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Our Mission: Offering compassionate, faith-based recovery services to mothers and their children.
September 2019 e-News
Sojourner House MOMS Summer Camp Recap
The Sojourner House MOMS summer camps are a vital and fun aspect of the Sojourner House mission to support mothers and their children transition to a healthy and substance-free life. This summer - just like every summer - children, ages 5-10, of Sojourner House MOMS clients were given an opportunity to learn and grow while enjoying all that summer in Pittsburgh has to offer. The 4-day camp was offered July through August. Every day, the children participated in academic programs, physical activity, artistic project and then cap off the week with a weekly field trip. 

Sponsored by the Homeless Children’s Education Fund (HCEF) , the summer camp was staffed by community volunteers and teachers from the Pittsburgh Public Schools .

Favorite activities of the campers were trips to the Pittsburgh Zoo and the Carnegie Science Center, cooling off at the spray park, and creating masterpieces with the Citiparks Roving Art Cart .
Campers making artwork at the Roving Art Cart.
MOMS Summer Camp focuses on academics to ensure that the kids avoid the “summer slide,” a slip in academic skills during the summer months.
Campers display their artwork and share photos during the Summer Camp Finale.
Summer Camp is also about playing and having fun!
Shadyside Presbyterian Church's
26th Annual Strawberry Festival
Sojourner House residents enjoyed a lovely summer evening (not to mention sweet and tasty!) at the the 26th Annual Strawberry Festival at Shadyside Presbyterian Church, on June 7. All proceeds from the yearly event go to Sojourner, and provide valuable support of day-to-day essentials for the women in the treatment program. 
Ann Brooks, Sojourner House volunteer and creator of the Strawberry Festival
Sojourner House has been the beneficiary of this annual summer celebration for many years. Volunteer and creator of the festival Ann Brooks first experienced strawberry socials in England, as a teaching and exchange student. She knew that other local churches had festivals and thought it would be a perfect way for the Shadyside Presbyterian Church community to have some fellowship, enjoy their beautiful lawn and give back to the community.
Joann Cyganovich, former Sojourner House Executive Director, with her granddaughter, and Victoria Wellstead at the Strawberry Festival.
The Strawberry Festival always fills the lawn of Shadyside Presbyterian Church.
The 29th Annual Negley Community Day
Sojourner House MOMS hosted the 29th Annual Negley Place Community Day on July 14 ... a beautiful day for a picnic! The potluck event - created as a way for neighbors to know each other - featured yummy summer treats prepared by grill master, Gary Cirrincione. Gary is a long-time board member of MOMS, as well as a Hays Street neighbor who serves as Negley Place representative on the MOMS board of directors.
Attendees pictured with Amy Rush Scafuri's Art Car.
Dr. Staci Flint, MOMS board president; and Susan Orr, Sojourner House interim executive director; were among those who attended.
Gary Cirrincione, MOMS board member and Negley Community Day coordinator, grilled hot dogs and hamburgers at the event.
The event featured a live Jazz performance.
Point Park University’s Honors Student Organization supporting Sojourner House
At the beginning of each academic year, Point Park University’s prestigious Honors Student Organization chooses a local nonprofit organization as its Donation Drive recipient. Much to our delight, this year's recipient was Sojourner House. Approximately 120 students brought their donations to the organization's Aug. 19 Welcome Dinner. The huge amount of donations included cleaning supplies, toiletries, hygiene products, paper towels, and other household supplies.
Approximately 120 Point Park University Honors Organization students supported Sojourner House at this year's Welcome Dinner.
Sojourner's Annual Sister to Sister Picnic
Every August, the families and staff of Sojourner House and Sojourner House MOMS get together for our annual Sister to Sister Picnic in Highland Park. This year's Aug. 15 picnic began with a NA/AA meeting titled "Rituals" for the parents, while their children played on the jungle gym. After "Rituals," everyone enjoyed a homemade potluck lunch, which included hot dogs, hamburgers, lots of pasta salad, with cookies and pastries for dessert. Families enjoyed cooling off at the pool after lunch, which was much-needed on this hot summer day.
Sojourner and MOMS families standing in the food line.
Staff and residents of Sojourner House and MOMS enjoyed a homemade potluck lunch at the picnic.
Sojourner staff serving lunch: Chastity Everett, Family Support Specialist; Liz Wasel, Volunteer Coordinator & Child Care Specialist; and Marla James, Program Assistant.
Overdose Awareness Day
The 5th Annual Overdose Awareness Day took place on Aug. 30 at Trinity Cathedral to remember those who have lost their lives to the disease of addiction. The event brings awareness to overdoses and how to reduce them.

The event started with the toll of the cathedral bells for each person who died from an overdose last year in Allegheny County. There were readings by Rabbi Aaron Bisno, Rodef Shalom Congregation, Fr. Michael Decewicz, Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, and Imam Hamza Perez, Light of the Age Mosque & Islamic Center of Pittsburgh . The Rev. Jennifer Peters McCurry of the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church led a moment of silence for the deceased. There was a 1st Responder Blessing led by The Rev. Tom Hall of the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh , followed by speakers from the Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS , Ronald Romano and Amera Gilchrist, and Jeff Tremel, from the Paramedic Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS. Karen Plavan from CLEAR led a prayer for the families, followed by a parent speaker, Jim Morsillo and two recovery speakers. The Rev. Canon Dr. Jay Geisler, of CLEAR and the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh led a blessing for those in recovery and suffering.
Many gathered at Trinity Cathedral for Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 30.
The purple plaque says: "The Pittsburgh area has lost over 5,000 young lives to the overdose crisis. This photo presentation only represents 4% of them."
The Rev. Liddy Barlow, Executive Minister of Christian Associates of Southwest PA , leading the event's closing blessing.
Pittsburgh Recovery Walk Recap
It was a great day for the Pittsburgh Recovery Walk on Saturday, Sept. 14! With an estimated 2,500 participants - including Sojourner residents and staff! - this year had the most walkers ever. The mile-long walk included a loop through the Strip District and along the Allegheny River. Dozens of local organizations also hosted resource tables. It was a wonderful celebration of recovery.
Participants pictured with the Recovery Walk banner with the Strip District in the background.
L-R: Susan Orr, Meghan Briggs, Liz Wasel, & Erin Ramsey, seated at the Sojourner House table at the Recovery Walk.
There was an estimated 2,500 participants this year!
Just one example of the many motivational signs.
Pittsburgh Recovery Walk balloon.
Employment Opportunities
Want to be a part of a dedicated and hard working team? Are you passionate about helping families, women and their children?

Sojourner House is searching for a Life Skills Specialist , and Sojourner House MOMS is looking for a Family Support Specialist . All interested candidates, please click the button below for more information.