Spring 2016

CENTERS FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
& BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES
A PUBLICATION OF MILESTONE CENTERS INC.
SPRING 2016
Dear Friends of Milestone,
D
espite two traumatic events in the past year,
Milestone Centers Inc. is poised to continue its
tradition of innovative programs and services to
persons with behavioral health and/or developmental
challenges.
We held fast throughout the Pennsylvania budget
impasse. When 60% of its income was cut off, Milestone
staff curtailed spending without compromising the
integrity of service for which it is known. Our staff
Greg Gendron
Gary Bell
went to great lengths, sometimes even paying for
things themselves and delaying personal expense
always drew crowds of clients who simply wanted to say
reimbursements for months, until the Legislature finally hello. Her relationship to them was personal and deeply
released funds in January.
committed.
Milestone endured the impasse without having to go into To Barb, we dedicate this newsletter and report to
debt, cut programs or lay off staff. Other nonprofits were benefactors for fiscal FY15, July 1, 2014 to June 30,
not so fortunate.
2015. Our success stories and our determination stem
from her vision for Milestone.
In the midst of this hardship, another trauma occurred.
Long-time CEO Barb Conniff died unexpectedly. She
Thank you to the foundations, individuals, businesses
held the top position for a quarter century and served for and organizations listed as benefactors. With your
10 years as a social worker at Milestone before becoming continued support, the vision stays alive.
CEO. Barb lived and breathed Milestone.
Sincerely,
To her credit, the agency grew geographically, expanded
programs and was at the forefront of advocating for
the rights of persons considered “disabled” by either
Gary Bell
Greg Gendron
behavioral health or developmental challenges. Barb
Interim CEO/CFO
Meet Shantae, p.2
Honor Roll of Benefactors, p.4-6
A Great Day, p.9
Financial Summary, p.3
Golf Outing, p.8
Admissions, p.11
President, Board of Directors
MilestonePA.org
Meet Shantae:
“I’m Happier Here at Milestone”
M I SS I ON S TATE MENT
To provide quality, life-enhancing
services that promote wellness and
the development of human potential
to persons with intellectual and
developmental disabilities and/or
behavioral health challenges.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers
Greg Gendron, President
Michael Laffey, Vice President
Joan Eichner, Secretary
Directors
Mary Catherine Conroy- Hayden
John Hackworth
Roslyn Hurwitz
B. Terrance Sullivan
Deborah Walrath
Ex-officio
Gary Bell, Interim CEO/CFO
About Gary Bell
Last fall, Milestone’s
Board of Directors
appointed Gary Bell,
46, to be the
I
t’s no secret that change and transition can be difficult. For a person with
an intellectual or developmental disability, change can be especially
daunting. But not for Milestone client Shantae.
Shantae works five days a week at
Milestone’s Prevocational Enterprise
Program in Monroeville. Her jobs
include folding materials for mailing
packets, fine motor skill training and
packaging sunglasses.
Vocational training offers production
services to the manufacturing
industry and affords clients the
opportunity to receive on-the-job
training as they participate in paid
work activities. The environment
promotes community employment
success, safety and professionalism.
Shantae’s previous supports
coordinator is impressed
with the positive initiatives
Milestone has implemented.
Said 23-year-old Shantae: “I’m happier here at Milestone than I was before.”
Before Milestone, “Shantae had difficulty thriving in social situations,”
explained Family Links’ Heather Uphold, her former supports coordinator.
Last spring, while helping find a new workshop for Shantae, Heather
recommended Milestone because of its proximity to Shantae’s home.
“The greatest blessing was the communication from the Milestone team,”
Heather recalled. “It’s amazing to see the growth in Shantae. I’ve observed
her at work and watching her focus on the task at hand is great.”
Milestone program specialist Erin Mazur added: “Shantae is a daily
role model. She takes an active role in helping her peers and has a great
work ethic.”
Continued on back cover
organization’s Interim
CEO. Bell has served as Milestone’s
CFO since 2005 and was its Director
of Finance from 1998 to 2005.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in
accounting and is married with
two children.
Milestone Centers’ newsletter is published twice annually, in the
spring and fall, with Milestone’s Report to Benefactors included each
spring. To comment on content, ask questions or remove your name
from the mailing list, contact Greg Jena at [email protected].
