Midas has generously partnered with the Sojourner House for fundraising! For a donation of just $20 you will receive a card with two coupons: one “free” and “half-off” a second regular oil change –or– you can redeem the coupons for $20 and $15 off any service. Most Pittsburgh area Midas locations are participating. Please see the coupon for all the details of this special offer. 100% of your $20 donation through the Midas fundraiser supports the mission of Sojourner House. Plus through the end of this year the FISA Foundation will match your contribution dollar-for-dollar! Act now and your $20 will double to $40 which could provide the children at Sojourner House with snow boots and supplies for extra-curricular school activities! YOU can HELP! To buy or sell the Midas coupons, … [Read more...] about Midas Fundraiser to Support Sojourner House
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Sojourner House commemorated its 25th anniversary with a celebration dinner at the Mt. Washington LeMont Restaurant on Thursday, October 6th honoring the Sojourner House founders, past and present board members, staff, and women in recovery. The event was sponsored by the LeMont, Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, and Anna and Ed Dunlap. The program, emceed by Cori Parise, included remarks from Dana Gold, Founding Executive Director; Dr. Norma Raiff, Former Executive Director; and Joann Cyganovich, Current Executive Director. There was also the debut of our 25th Anniversary Video, which provides accounts from our founders, past residents as well as former and current staff. The recovery work of the women, and the long-term committed care of staff and volunteers was recognized. JoAnn … [Read more...] about Sojourner House Celebrates its 25th Anniversary
You can now watch and share Sojourner House's 25th anniversary film, "Fight Song." Set to Rachel Platten's song by the same name, the video debuted at the 12th Annual Victorian Tea. Carolyn Klasnick Brooks of Post Script Productions filmed and produced the film. The video features founding board member Peggy Reding and staff member JoAnn English, who opened the doors to Sojourner House in 1991 and have remained centrally involved for 25 years. Sojourner House residents, volunteers, staff, and even children who grew up in the program in the 1990s participated in the filming, which took place over one day in February. Special thanks to Christina McLachlan, former Sojourner House staff member, who sparked the idea for this video! Please share this moving celebration of Sojourner House's … [Read more...] about Watch Now: “Fight Song” Video
A record-breaking 375 guests attended the 12th Annual Victorian Tea on April 10, raising over $60,000. The event was chaired by Christie Smith, Sojourner House board member and Sojourner House MOMS board treasurer. Special thanks to honorary co-chairs Pittsburgh City Councilman Dan Gilman and his wife Amanda Gilman. Kathy Slencak, Manager of Public Relations at CentiMark Corporation and CentiMark Foundation was this year's Pearl of Hope recipient. Brenda Waters, anchor and reporter for KDKA-TV, was the event emcee. The event featured a silent auction, basket raffle, and program that included live testimonials of Sojourner House and Sojourner House MOMS graduates. Guests were among a unique audience to view the debut of a new video, "Fight Song," set to pop-artist Rachel Platten's … [Read more...] about Thank you, Victorian Tea supporters!
In 1995, tucked away in an office no larger than most bathrooms, and just four years after the organization’s founding, Gloria Brown began her tenure with Sojourner House. Brown has been counting numbers her entire life. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Brown was what most would consider a “math wiz.” Originally studying to be a social work major, Brown always loved helping people. However, her skills in math led her to pursue a career in accounting. In 1972, Brown interned at an accounting firm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Shortly after her internship, she returned to Alabama to marry her husband of 43 years, and the couple moved to Pittsburgh to start a life together. In the early stages of her career of Sojourner House, Brown was responsible for entering client information … [Read more...] about Gloria Brown Retires
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