New Nonprofit Aims to Educate and Promote Mental Wellness in NEPA

A new local nonprofit, The Lake Foundation, is creating new opportunities for NEPA residents to explore new avenues for improved mental wellness.

Founder Jeffery Lake, who was a Licensed Practical Nurse, claims that many physical problems can be connected to mental health, and uses the publishes “Pie Chart of Happiness” that states that 40 percent of happiness may come from intentional activities.

Starting with Lackawanna County, the Lake Foundation is hosting community events such as nature hikes and educational classes to get locals involved in activities and connect to one another. 

Click here to read the full article

Philadelphia Program Offers Aspiring Carpenters On-the-Job Training

Habitat for Humanity in Philadelphia has launched a new program this year that provides aspiring carpenters with on-the-job training.

The program aims to put participants in full-time positions while they obtain hands-on experience and industry certifications.

They also provide learning opportunities for women, who may otherwise struggle in the male-dominated industry.

Click here to read the full article

Electric School Buses Make Debut in Scranton

 After an EPA Clean Bus Program gift in 2022, Scranton debuted new electric school buses this year, with some expected to replace diesel buses.

Aside from transportation, the buses are expected to the be first step in a new series of infrastructure changes for a greener Scranton and will be used as examples for students to learn about sustainability.

As of last month, the Clean Bus Program has awarded $2.7 billion in funding for 8,651 in electric buses, with areas such as Bradford and Luzerne County also receiving buses.

Click here to read the full article

Insights for Current and Future University and College-Based Grantees 

The United States Department of Education awards place-based planning and implementation grants to create new opportunities for families living in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Less than one third of the grants have been awarded to higher education institutions.

The Urban Institute interviewed grantee leads, as well as six universities that have been awarded the Promise Neighborhoods Program and analyses the results and benefits of higher education institutions pursuing partnerships with Promise Neighborhoods grants. 



 Click here to read the full article

The Public Health Consequences of Public Housing Failures

More than 10,000 taxpayer-supported public housing units are lost to disrepair annually, with federal policymakers failing to address the full monetary amount needed to preserve the units.

In the final edition of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, one-time funding allocations to public housing repairs were not included, with cost issues being cited.

KFF Health News discusses the disastrous results of this decision, primarily to marginalized communities, as well as the health consequences that are attributable to housing failures. 



Click here to read the full article

California Passes New Plastic Bag Ban after Past Struggle

More than a decade after California approved an initial plastic bag ban, the state is reinstating a ban after results suggest that the plastic problem has been made worse.

California became the first state to pass a statewide ban in 2014, but still dumped approximately 231,000 tons of plastic bag waste due to a legal loophole.

NPR discusses why the initial plan backfired, and how the new ban will address current sustainability goals.

Click here to read the full article