NEPA Youth Shelter

✨ Meet the board ✨ Larry Pugliese Scranton “The NEPA Youth Shelter represents what is best about these United States addressing a manifestation of what is worst about us. It is a great privilege and personally gratifying to serve our community in the context of our organization's mission."

On Thursday, April 10 at 6 p.m. in the PNC Auditorium (LSC 133), join us at University of Scranton as we highlight the current state of youth in Scranton and how community organizations are working to strengthen and empower this population. The talk will feature Maureen Maher-Gray, executive director and founder of the NEPA Youth Shelter, and Rashida Lovely, president and founder of Newave Studios. They will share how their respective programs work to create supportive environments for youth, provide resources, and foster their future aspirations. Intersecting factors such as homelessness, immigration and identity will also be discussed. Please RSVP by using this link https://lnkd.in/dw3WRBtf or by scanning the QR code!

Join us Saturday, April 5! Thanks to 98.5 KRZ and WBRE-TV.

Join us Saturday, April 5 from 10am - 2pm at the Marketplace at Steamtown in Scranton (just outside Boscov's on the 2nd floor) for the KRZ’s Closet prom dress sale - ALL dresses will be $10 dollars! CASH ONLY! Proceeds will benefit NEPA Youth Shelter.

Proceeds support NEPA Youth Shelter!

✨ Meet the board ✨ John Rosengrant Exeter “I joined the NEPA Youth Shelter in 2019 out of my passion for serving homeless youth. I also have much experience in program development and was pivotal in the creation of the Housing and Mental Wellness programs here at the shelter. As the former board chair, I am excited to see the direction the shelter is moving. As a licensed clinical social worker, I am passionate about meeting the needs of all of our teens now and in the future.”

✨ Meet the board ✨ Alita Soulsby Jessup “NEPA Youth Shelter has held a special place in my heart since I first found out about it in 2018. I was blessed with the opportunity to become a board member in 2019, and have served as housing committee chair, programming chair, and secretary, as well as being a member of many other committees. During my time on the board, we have grown from a small organization with a drop-in Teen Center, to the place where we are now, with a mental wellness program and our own apartment building to be able to house young adults in need here in our community! I am very proud to be a part of this great organization and I can't wait to see what the future holds!”

NEPA Youth Shelter is pleased to announce it is the recipient of two recent grants from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The grants will support both the shelter’s Housing Program and new After School Drop In Teen Center. Both grants were made from the Scranton Area Community Foundation’s 2024 grant cycles. “These grants come at a critical time for both of our programs,” says Janell Johnson, assistant executive director of NEPA Youth Shelter. “We are grateful that the Scranton Area Community Foundation recognizes our impact and supports our mission.” The first, $5,000 Critical Needs Grant, has defrayed the costs of replacing the boiler at the shelter’s apartment building utilized by Housing Program participants. Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Critical Needs Grants are made for emergencies or pressing, unanticipated needs to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The second, $15,000 Community Needs Grant will offset expenses to remodel the new After School Drop In Teen Center. Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Community Needs Grants fund a wide range of nonprofit programs that respond to a particular community need or issue and which enhance the quality of life in Lackawanna County. Applications are assessed and evaluated based on community impact, organizational capability and project feasibility and sustainability. “Scranton Area Community Foundation has been a huge supporter of ours since day one. Over the years, they have selected us for a variety of grants, gifts and awards,” says Maureen Maher-Gray, executive director and founder of NEPA Youth Shelter. “The foundation is a huge support system for many, many nonprofits in our area. We thank them for helping us serve our local young adults and teens experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.” Left to right: Ken Okrepkie, board advisor, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Laura Ducceschi, CEO of Scranton Area Community Foundation; Maureen Maher-Gray, executive director and founder of NEPA Youth Shelter; Cathy Fitzpatrick, director of grants & scholarships, Scranton Area Community Foundation; Frank Caputo, grants & scholarships manager, Scranton Area Community Foundation

✨ Meet the board ✨ Duane Elders Old Forge “I first heard about the NEPA Youth Shelter when they had a donation drive at work. I looked into the mission and instantly fell in love. I started volunteering two days a week at the teen drop-in center in 2022 and joined the board in 2023. I wanted to serve as a positive role model within the LGBTQ+ community and be an advocate for these underserved teens.”

Reminder: The deadline for executive director applications is this Friday, March 21, at 5 p.m. ET! https://lnkd.in/eGg7UmVp