The Millennium Circle Fund of The Luzerne Foundation was created by a special group of donors whose one- time gifts of $2,000 play a pivotal role in helping The Luzerne Foundation identify unmet community needs. The ultimate goal is to have 2,000 members and a fund that would support the community with grants of $200,000 or more each year.
Join the Millennium Circle!
If you’d like to join or if you’d like more information, download the Millennium Circle Brochure or call us at 570-822-2065.
The COVID-19 Pandemic has rendered us many challenges and has limited our ability to hold social gatherings, but one thing COVID-19 cannot do is prevent us from being… Here for Good.
As a Millennium Circle Member, you already understand what it means to be our community’s eyes and ears. Now more than ever, WE NEED YOU, and our nonprofit organizations need your nomination.
2020 Millennium Circle Virtual Event
2020 Millennium Circle Fund Grant Recipient
The Millennium Circle Fund of The Luzerne Foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to Volunteers in Medicine after members listened intently to five presentations and cast their vote. With the 2020 grant award considered, the Millennium Circle Fund has awarded $414,000 in grant funding since its inception in 2001.“We are so very thrilled and excited to have the support of the Millennium Circle Members and the community. The funds will be used during this critical time to help keep our low-income neighbors healthy, well, and working. Thanks so much to the Luzerne Foundation and it’s supporters for being Hometown Heroes,” commented Kelly Ranieli, Volunteers in Medicine Executive Director.
“Although the COVID pandemic has altered our lives, it cannot change the commitment our Millennium Circle members. Many thanks to everyone who participated in today’s virtual event. Five incredible presentations captured the most significant needs in Luzerne County. After thoughtful consideration, The Millennium Circle membership voted and awarded Volunteers in Medicine the $25,000 grant. Many thanks to all of the charities for their participation, and congratulations to Volunteers in Medicine on being selected as the 2020 Grant Recipient,” said Charles Barber, President & CEO.
About Volunteers in Medicine…
Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) is for the community by the community. VIM is truly a FREE clinic and not a federally qualified center that charges for services. Patients are working, on unemployment, or actively looking for work and their income is at 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Medical, dental and behavioral health services are provided by an inter-professional team of staff and volunteers. In June of 2020, VIM received the Patient Centered Medical Home recognition by the National Committee of Quality Assurance to validate the quality care being provided for the last 12 years. There are only 6 free clinics out of 1800 in the nation that have received the PCMH certification. Primary and preventative care, chiropractic, counseling, chronic disease management, psychiatric evaluations, medicine therapy, case management, women’s health, dental care, medications, testing and specialty services were expanded to ensure comprehensive care.
2019 Millennium Circle Fund Grant Recipient
A History of Making a Difference
Over the past decade the Millennium Circle Fund has granted over $414,000 to nonprofit organizations throughout Luzerne County. Previous recipients:
| 2020 | $25,000 | Volunteers in Medicine |
| 2019 | $25,000 | CASA of Luzerne County |
| 2018 | $25,000 | United Way of Wyoming Valley – Nurse’s Pantry |
| 2017 | $25,000 | Brandon’s Forever Home – After school Tutoring and Family Meal Program |
| 2016 | $22,000 | The Hope Center of Wyoming Valley to expand Dental and Free Clinics for the Uninsured & Underinsured |
| 2015 | $20,000 | CEO (Commission on Economic Opportunity) – Food 4 Kids Weekends Backpack Program |
| 2014 | $20,000 | $10,000 to Volunteers of America/Ruth’s Place for shelter expansion $10,000 to CEO (Commission on Economic Opportunity) Monsignor Andrew J. McGowan Center for Healthy Living |
| 2013 | $20,000 | Family Service Association of NEPA for the Help Line to “Dial 211” Conversion |
| 2012 | $20,000 | Anti-Bullying Coalition of Luzerne County |
| 2011 | $20,000 | Commission on Economic Opportunity’s Dinners for Kids Program |
| 2010 | $20,000 | Family Service Association of Wyoming Valley for their Help Line program |
| 2009 | $22,000 | Ruth’s Place Homeless Women’s Shelter in Wilkes-Barre for renovation of new location |
| 2008 | $30,000 | Care & Concern Ministries in Pittston for facilities enhancement for program services |
| 2007 | $30,000 | Volunteers in Medicine, a program providing health care services to our “working poor,” as well as other uninsured and under-insured area residents |
| 2006 | $25,000 | Luzerne-Wyoming Counties’ Drug and Alcohol Program for prevention services delivered in all public school districts within Luzerne County |
| 2005 | $20,000 | McGlynn Learning Center for education programs provided to at-risk children who reside in Wilkes-Barre |
| 2004 | $15,000 | Friday’s Child, a program available to autistic children and directed by the Jewish Community Center, Wilkes-Barre |
| 2003 | $10,000 | Candy’s Place, a community support center for cancer patients and their loved ones |
| 2002 | $10,000 | Diamond City Partnership for Downtown Wilkes-Barre revitalization |
| 2001 | $10,000 | 28 “Follow Your Dreams” motivational presentations held at local high schools |
