Summer 2010

summer / 2010
w w w. p o w e r- r e
c o v e r y. c o m
er
pow
ty & em
i
n
u
m
the com
ery
educate
o
t
e
f recov
c
o
r
u
y
o
e
s
n
e
ar
jour
on their
women
Honorary co-chairs Dana
& Franco Harris and Karen
Farmer White
Angel Agate, Kathy Garrison
& Jacki High
Darieth Chisolm reads a
moving graduate story
Darlene Bivins, Marie Bates,
Lisa Penn & Janell Aguon
Auctioneer Tom Murphy
with DJ Adele Georgetti of
Audible Art
Did you attend? If you did, you know that POWER PROMISES 2010
was a grand evening, raising over $75,000.
Emcee Brenda Waters and
POWER founder Terry Miller
with honorary co-chairs and
Rosa Davis
POWER Collection partners
Caesar Azzam (left) and
Dorothy McCall (right) with
Michael Friedlander
POWER staff Lisa Penn &
Willy Oakley greet guests at
registration
GlaxoSmithKline staff
Photos by Renee Diehl Photography
David Conrad models a
Brooks Orpik jersey during
the live auction
On Thursday, May 13 at 5:30 p.m., honorary co-chairs Karen Farmer White and
Dana and Franco Harris chaired an event that combined great fun, good music,
delicious food, fabulous auction and raffle items, and — most importantly — the
opportunity to honor women in recovery from addiction. Former Mayor
Tom Murphy did the honors as auctioneer for the third consecutive year.
Brenda Waters emceed the evening; she was joined by Darieth Chisolm and
Sally Wiggin in reading POWER alumnae stories. Other celebrities included
Sheldon Ingram and actor David Conrad, both steadfast POWER friends.
Longtime volunteer and POWER supporter, Rosemary Hulsman, was honored
with the Window of Hope Award. Music that perfectly matched the celebratory
spirit of the evening was provided by DJ Adele Georgetti of Audible Art.
Many thanks to sponsors and to all who attended!
Window of Hope awardee
Rosemary Hulsman with
family & friends
Volunteers Kathy Garrison
& Lynne Marie Laffey with
David Conrad
Rosemary Hulsman with her
son, Marc Hulsman
Sally Wiggin shares a client
story
POWER’s New Look
This spring, POWER began a rebranding process, resulting in a new logo, tagline, and color palette. The previous logo and “window of hope”
tagline were based on the iconic image of a window at our halfway house in Swissvale. Because POWER has expanded to a full
continuum of care, we decided to create a logo that captured the full scope of our work. We chose the sunflower because
of its beauty, strength, and resiliency — the same qualities our clients possess.
Board of Directors
Jan Bamford, President
Stephen P. Paschall, Vice President
Erin M. Felix, Secretary
Eileen Simmons, Treasurer
Robert Dunkelman
Susan S. Everingham
Sherree R. Goldstein
Christine Hoover
Dorothy P. Ingersoll
Mary Irwin-Scott
Judith R. Owen
Mary Prezioso
Florence M. Rouzier
Lora Sigesmund
Advisory Council
Arthur M. Scully, III, Chair
Jan Bleier
Audrey Brourman
Charles R. Burke, Jr.
Darieth Chisolm
Karen Farmer White
Dr. Andrea Fox
Judge Livingstone M. Johnson
Grant McLaughlin
Terry Miller
Tom Murphy
Boyd S. Murray
Colleen O’Brien
Jan Pagliari
Mindy Shreve
Joy Starzl
Dr. Abraham J. Twerski
Mike Walsh
Brenda Joyce Waters
Lois R. O’Connor, Emeritus
Administration
Rosa Davis, MSW, ACSW
Executive Director
Diane Johnson, RN, BSN
Associate & Clinical Director
Madelon Edelstone, MEd
Associate & Development Director
Debra Raubenstrauch, MPM
Director of Finance & Operations
Nancy Simpronio, SPHR
Director of Human Resources
Let’s hear from you!
POWER welcomes questions,
comments, and suggestions
from our readers about programs,
services, and topics discussed
in our newsletter. Please send
all inquiries to:
Madelon Edelstone
Associate & Development Director
412.243.7535, ext. 215
Emily Stimmel
Development & Communications
Associate
412.243.7535, ext. 223
Contributing Writers
Rosa Davis, Executive Director
Karen Clark, Volunteer Coordinator
Graphic/Web Design
SJH Design
Dear Friends,
We’re living in an everchanging environment.
Consider the significant
changes in our economy
over the past few years.
