news and highlights

SUPPORT AVAILABLE FOR PARENTS LIVING IN RECOVERY

March 9, 2022 by Sharky Thomas

This article was originally published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

By Carol Pinto-Smith | February 22, 2022

Wesley Family Services in New Kensington will offer a seminar series, “Families in Recovery: Strengthening Connections One Day at a Time,” from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays March 2 through April 13 at the Pioneer Building, 1015 Fourth Ave.

The group is for parents and caregivers who are in recovery or experiencing issues with substance abuse. The class is for adults only and masks are required. Lunch will be served at noon.

To enroll, contact Samantha Maggio at 724-217-8306 or Samantha.maggio@wfspa.org.

Autism Community in Pittsburgh Supports One Another

December 19, 2021 by Sharky Thomas

This article was originally published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

by JEREMY REYNOLDS | December 19, 2021

A Homewood-based man, left, dressed as Santa Claus gifts Jamier Upshaw, 10, of Hill District and Rah’miere Smith, 8, of Hazlewood as Joseph Wachter, 2, and his mother Charlene Filsaime of West Mifflin, right, wait in the line at Urban Autism Connection’s first annual holiday dinner party at Calvin Hall, 221 Johnston Ave. in Hazlewood on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021. Families of children with autism gathered to share a meal, meet Santa Claus and peruse local vendors. 📷: Clare Sheedy / Post-Gazette

For many children, Christmastime means no school, relaxing with family, sweets and toys.

Care should be exercised, however, as certain toys are better suited for some children than others.

“Sensory toys are best for kids on the autism spectrum,” said Jamie Upshaw, founder of Pittsburgh’s Autism Urban Connections, an organization serving families with children on the spectrum.

“We try to focus on toys with different sounds, different feels, different lights — all of these things affect the kids in different ways, and we have to be really mindful about this when we’re passing out the toys,” she said.

Autism Urban Connections began as a support group in 2015 specifically focused on serving the African-American and minority communities due to a lack of resources, support and awareness of spectrum disorders. The earlier the diagnosis the better, as children who receive autism-appropriate support from a younger age are more likely to develop essential social skills.

“My son was almost 4 when we got a diagnosis,” Ms. Upshaw said. “I wanted to create something to help educate parents so a diagnosis doesn’t happen so late.”

Autism Urban Connections holds about three meetings a month in normal times — Ms. Upshaw estimated that before COVID-19 eight to 12 parents attended in person each meeting, although all meetings are currently virtual due to the pandemic — and offers families essential care packages as well as online and phone support.

Ms. Upshaw said the organization connects families with board-certified behavioral analysts for early diagnosis and intervention and then provides ongoing support and community.

The organization achieved nonprofit status in 2018 and partners with numerous organizations, ranging from UPMC and Highmark, to the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh, to Wesley Family Services, a behavioral health services organization. It also has worked with American Sign Language as well as Armament Tactical Solutions to provide basic self-defense training.

Looking ahead, Autism Urban Connections is changing its programming in January to offer a six-week program where cohorts of people learn about autism and early stages of child development.

“Even when I first started talking with Jamie, I didn’t have a formal diagnosis,” said Noelle Sirrs, a mother who regularly attends Autism Urban Connections meetings with her son, Aiden, who turned 7 this month. “But I could tell from some signs that this was something to look out for.”

Ms. Sirrs, who lives on the North Side, said she initially was told that Aiden likely just had a behavioral disorder.

“These meetings have been a great thing, from helping learn sign language to cooking skills with my son,” she said. “I try to go to at least two or three times a month.”

On Dec. 11, the organization held its first holiday party, providing coats, hats and gloves, and toys from the Toys for Tots program to kids in need and providing a dinner and photo with Santa Claus. Ms. Sirrs attended and picked up a toy for Aiden.

The drive for donations is ongoing, and readers can help out by giving to the Post-Gazette’s Goodfellows campaign, which has provided money for the Marines Corps Toys for Tots program program for 75 years.

Send a tax-deductible donation to Post-Gazette Goodfellows, Box 590, Pittsburgh, PA 15230, or donate online at post-gazette.com/goodfellows.

Jeremy Reynolds: jreynolds@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1634; Twitter: @Reynolds_PG. Mr. Reynolds’ work at the Post-Gazette is supported by a grant from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Getty Foundation and Rubin Institute.

First Published December 19, 2021, 6:15am

Sunday Fundae at Greensburg’s Lynch Field takes place of Ice Cream Blast

July 12, 2021 by Rob Anderson

This article was originally published in the Tribune-Review

by SHIRLEY MCMARLIN | Monday, July 12, 2021 12:01 p.m.

Young attendees enjoy Dairy Queen ice cream during the 2019 Ice Cream Blast at Kirk S. Nevin Arena at Lynch Field in Greensburg

Children will have a chance to make up for fun time lost during the pandemic at a Sunday Fundae event planned for noon-3 p.m. Sunday at Lynch Field, off New Alexandria Road in Greensburg.