This publication is written by Gary Bell, Maureen Haggarty,
Greg Jena and Michael Uhrin.
Summary of Financial Performance
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIESFY14/15
AND NET ASSETS
REVENUES
State, Federal and County Funds
Medical Assistance
Insurance Fees
Program Service Fees
Grants and Contributions
Other Revenues Earned
TOTAL REVENUES
Net Assets Released
From Restriction
Unrestricted Temp. Restricted
$ 17,816,383
$
--
1,708,431
--
204,528
--
95,868 --
330,010 92,987
1,775,473 --
$ 21,930,693
$ 92,987
$
EXPENDITURES
Personnel Expenses
Operating Expenses
Administrative Expenses
Equipment & Fixed Asset Purchases
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
OTHER CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
Increase/decrease in net assets
Net assets at the beginning of year
Net assets at the end of year
369,620
$ 15,674,807
3,234,923 2,519,241 398,661 $ 21,827,632
$
$
$
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
ASSETS
Cash
Due From County/State Governments
Accounts Receivable (Net)
Other Current Assets
Land, Building and Fixed Assets (Net)
Client Cash and Savings Accounts
TOTAL ASSETS
472,681
3,889,161 4,361,842 Total
$ 17,816,383
1,708,431
204,528
95,868
422,997
1,775,473
$ 22,023,680
($ 369,620)
$
--
--
--
--
– ($ 276,633)
$ 361,849
$
85,216
-$ 15,674,807
3,234,923
2,519,241
398,661
$ 21,827,632
$
$
$
196,048
4,251,010
4,447,058
FY14/15
$ 1,489,881
2,706,614
310,176
393,602
2,501,405
216,561
$ 7,618,239
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
Liabilities
Accrued Salaries, Withholding, Taxes
Compensated Absences
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Current Portion of Long-term Debt
Other Current Liabilities
Amount Held for Clients
Long-term Debt
TOTAL LIABILITIES
612,893
641,691
344,764
108,293
2,049
216,561
1,244,930
$ 3,171,181
Unrestricted Net Assets
Temporarily Restricted
TOTAL NET ASSETS
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
$ 4,361,842
$
85,216
$ 4,447,058
$ 7,618,239
$
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3
July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015
Honor Roll of Benefactors
Dignity
$25,000 - $1,000,000
Edith L. Trees
Charitable Trust
Mary Hillman Jennings
Foundation
Compassion
$10,000 - $24,999
PNC Charitable Trust Grant
Review Committee
Loyal
$1,000 - $4,999
Apogee IT Services
Black Box Corporation
Malcolm Blount
Karen Caddick
Celtic Property &
Development
Citizens Bank
Clark Hill PLC
Barbara Conniff
DiPardo Baldacci &
Co., P.C.
First Niagara
Jacqueline and
Richard Graham
HealthSouth Rehabilitation
Hospital of Sewickley
HM Life Insurance
Company
Donald Kraus
Laffey & Associates
Eric Lindey
Mars National Bank
Qualifacts Systems Inc.
Redan Group
Patrick Sentner
Seubert &
Associates, Inc.
Deborah Walrath
Respectful
$500 - $999
Clayton Kendall, Inc.
Joanne Cook
Energy Savers, Inc.
Fidelity Charitable
Gift Fund
First Commonwealth
Bank
Fragasso Financial
Advisors
Guidance Center
Maureen Haggarty
Stella & William Hamiel
Jackson Lewis P.C.
Konica Minolta Business
Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
David Scott
South Hills Movers
M. Elizabeth Williams
Conscientious
$100 - $499
Judge Maurice Cohill
Gretchen Hart
Sue Swanson
Acri Realty
Amvets Post 60
Veterans
Robert and Rose Mary
Badstibner
Roseland Bainum
Gary Bell
Dorothy Bellhouse
Darryl Bergstrom
Dr. Edward Cheppa
Cochran Associates
Jean Comber
Mr. and Mrs. Neil Cook
Michael Dear
Stacey Dowden
Joan Eichner
Marlin Fedele
Ruth Greene
Guldin Group Inc.
Georgiann & Thomas
Hagerty
Roslyn Hurwitz
Lynn Janocha and
John Janocha
Keystone Environmental
Solutions, LLC
Kline, Keppel &
Koryak, P.C.
