Celebrating Community and Connection in Recovery At Sojourner House and Sojourner House MOMS, community and sisterhood are everything. These values shone brightly at our recent Sista to Sista Picnic. Mothers and children came together to celebrate their recovery journeys, build connections, and strengthen the bonds that help them heal. A Day of Joy, Connection, and Empowerment On a warm summer day, our families gathered for an afternoon of fun, relaxation, and connection. The Sista-to-Sista Picnic was more than just a casual event; it celebrated the strength, resilience, and unity that drives recovery. Children enjoyed frozen T-shirts, water balloons and playful games. Meanwhile, mothers engaged in group activities and shared heartfelt conversations. The air was filled with … [Read more...] about Sista to Sista Picnic: A Sojourner House Tradition
Children
As our fiscal year comes to an end, it's the perfect time to reflect on the inspiring stories and events that have shaped our journey. From community-driven campaigns to heartfelt events, each initiative has brought us closer to our mission: helping mothers, children, and families facing substance use disorder and homelessness find a brighter future. Here are some of the highlights from this memorable year. Giving Tuesday Impact Campaign Stories Our Giving Tuesday Impact Campaign was a tremendous success, thanks to the unwavering support of our community. The inspiring stories we shared showcased the strength, empathy, and hope mothers and their children find at Sojourner House and Sojourner House MOMS. For Vanessa, Sam, and Nishauna, our programs have been … [Read more...] about Inspiring Stories and Impactful Moments: A Year in Review
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry has revealed a sad and shocking fact: 321,566 children lost a parent to a drug overdose between 2011 and 2021. This shows just how much substance use disorders are hurting families across the United States. Key Findings The Need for Holistic Care These findings highlight the urgent need for a more complete approach to helping people with substance use problems. Programs need to support not just individuals but also their families “These heartbreaking statistics show the importance of programs that support recovery for the whole family. Holistic, compassionate care for parents and their children helps prevent overdoses and saves lives.”De’netta Benjamin Miller, Executive Director of Sojourner House and Sojourner House MOMS, … [Read more...] about The Hidden Impact of the Opioid Crisis: Children Left Behind
Every day Sojourner House’s team works to help mothers and their families make significant steps towards a better, substance-free life. Treatment and supportive services are a major part of recovery, but it’s only a single piece of the solution offered by our team. This month, we’re focusing on the things that help the children of Sojourner House grow. Supporting Children at Sojourner House Our philosophy is family-focused, and in line with this philosophy, we offer services specifically designed to benefit the children of those in recovery. Research shows that children of substance-abusing parents often suffer silently as their parents struggle with their illness. They’re likely to miss school, fall behind on their education, or develop abandonment issues and attachment disorders … [Read more...] about Partners Help Sojourner House’s Families Go Back To School
Cydney Anderson has been the Child Care Specialist for the families of Sojourner House since 2018. She was studying elementary education at CCAC when she learned about the role, and she has been here ever since. While the moms of Sojourner House work and grow in their recovery journeys, Cydney and their kids have fun and grow, too. We recently sat down with Cydney to hear about her role in her own words: With about how many kids do you work? Right now I have about three. On average, I tend to have about six. At one time it was about 12 of all age groups, from age 1 up to 12 years old. In a room full of children there is no such thing as a typical day, but what does your day “normally” look like? So I get everyone in the [child care] room and we say our good mornings. And then I ask … [Read more...] about An Interview With Cydney Anderson
Updated: April 23, 2020 In response to COVID-19, all Sojourner House and Sojourner House MOMS non-direct care staff are working remotely until Friday, May 15. Sojourner House and Sojourner House MOMS are considered to be essential, life-sustaining services. Please know that our programs are operating and continuing to accept clients while our staff members practice universal precautions for screening and intake, via the Department of Health and CDC guidelines. Sojourner House continues to provide 24/7 services while residents follow Governor Wolf’s Stay-At-Home Order. At this time, we are not allowing visits from any outside providers. All groups and sessions for participants who do not show signs of illness are taking place in-house. We are still available to help those … [Read more...] about Sojourner House & Sojourner House MOMS Response to COVID-19