairs and replacement, and minor repairs.
• Senior Employment Assistance: Provides a part-time employment training program for low-income persons 55 or over.
• Single Point Contact Program: Provides services designed to enable welfare recipients to move from welfare to work such as case management, remediation, education and training activities, work activities, job placement and retention services, and supportive services and childcare.
• Maximizing Participation Project Extension: Provides services and encouragement to TANF clients who are exempt from work requirements or who have been repeatedly unsuccessful in obtaining or maintaining employment such as case management, vocational assessment education, training, English-as-a-second-language, work activities, job placement, job retention services, and special allowances, including child care and transportation.

Service Area

Lackawanna County

Contact Information

Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency, Inc.
321 Spruce Street
Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: (570) 963-6836
E-mail: info@slhda.org
Website: http://www.slhda.org/

Scranton Tomorrow

Mission

To inform and engage local residents in a way that results in an improved quality of life for all.

Year of Origin

1992

Core Programs

• Leading Artspace Scranton, which includes a project to transform a portion of the historic Scranton laceworks building into affordable live-work units for creative individuals and their families.
• Initiating the dialogue about the possibility of establishing a community housing land trust in Scranton.
• Supports the Scranton Business Alliance, a group of more than 200 representatives from businesses throughout downtown.
• Leading the Scranton Riverfront Partnership: A cooperative effort of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority, the Lackawanna River Corridor Association, and Scranton Area Foundation to formulate a comprehensive master plan for the development of a downtown riverfront district.

Service Area

Greater Scranton Area

Contact Information

Scranton Tomorrow
310 Spruce Street
Suite 302
Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: (570) 963-5901
Fax: (570) 963-7901
Website: http://www.scrantontomorrow.org/

TREHAB

Mission

The TREHAB Community Action Agency is committed to act as both a service provider and an advocate for the poor, unemployed, and underemployed, the elderly, and other groups at risk. The agency is committed to serving the community as a catalyst for asset building and by helping to increase access to capital.

Year of Origin

N/A

Core Programs

• Housing Development : Assists communities and low- to moderate-income families through housing revitalization and restoration, coupled with community improvement.
• Counseling: Provides first-time homebuyers with pre-purchase and homeownership education and counseling.
• Community Services: Assist low-income individuals and families through programs such as the Emergency Food & Shelter Program, Homeless Assistance Program, and Wayne County Emergency Fund.
• Home Services: Provides services such as home support, personal care, and caregiver relief to those in need due to personal, family, or health-related crisis.
• Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Treatment: Conducts educational programs in schools and throughout the community to build protective factors and reduce risk factors for alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse. Also operates a treatment program providing professional care to chemically dependent persons and their families.
• Independent Living Program: Assists teens who have been or are in foster care, to learn the necessary skills to prepare them for living on their own.
• Workforce Development Services: Provides the opportunity for adults, youth, and dislocated workers to learn new skills and to prepare for jobs through the Workforce Investment Act and provides comprehensive education and training services to welfare recipients to enable them to move rapidly from welfare to work.
• Weatherization Services: Helps reduce home energy costs through the installation of energy saving measures and through energy education.

Service Area

Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, and Wyoming counties

Contact Information

TREHAB
10 Public Ave.
P.O. Box 366
Montrose, PA 18801-0366
Phone: (570) 287-3338
Fax: N/A
E-mail: info@trehab.org
Website: http://www.trehab.org/

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania

Mission

UNC's mission is to work together with neighbors to provide services and to create opportunities that empower individuals and build strong interdependent communities.

Year of Origin

1923

Core Programs

• Housing: Provides transitional and permanent housing programs for homeless families, young adults and individuals.
• Counseling: Provides a range of counseling services including budgeting, mortgage, credit, and foreclosure and loss mitigation counseling. Also provides assistance with landlord/tenant issues and fair housing education and outreach.
• Youth Programs: Operates community centers with programming for educating at-risk youth.
• Community Programs: Develops programs to address housing needs of community members, works toward restoring and empowering criminal offenders, provides services for people who are experiencing crises, offers HIV/AIDS intervention and education, and aims to help residents sustain independent living free from discrimination.
• Childcare Programs: Provides before and after school care to the children of working parents that care for the child's social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs.
• Older Adult Programs: Provides opportunities for members of the community ranging from quilting and PEPPI exercise, discussion groups, bus trips, cooking and computer classes, to the senior softball team.  

Service Area

Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties

Contact Information

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania
425 Alder Street
Scranton, PA 18505
Phone: (570) 346-0759
Fax: (570) 207-4242
Website: http://www.uncnepa.org/

Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania

Mission

To reach out and uplift the human condition and to provide opportunity for individual and community involvement.

Year of Origin

1896

Core Programs

• Develops, owns, and manages affordable housing.  
• Offers two housing programs in Wilkes-Barre to address the problem of homelessness for young adults between the ages of 18 and 25. Offers a third housing program in Wilkes Barre for teenage girls between the ages of 14 and 17 who have been severely traumatized through abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation, with housing and supportive services.
• Provides supportive services to select regions throughout the state, including day care, foster care services, mental health services, pregnancy counseling, transportation for the elderly and handicapped, and a business incubator for individuals with disabilities.
• Sponsors the PA Workwear Program in Luzerne County to provide work-appropriate clothing to help individuals moving back into the workforce.
• Operates thrift stores in Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, and Wilkes-Barre.

Service Area

Certain services are available statewide, while other services are offered only in select regions throughout the state. Visit the website or contact Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania for additional information.

Contact Information

Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania
25 N. River Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA  18702
Phone:  (570) 825-5261 
Fax:  (570) 825-4746
E-mail: info@VOAPA.ORG
Website: http://www.voapa.org/

Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity

Mission

Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that builds simple, decent homes to sell to families in need.

Year of Origin

1976

Core Programs

• Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build future Habitat houses.  

Service Area

Wyoming Valley, PA

Contact Information

Wyoming Valley Habitat for Humanity
P.O. Box 2208
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703-2208
Phone: (570) 820-8002
Fax: (570) 822-0522
E-mail: info@wv-hfh.org
Website: http://www.wv-hfh.org/

• Last updated: Monday, August 17, 2009