Mark Kljucaric
Christopher Laurenti
Gerald Lessmann
Elizabeth Lorenzo
Peggy Madeya
Sondra Manning
Kathleen Mataya
GeorgeAnne Muchnok
Rona Nesbit
Andrea Opat
Patrick T. Lanigan
Funeral Home, Inc.
Lori Patterson
Peak Security
Performance Associates
International, LLC
Barbara Rau
Harold & Carol
Reynolds
Ross Maintenance
James Rossini
Mark Scalise
Sons of Amvets
Squadron 60
Toyota of Greensburg
Michael Uhrin
Dr. Flora Van Cara
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Weil
Charles Wise
WS Vending
Setting the Standard: Milestone Health Care Quality Units (HCQUs) are staffed with experts who
provide wide-ranging training to professionals from other intellectual disability providers throughout
18 Western Pennsylvania counties. Based in Butler and Warren, PA, Milestone’s Health Care Quality
Units combined to provide training to more than 12,000 people in FY 2015.
4
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Ways to Contribute
A
s a nonprofit organization, Milestone
depends upon the generosity of
individuals, businesses, foundations
and organizations to meet the needs of clients.
Here are ways you can contribute:
• Play golf or just come for dinner at our
Golf Classic on Sept. 19 (see p.8);
• Remember an anniversary or the memory
of a loved one through our Donate Now
link at MilestonePA.org;
• Consider leaving Milestone as a beneficiary
in your will;
• Sponsor an event in your neighborhood,
church, or school or organization that
benefits Milestone;
• Select United Way Contributor Choice #123;
• Participate in our annual holiday appeal.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Mary Hillman Jennings
Foundation and contributions from benefactors, Milestone
transformed its training room in the Webb Building in
Wilkinsburg into a state-of-the-art classroom, complete with
new computers, monitors, updated software, a SmartTV,
projector and screen, desks and chairs. Above, staff attend
one of the first trainings in the newly converted space.
Contribute by postal mail to
600 Ross Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15221;
via credit card at MilestonePA.org;
or call 412-371-7391 (ext. 140 or 116).
Sincere
$10 - $99
Natalie Abel
Harold Adams
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence
Albensi
Donna Barr
Brian Belonzi
Best Buddies at Duquesne
University
Patricia Bihary
Weia Boelema
Lorraine Brewer
Linda Briggs
Lisa Brocious
Michael and Linda
Broniman
Dawn Cesaratto
Donna Creighton
Elsa DeLuca
Doris Depew
Esther Falk
Alan Fisher
Charlene and Linda
Franklin
Liz Greisinger
Nancy Hamilton
Susan Abraham
Hurowitz
Marie Inverso
Greg Jena
Daniel Kaib, Jr.
Lisa Keller
Mr. and Mrs. Edwin
Kojsza
Deborah Kramer
Lorraine Lagrotteria
Laura Lindey
Marilyn Llewellyn
Dwayne Matthews
Dallas and Kathleen
Maugle
Venda Millender
Alice Moon
Judy Moses
Michelle Moses
Mr. and Mrs. Joel
Osborne
Carole Popchock
Mahalingiah Prasad
Nick Radovich
Janet Repasi
Michael F. and Carol
Roebuck Hallock
Karen Rose
Melva Rowe
Cathy Scott
Richard Slowik
Brian Speakman
Peggy Spitler
Mary Ann Stickel
Thomas Swanson
Debora Thomas
Amy Tobolski
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph
Turak
Nkokota Vanda
Verona-Rosedale
Kiwanis
Sandy Weber
Ken Wood
Mildred Zewatsky
|
5
Gifts In-Kind
AlphaGraphics
Basket of Pittsburgh
Carnegie Science Center
Jennifer Cohill
ComDoc
Barb Conniff
Dad’s Pub & Grub
Terry Doughty
Karen Eckstein
Edgewood Country Club
Espresso a Mano
Grandview Golf Club
Maureen Haggarty
Highmark
Home Depot
James Vending, Inc.