Think about the way that
technology impacts our
lives. Soon, healthcare reform will begin to
overhaul the nation’s healthcare system. On
a smaller scale, even in our workplaces we
adjust to a change in leadership; or in our
families, we watch our kids grow up and
move out on their own. Big or small, universal
or personal, positive or negative — one thing
we can count on is change.
John Maxwell says, “Change is inevitable.
Growth is optional.” At POWER, we try to
live by that motto. As an organization, our
programs are designed to build on the
strengths of the women who come to us
motivated to change their lives. They are often
asked to change almost everything in order to
grow and begin to establish a foundation in
recovery — where they live, who they associate
with, or how to respond to stress. As staff, we
can’t ask our clients to grow through change if
we ourselves are not willing to do the same.
If you attended POWER PROMISES in May,
you witnessed the incredible ability of the human
spirit to overcome when you heard the stories
of three women whose lives have changed as
a result of their decision to enter treatment.
In addition to remaining open and flexible so
we can respond effectively to change, our
Board, Advisory Council, and staff anticipate
how changes in the environment and in our
field will impact our work so we can be
proactive and prepared to meet any challenges
that may come our way. An example of this is
POWER’s strategic planning process. July will
mark one year since the development of our
new strategic plan, a plan that clearly reflects
the anticipated needs of the community and
positions the agency to remain poised to deliver
quality gender-responsive, trauma-informed
care to women with substance use disorders.
We’re pleased with the progress we’ve made
toward our strategic objectives in just 12
months. The plan is a living document, so we’ll
update some of our objectives and strategies
as we continue to listen and learn.
Since the Board’s approval of the strategic
plan last year, POWER has begun a creative
visioning process that may result in a new
organizational/staffing structure; completed an
RFP and reviewed proposals for the purchase
of an electronic health records system; created
a new logo and marketing materials; hired
a Director of Finance & Operations; and
consolidated outpatient programs.
Despite continued challenges presented
by the economy, we remain committed to
ensuring that women have access to quality
treatment that is designed to reflect their lives.
Thank you for supporting us and the women
and their families who are working hard to
reclaim their lives.
Warmly,
Rosa Davis, MSW, ACSW
Executive Director
Keep your face
to the sunshine and
you cannot see the
shadow. It’s what
sunflowers do.
~ Helen Keller
56 percent of students in grades 5 to 12 say that alcohol advertising encourages them to drink.
The following text is an excerpt of a letter read at a fall 2009 meeting of the Joint Committee on Health and Human Services in Harrisburg at
which members of the Pennsylvania Parent Advisory Council (PPAC) presented emotionally-charged testimony. The Pennsylvania Parent
Advisory Council is made up of parents whose children have battled the disease of addiction and who believe families should have a strong
voice to advocate for adequate funding and delivery of drug and alcohol treatment and services for adolescents and their families. Some of
their children have survived, but some have not. Ron Owen, husband of POWER Board member Judi Owen, is co-chair of the Council and he
was one of several parents who spoke of their children with love and anguish. Read on behalf of a Council member who was unable to attend,
the following letter is a powerful statement that we think is worth a few minutes of your time to read.
Where Were the Parents?
It was just another Monday evening after a hard day at work. The local news caught my attention.
Yet another 19-year-old had been brutally murdered in his car. Police reported numerous traces of drugs and
paraphernalia were found in the vehicle and speculated to the reporter that the murder had all the earmarks
of a drug deal gone bad. The reporter learned that the victim did indeed have a drug problem and it had been
manifest since the age of 14.
I remember saying to myself, “What a tragedy.” I also remember
saying to myself, “Thank God it wasn’t my son who died.”
and declining grades occurred. They were there to double their
efforts to help their child to turn things around.
A couple of days later, in the “letters to the editor” section of the
paper, there appeared a letter from a subscriber titled “Where
Were The Parents?” The letter expressed outrage and anger
that the parents of this pitiful victim could have “let it happen”,
the “it” being drug addiction. As far as I know, no one ever
responded to that rhetorical question.
The parents were also there when it became clear that their
efforts had been futile and that their child needed inpatient
rehabilitation. They expressed their contempt for the lifestyle
their child had adopted but reinforced their love and hope as
they traveled the 85 miles to the rehab facility.
“Where were the parents?” you ask. Let me tell you from personal
experience where the parents were and how they “let it happen”.
They were both there in the delivery room that exciting day 19 years
ago. They were there when the baby needed food and shelter.
They were there when the baby needed love, attention, and care.
