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
This article originally appeared on the website for The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County
GREENSBURG, PA, JULY 13, 2023 – Eight Westmoreland County nonprofits providing direct human services support have received significant grants from the Human Services American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Program. The grants were announced by the Westmoreland County Commissioners and Westmoreland County Department of Human Services today and distributed through a partnership with The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County (CFWC).
“Today, we celebrate the power of collaboration and compassion,” said Westmoreland County Commissioner Chair Sean Kertes in announcing the ARPA grants. “The ARPA human service funding will enable us to address critical needs, from mental health services to homeless prevention and housing. By investing in our residents and their well-being, we are nurturing a thriving community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”
The awardees are:
According to Department of Human Services Director Robert Hamilton, the fact that there were 44 applicants for the ARPA human service funding underscores the great need in the community. “There is urgent demand for mental health support, crisis response, homelessness prevention, children and youth services, and workforce development. With this funding, we are equipped to address these pressing needs and make a significant impact in Westmoreland County. Together, we are committed to ensuring a brighter future for all our residents.”
Hamilton’s office also created this information graphic to illustrate how grants were distributed by category.
McCrae Martino, executive director of CFWC, which developed guidelines and a request for proposal, credits the County Commissioners and DHS for leadership in developing the partnership.
“The County Commissioners has a vision for how government and philanthropy could work together. They saw the tremendous needs in this community and recognized that CFWC would be able to create a grants process to distribute ARPA dollars into the community quickly to meet the greatest needs,” Martino said.
A committee of community leaders, Foundation staff and experts from the Department of Human Services evaluated applications and made recommendations to the county commissioners, who provided final review and approval.
“We are excited to announce that the ARPA human service funding will provide us with the resources to address critical needs in our community,” said Westmoreland County Commission Vice Chair Douglas Chew. “By focusing on mental health, crisis response, homelessness prevention, children and youth services, and workforce development, we are creating a comprehensive support system that will empower our residents to thrive. Together, we will shape a brighter future for Westmoreland County.”
In 2021, Westmoreland County was awarded $105.3 million in ARPA funds for local recovery efforts and to support families and businesses struggling with related public health and economic impacts. The County Commissioners allocated $3 million of those funds to the Department of Human Services for distribution. DHS coordinated with CFWC to create an application and funding process.
“We are honored to have the opportunity to allocate the ARPA human service funding towards making a real difference in Westmoreland County. Through this investment, we will strengthen our crisis response capabilities, enhance mental health support, and provide essential services for children, youth, and our workforce. Together, we will build a stronger, more resilient community,” said Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cirilli Thrasher.
Nonprofits will have until Dec. 31, 2024, to utilize the grants to expand service in the county, launch new programs to meet need or to fund innovations to existing programs.
NEW KENSINGTON, PA- Wesley Family Services is excited to announce that they have received a grant award from the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund (WPPSEF) to co-fund the installation of a solar panel array for their Pioneer location at 1045 4th Ave in New Kensington. Wesley Family Services provides a variety of behavioral health services, a drop-in center, and affordable housing to the community out of this location.
Completed in 2020, Wesley Family Services wanted to generate affordable housing for the community, create a new and sustainable set of offices for staff, and be a part of the economic development in New Kensington. Designed to be solar ready, Pioneer exemplifies Wesley Family Services commitment to energy conservation, as the building is both LEED Gold Certified and meets Passive House standards. Adding a solar array to Pioneer is the culmination of this project and will provide the building with a clean source of locally produced energy.
“We are thankful to have received the support of WPPSEF to help cover the cost and installation of these new solar panels. We not only believe in providing transformational care to those we treat but to the communities we support as well. This solar panel system will help our New Kensington location realize its initial vision of being energy independent and help the surrounding community,” said Doug Muetzel, CEO of Wesley Family Services.
“We applaud Wesley Family Services for building their Pioneer location to Passive House and LEED construction standards which will produce a more comfortable building and a building that has lower utility bills. Once the energy efficiency goals were met, WPPSEF provided some additional funding to support the installation of solar PV to produce on-site electric production. Wesley Family Services approach of addressing energy efficiency first followed by on-site electric production is the preferred pathway of building tomorrow’s building today”, said Joel Morrison, WPPSEF Fund Administrator.