Transforming Lives and Communities
Leadership Northeast has been transforming lives, communities and organizations for more than four decades. A private, nonprofit organization, Leadership Northeast was developed by community leaders in 1981 in order to ensure the progress of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and to continuously strengthen and evolve those who live and work within it.
Beyond our focus on leadership skills, community awareness and connecting people, Leadership Northeast is an opportunity. The success and sustainability of this organization symbolizes what can be accomplished when politics and personal agendas are set aside and individuals come together motivated by positive reinforcement, funded by a sense of duty to give back, educated to realize their potential, and to understand the need for and the impact of their contribution.
Leadership Northeast believes in and works for the future of Northeastern Pennsylvania. We exist because private industry, education, government, individuals and families have seamlessly come together to support our efforts. We are a living example of effective collaboration, the power of expecting more from one another, and of rising above our differences to affect positive change.
It’s About The Process
The Community Impact project component of the Leadership Northeast experience is meant to serve several purposes. Classmates work together to design and execute a project that fulfills a community need. In doing so, participants apply the leadership development skills they have learned throughout the year while making a positive impact on their community.
Project teams are designed to make the process challenging. Participants must work through their differences of opinion, behavior and perspectives and find a common ground. Learning how to bring people together, despite these differences, and in order to accomplish something extraordinary is the true definition of leadership.
Between the Core, Junior and Impact programs, Leadership Northeast participants complete upwards of 40 projects a year, collaborating with nonprofits, schools, government and community organizations. After 43 years in the business, the ripple effect of these projects is vast, and the lessons learned invaluable.
Core Class of 2024 Community Impact Projects
Art with a Heart
Art with a Heart renovated a dedicated art space at St. Joseph’s Center Wyoming Valley Campus for the benefit of individuals with intellectual disabilities in Luzerne County.
“Leadership Northeast teaches that true leadership begins with igniting change within yourself before you can guide others,” says team member Mollie Boyd. “The organization provides participants a platform to transform their community. Through our art room renovation project with the Saint Joseph’s Center, Art with a Heart has witnessed the power of a diverse perspective and the role art plays in sharing that perspective. I wholeheartedly recommend the Core Program to everyone. It has helped me become a better version of myself, empowering me to show up for this community.”
Head Start Heroes
Head Start Heroes created a sensory room at the Luzerne County Head Start Beekman Street facility. This room now provides a safe, calm experience to help children with relaxation and self-regulation.
“Words cannot express the impact this experience has had on us and how much we’ve enjoyed the entire process,” said team member Amy Hoyt. “When our team initially met, we knew we wanted to create an impact on the community that would last, and what better way than to invest in children and generations to come.”
Hearts for Hope
Hearts for Hope raised awareness of Volunteer of America’s (VOA) Give Hope program and provided support and essential supplies to ensure the survival of our unhoused neighbors.
When asked how the team chose their project, team member Kylie Patterson-Carr said, “The VOA Give Hope program aligned seamlessly with our commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing housing challenges. Together, we facilitated a more supportive and inclusive environment for our community members in need.”
In This To-Gather
In This To-Gather renovated the basement of Gather Community Center in Wilkes-Barre into a functional, multi-use educational and multimedia space.
“Our team was thrilled to partner with Gather Community Space,” said team member Maegan Zielinski. “The project’s focus on sustainability and long-term community impact resonated with us from the start. It has been a rewarding experience to witness the transformation of the space, and we’re proud of the work we’ve accomplished.”
Let Freedom Ring
Let Freedom Ring created a new clay shooting range for visitor use at Camp Freedom, a nonprofit organization that provides outdoor adventures for disabled Veterans and First Responders.
“We wanted to support Camp Freedom by bringing awareness to their program and by creating additional outdoor activities so that Veterans, First Responders, their family members, and Gold Star Families would be able to fully experience the healing that NEPA outdoors and community can offer,” said the team.
New Books on the Block
New Books on the Block collaborated with Dress for Success Luzerne County to donate over 35,00 books in order to improve and expand the library system within the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.
“Our project was to help establish a more robust library within the Luzerne County Correctional Facility, but really it was much more than that,” team member Joshua Perry explained. “We got to work as a group to collect books, often utilized for self-betterment, to provide to a population of people that are often overlooked or looked down upon.”
Team Up for Transparency
Team Up for Transparency supported the John Malvizzi Foundation’s inaugural Mental Health Awareness Week. The John Malvizzi Foundation provides families and communities with the resources needed to increase mental health awareness and improve their quality of life.
“We’ve had the privilege to partner with the John Malvizzi Foundation to develop a social initiative aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding mental health,” said team member Jessica Piazza. “We are sincerely grateful for the opportunity to belong to the Core class of 2024 and are hopeful that our collective efforts have made a meaningful impact in our community.”
If you would like to collaborate with Leadership Northeast on a project benefitting your nonprofit organization, please visit leadershipnortheast.org to submit your proposal.