They were there with camera in hand on the first day of school.
They were there to help with homework, to celebrate successes,
and to counsel and coach in areas where help was needed.
They were also there the day a little plastic bag with grains of
marijuana in the bottom was discovered on the floor of their
child’s room. And then there was the next bag. And then the
pills. And then the alcohol.
The parents were there that day in the high school guidance
counselor’s office when the first discussion of poor attendance
The parents were also there when the relapses began.
They were also there that day to observe the needle tracks
on their child’s arms from heroin use after rescuing him from a
crack house.
Where were the parents? They went to work, went shopping,
took an occasional vacation. But through it all, they never lost
sight of their primary responsibility: raising their child to be a
responsible citizen. Nonetheless, the addiction occurred, the
consequences were paid, and the struggle continued.
The typical parent of an addict looks and acts just like a typical
parent of a child without this problem — with hopes, dreams,
and aspirations; and a commitment to help their child achieve
his or her full potential in life. They are no different than any
other parent, except for the challenge they courageously face
every day and the tenacity with which they confront it.
POWER Benefits from Innovative Program
In March, POWER was the beneficiary of an event entitled On the Verge: An Evening Program for Women in
Transition at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association. Gina Mazza, POWER supporter, Chief Inspirational Officer of Epiphany
Works, and author of Everything Matters, Nothing Matters, designed the event for women who are making changes
in their lives and donated 10 percent of the ticket sales to POWER. Thank you, Gina and Epiphany Works for inspiring
women as they make difficult changes in their lives. And thank you for supporting POWER and the women we serve!
P rogram S pot l ight:
Garden of Promises
$1,000+
Reintegration
Gina Agostino & Complete
Chiropractic Health
Amcom Office Systems
Anonymous
The Bank of New York Mellon
Community Partnership
Bethel Park Printing
BNY Mellon
Charles R. Burke, Jr.
Citizens Bank Foundation
Pamela Cochenour
David Conrad
Rosa & Mike Davis
Robert & Barbara Dunkelman
Duquesne University
In Chinese philosophy, the concept of “Yin and Yang” describes
the interconnectedness between seemingly opposite ideas or
experiences. This philosophy is often mentioned when discussing
the work of POWER’s Reintegration program. Reintegration staff
and clients work together to find opportunity in crisis and to
confront unexpected hurdles throughout the recovery process.
Though recovery is a positive, life-changing outcome, it is also a
difficult process, which often includes such painful experiences
as relapse and addressing past trauma.
In just two and a half years, the Reintegration program has reached more than
500 women, primarily at the Allegheny County Jail, but also in alternative housing
programs like Renewal and The Program Center (TPC). This intervention and
recovery support program reaches out to women in jail with addiction issues,
pairing them with mentors – themselves women in recovery for five years or
more. Mentors model healthy recovery for clients while helping them cope
with the challenges that arise on their recovery journey. The program also
highlights psycho-education groups utilizing Stephanie Covington’s Helping
Women Recover curriculum.
POWER chose this curriculum because it addresses women’s unique
experiences with addiction and recovery through four major areas: self,
relationships, sexuality, and spirituality. Furthermore, Covington’s curriculum
addresses the role that trauma plays in the development of addiction and
subsequent recovery. Approximately 80 to 85 percent of women in recovery
have experienced major trauma; many of those in POWER’s Reintegration
program were exploited from a young age and learned unhealthy patterns of
behavior from their earliest relationships and experiences.
Women have said of the Reintegration groups that they learn a great deal
about themselves; that there is a strong need for more similar programs in the
jail; and that the groups have given them a rare opportunity for self-reflection –
often the first such opportunity in a client’s life. In this way, the “Yin and Yang”
theme becomes most evident. Though their circumstances in jail — and the
life events leading up to their incarceration — are far from ideal, the women in
POWER’s Reintegration program are finding positive experiences during their
time in jail; growing and developing, both in their recovery and as women.
Donor Honor Roll
Recognition is based on cumulative
gifts, including United Way pledges,
made from June 17, 2009 to June 17, 2010.
Thank you for your generous support
throughout the year!
