New Nonprofit Holds First Wellness Fair in Wilkes-Barre, More Expected

New nonprofit Rising Tide Wellness hosted its first wellness fair in Wilkes-Barre with more than 50 health-focused groups coming together. 

Attendees of the fair connected with fellow community members and various health and wellness organizations such as Gesinger, The Moses West Foundation, and the Wilkes-Barre City Health Department, who launched wellness demonstrations and provided activities.

Launched officially in December, Rising Tide Wellness aims to connect resources to those who lack affordable housing, food security, and employment barriers. 

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Jefferson Health Program Helps Philly Students Land Health Care Jobs

The Jefferson Workforce Development Program is a collaboration between Jefferson Health, Esperanza College, and the School District of Philadelphia designed to fast-track students into entry-level health care positions upon graduation.

During the program, which begins at the sophomore level, students receive 1,000 classroom training hours, and shadow professions on-site in their senior year.

This program aims to combat the nationwide healthcare workforce shortage, which will reach up to 3.2 million vacancies next year according to data from the American Hospital Association. 



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$2.4 Million Workforce Development Investment Made for West PA

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry highlighted a new $2.4 million investment in its Schools-to-Work Program.

These investments will support 12 innovative initiatives that create pathways to stable careers for high schoolers.

One example includes Cybersecure Pittsburgh, a pre-apprenticeship program that connects junior and senior students with technology-centered opportunities. 

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Long-Term Effects of Welfare Reform

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, launched in 1996, marked a new era for the American welfare system.

The act introduced changes such as lifetime limits on federally funded welfare benefits, stricter working requirements, and a center focus on self-reliance for recipients.

This brief explains the creation of Connecticut’s Jobs First initiative, and the long-term effects that welfare reform has on communities. 

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Affinity Recruiting: Bringing Talent Back Home

Affinity recruiting, a strategy where businesses and communities actively pursue current and former residents and other individuals with strong connections to the local area, aim to entice opportunities and growth within communities.

Several programs and studies have been launched to observe the effects of affinity recruiting across several areas in the United States.

The State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI) discusses several findings in researching affinity recruiting and how local development from within benefits communities. 



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Billionaire Blowback on Housing 

Unaffordable housing remains a critical issue across the United States, with rent rates rising alongside homelessness.

Over 653,000 American residents are unhoused, and 22.4 million renters spend 30 percent or more of their income on rental housing.

This article covers the “Billionaire Blowback” on housing, and the repercussions of billionaires increasing control over real estate systems.



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