Kards Unlimited
Lori Katluback
Keystone Health Club
Dr. Thomas Lah
Longue Vue Club
Lowe’s
Kathy Mataya
Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle
Office Depot
P & A Beer Distributor
Pepper’s Performance Eyeware
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
PrimeSource
Red Bull
David Reese
Sam’s Club
Seven Springs Mountain Resort
6
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Gifts in Honor & Memory of…
In Honor of Juanna Brewer
from Lorraine Brewer
In Honor of Maureen Haggarty
from Jacqueline Graham
In Honor of Mary Lou Joyce
from Sandy Weber
In Honor of Robert Lloyd
from Sharon Murphy
In Honor of Jeanine Moorer
from Ruth Greene
In Honor of Regis Rose
from Karen Rose
In Honor of Kevin Scrivo
from Lynn Janocha
In Memory of John Bihary
from Patricia Bihary
In Memory of Dale Anne DeLuca
from Elsa DeLuca
In Memory of Don & Betty
from Peggy Madeya
In Memory of Samantha Englert
from Best Buddies at Duquesne University
In Memory of Elliott Falk
from Esther Falk
In Memory of Donna Hagerty
from Mary Ann Stickel
In Memory of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Isenberg
from Peggy Spitler
In Memory of Wayne Kojsza
from Edwin Kojsza
In Memory of Barry Leff
from Roslyn Hurwitz
In Memory of Jeanne Manders
from Weia Boelema
In Memory of Andrew Schwab
from John Janocha
In Memory of Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Turak
from Joseph Turak
Unduplicated Number of Clients Served
Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities 398
19%
Behavioral Health
1657
81%
Unduplicated Number of Clients Served
TOTAL
2055
100%
Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities 398
19%
Behavioral Health
1657
81%
TOTAL
2055
100%
Gender
A Snapshot of Who Milestone Serves
Female 54%
Male 46%
Gender
Female 54%
Male 46%
Race
Caucasian 60%
African American 36%
Race
Asian 2% 60%
Caucasian
Other 2%
African
American 36%
Asian 2%
Other 2%
Age
1 – 17 years 15%
18 – 40 years 30%
Age
41– –17
64years
years15%
48%
1
65+– years
7% 30%
18
40 years
41 – 64 years 48%
65+ years 7%
County of Residence
Allegheny 97%
Westmoreland
2.5%
County
of Residence
Other .5% 97%
Allegheny
Westmoreland 2.5%
Other .5%
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Dear Friends,
E
very November Scott Douglass,
Director of Quality at
Milestone, dons his Santa hat
and begins to work on “his baby” –
a fundraiser that benefits children
of clients.
Maureen Haggarty, Ph.D.
There’s a story behind Scott’s
commitment to the Joy of Giving
campaign. He doesn’t want anyone to experience what he did as
a boy: waking up to find no presents under the tree.
“It’s not something you forget. Just one gift means a whole lot,”
said the 43-year-old employee who has been at Milestone for
13 years.
Scott’s helpers are Milestone’s employees. Together they
purchased or donated money to provide 75 gifts to distribute to
kids. Joy of Giving is a fulfilling project and one that is deeply
connected to Milestone’s value of compassionate service.
It’s the same value that you, our benefactors, also bestow to our
clients through your contributions – be they gifts in memory
of a loved one, in honor of an anniversary, in response to a mail
appeal, or because you like to golf!
Milestone’s Golf Classic last year – along with a generous
grant from PNC Charitable Trust Grant Review Committee
– purchased a 15-passenger van to transport clients with
behavioral health challenges. The staff and clients really
appreciate the safe rides to and from programs, to medical
appointments and wherever else they need to go.
Another grant, this one from Edith L. Trees Charitable
Trust, purchased a wheelchair-accessible van for clients with
developmental disabilities.
It takes a collective generosity – staff, families, friends,
businesses and foundations – to meet the needs of our clients.
All of us at Milestone deeply appreciate your current and
past support!
Sincerely,
Maureen Haggarty, Ph.D.
Chief Officer of Development & Communications
8
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Let’s Hit the
Links for a
Great Cause!
Save Sept. 19 for
the 2016 Milestone
Golf Classic!
M
ake plans today to be a part of
Milestone’s Annual Golf Classic
on Monday, Sept. 19, 2016, at
the Edgewood Country Club in Churchill.
This year’s outing is in memory of Barb
Conniff, Milestone’s beloved CEO who died
unexpectedly in October 2015. We will raise a
glass to her great legacy!
Proceeds will help Milestone purchase a
wheelchair-accessible van for clients with
developmental or intellectual disabilities. If
you don’t golf, please join us for a fabulous
dinner, the Awards Ceremony and great
auctions. There’s a lot to choose from!