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
Erin Felix
The Forbes Funds
Diana Harbison &
Samuel P. Harbison, III
Dana & Franco Harris
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Barry & Judy Huff
Dottie Ingersoll
KPMG LLP
Michael & Diana Larson
Levin Furniture
Littles Shoes
Angela Loria
Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC
Terry Miller
David & Colleen O’Brien
Lois O’Connor
Judi & Ron Owen
Dan & Elaine Park
Stephen & Debbie Paschall
Peter T. & Judith C. Schurman Fund of
the Cornell University Foundation
Point Legal LLC
Riverside Design Group +
Plates with PurposeTM
The Sarah Kristin Owen Fund of
The Pittsburgh Foundation
K. George Schoeppner
Mindy Shreve
Joel, Justin & Megan Sigal
Square Café
University of Pittsburgh
Western Pennsylvania Lawyers
Association
Zonta Pittsburgh North Foundation
Benefactors
$500-$999
Give what you
have. To someone,
it may be better than
you dare to think.
~Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow
Fair Oaks Foundation Inc.
First Commonwealth Bank
Hans & Leslie Fleischner
Fox Thompson Family Fund
Gateway Rehabilitation Center
H.M. Bitner Charitable Trust
Henry & Elsie Hillman
Mary Irwin-Scott
Livingstone M. Johnson
Kennon Insurance Consultants Inc.
Katie M. Kenyon
Lisa Kuzma
Labriola Neighbors LLP
Carolyn Maue
Gina Mazza & Epiphany Works, LLC
Dorothy McCall & Kingsbury Fragrances
Tom & Mona Murphy
Susan Chunko
Citizens Bank
ColdCypress
Community Care Behavioral Health
Community Presbyterian Church of
Ben Avon
Core Solutions
Sandra DaCosta
James D. Darby, Jr.
B. DeFrancis
Eat n’ Park Hospitality Group Inc.
Ruth D. Egler
Kathy Noorbakhsh
Suzanne Parks
Judy Plowman
RAND Corporation
Red Square Systems
Florence Rouzier
Evelyn D. Savido & Walter H. Smith
Stephanie Schoinberg
St. Mary’s United Methodist Church
Karen & Alan Waggoner
David B. Yates
Friends
$250-$499
Anonymous
Jan Bamford & Ron Tiberio
Marie Bogden
Bookminders, Inc.
Dunnings Grill
Madelon Edelstone
Rev. John P. Ellias
Carol Elsesser
Tamara S. Fleat
Andrea Fox
Brandi Gurcak
Jean Haller & Henry Haller, III
Sallie O. de Vou & Hillcrest Garden Club
Beverly Hussaini
Gerri Kay
Jacqueline Koscelnik
Gayle Manning
Anne C. Martin
Janice McSherry
Wilhelmenia Oakley
1 Step Detect Associates
Debra Raubenstrauch & Dan May
Lindsay Ruprecht
Merrilee H. Salmon
Arthur M. Scully, III
Nancy Simpronio
Wesley Sowers & Sara Homel
Sufrin Supplies
Sandra Tomlinson
United Way of Allegheny County
Cheryl Vallecorsa & Swissvale
Women’s Group
WBN, Inc.
Cheryl B. Werber
George E. Yokitis
Alcohol-related problems that are not treated account for about $186 billion in costs to businesses as well as the health care and justice systems.
Supporters
$100-$249
Janell Aguon
Alicia Andrews
Nancy & Robert Arnold
Jack Bamford
Bank of America
United Way Campaign
Michael & Debbie Barbarita
Dr. & Mrs. John C. Barber
Marie Bates
Sandra Bellini
Sy & Deb Beozzo
Marsha Bingler
Darlene Bivins
Carol R. Brown
Deanne Buffalari
Buncher Family Foundation
Kimberly Cannon
G. Reynolds Clark
Karen Clark
Genevieve Davidson
Cynthia DiCola
Christopher & Barbara Dunn
Tamara J. Evans
Karen Farmer White
Donna Fey
The Fine Foundation
Eileen Freitag
John Fung
Mr. & Mrs. William P. Getty
Bob & Georgia Hernandez
Nick & Jacki High
Christine Hoover
Laura S. Horner
Rosemary Hulsman
Patty Jennings
Gerry & Donald Johnson
Diane F. Johnson
Carol Johnston
Susan Jones Block
Dianne Kelleher
Pattie Kuba
Lab 8 Designs, Inc.
Sheryl Laffey
Michelle H. Lally
LCJ Limited Partnership
Mary Jo Levine
Ellen Marks
Barrie Mars
Joyce McCadney-Hicks
Paul & Penny McKenna
Kathy & Glenn McKenzie
Janice M. Meade
Merrill Lynch & Co. Foundation, Inc.
John & Joan Millar
Laurie Moriarty
Boyd Murray
Ed & Judy Neville
Shirley Novak, Esq.
