About Us

Outreach staff members wear blue for Child Abuse Awareness Month in April.

For over 35 years, Outreach – Center for Community Resources has provided evidence-based programming to individuals and families throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. Outreach operates two locations – the Seventh Avenue Center in Scranton, PA and a satellite office in downtown Wilkes-Barre, PA. Outreach serves nearly 5,000 individuals, of which 94.79% earn less than $25,000 annually and live below the Federal Poverty Line. 

Outreach offers a robust variety of programs and wraparound case management to help individuals and families achieve economic self-sufficiency and family stability. Outreach strives to help move families forward. 

Mission

With respect for the individual and with the highest professional standards, Outreach – Center for Community Resources offers a variety of programs that promote family stability and economic self-sufficiency. 

Values

Click each value to learn more.

Respect for the Individual

We start where people are, offering them a safe, welcoming environment. Respecting individuals’ unique circumstances, beliefs, experiences, and identities, we build on their strength and offer them the education and tools they need to discover their goals and take steps to achieve them.

Providing Hope for the Future

We believe that each person has greatness within themselves and has the capacity to change and grow. Outreach helps our participants rediscover their hope for the future, build their strengths, and obtain the tools they need to achieve their goals. In doing so, we help change the trajectory of their lives.

Relationships, Connection, and Belonging Matter

Starting from deep respect and compassion/kindness, Outreach believes that relationships among our staff, with our participants, and with our community partners are key to success. Our partnerships and collaborations are crucial, allowing us to assist our participants in building their own networks of social support.

Highest Professional Standards

To ensure the greatest possible impact, Outreach believes we must deliver the highest quality programs. Every program and operational team is expected to perform to the highest professional standards and provide top-notch services – with demonstrated outcomes – to our clients, each other, and the community.

Strategic Plan Essence

Moving Today's Families Forward

Click to read more about some of the evidence-based programs offered at Outreach – Center for Community Resources.

Workforce Development

The LEAD (Lead, Educate and Develop) Center helps individuals attain or advance their careers through workforce development training, assistance with resume building and job hunting, and creating connections to local employers. Outreach has a employment pipeline of over 200 regional businesses willing to hire Outreach participants. 

Parenting Home-Visiting Programs

Outreach offers three home-visiting parenting programs:

  • Parents as Teachers®
  • SafeCare® Augmented
  • The Incredible Years®

Participants are assigned a case manager who visits the family’s home to help build parenting confidence,  increase home literacy and preparedness for kindergarten.

These programs are offered both Outreach’s Lackawanna and Luzerne offices. 

Adult GED

Since 2008, Outreach has partnered with the Lackawanna County Prison to offer GED services to incarcerated individuals. When the 2020 pandemic limited access to the prison, Outreach moved its GED services to the Seventh Avenue Center in Scranton. Today, Outreach has a dedicated GED classroom and two full-time instructors who provide individualized instruction to participants of all ages and backgrounds. 

Support Groups

Outreach offers support groups for men and women. This includes a group specifically for fathers and Parent Cafes, which focuses on peer support for parents facing difficult parenting issues.

Postpartum Doula Services

Started in 2022, Outreach offers postpartum doula services for low-income families. Participants are assigned a certified postpartum doula who supports parents and infant through the first 12 weeks of life.

Toddler Play & Learn Group

The weekly Toddler Play & Learn Group offers an opportunity for parents and children to bond through Outreach staff led activities that promote the six protective factors:

  • Parental Resilience
  • Social Connections
  • Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
  • Concrete Support in Times of Need
  • Social and Emotional Competence of Children

This program is offered at both Outreach’s Lackawanna and Luzerne offices.

Skyview STEAM Program

Outreach staff host an afterschool STEAM program for elementary-aged children living at the Skyview Park Apartments in Scranton, PA. Staff members provide homework help, mentorship, and assist young residents through a STEAM activity or craft. 

Ways to Work

The Ways to Work car loan program helps eligible individuals attain a vehicle with a manageable loan rate. 

Children's Career Fair

Every August, Outreach welcomes the community to the Seventh Avenue Center for the annual Children’s Career Fair. Local and regional businesses host booths for children and their parents to learn more about future career paths. Outreach provides every child with a backpack full of school supplies for the upcoming school year. 

Toyland

Each December, Outreach hosts its annual Toyland event. Outreach and local partners collect toys, pajamas, and donations for local families to help ease the burden of holiday expenses. Every participating family is allowed to “shop” the Toyland workshop for a toy, a book, and pajamas for each child in their family. Every family is provided with a grocery gift card.