Jefferson Educational Society

06/04/2026

Erie, Pennsylvania, like towns small and big across the United States, is a place build by immigrants whose distinct cultures they brought with them from their homelands have helped shape the community today. Join Regina Jaworski, a retired administrator, who is a Polish community leader in Erie, as she discusses the effect of Polish immigration on Erie –offering insights into Poland, why people left, what the initial arrival of Polish people to Erie was like, and how they've contributed to the region since. She'll explore the challenges they've faced, as well as the growth and contributions, drawing from her researching of this history since the early 1960s, including numerous interviews.

JES Satellite Programming is sponsored by Erie Insurance.

06/04/2026

This week officially kicked off "June with JES!"🌟

Chelsea was able to visit with our friends at Erie News Now yesterday to talk all about it and why having satellite locations throughout Erie County is so important to us. Check out her segment to learn more and head over to our website for a complete list of events, locations, and speakers who are joining us this month! jeserie.org/events

Special thanks to Erie Insurance for continually supporting our satellite programming to ensure every corner of the county has access to world-class learning opportunities!

https://www.erienewsnow.com/watch/video/first-at-4-june-at-the-jefferson-educational-society/video_3808372d-84aa-5dc4-8f1f-88cfa9e04873.html

Click here to view this video from erienewsnow.com.

06/03/2026

Accidental Twins Day!👍🏼👍🏼

Two thumbs up for Bailey and Ben showing up today in their matching L.L.Bean attire. (They swear they don’t plan it.)

Matching zipups.
Matching energy.
Matching commitment to community impact.

Big shout out to L.L.Bean for keeping the JES team looking unintentionally synchronized. We have plenty of sponsorship opportunities coming up if you’re interested.👀👀

Who wore it best?

06/02/2026

June with JES has officially started!⭐️

Dr. Ken Louie kicked us off in Fairview last night with a look at “The State of Erie’s Economy: The Region’s Path to Prosperity.” Dr. Louie was able to show Erie’s modest growth while comparing it to state and national when it comes to income and employment trends.

We have a whole month of events at our satellite locations left to go! Be sure to catch Dr. Louie in Harborcreek on Wednesday as he discusses, “Inflation and Its Impact on Real Earnings.”

Head over to our website for a full list of locations, speakers, and events that we have lined up for June with JES! We’re learning all over Erie County this month: jeserie.org/events

06/01/2026

What is the current state of the Erie, Pennsylvania, economy as it continues down the path of economic revitalization? How does Erie's economic performance compare to that of Pennsylvania and the nation as a whole? Is Erie keeping up or falling behind along various economic dimensions? Dr. Kenneth Louie, director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie at Penn State Behrend, will explain some of the most important current and historical trends in the Erie economy that have helped to shape the ongoing quest for greater prosperity in our community.

05/30/2026

Our garden is growing and so is the Legacy Walk.🌿

As the Lincoln Family Gardens begin to take shape, more names are being added to the path that will define this space for generations.

Each brick is a story. A family. A belief in what Erie can continue to become.

Spaces are limited!

Reserve your brick now and be part of a place rooted in community, conversation, and growth. jeserie.org/lincolnfamilygardens

05/29/2026

Join us in congratulating our USA 250 Great America Trivia Challenge GRAND PRIZE winner, Kathy Sahlmann!🎉

Thank you to all who participated in the Trivia Challenge, from everyone who took the qualifying tests, to our nine contestants, and our live audience members, you all made this such an engaging experience. And a special thank you to our friends of The Civil War Roundtable, who put in many hours of work to bring this all together.

While we will take a short break for events at JES, be sure to join us at our satellite locations throughout Erie County during the month of June! For a complete list of events, speakers, and locations, head over to our website to get signed up: jeserie.org/events

05/28/2026

Join us for an important and timely conversation on justice, rehabilitation, and the evolving landscape of sentencing for juvenile offenders. In this program, Mr. Johnson—an Erie native with decades of leadership in probation, reentry, and community corrections—will explore the challenges and opportunities surrounding second chances for individuals sentenced to life as juveniles.

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience across Erie County, Allegheny County, and the U.S. District Court for Western Pennsylvania, Mr. Johnson brings a deeply informed perspective on the intersection of public safety, accountability, and redemption. As former Chief Probation Officer and a national award recipient for leadership, he has pioneered innovative approaches to reentry, including workforce development programs and the integration of formerly incarcerated individuals into support roles.

This discussion will examine the legal, social, and human dimensions of juvenile life sentencing, highlighting pathways for reform and the critical role of second chances in strengthening individuals, families, and communities.

05/28/2026

What does justice look like when we consider growth, change, and redemption?

Join us tonight at Erie Center for Arts & Technology for this thought-provoking and deeply human conversation that explores second chances for juvenile lifers and the broader implications for our justice system.

Register online: jeserie.org/events/details/second-chances-for-juvenile-lifers-in-the-prison-population