(0 - 16:24) Luzerne County Community College Director for Student Support & Intervention, Melissa Wassel, joins the show to discuss two unique program opportunities for prospective and current students. She explained how each program works, offered stats as to why they were created and discussed retention and success rates. The college has long offered the KEYS (Keystone Education Yields Success) Program, bringing support, supplies and more to individuals receiving either TANF or SNAP benefits from the County Assistance Program. The goal of the program is to help individuals get an education that can help further their career - or GED, if needed, and help to end the cycle of poverty. The KEYS Program provides academic, personal and career support services. Learn more and find out if you qualify at Luzerne.edu or by emailing KEYS@Luzerne.edu. In addition, the school has also launched the AREI Program, rooted in aiding those in substance abuse recovery to find a new career path and complete their education. AREI (or AllOne Recovery Educational Institute) offers onsite certified recovery specialists, routine check-ins, career assessments and more to help those remain in recovery and finish out their education, or find a new career path altogether. Students can be in both KEYS and AREI at the same time. To learn more about AREI visit Luzerne.edu or email AREI@Luzerne.edu.

(16:25 - 30) It's time for the 3rd annual JA Inspire Career Exploration Event with Junior Achievement of Northeast PA! Event Chair Ruth Corcoran and JA President Susan Magnotta join the show to discuss the event, taking place at Mohegan Pocono April 1-2, helps high school students from across the region explore various trades and career opportunities right here in NEPA. This year more than 25 school districts will participate, totaling over 2,500 students and 80 area businesses that spread across manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, media, military and much more! Junior Achievement also hosts YES! (Your Economic Success) Days at area middle schools, bringing in volunteers across various fields to talk about their careers and help students explore various options. You can learn more about Junior Achievement by visiting www.nepa.ja.org