rit·u·al (noun) 1. A religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order. Seeing your drug dealer across the street; touching the bag of heroin he surreptitiously places in your palm; hearing the flick of the lighter as your finger rolls across the striker wheel; the bittersweet smell of tan powder cooking over a cheap metal spoon. The act of drug use is ritualistic in nature. The user participates in a specific series of actions, these actions often being the hardest habits to break. But the mothers of Sojourner House welcomed a new ritual into their lives, and left the old ones at the Sojourner House entrance. Sojourner House residents gather to observe rituals symbolizing their journey on the road to recovery. Led by … [Read more...] about Rites of Passage
Blue skies and sunshine greeted over 70 guests who gathered on May 6 to celebrate the grand opening of Sojourner House MOMS at Sankofa. Valerie McDonald-Roberts, Chief Urban Affairs Officer for Mayor Peduto's administration, cut the ribbon at the event, culminating three years of extensive planning and community support. Attendees included Joe Lagana and Bill Wolfe of the Homeless Children's Education Fund, Marge Petruska of The Heinz Endowments, Sylvia Fields of Eden Hall Foundation and numerous other community partners. Deputy Director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Reginald Young, and Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, Castor Binion, also attended. Additionally, Dr. Norma Raiff, founding executive director of Sojourner … [Read more...] about Sankofa Open House
Creating a new Mind and Body Group at Sojourner House, Program Assistant and Group Facilitator, Tara Irwin has partnered with the community to bring worthwhile experiences to the women in the program. In just the first few months of the group, residents have practiced guided meditation, visited a Himalayan Salt Cave and attended a T'ai Chi class at Still Mountain T'ai Chi and Chi Kung. Teacher Jesse Prentiss from Still Mountain donated an introductory course for the residents, in which the women were taught various slow movement postures that facilitated in full body stretching and relaxation. Mr. Prentiss also provided a basic lesson on the history of T'ai Chi. "T'ai Chi is an ancient form of exercise that blends physical movement with deep meditative breathing in order to boost … [Read more...] about Sojourner House Residents Learn the Art of T’ai Chi
A record-breaking 350 guests attended Sojourner House's 11th Annual Victorian Tea on April 19, which raised over $50,000. Taking place at Pittsburgh's Grand Hall at the Priory, the tea highlighted "Perspectives of Recovery," and featured live testimonials of a program graduate, her mother, her CYF caseworker and Sojourner House lifeskills worker. The event was chaired by board member Sarah Mayer, with honorary chair being Mary Anne Papale, Director of Community Affairs for Highmark. Carol Moore, volunteer and Dedicated, Energetic, Active and Respected member of Pittsburgh Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was honored as this year's Pearl of Hope recipient. Thanks to the support of presenting sponsor UPMC and UPMC Health Plan, platinum sponsors FedEx Ground and … [Read more...] about Thank You 2015 Victorian Tea Donors and Sponsors