NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania is proud to celebrate Emily Arcaro, Community Development Specialist, for being named a Window Keeper by PA Humanities, a statewide initiative recognizing Pennsylvanians who strengthen their communities through service, storytelling, education and connection.
Window Keepers are everyday Pennsylvanians whose work helps sustain civic life and bring people together. With a list including educators, volunteers, community organizers, neighbors and more, these individuals make lasting contributions that often go unrecognized. Their efforts help residents feel connected, encourage civic participation and strengthen the places they call home.
Through her work with Community Heart & Soul, Emily used listening, storytelling and community engagement to help Carbondale residents see their values reflected in the place they call home. Through this work, she helped residents identify shared priorities and brought their ideas to life by coordinating six downtown murals in just three months. The murals celebrate Carbondale’s history, identity and aspirations while fostering a stronger sense of community pride and belonging.
Currently, Emily is working with the Carbondale Area School District and Resident leaders to provide upgrades to Cerra-Leo Memorial Park. High school students helped to identify the value of art in their community with the addition of three new murals in Cerra-Leo Memorial Park while honoring the veterans the park was named after. This work could not be accomplished without the help of the students and community leaders.
“I am deeply honored to be included among the many Window Keepers in Pennsylvania,” said Emily. “My work brings together residents of all ages to create safer, cleaner spaces that restores their sense of pride and love of their community. Thank you for recognizing the work my team and I have begun in Carbondale.”
PA Humanities is recognizing 180 Window Keepers representing nearly every county in Pennsylvania. The initiative began with 25 inaugural honorees and expanded through a public nomination process that received submissions from all 67 counties. Together, the honorees demonstrate the many ways Pennsylvanians use culture, history, education and civic engagement to build stronger communities.
We congratulate Emily on this well-deserved recognition and are proud of the work she is doing to help Carbondale residents build connections, take pride in their neighborhoods and create positive change.