Barbara Parees
Cindy W. Pastin
Lisa Penn
The PROGRAM for Offenders
Lorrie Rabin
Cathy Raphael
Leslie Reicher
Rob & Mary Robbins
Kimberly Saunders
Barbara Sawatis
Daniel Siewiorek
Lora & Perry Sigesmund
Lee & Myrna Silverman
Paula Simon
Katie Smith
William & Jeannette Smith
Linda Stipetich
Sharon Strong
Swissvale Economic
Development Corporation
David Tusick
United Methodist Women of
Bakerstown United Methodist
Church
United Methodist Women of
Wurtemberg United Methodist
Church
Sheila Washington
Bernadette West
Mary Pat Wolfe
Dr. Robert Woolhandler
Miriam M. Zimmer
Patricia Zinger
Contributors
up to $99
Anonymous
Kathy Arnheim
Paulette Balogh
Phyllis Bianculli
Sharon Bone
Larry Breck & Dr. Jane Breck
Jan Bress & Family
Kathleen Brynda
Taffie Bucci
The Honorable Bracken Burns
Sidney & Silvia Busis
Susan Byrnes
Caesar’s Designs
Maria Carlini
Theresa Carroll
Geraldine Causey & Little Hill
Women In Mission
Centerville United Methodist Women
Roxanne Cole
Morton & Greta Coleman
James & Patricia Connolly
Jane A. Crompton
Mr. & Mrs. Charles G. Cullen
Ramona Davis
Doris Dick & Sharon Geibel
Ruth Drescher
Susie Dugan
Chip Eagle
Susan S. Everingham
Janet Falkowski
Russell & Christine Felix
Sidney & Vivian Fischer
Elly Fleming
Sally Foster
Cari Gastwirth
Colleen S. Gaughan
Melissa Goda
Ellen Goldberg
GoodSearch
Ernestine Harris
Janet Hayes
J.C. & Mindy Hood
Linda M. Hoye
Nevine Isaac
Jeanne Iwler
Amber Jackson
Anita Jones
April Jones
Pat Kaley
Jackie Kalocay-Hogg
Mary Ruth Kelsey
Idell Kirby
Herbert Klepper
Nancy Kodman
Karen Kondos
Gary Lewis
Eleanor Long
Sophie Malli
Joyce H. Martin
Jeanine Massung
Geri Mataya & Spa Uptown
Patricia Maxwell
Robert G. Mayer, Jr.
Karen McCrory
Grant McLaughlin
Susan & Mel Melnick
Marsha Miller
OptiCom Consulting
Edward Muller
Donna R. Murphy
Karen Myers
Marsha A. Nicholas
Mary Ann Novak
Tim Nye
Jennifer O’Connor
Alia R. Ogron
Linda Patton
Amy Peek
Jeff Pepper &
Kathryn Katfiasz Pepper
Mary Prezioso
Jerry Rabinowitz
Norma Raiff
Carol Ramsey
Linda Rankin
Kathleen Reed
Kathleen Regan
Marie Ford Reilly
Nancy Reynolds
Carrie L. Riggle
Gail & Elizabeth Robbins
Jacki Rosenthal Pandey
Mary Louise Rouse
Norma M. Ruffing
Kristina A. Rugh
Jeanne Russ
Sheri Sable
Tammy Sadler
Diane Scabilloni
Kathleen D. Schneider
Judi Scinico
Marjorie B. Sherts
Josephine T. Shores
Laura E. Slovesko
Dennene Smith
Marcia Smith
Ceci Sommers
Celeste Stec
Emily & Nate Stimmel
Pat & Marilyn Sullivan
Henry D. Sundermann, Jr.
