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VISION:
Better Tomorrows' vision is that all communities are strong, healthy, and comprised of people who are self-sufficient and successful.

MISSION:
Better Tomorrows’ mission is to empower individuals, families, and neighborhoods to thrive.

WHAT WE DO:
The Better Tomorrows impact-driven social service model is aimed at fostering economic stability, educational success, healthy lifestyles and strong communities. By providing a continuum of direct support to affordable housing residents and the neighboring communities, Better Tomorrows’ place-based programming and case management build safe and nurturing environments and uplift youth, adults, families, and seniors.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Bear Cam

Be sure to check out the Bear Cam. Mommy bear had her baby (her name is Lily!) over the winter and there's a ton of action going on in their cave. Be sure to check it out soon (and often) as mom and baby are about to leave their den in the next few days. Enjoy!!!

CLICK HERE FOR BEAR CAM

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Calorie Per Day Calculator

For those of you that attended yesterday's 'How to read nutrition labels', we discussed the Percent Daily Values being based on a 2,000 calorie diet. To find out how many calories are appropriate for your diet click on the link below.

CLICK HERE FOR CALORIE CALCULATOR

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Congratulations Graduates!

A HUGE congratulations is in order for our graduates! We celebrated the successful completion of the 4 Week Beginner's Class with a graduation ceremony and party. The following residents worked very hard over the last 4 weeks:
Clara Keiper
Alice Klucznik
Rose Lionetti
Bob Napoli
Winnie Napoli
Dorothy O'Brien
Larry Shook
Jean Truax




I am so proud of every one of you. You did fantastic and I hope you keep 'computing'!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

SFP Resident Mary Donatelli is in the Pocono Record!

In today's Pocono Record:
Forget about former Baltimore Orioles infielder Cal Ripken Jr. and his 2,632 consecutive games record. He can't come close to touching Pocono Medical Center's Miss Mary.

Mary Donatelli just celebrated her 93rd birthday. She's a volunteer at PMC — and she's been doing it seven days a week, 365 days a year for 30 years. That's nearly 11,000 days.

Donatelli is best known as Miss Mary. Some at the hospital refer to her as the Mother Teresa of PMC.

"She truly is the cutest little thing God ever created, because she goes around hugging and kissing people, and truly lives her faith, with honesty, humility, sincerity and doing good works," said Dr. Nancy Gabana, who works in the hospital's emergency room.

Donatelli was born Mary Spagnola in Bangor on Feb. 15, 1917, at the height of World War I. Her birth reflected the era, "with a midwife with no water, just a pump, and a coal lamp," she said. The midwife carried her downstairs in her apron to show her to her dad.

She attended school at the Roosevelt Building in Bangor, but had to quit after seventh grade at age 14.

"My father was ill and I had to go to work in a factory making men's shirts," she said.

As a youngster, she was athletic. "We played all kinds of sports in gym class, including baseball," she said. "I was always outside playing, and loved all sports."

Donatelli was married in 1940 at age 23 to Leonard Donatelli, whom she met in the factory.

"We were married 26 years, and I was widowed at the age of 50 with four children, one son and three daughters," she said.

An East Stroudsburg resident, Donatelli walked to work until about three years ago, when she turned 90.


"Now they won't let me any more. I always get a ride, sometimes the hospital security officers come pick me up," she said.

Donatelli came to the hospital in 1980 to work the Red Cross blood drives and still does. "I just wanted to give of my time and help people, so I started volunteering," she recalled.

Donatelli gets to the hospital at 4:45 a.m. every day of the year, holidays included.

"I am busy all over, in every department. I deliver mail, flowers, work the front desk, answer phones and go wherever they need me," she said.

When she started 31 years ago, the hospital was much smaller and more intimate, she said. "Everyone knew everyone. Today, you can't help people like you want to because of the HIPPA laws, and you lose the friendship and intimacy because it is much more difficult because of all the privacy acts."

As for her staying power, Donatelli attributes it to her Catholic faith.

"Without faith, I wouldn't be talking to you. Every step I take, I say, 'Jesus, I love you; Jesus, I thank you.' I eat very healthy, fresh foods, always got my exercise walking everywhere, and never took any medications," she said.

"Volunteering at PMC is good for me mentally and physically. I enjoy meeting people of all cultures and through all my years here that has been a great gift from God. It is extremely rewarding and fulfilling for me to do for others during my time on this earth."


CLICK HERE FOR THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE