Ground Broken on C.S.S. Veteran Housing Project

Taking part in Thursday's groundbreaking were, from left, Andy Reilly, Carol Lee Wajda, Stephen Nocilla, David Warke, Monsignor Joseph Kelly, Ron Evans, Tim Keene and Vincent Martino.

KINGSTON – The decals of apples and books on the frosted glass offered a reminder of the building’s last purpose. Outside, snow was falling on the former grounds of St. Hedwig’s parish. Inside a building that used to be a Catholic school, Vincent C. Martino, president and CEO of Palumbo Construction Management, was showing visitors a room that should be a one-bedroom apartment in five months.

The now-gutted building will soon contain housing for veterans, said Monsignor Joseph P. Kelly, executive director of Catholic Social Services, the group organizing the project.

The school closed in 2002, said Diocese of Scranton spokesman Bill Genello. The church celebrated its final Mass in 2007.

Toward the end of its history, the parish was hanging on by fundraisers, Kelly said.

“There simply weren’t enough people. The school population was down so far that there was no way to pay for it all. That doesn’t mean the closing wasn’t hard for the people who went to school there, and their parents, and sometimes their grandparents,” he said.

Former church buildings can only be used for “non-profane uses,” such as the two two-bedroom apartments and 10 one-bedroom apartments planned for the old building.

Veteran’s housing is a way to bring something back to the community and help people who sacrificed for the country, Kelly said.

The apartments were designed with future occupants, who might be disabled, in mind, said Martino. All the showers will be handicap-accessible and handicap railings will run the length of the hallways. The apartments will also have safety grab bars for balance. An elevator will connect the building’s three floors.

A garden will replace the rectory and parking will take the place of the convent. Both buildings have already been demolished. The church will remain closed for now, Kelly said.

The cost of rent will depend on each veteran’s income, and that money should pay for the mortgage and upkeep for the building, Kelly said.

Catholic Social Services originally planned a 30-apartment development on the Zerby Avenue property. Part of the lot is in Kingston and part is in Edwardsville. The 30-unit project would have placed apartments in Edwardsville, but the borough did not grant the required zoning variance.

The renovations are a $2.2 million project. The Luzerne County Office of Community Development is paying for about $400,000 of the project, said Andrew Reilly, executive director of the community development office. Catholic Social Service is paying for the remainder.

Are you interested in Foster Care or Adoption?

Please join Catholic Social Services as we celebrate May as National Foster Care month with the following events.

The Hazleton Ladies’ Ancient Order of Hibernians will present a Mother’s Day Celebration, featuring a concert by recording artists The Irish Lads on Sunday, May 1, 2011.  The event will be held at the Cinema & Drafthouse, 31 W. Broad St., West Hazleton, from 3:30 PM t0 7:30 PM.  There will be a raffle to benefit Catholic Social Services Foster Care Program.  Irish products and food and beverages will be available.  Reservations are strongly suggested and can be made by calling Gwen Boyle at 570-454-6062.  The donation is $5.00.

Mother’s Day Adoption Mass – Bishop Joseph C. Bambera will be the celebrant and homilist for the annual Mother’s Day Adoption Mass being held on Sunday, May 8, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  This liturgy honors all mothers, especially those who are involved with adoption in some capacity.  Everyone is invited to attend.

Informational open house - Catholic Social Services’ Foster Care and Adoption programs are hosting this event in an effort to inform and recruit those families that may be interested in providing a loving and stable home to children in need within the community.  Informational material and our knowledgeable staff will be available to answer any questions you may have regarding our various programs.

Thursday, May 19, 2011: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Catholic Social Services
214 W. Walnut St.
Hazleton, PA 18201

Music, games and fun will be provided for children!!

** Light refreshments and beverages will be served.

** Registration is required for all attendees by Monday, May 16, 2011.

To register, please contact anyone in the Foster Care/Adoption programs by calling 570-455-1521.

Super Bowl Sunday is one of America’s biggest and most entertaining national sporting events as friends and families gather to socialize and watch the big game. Yet, it has also become one of the Nation’s most dangerous days on the roadways due to impaired driving. 

• Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Impaired driving is no accident—nor is it a victimless crime. 
• Driving impaired has serious consequences and is simply not worth the risk. 

Take a few simple precautions to ensure Super Bowl is memorable in a positive way.

 If you are hosting a party:

 Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in an impaired-driving crash.

• Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
• Serve lots of food and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
• Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game and begin serving coffee and dessert.
• Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.

 If you are attending a party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant: 

• Designate your sober driver before the party begins and leave your car keys at home.
• Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks, and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
• If you don’t have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend, or family member to come and get you; or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.
• Never let a friend get behind the wheel of their vehicle if you think they are about to drive while impaired.
  Remember, Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.
• Always buckle up – it’s still your best defense against other impaired drivers.

Rebecca Rybak, Coordinator
Northeast Highway Safety Program
Catholic Social Services
33 East Northampton Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA  18701
p: 570-829-3489 ext. 337

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge has named Robert (Bobby) Soper, President of Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs as Chairperson for The Wyoming Valley’s Bowl For Kids’ Sake 2011. Since January 2005, Soper has served as the President of Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, a harness racetrack, casino and entertainment complex in Plains, PA.  Prior to his current position, he served for four years as a Senior Vice President at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut where he managed various divisions within the company. Bobby has been involved in the community both in Connecticut and Pennsylvania.  Bobby has served on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southeastern Connecticut, Board of Directors and Treasurer of United Way of Wyoming Valley, Board of Directors of the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trustees of Misericordia University, Board of Directors for WVIA Public Broadcasting, Board of Directors and Treasurer of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Board of Directors of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Technology Institute, Board of Directors of the Scranton Chamber of Commerce and Board of Directors and Vice Chairman of Scranton Tomorrow. Soper resides in the Back Mountain with his wife and children.

Each year, for more than four decades, Bowl For Kids’ Sake has supported Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies throughout the country.  The premiere fundraiser provides a way for mentors and their friends and families, as well as caring people who might not have time to mentor, to support Big Brothers Big Sisters.  The Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge agency, part of the largest network of volunteer mentors of youth, relies on funding to carefully match volunteers with children and provide ongoing support to sustain long-term one-to-one mentoring friendships.

Independent studies find “Littles” are more likely to be successful in school, avoid violent, harmful and illegal behaviors and activities, and have strong relationships with their families and others.  Children served through Big Brothers Big Sisters are primarily those of single, low-income or incarcerated parents. Those wishing to begin impacting children’s lives right in our community can participate by challenging themselves to raise $1,000 to help fund a child’s new mentoring opportunity.  Corporate sponsorships are now available for personal businesses and organizations wishing to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge. Bowl For Kids’ Sake 2011 will be held March 26, at Stanton Lanes in Wilkes-Barre Pa. For more information or to help support the children of the Wyoming Valley visit: www.bbbsnepa.org or call 1-800-955-4376.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bridge is a program of Catholic Social Services and a United Way Partner Agency

St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, Wilkes-Barre, a program of Catholic Social Services distributed 1,134 backpacks and school supplies this week to children in the Wyoming Valley who otherwise would not have the proper supplies for the upcoming school year. 

All of the school supplies were donated by Individuals, Churches, Businesses and Organizations in the Wyoming Valley. 

Thank you to all those who donated to this giveaway as well as all of the volunteers that helped to distribute these school supplies.

Jack Nolan and Doug Currin announce raffle winners at the Westmoreland Club.

Catholic Social Services of The Diocese of Scranton is pleased to announce a new website as of Monday, August 9th.