Virginia Swetland
Carlotta Thatcher
Carol Tiberio
Mary Rose Tierno
Barbara Tierno-Klemm
Ellen Toker
Stephanie Ulmer
Karen Upsher
John Verbanic
Jackie Verdiglione
Jack Wagner
Vivian Watkins
Marvin Wedeen
Jean Whipkey
Doug Williamson
Cynthia Wright
James A. Yard
POWER PROMISES
2010 In-Kind Donors:
Abay Ethiopian Cuisine
Alta Villa Spa & Salon
Arnold Palmer Enterprises
Jan Bamford & Ron Tiberio
Marie Bates
Benihana
Big Burrito Restaurant Group
Bistro 19
Jan & Rocky Bleier
BNY Mellon
Marie Bogden
Burton Morris Studios
Buzzy Photography
BYS Yoga
Caesar’s Designs
The Capital Grille
Capristo Salon & Wellness Spa
Carabella
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
Mary Catov
Susan Chunko
Daviea Davis
Rosa Davis
Madelon Edelstone
Elaine Park Designs
Eyetique
Karen Farmer White
Terry Fedele
The Frick Art & Historical Center
Kathy Garrison
Gemini Theater Company
Mary Gerlach
Dawn Getty
Giant Eagle
Globe Car Wash/US Auto
Kate Grannemann
Brandi Gurcak
Gymkhana Gymnastics
Half Price Books
Jean Haller & Henry Haller, III
Dana & Franco Harris
Hilton Pittsburgh
Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse
Dottie Ingersoll
Mary Irwin-Scott
Carol Jeffrey
Journeys of Life
Just Ducky Tours
Kingsbury Fragrances
Pattie Kuba
LA Fitness
Ken Lamison
Legume Bistro
LeMont Restaurant
Louis Anthony Jewelers
Bill Lucki
Anne Martin
Maxalto
MCN Salon
Monterey Bay Fish Grotto
Tom Murphy
Neubauer’s Flowers Inc.
Judi Owen
Pamar
Suzanne Parks
Patricia Boutique
Perlora
Phipps Conservatory &
Botanical Gardens
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
Pittsburgh CLO
Pittsburgh Opera
Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Playhouse of
Point Park University
Pittsburgh Public Theater
Pittsburgh Steak Company
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Pursuits
Raeann’s Creations
Renee Diehl Photography
Riverside Design Group +
Plates with Purpose ™
Romolo Chocolates
The Rooney Family
Saks Fifth Avenue
Senator John Heinz History
Center & Western Pennsylvania
Sports Museum
Serendipity
Shults Ford of Wexford
Eileen Simmons
Sisters Floral Design
Candy Smith
Darlene Smith
Katie Smith
Marcia Smith – Body Harmony
Massage
Nina Sowiski
Spa Uptown
Spaghetti Warehouse
Square Café
Tamra’s Massage Therapy
Tennis Village
Barbara Tierno-Klemm
Trader Joe’s
Treesdale Golf & Country Club
Typhoon Lighting
Cheryl Werber
WildCard
William Penn Jewelers &
Watchmakers
World Class Fitness Center
Please report any
errors or omissions to
412.243.7535, ext. 223
— thank you!
In Honor of…
Winnie Bagley
Genevieve Davidson
Rob & Mary Robbins
Mr. & Mrs. Henry D. Sundermann, Jr.
Coreen Bahney
Lois O’Connor
Jamie Posey-Woodson
Genevieve Davidson
Jan Bamford
Paulette Balogh
Jack Bamford
Jackie Kalocay-Hogg
Carol Ramsey
Jan Bamford
Craig Bernier
Chip Eagle
J.G. Boccella
Rosa Davis
Elizabeth Cavanaugh
Genevieve Davidson
Genevieve Davidson
Anonymous
Karen Waggoner
Ramona Davis
Jan Bamford
Rosa Davis
Pat & Marilyn Sullivan
Robert Dunkelman
Larry Breck & Dr. Jane Breck
Donna Fey
Evelyn D. Savido
Sherree Goldstein
Michael & Debbie Barbarita
Rosa Davis & Friends
Ann & Alan Harris
Bob & Georgia Hernandez
Sheila Hull
Amber Jackson
Rosemary Hulsman
Joyce H. Martin
Jody Johnson
Rosa Davis
Livingstone Johnson
Rosa Davis
Terry Miller
The Honorable Bracken Burns
G. Reynolds Clark
Genevieve Davidson
Edward Muller
Kristine Nipaver
Genevieve Davidson
Wilhelmenia Oakley
Evelyn D. Savido
Lois O’Connor
Phyllis Bianculli
Mr. & Mrs. Charles G. Cullen
James D. Darby, Jr.
