Revitalizing a Human Spirit

In-home Services, Family Focused Solution-Based and Family Group Decision Making are programs that provide needed counseling, support and other resources to families and children to prevent abuse and neglect. An average of 96% of families in our programs who received these services were able to keep their families intact.

Take the case of Susan, a beautiful, intelligent and educated woman who is a mother, daughter, sister, friend and fiancé. However, beneath this outward visage there was also a person who had been victimized by abuse, had low self-esteem and battled depression. She began to abuse a variety of substances as a coping mechanism, which brought her promising future to a screeching halt. All of these factors interfered with her ability to effectively parent, and Children Youth and Family Services were contacted to provide assistance.

Holy Family Institute immediately offered Susan in-home services of counseling and support. She ultimately made the decision to stop abusing and entered into an inpatient treatment program. Subsequently, she has moved to a shelter that houses and supports women with children in recovery. She and her daughter are currently living in a shelter and waiting for space in a half-way housing program.

She remains sober, and credits the in-home program with giving her the push she needed to get her life back on track. She now understands the negative impact of drug addiction on both herself and her daughter. She is looking forward to a bright future where she can use her sobriety and Masters degree in Business Administration every day.

Achieving Sobriety and Hope for Life

Jim, a 16 year old boy living in McKees Rocks, came to Holy Family’s SHORES program for treatment of marijuana abuse. He had been living “the street life” and was actively selling marijuana, failing at school, and was affiliated with a gang. Jim had no connection to his biological father, and his step-father had recently died, which affected him deeply. Jim struggled with finding a male role model and making genuine connections in relationships. He also had considerable problems with anger management.

Jim worked with his SHORES counselor for about 16 months. He was able to come to grips with the effect that drugs were having on his young life. SHORES provided counseling on how to mitigate his own aggressive feelings, monitored his behavior, and dealt with other risks that had led to his drug use. During his time at Holy Family’s SHORES program, he remained drug-free, stopped selling drugs and cut ties with gang members. At the same time, he proudly graduated from high school. He learned how to cope in healthy ways with his anger and gained self-control and self-esteem. Without drugs, he began to contribute in a positive way to his family and community.

There is at least one Jim (or Jane) living on every block in Pittsburgh. Help Holy Family transforms the lives of those children and families who are still suffering with the problems like substance-abuse in their homes and communities. Please make a donation on October 4, 2011 on the Pittsburgh Foundation’s Day of Giving. Holy Family is eligible to receive contributions from donors which will qualify for pro-rated shares of matching funds. The total match pool this year is expected to exceed the $600,000 available in 2010. That means that this year the value of your donation will increase even more!

Your donation will help at-risk children and families in our community, like Jim, who are in critical need of help and support.

Increase the Impact of Your Donation to HFI on the Pittsburgh Foundation’s Day of Giving

It’s a great day to give!

On October 4, 2011, the Pittsburgh Foundation will host its third annual Day of Giving event using the PittsburghGives online program. Holy Family, as well as other organizations, are eligible to receive contributions from donors which will qualify for pro-rated shares of matching funds. The total match pool this year is expected to exceed the $600,000 available in 2010. That means that this year the value of your donation will increase even more!

October 4 is a great day to make a gift to Holy Family. Your donation will help children and families in our community who are in critical need of help and support.

To participate and support Holy Family, visit www.pittsburghgives.org on October 4. The minimum gift is $25. The maximum gift that an individual can give per organization is $10,000. Only MasterCard and Visa donations will be accepted and matched for this event.

If you have any questions, please contact Christa Cardone at 412-766-9020 x439 or at cardone.christa@hfi-pgh.org.

19th Annual Arthur J. Rooney Sr. Courage House Luncheon

The Courage House Awards are given annually to a current Pittsburgh Steeler and a Holy Family Institute alumnus who both have shown extraordinary courage in their personal and/or professional lives.

Join us on November 8, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. for a chance to meet your favorite current and former Pittsburgh players, Head Coach Mike Tomlin, President Arthur J. Rooney II, and event chair, Greta K. Rooney. Participants will have the opportunity to obtain priceless autographs and photos while enjoying the view in Heinz Field’s East Club Lounge. Valuable auction items will be available at the event including autographed Steelers memorabilia. In addition, charter jet service offered by Corporate Air for 8 guests to an away Steelers game will be auctioned on eBay.

All proceeds benefit Holy Family Institute, a Pittsburgh social service agency providing a variety of services to at-risk children and families in our community. Because of successful events like the Courage House Luncheon, Holy Family is able to serve over 8,000 children and families each year.

• Individual Tickets – $150
• Table of 10 – $1,500
• Footballs for autograph session will be sold for $35/each at the event. First come first serve. No outside merchandise is permitted inside of the event or at the autograph session.

Please click here to view a variety of sponsorship opportunities.

For more information, please contact:

Christa Cardone
412-766-9020 x439
cardone.christa@hfi-pgh.org