What's New(s)
October 9, 2008
Trehab Honors Successful Program Participants In Five Counties
Wyoming County honorees are, seated left to right, Heather Brown, Jessica Fasula, and Christina Lucke. Standing, left to right, are TREHAB Workforce Investment staffers Fran Carichner, Career Advisor, and Merriel Oliver, Instructor; Wyoming County Assistance Office Supervisor Jody Neary; and TREHAB WIA staffers Phil Smiley, Site Supervisor/Job Developer, Barbara Mark, Welfare Case Manager, Cathy Wagner, Youth Career Advisor, and Laura Hasenzahl, Counselor.
Community action agencies can make a big improvement in individuals' lives. That was the theme of TREHAB's annual Recognition Dinner, held on August 21 at the Lizza Studio in Tunkhannock. At the celebration, 10 honorees from five counties were congratulated for their successes by TREHAB staff, board members, family and friends, and honored guest speaker Rep. Karen Boback. Ron Williams, president of TREHAB's Board of Directors, welcomed the honorees and guests.
The TREHAB motto, "Helping People, Building Communities", was underscored by the success stories of the honorees. They had participated successfully in six TREHAB programs: Independent Living, Workforce Development, Youth Programs, Community Development, ASSETS microbusiness, and First Time Homebuyers.
Introduced by Roselyn Hibbard who oversees the Independent Living Program, honoree Crystal Davis of Susquehanna County received guidance and skills training from Independent Living Trainer Megan Owens. Crystal graduated from high school with honors and will continue her education in college.
TREHAB honoree Beverly Weidman, seated left, with Sullivan County Workforce Investment staffers Charlotte Doerner, seated right, and, standing from left, Job Developer Jerrod Nolan and Site Supervisor/Case Manager Sue Kinsey.
Jessica Fasula of Wyoming County was honored by the School Youth Program for outstanding work performance in her two consecutive placements with Hand Family Center. Jessica has been enrolled in the program for two years. Cathy Wagner is her youth career advisor for TREHAB.
Also honored by the TREHAB Workforce Development Programs were Christina Lucke and Heather Brown of Wyoming County, Robert Saurstein, Susquehanna County, Brooke Draper, Tioga County, and Beverly Weidman, Sullivan County. Through various programs, these individuals received support in successfully gaining employment, receiving LPD certification, gaining a GED degree, and going on to further education.
Joel Corleone was the honoree from TREHAB ASSETS microbusiness program. He was honored by ASSETS program coordinator for Bradford County, Tracey Kelley.
Joel Corleone of Bradford County cited the TREHAB-ASSETS microbusiness program for his success in revamping an old inn which he opened last fall as the Rustic Grotto. Corleone, who purchased the inn in 1998, received ASSETS training and information in 2002 that helped him toward reaching his business goal.
In thanking TREHAB, he emphasized that "you've got to work at this. It's not easy, so listen to advice, because you'll never know it all."
TREHAB Housing Development Director Jerry Cronk with Bradford County honorees and staff, seated from right, Doris Van Wormer, a tenant volunteer at the Wilbur apartments in Sayre, Peggy Cranmer, TREHAB's Director of Tenant Services, and honoree Kathy Walters, a successful first time homebuyer.
Jerry Cronk, TREHAB Community Development Director, introduced Kathy Walters of Bradford County, a graduate of the Homeownership Program. The program, initiated in 1994, has helped 645 people to purchase a new home, according to Cronk. He praised Ms. Walters, a working mother currently taking college courses in nursing, for her purchase of a home within a year of taking the homeownership workshops.
"This took extreme self-discipline," Cronk said, adding "It's people like Kathy who make this program so successful."
TREHAB currently manages four housing rehab facilities, with a total of 46 households and 9 businesses renting. Managing these facilities is Peggy Cranmer, who honored Doris Van Wormer, a tenant of the Wilbur in Sayre since 2002. She has served since that time as a volunteer overseeing the facility and providing help to both tenants and TREHAB staff.
Guest speaker for the recognition dinner was PA Representative Karen Boback, Dist. 117, of Harvey's Lake. After congratulating the honorees, she urged them to continue advocating for TREHAB and its programs. She went on to thank Executive Director Dennis Phelps for leading the agency in "advocating for people and teaching self-sufficiency"
In the current economic environment, she added, it's important that TREHAB's programs, which are funded at the federal, state and local levels, be supported by the communities and the individuals it serves.
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