La NEPA prospera

NEPA Thrives is an equity-driven workforce initiative launched by the Scranton Area Community Foundation in collaboration with a wide range of community partners. It was created to respond to the growing need for coordinated, sustainable solutions to the workforce challenges facing Northeastern Pennsylvania. Grounded in the belief that a thriving economy must work for everyone, NEPA Thrives builds cross-sector partnerships to remove barriers and expand opportunities for workers, families, and employers across the region.

Our Mission

To invest in the solutions to Northeastern Pennsylvania’s workforce challenges, including skills training, digital access and literacy, and affordable, quality childcare in order to create a robust and growing regional economy where all individuals, families, and employers thrive.

Vision: The NEPA region has a robust and growing economy where all individuals, families and employers thrive with a high quality of life and work adjust the mission and vision

What We’ve Achieved So Far

Since its inception, NEPA Thrives has made measurable progress, including:

• Launched the NEPA Workforce Leadership Academy in partnership with the Aspen Institute, bringing together leaders across nonprofit, government, business, and education sectors to strengthen regional workforce collaboration and drive systems-level change.
• Partnered with JobsFirstNYC to imagine and develop a workforce intermediary that will connect young adults to meaningful employment pathways and strengthens employer engagement throughout the region
• Hosted the Workforce Barriers Summit, a region-wide convening to explore solutions to persistent employment barriers—such as transportation, childcare, and housing—drawing insights from employers, nonprofits, and public sector leaders.
• Partnered with The Institute to develop a comprehensive asset mapping to identify existing regional resources and service gaps, ensuring workforce efforts are informed, coordinated, and data-driven.
• Elevated public awareness of workforce challenges and opportunities through regional campaigns, storytelling, and participation in local and national networks focused on equitable economic mobility.

Why Join NEPA Thrives?

NEPA Thrives is more than a program—it’s a movement. We believe that lasting change happens when employers, educators, government agencies, nonprofits, and community members come together to co-create solutions. By joining the NEPA Thrives network, you can:

• Shape regional workforce priorities by participating in cross-sector strategy sessions
• Gain access to research, resources, and funding opportunities to support your work
• Collaborate with like-minded partners working to eliminate employment barriers
• Be a voice for change in the policies and practices that influence our local economy

Get Involved

We invite you to become part of this growing movement to create a more inclusive, thriving economy in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

To learn more or join NEPA Thrives, contact: Koren Clark, Community Impact Manager at koren@safdn.org.