SCRANTON, PA. – Mayor Paige G. Cognetti announced a $25,000 grant for United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s (UNC) Scranton Council of Literacy Advance (SCOLA) program at the CEDAR Center, 526 Cedar Ave., on Thurs., July 10, 2025. Funding is from the City’s 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Service allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
“Improving literacy and language skills can create life-changing benefits for people across Scranton,” Mayor Cognetti said. “Creating opportunities for community members to advance their careers, advocate for their personal care, and become more involved socially are critical to their lives and to our city’s economic health.”
“We thank Mayor Cognetti and the City of Scranton for supporting adult learners in our community,” UNC President and Chief Executive Officer Lisa Durkin said. “This funding helps UNC continue providing vital literacy and ESL education that empowers individuals to pursue career advancement, support their families, and fully participate in community life. This funding helps us continue to provide essential support to adult learners working hard to build better futures for themselves and their families.”
Since 1979, SCOLA has provided free adult literacy and English as a Second Language (ESL) education to residents of Lackawanna County. The program merged with UNC in 2011 to help ensure that these resources could remain available. Courses are offered Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. SCOLA participants learn through personal tutoring, citizenship education, and group ESL classes.
UNC served more than 500 Scranton residents in 2024 with varying levels of English proficiency. Instruction helps improve overall language skills and career planning to build a path of upward economic mobility for adult learners. Grant funding will support staff compensation, program supplies and printing, and other related expenses.
ABOUT THE CITY OF SCRANTON: Incorporated in 1866, the City of Scranton has a population of approximately 76,000 residents and is the sixth-largest municipality in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Scranton City Hall is located at 340 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. Residents requiring services should visit www.scrantonpa.gov
ABOUT MAYOR PAIGE G. COGNETTI: Paige G. Cognetti was sworn in as the 36th Mayor of Scranton in January 2020. Her administration is focused on driving economic growth, upgrading infrastructure, ensuring public safety, fostering government transparency and efficiency, and improving residents’ overall quality of life.