Hosted by Wesley Family Services and the ParentWISE Program, along with City of Greensburg Recreation Department and Lynch Field Dairy Queen, the free event is being held in lieu of the annual Ice Cream Blast.

“In the interest of keeping our friends, families and guests safe, we felt strongly that we could not host an event that brought over 800 people together in the Kirk S. Nevin Arena,” said Julie Cawoski, Director of Family and Community Support Programs. “This is a reminder that we will be back.”

Sunday Fundae activities will be organized around a calendar theme, Cawoski said.

“The theme is, if we could redo 2020 again and let children experience each month as it should have been,” she said. “Each craft, activity or game will have to do with a holiday or event that takes place during that month.”

For example, she said, “Catholic Charities will have a fishing pool. Their month is April, and that’s when fishing season opens.”

Children will receive a card to check off each monthly activity. Completed cards will be entered into a drawing for a kids’ goodie basket.

Activities will be geared toward children ages 3-10.

Adults can enter a raffle for 12 other baskets, each with a monthly theme. There also will be a chance to win an Apple Watch donated by Sam’s Club.

Ice cream won’t be served on site, but each child will receive a coupon for a free DQ Sundae from Lynch Field Dairy Queen. Coupons will be redeemable through the end of September. Sam’s Club and Shop ‘N Save Route 66 will provide snacks, cookies and bottled water.

In addition to Catholic Charities, table sponsors include Wesley Family Services, Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, Early Learning Resource Center, Westmoreland County Arts & Heritage Festival, Westmoreland County Drug and Alcohol Commission and accessAbilities.

Lead Safe Westmoreland will be on-site to collect nonperishable food items for the Westmoreland County Food Bank.

The event will be held rain or shine, Cawoski said, unless heavy rain causes the low-lying field to flood.

For information, contact Cawoski at 724-217-8304 or julie.cawoski@wfspa.org, or visit wfspa.org.

Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley at 724-836-5750, smcmarlin@triblive.com or via Twitter.

Personality: Josh Taylor as a Member of Our Young Professionals Board

June 30, 2021 by Rob Anderson

Personality Profile of Josh Taylor originally posted on KDKA, June 2021

When the call came to fulfill a childhood dream, he just couldn’t say no.

Josh Taylor joined the KDKA Sports team in 2015 as an anchor, reporter, and producer, after spending more than two years as the weekend sports anchor at KHBS-KHOG in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

During his time there, Josh received two Associated Press awards for his work with the station’s coverage of Arkansas Razorback football.

Born in Pittsburgh and having grown up in the Hill District, in the shadow of the Civic Arena, Josh first fell in love with sports during his childhood years, having seen his first Penguins game at seven years old.

After graduating from Schenley High School, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Multimedia from Duquesne University.

Getting his first experience as a student journalist, Josh was an anchor, reporter, and producer for a DUQ-TV News special that won a Telly Award in 2008.

Josh has taken great pride in being a “Jack of all trades,” working on-air in television and radio and having been a co-author for six books – each of them about Pittsburgh sports.

In 2017, he began to carve out a small niche for himself as the host of the “Sunday Morning Grind” on KDKA-FM, 93.7 “The Fan”. He has also added announcing local sports to his repertoire, doing play-by-play and color commentary for Duquesne men’s and women’s basketball games and high school football.

In 2017, Josh was added to the Duquesne Journalism and Multimedia Department’s “Wall of Fame,” and was also honored as one of the New Pittsburgh Courier’s “Men of Excellence.”

He also began to find his bearings as a public speaker and emcee, co-hosting the Courier’s Vann Media Awards Banquet with KDKA’s own Mikey Hood and presenting at the City League Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2018.

In his spare time, Josh has become increasingly involved in community outreach and volunteer work, hosting and speaking at events for various organizations. He has been a member of the Young Professionals Board for Wesley Family Services since 2018, and has also worked closely with the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. In 2019, Josh hosted WPSD’s “An Evening in Edgewood,” helping them raise funds for their on-campus Children’s Center. He has also participated in “Dancing With the Pittsburgh Superstars” as both a dancer and emcee and also hosts the annual “Dancing With the Dukes” event at Duquesne to support his brothers of Gamma Phi Fraternity.

Josh and his wife, Priscilla, reside in Pittsburgh with their son, Nathan. In his spare time, Josh may be found on the diamond playing either 38-and-over baseball or softball, watching one of his favorite pastimes, professional wrestling – whether live in person or on TV, or loaded up with his family in their SUV on the road somewhere.

VITALS
Joined KDKA: April 2015
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa., The Hill District
Alma Mater: Duquesne University

FAVORITES
Music: That’s a wide range, anything from Motown classics, 70s soul and classical to 90s and 2000s hip hop (the golden age of the genre, no exceptions!) and R&B!

Movie: ” It’s hard to pick just one. To name a few: “Fences”, “The Ten Commandments”, “Tombstone”, and anything from “Star Wars” or the Marvel cinematic universe.

