Liz Wasel is Sojourner House’s Childcare Development Specialist and Volunteer Coordinator. When she came to the organization nearly 11 years ago, her first project was to bring structured programming like story and circle time to the children’s services. She soon added “Volunteer Coordinator” to her job duties. In these positions, she witnesses changes in people every day. She marvels at the changes that she sees in families during their time in the program. “Over 6 months, there is a huge change in the child’s growth, personality, cognitive abilities and even their size! But even more impressive is the change in their mothers. You see a mother leave after 6 months with self-esteem and pride.” She not only sees changes in the families she works with, but also the … [Read more...] about Liz Wasel has a front row seat to changes in families and volunteers
Programs
After nearly 12 years as the Executive Director of Sojourner House, Joann Cyganovich is retiring and moving onto the next adventure. But during her time with the organization, she has helped to usher in some dramatic changes and major steps forward for the organization and their goals of helping mothers struggling with addiction to get the help that they need without having to worry about losing their kids. All of this experience has given tremendous perspective to Cyganovich, and we asked her to share some words of wisdom, both from her time at Sojourner House, and looking forward to the future of the organization. What makes our organization so important both today and for the future of our city and region? “There is no such thing as recovery housing or halfway housing for … [Read more...] about Parting Words of Wisdom from Outgoing Executive Director Joann Cyganovich
After nearly 12 years at the helm of Sojourner House, Executive Director Joann Cyganovich will retire on June 30. Sojourner House has experienced a stellar past decade-plus of growth, and an increasingly well-regarded reputation. Much of that can be attributed to Joann. Highlights of her tenure at Sojourner House include, but certainly aren't limited to: Spearheading the creation of MOMS Green. MOMS Green -- located between Hays and Black streets in East Liberty -- a play park and garden for the MOMS neighborhood created in 2010. The 18-month project transformed two blighted vacant lots into a safe, landscaped play space and garden area for Sojourner House MOMS families and the entire neighborhood to enjoy. Overseeing Sojourner House's 2012 acquisition and rehabilitation of … [Read more...] about Sojourner House Executive Director to Retire
The Pennsylvania Treatment Alliance is a recently formed collaboration between three organizations focused on combating the opioid epidemic in Western Pennsylvania, with a specific emphasis on treatment for women and families. The Alliance is a combined effort between Sojourner House, which provides compassionate, faith-based addiction recovery services to women and their children; Family Links, an organization committed to building healthy communities by strengthening individuals and families through provision of comprehensive, quality services in matters including addiction; and POWER, whose mission is to help women reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction and to reduce the incidence of addiction in future generations. The trio of organizations has been working together for … [Read more...] about Sojourner House, Family Links and POWER Join Forces to form Pennsylvania Treatment Alliance, Combating The Opioid Epidemic
Since 2012, MFA program candidates from Chatham University have consistently visited Sojourner House residents every Thursday during Fall and Spring semesters. The purpose: to help our women use the written word to help them cope with their respective journeys to recovery. This past semester of the Words Without Walls writing program proved to be another semester for our residents to bring self-awareness, vulnerability and talent, not to mention compassion for each other in an open-hearted environment. Resident Kari Childs graciously shared the work to be published not only in the booklet published at the end of each semester, but also on Sojourner House’s blog: “A Stand” Look at her she chose to just leave. She preferred to be with a man that beats her. Shame & Guilt … [Read more...] about “Words without Walls” collaboration with Chatham University
Please check out our new video! This video had its debut at the 14th Annual Victorian Tea. Sojourner House opened its doors to Chatham University's Words Without Walls program in 2012. During Words Without Walls, MFA students visit Sojourner House each week to teach creative writing. At the end of each semester, our residents present their work to the public during readings at local art galleries. Please watch the video to hear excerpts from the most recent Words Without Walls poetry reading. … [Read more...] about Words Without Walls Poetry Reading Video