St. Joseph’s Center Opens new Adult Day Program in Wilkes-Barre

Shawna, one of the beneficiaries of the new St. Joseph's Center Adult Day facility in Luzerne County, is pictured during the program's dedication ceremonies held this spring. She is surrounded by, from left, Marilee Bamford-Barone, Jennifer Mackey, Donna Wilce, Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, and John Cognetti. Last summer, St. Joseph's made the decision to expand Adult Day services the Wilkes-Barre area to meet the needs of individuals residing in Luzerne County.

Shown above during the recent dedication and blessing of St. Joseph's Center new Adult Day Program facility, located on Laird St. in Wilkes-Barre, are, from left: Peter Kanton, board member; Ann Rink, administrator of Community Programs; Father William Pickard, chaplain; John Graham, board member; Jennifer Mackeg director of Adult Day Programs; Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, president and CEO of St. Joseph's Center; Maryellen Desiderio, administrator of ICF/IVIR; Robert Gordon, vice president and CFO, St. Joseph's Center; and Atty. Joseph Price, board member.

WILKES-BARRE – St. Jospeh’s Center has a history of providing day options for individuals who have reached the age of 21 and have graduated their school-age educational programs.
The Center operates a program for 30 individuals at the Main Campus in Scranton. In 2003, the program expanded to accommodate an additional 90 clients at the South Blakely Street Campus in Dunmore.

This past May, St. Joseph’s formally dedicated it’s new Wilkes-Barre program, with the capacity to serve 30 individuals with severe profound intellectual disabilities, including some who may use wheelchairs for mobility.

The primary focus of the program is to enhance individual self-care and activities of daily living skills and to expand community-based opportunities.

“St. Joseph’s Center is pleased be able to provide Adult Day Program Services that accommodate the needs of individuals who reside in Luzerne County,” said Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, President and CEO.
For more information on the Luzerne County campus, call (496-4200 or 208-4457).

*Published in The Catholic Light, July 28th, 2011