TV Show: I’m probably one of the biggest fans of “The Wire” and “Supernatural” you’ll ever find, but you’ll most likely find me watching “Law and Order: SVU”, “Queen of the South” or any live pro wrestling show (WWE, NXT, AEW, Impact).

Book: “Moneyball”, “Feeding the Monster”, and almost anything written by John Grisham, James Patterson and Christopher Moore.

Hobbies: Yoga, kickboxing, writing, and my all-time favorite… sleeping

Sports Team: Many Pittsburgh team, Duquesne Dukes, Los Angeles Lakers, and my adopted Arkansas Razorbacks – “Woo Pig Sooie!”

Food: I eat almost anything, but prefer authentic barbecue, sushi, wings or a good burger. I can also make a pretty impressive skillet of cheese eggs with pancakes.

Local Restaurant: Sushi Tomo, Thai Foon, Doce Taqueria, Piper’s Pub, and I’ll always have room for wings from Bigham Tavern.

Hidden PA Gem: Conneaut Lake. Easily the most underrated place to spend a weekend.

Sport/Exercise: Baseball, softball, and recently picked up golf.

Quote: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams; live the life you’ve imagined.” – Henry David Thoreau

Vacation Spot: Punta Cana, Jamaica

Guilty Pleasure: Peanut M&M’s

THIS OR THAT
Facebook or Twitter? Twitter
Cats or Dogs? Dogs, especially pitbulls
Beatles or Rolling Stones? Neither, Earth Wind & Fire
Comedy or Tearjerker? Comedy
Phone Call or Text Message? Text message
Mac or PC? PC
Coffee or Tea? Coffee, specifically Café Bustelo
Paper or Plastic? Paper
Morning Person or Night Person? Always been a night owl
East Coast or West Coast? East Coast

Follow Josh Taylor on Twitter.

Cal U. to offer tuition discounts to employees of corporate sponsors

April 27, 2021 by Rob Anderson

This article was originally published in the Observer-Reporter.

Staff Report | April 27, 2021

Photo: California University of Pennsylvania’s Old Main building (Observer-Reporter)

Washington Health System has joined four other corporate sponsors of California University of Pennsylvania offering their verified employees a 20% tuition discount.

UPMC, St. Clair Health, Wesley Family Services and Technogym have also joined the Cal U. Educational Alliance as initial members, the university announced Monday.

These students also will receive personal attention from Cal U. staff from application through graduation.

Employees of partner organizations can choose from a variety of career-focused certificates and nearly 200 associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, many of which are offered online.

New Kensington Downtown Partnership wants to build on city’s revitalization efforts

April 8, 2021 by Rob Anderson

This article was originally published by the Tribune Review

By Mary Ann Thomas

Thursday, April 8, 2021 6:15 p.m.

Small business owners and others huddle at Voodoo Brewery for the kick-off of the New Kensington Downtown Partnership on April 8, 2021.

Those involved with a new nonprofit in New Kensington say they want to build on the momentum of the city’s revitalization efforts.

“New Kensington is open for business,” said Doug Muetzel, a member of the New Kensington Downtown Partnership, which held an official kickoff celebration Thursday at the Voodoo Brewery.

The partnership is a nonprofit group of new and existing businesses, area nonprofits, residents and others bound together to grow and attract more businesses.

About 60 people attended Thursday’s event.

“Downtown is a wonderful mix of small businesses, large corporations, Penn State New Kensington, UPMC, and new businesses like an air filter manufacturer that recently announced it is bringing more than 100 jobs,” Mayor Tom Guzzo said.

Alabama-based Filterbuy is leasing production and distribution space in New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park in neighboring Arnold.

Even during the pandemic as businesses closed across the region, New Kensington continued to gain businesses, Guzzo noted.

Guzzo said the city offers safety and security and a new police training center.

“The police are accessible, on the ball and well-trained,” he said.

Dave McGuire, 52, of New Kensington said he moved to Western Pennsylvania from Florida about a decade ago. He and his fiancee, Autumn Walker, settled in New Kensington.

“This is a good thing,” he said of Thursday’s meeting while mixing with other business owners at the Voodoo Brewery.

He owns the New Kensington-based McGuire Scientific Services LLC, which designs circuit boards for laboratory instrumentation.

“Pittsburgh is the new Silicon Valley,” he said. But you don’t have to be in Pittsburgh proper to be part of the scene, he said.

When McGuire and Walker, who owns a soap business, BoHo Bath & Bubbles, first arrived in New Kensington, he said it “had artsy, smart people who were well-hidden.”

But no more.

McGuire points to the Voodoo Brewery as a hub of activity attracting a slew of professionals, artisans and community-minded people.

“We run different businesses and now we know we are not doing it alone,” he said. “This energizes us and it makes us better.”

Mary Ann Thomas is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Mary at 724-226-4691, mthomas@triblive.com or via Twitter .