Plenty of opportunities exist for sponsorships.
It’s a terrific way to treat your customers and
illustrate your values of supporting persons
with behavioral health or developmental
challenges.
Visit MilestonePA.org/support-us/golf-classic
to see all sponsorship levels or simply register
to play or attend dinner. Or, you can call
Milestone’s Development Office at
412-371-7391 (ext. 140 or 116).
We look forward to seeing you!
A Great Day: Holiday Open House
M
ilestone Centers’ Nelson Therapeutic Activity Center, Prevocational Enterprise Program and Yough Adventure
Program hosted their annual Holiday Open House on Dec. 11 at Milestone’s Monroeville location. Lots of
beautiful holiday crafts and yummy homemade goodies — all made by clients and staff — were available, with
proceeds benefiting client programs and services. Our clients also proudly welcomed visitors to tour their programs
and activity areas. Milestone says Thank You to all who attended and made this event a success!
Client Mike
welcomed
visitors to
Milestone’s
Prevocational
Enterprise
Program
Yough
Adventure
Program
clients show
off their
creations.
So much
from which
to choose!
Smiles were
free with
every
purchase!
Upcoming Events and Educational Opportunities
Older Adult Mental Health First Aid
Training
May 18-19, CCAC Boyce Campus
Youth Mental Health
First Aid Training
May 25-26, CCAC Boyce Campus
To reserve your space at these free
Mental Health First Aid trainings,
and for more information, contact
Jennifer Macioce at 412-473-8059.
Milestone Annual Golf Classic
Sept. 19, Edgewood Country Club, Churchill To register for and/or sponsor the event, visit
MilestonePA.org, or contact Michael Uhrin at
412-371-7391, ext. 140.
Observances:
April:
May:
September:
Sept. 5-11:
National
National
National
National
Autism Awareness Month
Mental Health Month
Recovery Month
Suicide Prevention Week
Milestone will be closed on the
following holidays:
May 30:
July 4:
Sept. 5:
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
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9
Thank you to Janet Kuhn, Milestone RN, for sharing this heartfelt reflection.
Janet expressed these thoughts after the recent death of a Milestone client.
One Employee Reflects
On Making a Difference
I
n training we receive as staff, and in
wellness training offered to clients,
there is emphasis on working
together and meeting people where
they are, whether they be fellow staff
or clients. This point was validated
for me recently when I learned of the
passing of one of our clients.
know me, but I sure remembered
him. This time, there was a vast
difference in behavior, grasp on
reality and grooming. He was in
recovery and doing well! “We are simply an
agency of people that
met James where he was
in his life.”
In 2011 when I first became
acquainted with James, he had hit
bottom. Alcohol use out of control,
mental health symptoms active. He
was in danger of being evicted, and
I continued to work with him
our first encounter was because he
as one of Milestone Health Care
was so debilitated and had suffered a
Home program’s participants. Each
bad second degree burn on his hand. encounter I had was pleasant. It
was apparent that not only was he
In the coming months, the
in recovery from substance use and
Milestone Service Coordination
his mental health issues were in
Team worked hard at finding James
remission, but he was also taking care
an appropriate treatment setting,
of his health. It was truly delightful
and during this effort, utilized every
to see the change and growth of this
resource. He was successfully placed
into treatment, and I did not see him kind and gentle man.
again for two or three years.
Sadly, he was hospitalized around
Christmas and passed away before
About a year ago I saw him in
New Year’s Day at the age of 58. In
the lobby at one of Milestone’s
the moment right after I read his
Wilkinsburg offices, waiting for his
death notice, I thought: “James is
Service Coordinator. He did not
The improved quality of life of
Milestone client James left a
lasting impression on staff.
one of our success stories. Treatment
does work.”
What made the difference for this
person (and for other people we
work with) is pretty simple: we work
together as a team and communicate
with each other. We are simply an
agency of people practicing different
disciplines that met James where
he was in his life, worked as a team
to get him what he needed and
communicated with each other
along the way. I am challenging myself this year to
be involved in many more success
stories. Not only does it help
those we work with become more
successful in all eight dimensions of
wellness (emotional, environmental,
financial, intellectual, occupational,
physical, social and spiritual), it also
improves their lives. For me, it has a
wonderful side effect of validating
my commitment to my job and
wanting to see it happen much
more often!