Sidney & Vivian Fischer
Elly Fleming
John & Joan Millar
Marsha A. Nicholas
Norma Raiff
Shirley Richardson
Western Pennsylvania
Lawyers Association
Evelyn Savido
Jan Bamford
Darlene Bivins
Marie Bogden
Karen Clark
Rosa Davis
Madelon Edelstone
Carol Elsesser
Angela Ford
Brandi Gurcak
Mary Irwin-Scott
Diane F. Johnson
Anita Jones
Idell Kirby
Pattie Kuba
Joyce McCadney-Hicks
Willy Oakley
Judi Owen
Suzanne Parks
Carol Ramsey
Debra Raubenstrauch
Mary Louise Rouse
Florence Rouzier
Judi Scinico
Mindy Shreve
Eileen Simmons
Paula Simon
Nancy Simpronio
Dennene Smith
Wes Sowers
Emily Stimmel
Sharon Strong
Barbara Tierno-Klemm
Vivian Watkins
Cheryl Werber
Mary Pat Wolfe
Barbara Shore
Morton & Greta Coleman
Mindy Shreve
Jerry Rabinowitz
Charleen Smith-Roland
William & Jeannette Smith
Stephen Tierno
Barbara Tierno-Klemm
Karen Waggoner
Genevieve Davidson
In Memory of…
Germaine Bellissimo
Jan Bamford
Judy Flynn
Evelyn D. Savido
Louise Bobrzynski
Eileen Simmons
Cindy Kolenda
Dr. Robert Woolhandler
Charles Burke, Sr.
Rosa Davis
Francis Pischke
Rosa Davis
Alice Cappel Savage
Rosa Davis & Madelon Edelstone
Mary & Sherwin Smalley
Jan Bress
Alan Engstrom
Suzanne Parks
If we have the
opportunity to be
generous with our
hearts, ourselves, we
have no idea of the
depth and breadth of
love’s reach.
~ Margaret Cho
success story. . .
Carla
volunteer
news
Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
This year’s annual volunteer appreciation luncheon was held
on June 3 and featured tours of the recently refurbished
bedrooms at the halfway house. The luncheon always
Carla is a pioneer. She was one of the first women
demonstrates the wide variety of kind and creative things
in Pittsburgh to be hired by U. S. Steel to work
volunteers do for POWER. For instance:
in its mills. She was also one of POWER’s first
clients; she entered the halfway house in 1991,
the year it opened.
Carla was a steelworker for four years. First she repaired
train tracks at the Clairton works and later she was an
ironworker hanging 65 feet up in the air. “I like challenges,”
Carla says.
She found a major challenge in alcohol. She liked working
with men because, Carla says, “they drank like I did.” For
over 25 years Carla drank. Her son started drinking in his
teens. Her first husband died of alcoholism. The disease
almost took Carla’s life, too. At age 47 she collapsed in her
home. Her heart stopped twice before she reached the
hospital, where she had a massive stroke.
She spent months re-learning to walk and talk. When she
met that challenge she moved on to the next — she went
to rehab and then to POWER to learn how to battle
her addiction.
GlaxoSmithKline Business Education Seminar
GSK made us very happy with
the news that its Women’s
Leadership Initiative is planning
to increase the number of
business education seminars
to two a year. The last two,
held in November and April at
Hosanna House, were once
POWER staff, GSK staff, and NCJW
again big successes. GSK
members at the business education
seminar
provides valuable information
and the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) combines
dressing for work tips with a fashion show in which POWER
clients are models. Commentary by KDKA-TV anchors Jennifer
Antkowiak and Rick Dayton made the fashion shows even more
fun. We look forward to duplicating those successes with the help
of our friends from GSK, NCJW, and KDKA!
Women’s Business
Network
At POWER she interacted with women more than she ever
had before. And she learned they could help her. Before
POWER, Carla says, “I tried to do everything myself. If I
couldn’t, I drank.” POWER taught her not to be ashamed
to say, “I can’t do this by myself.”
Carla has been receiving and giving help ever since. She
started a 12-Step study group in her area and volunteered
in a drug and alcohol ward at a local hospital. She works full
time and has been married to her second husband for 30
years. He started an Al-Anon group in response to her
addiction and says their relationship is closer than ever.
When her son stopped drinking, he gave credit to the
example set by his mother, who has remained in recovery
ever since she left POWER 18 years ago!
Alcohol statistics show that nearly 1 out of 4 Americans admitted to
hospitals have alcohol problems or are undiagnosed alcoholics being
diagnosed for alcohol-related consequences.
WBN member Denise Carr with
backpacks donated by Costco
WBN volunteers GeorgeAnne
Muchnok and Monica Galore
POWER had a great year as the
social service project of the Women’s
Business Network (WBN). WBN
members staffed POWER PROMISES,
collected gifts at the holidays, put
together school backpacks for
clients’ children, provided computer
tutoring, featured POWER at the
organization’s annual holiday breakfast
and at its annual spring networking
event, staffed Sunflower POWER —
and more! Although our year as the
official WBN service project is over,
we are glad to say that a number
of individual WBN members will
continue to volunteer for POWER.
