“It can be argued that education and healthcare are the roots from which all progress grows.
In Pittsburgh, the 953 staff and clinicians behind non-profit Wesley Family Services and its more than 50 programs tend to a garden of about 20,000 people of all ages and needs a year, through therapeutic care and support services for those with mental health concerns, intellectual and developmental disabilities, seniors and those within the justice and foster care systems.”
Wesley Family Services Vice President of Research, Quality and Compliance Robin Kelly as well as Foundation board member Sandra Lewis were among the honorees for the 2023 New Pittsburgh Courier Women of Excellence Awards.
Some Wesley Family Services counselors have found a new space to offer transformational care in a school setting.
Recently, Cornell School District in Coraopolis introduced two wellness rooms for elementary and high school students to focus on mental health and after-effects of the pandemic.
READ MORE: The original story was posted on KDKA.
Every day, Christopher is dropped off at Wesley Family Services at 8 a.m. He hangs up his bookbag, puts away his lunchbox, and checks in with staff in the program area. Afterwards, he retreats to the sensory room for some time to himself, before turning his focus towards drawing and drafting comic strips for the rest of the day.
For Tricia, who is also a part of the Autism Workshop program, the day is entirely different. She takes her alone time in the early afternoon, but uses the morning to complete math and reading worksheets.
The Adult Day Autism Program launched in April 2022, after staff at Wesley recognized the need, in part, due to socialization challenges brought on during the pandemic. It is an extension of Wesley Family Services’ already-established Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) programming, which provides vocational training, job support and other educational resources.
Adult development training at Wesley’s IDD program relies on monthly curriculum. However, that curriculum is based on socialization, and those with autism may need alternative support systems.
The Adult Day Autism Program bridges that gap for those 18 and older with an autism diagnosis by adapting curriculum to individual’s fortes and interests. While the main program is often very active, the autism program allows for breaks throughout the day.
Utilizing the Healthy Relationships Curriculum, participants are taught a combination of communication and life skills. Activities range from building with blocks, to arts and crafts, to physical activity. There is a designated sensory room available at any point in the day to utilize calming techniques.
A unique facet of the Adult Day Autism Program is not just tailoring schedules to better support needs, but also providing space and development for individual goals.
“The program is structured to cater to each individual’s strengths, through activities like art or physical movement,” said IDD Day Program Manager Erin Rodriguez. “But we also recognize that every person may need something different, at different times of the day, to achieve their goals.”
The flexibility and individuality are, by design, a microcosm of Wesley Family Services care model, Quality Whole Person Care*. It is a concept that Vice President of Transition – Age and Adult Services Heather Duncan knows well.
“Here, we don’t think in terms of ‘one size fits all’,” she said. “Quality Whole Person Care paves the way for the development of programs like the Adult Day Autism Program to provide specialized care.”
And- just like the curriculum itself, the end goal is flexible – and different – for everyone. Participants will not “age out” of the program, but are welcome to stay until they choose a different path.
“For some people, the goal may be to continue in our in-house program,” said Rodriguez. “While others may want to transfer to the vocational program, pursue community involvement or volunteer opportunities. We can support them in that pursuit and transition, as well.”
> For more information, please go to https://www.wfspa.org and fill out the form on the “Contact” page.
This article originally appeared in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
In a world where the embrace of a caring community is more crucial than ever, the Foster Grandparent Program by Wesley Family Services helps create nurturing bonds for schoolchildren in southwestern Pennsylvania. Additionally, senior volunteer participants enjoy the opportunity to serve with purpose and devotion, guiding students toward a brighter future.
Conceived by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, the Foster Grandparent Program emerged as a platform to bridge the wisdom and warmth of elder citizens with the needs of the community. As an integral part of AmeriCorps Seniors, this program extends across six counties: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene and Washington, all overseen by Wesley Family Services.
The magic of this program lies in its heartfelt pairings — a symphony of experience and innocence, where individuals aged 55 and above are matched with youngsters, from newborns to those blossoming into adulthood. With unwavering dedication, these volunteers provide a unique form of guidance, offering personalized attention that help support and fuel scholastic and personal growth. Program Director Rebecca Maletto-Cornell beautifully encapsulates this sentiment: “They become the extra eyes, the gentle hands, and the nurturing hearts that help a child become their truest and best self.”
The spectrum of assistance offered by these grandparent figures is as diverse as the children they embrace. From aiding with academic growth to imparting vital life skills, these volunteers carve pathways for holistic development. Through their patient guidance, they sow seeds of self-worth and a positive self-image, all the while cultivating connections that are frequently lacking.
Beneath the surface, the Foster Grandparent Program enriches the elder participants as well. Beyond the tangible stipends and material benefits, these volunteers find themselves transformed. As they watch the children they’ve nurtured flourish, they experience a rekindling their own vitality.
The heartwarming tales that emerge from the program bear testament to its enduring impact. With every story shared, it becomes evident that the Foster Grandparent Program extends beyond the classroom, enfolding participants, staff, teachers and volunteers alike into a tight-knit family. Bonds are forged, and relationships blossom, creating a supportive community where everyone thrives together.
Remarkably, the effects of this program ripple outwards, touching lives in ways unforeseen. Physical health improves, spirits lift, and feelings of isolation dissipate, as participants find solace in shared experiences and a united purpose. Maletto-Cornell reflects on the remarkable transformations she’s witnessed: “It’s not just the children who flourish within those walls. The volunteers find renewed purpose, and a profound sense of fulfillment uplifts the spirits of all involved.”
In the delicate tapestry woven by the Foster Grandparent Program, young hearts find unwavering support, older souls rediscover purpose, and the community flourishes with newfound connections. This heartwarming initiative stands as a testament to the timeless power of compassion and the enduring bonds between generations, fostering an atmosphere where love, growth and resilience intertwine.
To learn more about the remarkable AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program and discover ways to get involved, please reach out at 412-660-6841 or 412-660-7303. Further information is available at fostergrandparents.wfspa.org.
This article originally appeared on KDKA