Community-Based Learning Talk Series Returns for Spring 2025
This spring, "CBL Talks" will focus on: food insecurity in Lackawanna County, mental health in Scranton, and youth in Scranton. Each event will begin with a presentation from guest speakers, who are shown, top row from left, Dani Ruhf, founder and CEO of CHOP Out Hunger, Antonio Berardi, Food Programs Manager of Friends of the Poor, Dr. Janice Mecca, Director of Assertive Community Treatment at Scranton Counseling Center and professor John Rosengrant, executive director at Katie’s Place Clubhouse and adjunct faculty in the Counseling and Human Services Department. Bottom row: James Martin, vice president and COO of Friendship House, Jenny Gonzales Monge, S.T.A.R.S. Program Director, and Maureen-Maher-Grey, executive director and founder of NEPA Youth Shelter.The Office of Community-Based Learning (CBL), in collaboration with campus partners, is pleased to offer a series of three "CBL Talks" in the Spring 2025 semester. The goal of these talks is to provide University students, as well as the surrounding community, with information and insights into some of the major challenges and opportunities facing the Scranton area and how they can be part of positive change. This spring semester’s "CBL Talks" are as follows: "Food Insecurity in Lackawanna County: Challenges and Community Solutions," "Mental Health in Scranton: Discussion with Community Organizations," and "Youth in Scranton: Hopes and Challenges."
Each of the CBL Talks will begin with a presentation from guest speakers, followed by Q and A. These sessions will also be recorded to serve as a resource for CBL courses and reflection questions will be provided to student attendees after each event. These events are a special collaboration of the Office of Community-Based Learning with the Leahy College of Health Sciences T.A.P.E.S.T.R.Y. program. The talks are also open to the broader University and Scranton communities.
The Spring 2025 CBL Talks
"Food Insecurity in Lackawanna County: Challenges and Community Solutions"
This CBL Talk, on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 11:30 a.m. in the DeNaples Ballroom (TDC 407), will highlight the state of food insecurity throughout the county and how community organizations are working to resolve this crisis. The talk will feature insights from Antonio Berardi, Food Program Manager of Friends of the Poor and Dani Ruhf, founder and CEO of CHOP Out Hunger. Both community partners in Lackawanna County address food insecurity all year through various initiatives and programming including access to food pantries and holiday food distribution initiatives for the most vulnerable populations. Challenges and opportunities for collaboration will be discussed. Lunch will be provided at this event. RSVP Here for Feb. 20 Food Insecurity CBL Talk https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FoodInsecurityCBLTalk
"Mental Health in Scranton: Discussion with Community Organizations"
This CBL Talk, on Thursday, March 6 at 6 p.m. in the PNC Auditorium (LSC 133), will highlight the current state of mental health in Scranton and how community organizations are working to meet the mental health needs of the community. The talk will feature insights from Dr. Janice Mecca, director of assertive community treatment at Scranton Counseling Center, professor John Rosengrant, executive director at Katie’s Place Clubhouse and adjunct faculty in the Counseling and Human Services Department, and James Martin, vice president and COO of Friendship House. These three community organizations provide services that span across developmental stages and across the continuum of mental health care and human services. RSVP here for March 6 Mental Health CBL Talk: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MentalHealthCBLTalk
"Youth in Scranton: Hopes and Challenges"
This CBL Talk, on Thursday, April 10 at 6 p.m. in the PNC Auditorium (LSC 133), will 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 Jenny Gonzalez Monge, director of the S.T.A.R.S. after-school program for Latinx youth. 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. RSVP here for April 10 Youth in Scranton CBL Talk: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YouthScrantonCBLTalk
The CBL talks are sponsored by the Office of Community-Based Learning, Office of Community Relations and additional campus and community partners. Questions? Contact Daysi Carreto, assistant director of Community and Civic Engagement, at daysi.carreto@scranton.edu or 570-941-4419.
For more information about Community-Based Learning, visit https://www.scranton.edu/cbl
