We have good and bad news to share. Sojourner House’s Program Manager Dolores Mitchell, lovingly known as Ms. D, is retiring this month! With 22 years of service at Sojourner House, Dolores is someone we run to when we have a problem knowing she’s always happy to help. To celebrate her retirement, we chatted with Dolores to learn about her experiences and hear her advice. A Golden Heart for Human Services Dolores enjoys working with people and encouraging them to reach their potential. Before Sojourner House, Dolores worked with the Girl Scouts of the USA for many years. During her time with the Girl Scouts, she started a program to reach underserved girls and recruited leaders and troops. The moms of her scouts would volunteer to help, and a couple of the moms were dealing with … [Read more...] about Meet Dolores Mitchell
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We are excited to welcome Latresa Zak, MSW, to Sojourner House as our new Director of Clinical Services. Latresa has a deep passion for helping people in need. Through a conversation with Latresa, one is easily empowered by her words of compassion and moved by her work of assisting families in substance-use recovery. From Real Estate to Social Work Latresa worked in real estate prior to her study of and career in social work. An important reason inspired her career change. One of Latresa’s favorite uncles, the one who tied her hair up, watched cartoons with her, and walked her to school when she was little, was a drug user and later diagnosed with Schizophrenia. At the time, she didn’t know how to help him and could only look up services and answer his past-midnight calls trying to … [Read more...] about Meet Latresa Zak
By Lindsey Hayakawa Jan. 25, 2021 Self-care. Work-life balance. Effective coping strategies. Addressing harassment. All of these are crucial topics to discuss. And that they were, during “Women & Workplace Wellness,” a recent virtual panel discussion hosted by Ola Jackson, owner of Onyx Women Network (OWN). The candid discussion, sponsored by Highmark and Allegheny Health Network, took place on Dec. 29. “Our Women and Workplace Zoom event was so badly needed at this time. It turned out to be one of the most successful online events that we had. The response great,” said Jackson. One of the panel participants: Sojourner House’s very own Executive Director, De’netta Benjamin-Miller. “De'netta Benjamin-Miller brought so much insight to … [Read more...] about Sojourner House Executive Director took part in Women & Workplace Wellness panel discussion
By Katie Orr Sept. 30, 2020 Sojourner House friend Patty Jasko has spoken with Sojourner House and Sojourner House MOMS residents numerous times over the past several years, to share her story of addiction and recovery. Patty scheduled yet another visit - originally set for April - in February, before COVID-19 took hold of the world. But the Florida resident wasn’t going to let the pandemic prevent her from seeing, as she lovingly refers to Sojourner House residents, “my girls.” Via a Zoom meeting on June 18, Patty spoke to the residents about her own struggle with addiction and the ways in which she has overcome the battle. Now in recovery for almost 13 years, Patty started by admitting to the women that she “made a lot of mistakes that can’t be fixed,” but … [Read more...] about Long-time Sojourner House friend meets with residents via Zoom
Bynums Marketing & Communications, Inc. and BCC Ministries Go Virtual With the 2020 Pittsburgh Circle of Courage Awards; Event Celebrates 10 Years of Honoring Persons of Faith and Courage Bynums Marketing & Communications, Inc. and BCC Ministries are pleased to present the Tenth Annual Pittsburgh Circle of Courage Awards scheduled for Friday, August 21, 2020, at 6:45 p.m. In sensitivity to the COVID-19 epidemic, this will be a virtual event. Awardees selected for this honor include individuals from various industries who have demonstrated faith and courage in their chosen field. This year’s awardees include: Micheline Barkley BUSINESS Mike Logan SPORTS De’netta Benjamin-Miller, LCSW SOCIAL SERVICES Pastor Eric L. Ewell, Sr. RELIGION Marlin D. … [Read more...] about Sojourner House Executive Director, De’netta Benjamin-Miller, receiving Pittsburgh Circle of Courage Award during virtual event on Aug. 21
Dear Friends of Sojourner House, One of the first objects that our clients, staff, volunteers, and guests see upon entering our building is a photo of great African-American preacher Sojourner Truth. As many of you know, our 29-year-old organization was named after Sojourner Truth who was nothing short of a heroine and a role model for all generations that have followed. Truth was born into slavery, but escaped to freedom in 1826. She gave herself the name Sojourner Truth in 1843 after she became convinced that God had called her to leave the city and go into the countryside "testifying the hope that was in her." During the Civil War, Truth helped recruit Black troops for the Union Army. An electrifying public speaker, Sojourner Truth committed her life to being a … [Read more...] about A Message For Social Justice