Our Milestone Facebook community continues to grow by leaps and bounds!
Get in on the conversation today, at Facebook.com/MilestonePA.
10
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Behind the Scenes: Milestone Admissions
R
ose Volpe of Mount Oliver
is planning ahead. Her 18
year-old son Nick, a student
at the Watson Education Center, is
looking forward to graduation in
2018. Nick has a rare congenital
disorder that causes intellectual and
physical disabilities. Though he may
be non-verbal and experiencing other
challenges, according to his mom he
“doesn’t sit still.” Nick loves to work
and he’s very social.
“Milestone offers two adult
training programs, a
prevocational program,
senior program and
an outdoor education
program. It’s about
finding the right fit.”
“One of the first things I ask is
for what type of program is the
caller looking,” said Laura Lindey,
Milestone’s Director of Admissions
and Program Development. “At
Milestone, we offer two adult
training programs, a prevocational
program, senior program and an
outdoor education program. It’s
about finding the right fit.”
Rose was referred to Milestone by
Lorie Turian, a Social Worker/
Transition Coordinator at Watson.
Lorie cited positive past experiences
other Watson students have had
at Milestone.
A typical admission – from first call
to start of service – typically takes
a minimum of 30 days. “Tours are
useful because they provide a clear
picture of what a client’s experience
will be,” Laura said.
–Laura Lindey Following the tour, Milestone
After graduation, Nick will need the
services of an adult training facility.
“He’ll need an environment where
he can thrive,” said Rose. That’s
what recently brought her to tour
Milestone’s Lawrenceville Support
Center, which provides varied skills
training for clients with intellectual
and developmental disabilities.
Rose’s story exemplifies what happens
when someone expresses an interest
in Milestone’s services. What should
one expect when calling Milestone
about a potential admission to
the agency’s intellectual and
developmental disabilities program?
assesses the needs and interests of
the individual. The process includes
Laura, along with a Milestone
program director or specialist,
observing the student while still
in the school he or she currently
attends. Observation allows
Milestone to become acclimated to
the needs of the individual, while
helping him or her build familiarity
with the Milestone team. Length of
observation depends on when the
team feels the student is ready to
make the transition.
“Once a person begins services, an
individualized assessment period
continues,” said Laura. “During
this time, we ensure that the new
client is comfortable and positively
progressing in the Milestone
environment.”
“I love my role,” Laura explained. “It
gives me the chance to be the first
person from Milestone to meet our
potential clients and their families
face-to-face.”
If you or someone you know may
benefit from Milestone’s services, please
call Laura at 412-371-7391, ext. 126.
On Tour: (left to right) Milestone Lawrenceville program supervisor
Annette Johnson, Lorie Turian, Laura Lindey and Rose Volpe.
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11
CENTERS FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
& BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES
CENTERS FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
& BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES
Milestone Centers Inc.
600 Ross Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15221
MilestonePA.org
Facebook.com/MilestonePA
If you need Milestone’s services,
call 412-243-3400
Locations:
Butler
McKeesport
Monroeville
Penn Hills
Pittsburgh
Warren
“I’m Happier Here at
Milestone,” says Shantae
Continued from page 2
A
nd Shantae is learning more than just vocational
skills. “I like to earn my paycheck and enjoy
shopping,” she said, “but I like saving money too.”
Along with trips to the mall, Shantae likes bowling, and
watching movies. Most of all, she loves spending time
with family. “That makes me happy because I like seeing
family together, laughing and talking,” Shantae said.
So, what is it about Milestone’s Prevocational Enterprise
Program that made the difference? According to Heather
Uphold, it’s that Milestone took time to learn about
Shantae – what works and doesn’t work for her. “Her
day always starts on a positive note,” said Heather. “She
recognizes where she can get support when she needs it
and what her goals are for the day.”
Since joining Milestone last year, Shantae has been
honored with the Positive Peer Award. The Positive Peer
Shantae at work at the Prevocational Enterprise
Program.
Award recognizes clients who make good choices and
exhibit positive interactions, support and role modeling
at the Prevocational Enterprise Program. A different
Positive Peer is selected each day by staff and peers.
Shantae’s goal is to become a Peer Counselor. With
her passion for helping others, that goal is certainly
within reach.