GREATER WILKES-BARRE CHAMBER OF BUSINESS & INDUSTRY        

CONTACT: Meghan Flanagan, (570) 408-1733          

www.wyomingvalleychamber.org                      

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry Awarded 2025 American Water Charitable Foundation Workforce Readiness Grant 

Wilkes-Barre, PA: The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry was awarded a $50,000 2025 American Water Charitable Foundation Workforce Readiness Grant, focusing on general career readiness, financial and business literacy, positive youth development, and life skills training for the organization’s Luzerne Learns to Work Program. 

Luzerne Learns to Work links industry and academia by providing Luzerne County high school students with ways to explore career pathways through a comprehensive, centralized, and freely accessible online platform guiding them through online career assessments, video courses, local workforce and career development tools, higher education programs, work-based learning experiences with local companies, and scholarships. Luzerne Learns to Work is offered in partnership with Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18, The Institute, PA CareerLink Luzerne County, the Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board, Luzerne County Library System, Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Leadership Northeast, Luzerne County Community College, and various career exploration and workforce development agencies in NEPA. 

“We are profoundly grateful to the American Water Charitable Foundation and Pennsylvania American Water for their generous investment in our Luzerne Learns to Work program. This contribution allows the program to empower students with the skills and resources they need to thrive in today’s workforce, establishing a pathway for themselves and their futures here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. This investment in their futures helps to strengthen the entire region – as industry, academia, and community align and gain access to critical resources for career and workforce development. We couldn’t be more thrilled to enhance these offerings and impact even more students with this continued support,” says Shanie Mohamed, Director of Economic Development for the Chamber.  

The Workforces Readiness grant is part of the American Water Charitable Foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program. The Foundation is a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., supporting high-impact projects and initiatives that further American Water’s commitment to the communities it serves. 

“Pennsylvania American Water is proud to partner with the American Water Charitable Foundation to award a $50,000 Workforce Readiness Grant to the Luzerne Learns to Work program. We’re excited to give high school students throughout Luzerne County the opportunity to gain career readiness skills and explore high priority occupations through connections with local employers. Investing in tomorrow’s leaders is one more way we keep life flowing for the communities we serve,” says Alana Roberts, Manager of External Affairs for Pennsylvania American Water.  

Learn more about Luzerne Learns to Work at https://luzernelearnstowork.org/.  

About American Water  

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.  

About American Water Charitable Foundation  

The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People, and Communities. Since 2012, the Foundation has invested more than $20 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to support eligible organizations in communities served by American Water. The Foundation is funded by American Water shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf. 

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