Leadership Lackawanna Accepting Applications for Class of 2011
Applications are currently being accepted for the Leadership Lackawanna (LL) Class of 2011. This will mark the 29th year for northeastern Pennsylvania’s premier leadership development program for emerging professionals. Since inception, Leadership Lackawanna has graduated more than 900 community leaders.
Leadership Lackawanna fosters the development of community leaders by providing participants with leadership, interpersonal and managerial skills and an enhanced understanding of the issues and topics relevant to the Greater Scranton area through various monthly sessions including community development, economic development, government, education, quality of life, sustainability, history and media. Sessions are held one weekday each month, and are facilitated by widely recognized specialists from various disciplines.
In addition to the ten monthly sessions, participants work on group projects to enhance their leadership skills. Projects give participants the opportunity to assess and evaluate how well they work with others to develop a group, reach a consensus, and solve problems in order to reach a common goal. Ultimately, the purpose of projects is leadership and community engagement. The Class of 2010 has begun work on five service projects that they will complete by the close of the program in June 2010:
Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority “The Heritage Explorer Bike Tour”
Together with the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority, LL participants will organize a day-long, family and friends bicycle tour event highlighting the LHVA trail. “The Heritage Explorer Bike Tour,” is scheduled for Friday, June 4, 2010 and Saturday, June 5, 2010. The event will consist of two parts: an opening reception on Friday night and the bike tour on Saturday. The goal of this event is to raise awareness and raise funds for the LHVA trail and to provide cycling enthusiasts and families the opportunity to experience the natural beauty, history, and cultural diversity of Lackawanna County and the surrounding communities.
One Stop Donation Drop
The One Stop Donation Drop(OSDD) builds on the success of a nationwide event, coordinated locally by Nancy Sarno last year. The event builds on the concept that if we donate our gently worn clothing, household items and sports equipment to local charitable organizations, who assist the neediest of the needy, then we are keeping these items out of landfills and helping our community organizations at the same time. This year Leadership Lackawanna is expanding OSDD to a new location, Scranton! This day-long community-focused, multi-tiered donation event will benefit several local non-profits including Ronald McDonald House, United Neighborhood Centers, Women’s Resource Center, Cinderella’s Closet, Voluntary Action Center, Friendship House, Friends of the Poor and Boys and Girls Clubs of NEPA.
St. Joseph’s Center
Leadership Lackawanna will create and implement a mentoring program at St. Joseph’s Center in Scranton to support women and families who move from either the Walsh Manor or Mother/Infant Program into permanent, independent housing. It will also include a new series of educational programs designed to inform and train community mentors. Once established, this program will match community mentors with single women and will provide the support, respect, integrity and resources needed to help these women and their children become independent.
Habitat for Humanity: “A Brush with Kindness”
Leadership Lackawanna is launching a neighborhood revitalization program under the direction of Habitat for Humanity of Lackawanna County. Entitled “A Brush with Kindness,” this program gives low-income homeowners in Lackawanna County an easy and affordable way to improve and revitalize their homes and neighborhoods. The program focuses on exterior home repair services like painting, minor exterior repairs, landscaping, and weatherization. Leadership Lackawanna’s launch of “A Brush with Kindness” will help Habitat for Humanity serve the citizens of Northeastern Pennsylvania on a greater level as we work to increase the number of families living in safe and affordable housing.
Abington Area Community Park: “Walk the Lake”
Leadership Lackawanna has chosen to focus one of the Class of 2010’s major projects in the Abington area. The volunteer group is working to build a pathway around the lake at the Abington Area Community Park on Winola Road in Clarks Summit. The project will provide a handicap-accessible, family-friendly walkway, so the park becomes a must-visit destination for people who want an opportunity to safely enjoy nature in a beautiful place. The group is working with the Abington Area Joint Recreation Board to complete this project.
A variety of full and partial scholarships are available for qualified participants. Classes start in September. The deadline to apply is April 30, 2010. For more information or to apply, visit www.leadershiplackawanna.com or contact Nicole Barber at 570-342-7711 or nbarber@scrantonchamber.com.
