15 Years of Opening Doors to Families in Crisis ... continued from home page
For 15 years, HEARTH has been opening doors to families in crisis. Striving to achieve our mission of providing a progression of supportive services and housing that empowers families to become independent, self-sufficient and adequately housed, changing the lives of 188 women and 350 children for the better. With the support of HEARTH, the women who go through the program at Benedictine Place enroll in educational or training programs guiding them to economic self-sufficiency, meet with a case manager weekly in order to set both short and long-term goals, and attend life-skill sessions focusing on communications, budgeting, parenting, stress management and problem solving.
Last year was a year of great change for HEARTH, when the agency went from serving 15 families to serving 32. In July, the first family from Benedictine Place entered the newly developed second step program - P.R.I.D.E. which stands for: Providing Residents the opportunity for Independence, Dignity, and Economic stability. P.R.I.D.E. is a permanent supportive housing program for women with a mental health or physical disability comprised of scattered site apartments throughout the community. Through this program, women leaving Benedictine Place who need long - term support can continue to receive it while taking additional steps to become independent. These participants are still required to work toward self-sufficiency and financial independence.
In November 2009, HEARTH at Benet Woods opened. Six duplexes, consisting of 11 units and a community room are located on Rodenbaugh Road in Ross Township. HEARTH at Benet Woods’ mission is to extend HEARTH’s continuum of care, by empowering working individuals and families of modest incomes to become engaged and invested in a local community through the development of permanent affordable rental housing.
None of these great accomplishments would have been possible without the overwhelming support of the people in our community. HEARTH is forever grateful for the generosity that allows this agency to provide for those in need. For the last 15 years and for the years to come in the future, Thank You.
HEARTH Associate Board Member and Reigning Miss Laurel Highlands, Whitney Kerr, Bringing Awareness to Homelessness
North Huntingdon native Whitney Kerr entered a pageant in November, hoping to promote a Ross Township-based charity. Now, she's preparing to compete for the title of Miss Pennsylvania. Read Article>>
2010 Linen Shower
HEARTH’s annual shower was held on Tuesday, May 18th with this year’s theme being “linens”. More then 25 guests enjoyed games and a tour of Benedictine Place, piling the gift table high with laundry baskets containing pillows, mattress pads, comforters, and more! More than 50 groups and individuals participated in the shower this year.
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Welcome Shannon Miller - HEARTH’s New Direct Services Coordinator
HEARTH would like to welcome Shannon Miller, our new Direct Services Coordinator. Shannon has a BA in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. She has also advocated on behalf of victims of domestic violence through her position the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. In her spare time Shannon likes to travel and take road trips.
You Only Have One Birthday Each Year - Why Not Have an Un-Birthday Too
Since 2002, the Norwin Show Choir from Norwin High School has put on an “Un-Birthday”Party for the families of Benedictine Place. Various activity centers are set up including face painting, coloring, and making your own visor. This year, the Luau theme boded to a limbo station too. Each family that came to the “Un-Birthday” party received a lei, sun glasses and a tie dye t-shirt.
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And what would a birthday party be without presents and party favors? All the children were handed a party favor bag filled with candy (all sea critter themed), a Hawaiian pendant necklace, and a beach bucket.
Easter Baskets Bring Joy to Children of Benedictine Place and PRIDE
Every year the “Soul Sisters” of Christ Episcopal Church facilitate the efforts of gathering items and goodies for Easter baskets. The “Soul Sisters” put together beautiful, overflowing baskets for the children of Benedictine Place. This year they added the families of P.R.I.D.E. Tracey Rearick came to HEARTH Wednesday, March 31, to drop off the baskets. In addition to the Easter baskets, the group created small gifts for the mothers in the two programs. The older children of Benedictine Place and P.R.I.D.E. received age appropriate gift cards instead of Easter baskets. The lavish baskets and other gifts were a fantastic treat for the families of HEARTH. HEARTH would like to thank the “Soul Sisters” and Christ Episcopal Church for their continued support to the agency.
Mother's Day made better for Benedictine Place moms by Parkvale Savings Bank
Parkvale Bank set out to find something they could do specifically for the mothers at Benedictine Place and PRIDE...and that they did. For the past couple of years, they have created Mother’s Day Baskets for program particip
ants. Each Parkvale Bank branch creates the baskets and fills them with a variety of different items ranging from toiletries to sweets to relaxation treats like lotions and candles. Alisa Reynolds, one of the Parkvale Bank branch managers, brought the baskets to Benedictine Place for distribution. HEARTH would like to thank Parkvale Bank for their continued generosity and support. Happy Mother’s Day!
In February, the Northland Public Library in partnership with the Picture People, collected children’s books for HEARTH. When customers brought books in to the Ross Park Mall location, they received two free portrait sheets. Susan Claus of Northland Public Library brought the books in on Wednesday, March 31, for the children at Benedictine Place. The Picture People successfully collected 24 books. We would like to thank the Picture People and the Northland Public Library for their unique idea and their assistance to HEARTH. **The first attached photo is of Susan Claus of Northland Public Library. The second photo is of the “Soul Sisters” for the Easter Basket article.**