NEPIRC Receives Community Needs Grant from Scranton Area Community Foundation to Expand Dream Team Program

(Scranton, PA, July 1, 2024) – The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) is pleased to announce that it is a first-time recipient of a $10,000 Community Needs Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation (SAF) to support NEPIRC’s Manufacturing Ambassador Dream Team efforts in Scranton and throughout Lackawanna County. NEPIRC’s Dream Team program is focused on bridging the gap between education and careers in the manufacturing sector. The Dream Team initiative raises awareness of career options in advanced manufacturing amongst high school students by bringing young manufacturing professionals into the classroom to talk to students about their career journeys and how their careers have positively impacted their lives by highlighting real-life experiences. Dream Team Ambassadors are eager to share their stories with students throughout the city of Scranton and in the surrounding areas of Lackawanna County.

“With this grant, NEPIRC is poised to further empower students and strengthen the manufacturing workforce, fostering economic growth and opportunity throughout Lackawanna County. I’m deeply grateful to Jenelle Osborne, NEPIRC’s talent stream coordinator, who oversees the Dream Team program, our Dream Team Ambassadors, and the manufacturers they represent, for the outstanding work they have done to promote careers in manufacturing and to help us secure important grants like this one from the Scranton Area Community Foundation,” said Eric Joseph Esoda, NEPIRC president & CEO.

About NEPIRC:

NEPIRC is a not-for-profit organization providing world-class technical, engineering, consultative and training services to small and mid-sized manufacturers across an 11-county region of northeastern, northern and parts of central Pennsylvania. More information can be found at www.NEPIRC.com or via email to Info@NEPIRC.com or Eric Joseph Esoda at Eric@NEPIRC.com.

About the Scranton Area Community Foundation:

The Scranton Area Community Foundation is on a mission to enhance the quality of life for all people in Northeastern Pennsylvania through the development of organized philanthropy. With over $90 million in assets under management and more than 330 charitable funds, the Scranton Area Community Foundation has served as a steward, grantmaker, charitable resource, and catalyst for change since 1954. The Foundation leads various initiatives, including Women in Philanthropy, the Center for Community Leadership and Nonprofit Excellence, NEPA Moves, and the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative. Additionally, the Foundation hosts and facilitates NEPA Gives and the NEPA Learning Conference. The Scranton Area Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt organization confirmed in compliance with National Standards of U.S. Community Foundations. More information about the Scranton Area Community Foundation can be found at www.safdn.org.