Fall Newsletter: Moving Towards a Brighter Tomorrow

When I come to work in the morning, I have a sense of pride when I see the bright faces of our kids eagerly awaiting the school bus with their mothers. For many of these children, these simple moments are nothing short of miraculous. For what is often the first time, each child has their mothers seeing them off to school, and she is clean and sober!

Many, if not most, of the kids who come to Sojourner House have endured tremendous upheaval in their young lives, including parental abandonment, abuse and neglect, multiple foster care homes and school experiences. Yet, their resiliency continutes to amaze me.

 

While we work hard to create an environment that promotes healing for our children and their mothers, we are not alone in this effort, and are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from the Pittsburgh community. Sometimes an act of kindness may be simple, like a helping hand with a tough homework assignment or a quick game of checkers. These simple acts mean so much to a child who has experienced suffering beyond their years.

 

We are particularly grateful to the Homeless Children's Education Fund, which donated backpacks loaded with new school supplies for our kids. And thanks to volunteer, Ann Brooks, the children had new clothes to wear - even "hoodies" to keep warm on cool mornings.

 

We appreciate the friends and supporters who help make our work possible. You teach our children that they are valuable, and sow the seeds for hope and a brighter tomorrow.

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

 

We would like to welcome the new board members and officers who began term this July!



 

Anne Crawford, an O’Hara Township resident, was elected Sojourner House Board President. A Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Medicare C&D Compliance Officer, Anne earned an MS in Human Resource Management from LaRoche College. She earned a BS in Nursing from University of Pittsburgh, and graduated from the Western Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing.

 



Patricia Pelino, an Irwin resident, was elected Sojourner House Board secretary. A Client Relationship Manager for Corporate Real Estate at BNY Mellon, Patty is a Duquesne University alumna.



 

LaMarcus Thurman, a Bellevue resident and native of Leesville, LA, was elected Sojourner House Board Treasurer. LaMarcus is District Manager for Fifth Third Bank. LaMarcus is an alumnus of Allegheny College.



 

Kristen Budris, Esq.,an Aliquippa resident, is Conflicts Analyst for the Office of General Counsel at K&L Gates. She earned her JD from Duquesne University School of Law and her BA from Duquesne University.



 

Judy A. Clark, a Wilkinsburg resident, is Chief Financial Officer at Family Medicine. She earned a bachelor of science degree from Point Park University 



 

Beatena Milliones Nance, an Observatory Hill resident, is Administrative Officer at Community Empowerment Association. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida A & M University.



 

Michele P. Sabo, J.D., LL.M., a Canonsburg resident, is an Associate Attorney for Elder Law Offices of Shields and Boris. She earned her BA from Allegheny College and St. Anne’s College, Oxford, her JD from Duquesne University, and an LL.M. in Taxation from Villanova University.



 

Christine White-Taylor, Ph.D., a Point Breeze resident, is a consultant/project manager. She earned her Ed.D. and master’s degree at Duquesne University. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Slippery Rock University.

 

 

 

Sojourner House MOMS is partnering with East Liberty Development, Inc. to lease five new two-bedroom apartments for mothers with only one child who have successfully completed a recovery program like that offered by Sojourner House. The apartments will be located in the East Liberty/ Highland Park area and will be within walking distance of MOMS Hays Street Program Center so that families can easily participate in after-school programs and activities.