Minutes

WORKING COPY

March 12, 2019, at 6:30PM

Penn State Scranton, 120 RidgeView Drive, Study Learning Center, Lower Level, Sherbine Lounge, Dunmore, PA 18512. See campus map.

1 Greeting & Opening

Rev. Andy Weidner, Clarks Summit UMC, provided an opening devotion and interfaith prayer.

2 Introductions

Twenty-five people attended the meeting.

3 Updates on the Coalition

• The Youth & Education Subcommittee of the Lackawanna County Continuum of Care (CoC) met and appointed a sub-sub-committee lead by the NEPA Youth Shelter to explore the feasibility of a new, overnight, facility for youth 18-24. The Feasibility Committee will meet in the Food Court at Steamtown Mall on Friday, March 15, 2019, at 11AM. The meeting is open to all interested.

4 Announcements

• Lackawanna Pro Bono scheduled an informational meeting for income-qualified juvenile record expungements. The meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2019, at 5:00PM.
• Jerry from St. Anthony's (Emergency Homeless Shelter) reported that alternate arrangements were needed frequently recently due to weather when the shelter reached capacity.
• Amerihealth Caritas benefit dinner to support homeless veterans scheduled for Sunday, March 31, 2019. See the flyer.
• Senior Isolation Workshop scheduled for Saturday, March 30, 2019, at the Diocesan Pastoral Life Center, 330 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton. Doors open at 9AM and the program runs from 10AM to 1PM.
• The workshop is being sponsored by the Scranton Area Ministerium in cooperation with the Office of Parish Life of the Diocese of Scranton, with Financial Support from the Moses Taylor Foundation. Prof. Jim Siberski of Misericordia University will offer an overview of the problem and potential ways faith communities might respond before leading a discussion of local action planning. Faith communities are encouraged to send teams of 2-4 people who will then be able to mobilize a response for your particular group. Those who are comfortable on the web can register at https://www.scrantonareaministerium.org/addressing-senior-isolation; If you prefer you can call Kay Windels at 570.207-2213 ext 1101. Registration is requested by March 22 so that arrangements can be made for lunch. A flyer is attached to this email to assist with your publicizing the event. There is no cost for attending the workshop because of the generous support of the Moses Taylor Foundation. See the flyer.
• The Lackawanna County Housing Coalition plans to launch a new website later this Spring showing Lackawanna area services to help those in need.

5 Presentations

PAWsitively for the Animals by Kevin and Lisa Young

PAWsitively for the Animals animal food bank presented. Provide low-cost spaying and neutering. Free seminars on basic animal health and first aid. Mission is to keep animals with folks; help people not to incur large vet bills. They have not animals but are part of a network. They receive companion-animal-related donations via library donation bins and community members. Work with Meals on Wheel to address companion animals of the elderly. PAWSitively is a 501(c)(3) tax status, charitable, nonprofit.

Kevin was volunteer coordinator at Griffin Pond for 9 years. One of hardest things was for Griffin Pond to receive animals that elderly can no longer care for or afford medical attention. Organizations focuses on preventive care to avoid larger vet bills. Chewy, Pet Value, and others support as well as Scranton Toyota as a corporate sponsor. Kevin is an experienced fund raiser, especially from Griffin Pond. Area on Aging contacts them. Folks moving into subsidized housing might not have funds for required (per lease) spaying or neutering. They try to not make anyone feel indebted to PAWsitively for the Animals. They provide ramps (i.e. for couches, beds) for animals with mobility issues. Lackawanna, Luzerne & Wyoming County.

Scranton Abingtons Planning Association by Shannon Brown

The Scranton Abingtons Planning Association (SAPA) is a cooperative effort by nine participating municipalities in Lackawanna County to bring zoning regulations into compliance and to work cooperatively to address land use uses as multi-municipal effort. The effort will include zoning definition updates to meet current and expected future needs. Each municipality retains its own zoning ordinance and own zoning enforcement.

The process is an open and public process with a unique opportunity for community input such as on homelessness, housing needs, and community development. Because zoning regulations may have community impacts for decades, this is a rare and unique opportunity to contribute to a community-building process.

7 Next Meeting Coordination

TBD

8 Discussion Time

9 Closing

Thank you to Penn State Scranton for graciously offering space and support for this meeting.