Holidays
Environmental Charter
School volunteers Joel,
Jada, and Laurie Kellem
Environmental Charter School teachers with
project organizer Sharon McCune (back row,
third from left)
Environmental Charter School
Second grade students and teachers from the Environmental
Charter School in Regent Square planted sunflowers and
marigolds in the halfway house lawn this spring. They also
made bird feeders out of rice cakes and decorated a banner
for the women of POWER.
Community Presbyterian
Church of Ben Avon
The Ben Avon church chose POWER
as one of its Faith in Action sites, a day
in which the church cancels worship
services to spend the day volunteering.
Members worked in the yard at our
residential site, weeding, mulching, and
cutting back ivy from walkways and tree
trunks. Afterward they had a cookout
with residents.
Ben Avon Church volunteer
Len Barcousky
Holy Wisdom Church on the North
Side once again provided the women
with wrapped and personalized gifts
Southbrook Middle School
students wrapping gifts
through its Advent Giving Tree. And
as she does every year, volunteer
Rosemary Hulsman collected gift donations from Word of
God Church, Madonna del Costello Church, and members of
the honor society of women educators, Delta Kappa Gamma.
Rosemary also organized volunteers to wrap the gifts; wrappers
this year included members of Delta Kappa Gamma, the WBN,
Ladies of Charity, and students from Word of God Elementary
and Southbrook Middle School.
For the fifth year in a row, the
Under Authority Theatre
presented a free performance
of 4 Real Women to POWER
clients. This year’s production
focused on Janet Collins who,
in 1951, became the first
African-American prima ballerina
to dance with the New York
Metropolitan Opera.
Women in the house began 2010 with dolls,
which they made themselves with the help
of volunteer Debbie Remele. The women
placed a piece of paper inside each doll on
which they’d written a quality they wanted for
themselves. The women kept their dolls on their beds to remind
them of their goals.
Birthday Baskets
wish list
We are grateful for the generosity of members of St. James
AME Church in Wilkinsburg who give personalized birthday
baskets to POWER clients each month.
Though we appreciate in-kind donations of a variety of items for the
welcome bags we give to new clients, we’re especially in need of
the following:
Deodorant
Pens
Gift wrappers Jennie Lucarelli,
Irene Janovec, Rosemary
Hulsman, Joan Simunick,
Debbie Beozzo, Jean Ellen
Flohr, and Marion Simunick
Education Calendar
4 Real Women
Marcia Jones Washington,
Caroljean Lacy, and Tina
Dixon of 4 Real Women
POWER is a great place to be at the
holidays because of the generosity
of volunteers. New groups this year
were the Women’s Business
Network (WBN), whose members
brought gifts for the women to their
annual holiday breakfast; the members
of Cub Scout Pack 403 who donated
gifts for clients’ children; and the
congregation of Mt. Lebanon
Methodist Church who donated
teddy bears.
Medium-sized gift bags
Welcome to Erica Strasser, a volunteer
who brings many skills to share with the
women. She’s beginning with relaxation
and fitness education.
Thanks to Angie Marraccini who
taught yoga to clients during May at our
residential and outpatient treatment sites.
To become a POWER volunteer,
please contact Karen Clark at
[email protected] or
412.243.7535, ext. 214
Serving women
in recovery since 1991
Administrative Office
7501 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Phone 412.243.7535
Fax 412.243.8711
www.power-recovery.com
Our Mission
Helping women reclaim
their lives from the disease
of addiction to alcohol and
other drugs, and reducing
the incidence of addiction in
future generations.
A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the PA Department of
State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
join us!
Facebook.com/POWERRecovery
Twitter.com/POWERRecovery
Make Our House a Home Campaign
Bears Fruit
Flickr.com/POWER_Recovery
mark your calendars
POWER’s residential treatment site in Swissvale is in the midst of an exciting makeover,
thanks in large part to the Make Our House a Home campaign and the American Society of
Interior Designs (ASID), PA West Chapter. Levin Furniture donated $5,000, and thanks to that
gift and others from individuals and groups, we have raised close to $30,000 in combined
donations and pledges! The first seven refurbished bedrooms made their debut at the recent
Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. We are so grateful to all of the donors and the ASID PA
West Community Service Committee for helping provide an environment that enhances the
hard work of recovery.
After
Thursday, September 15
5:30 p.m.
Perlora Leather in the Strip
This lively evening of music
and hors d’oeuvres is free of
charge and offers attendees
the opportunity to purchase
items from the POWER Collection.
More information coming soon!
donate online
www.power-recovery.com
united way contributor choice
Before
John Rock begins
bedroom renovations
#3511