2/2/2024
Happy birthday, Eddie! Eddie from Snyder I home at Merakey AVS celebrated his big day with bowling, pizza, and chocolate cake.
Congratulations to Nyamah Thomas for being the first Merakey employee in the IDD Division in Eastern PA to become a Dementia Capable Specialist through the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP). Nyamah completed a two day Dementia training and earned badges through an online academy, and used her real-life experiences as a Direct Support Professional working with individuals with IDD who are aging. Nyamah joins 31 Merakey employees in the IDD Division from Central and Western PA who have earned this accreditation over the past year.
This training program was made possible through grants to Merakey IDD and Merakey Allegheny Valley School from Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and Polk Foundation.
On January 30, Merakey AVS Miracle League baseball players were recognized at Moon Area High School’s varsity basketball game. Each spring and fall, Moon student athletes volunteer at Miracle League baseball games and get the chance to connect with other members of the community. Players from Brodhead 2 and Malcolm homes enjoyed the game courtside and were recognized by name during half-time. The night was a great way to reconnect with their friends from Moon and recognize their accomplishments on the field.
Congratulations to Jan Harvilla, Program Director of the Edward J. Zapp and Kennedy Program Centers in Western PA for 40 years at Merakey Allegheny Valley School. Jan’s leadership, knowledge, and experience in providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities is mirrored by the success of the program and her dedicated team.
Jan began her career as a live-in house manager and caseworker at the Pittsburgh Campus in 1984, joining her husband, Dennis who also worked at the school since 1979. Dennis says, “I am so proud of her for her unwavering support to the mission of the school and her total commitment to the individuals that she has served over the years.”
In 1985, AVS expanded their programs by opening group homes. Jan became the live-in House Manager at Maratta, where Dennis and her children, Amy and Jason, shared family life with six individuals with IDD for more than 25 years. She shares, “We lived, played, and worked together as we became the “Maratta” family. Everyone shared endless experiences and supported each other though triumphs and challenges. One day at the dinner table, the discussion was about money and purchasing things. One of the ladies turned to me and told me that if I needed more money, I should think about getting a job. At that moment, I realized that the work I do as a live-in manager was truly in the right direction and “family” was accomplished.”
On January 30, many people gathered at the Zapp Center to celebrate Jan on her anniversary. Senior Regional Executive Director Roni Erath says, “We couldn't miss the opportunity to celebrate Jan! She is one of those people that moves through her daily routine, nurturing and modeling the best of what this field and Merakey AVS has to offer!”
Jan reflects on her tenure, “Throughout the years, I have been blessed and thankful to my family that supported this unique lifestyle - to the many individuals in our care who have enriched my life, the families that trusted me to support their loved one, the many colleagues that mentored me throughout the years, all the leaders who supported my opportunities, and to my dedicated teams of staff who work extremely hard to implement visions, ideas, and opportunities to carry out our mission. I feel the heart and soul in all we do.” Thank you, Jan, for helping to build this wonderful community, we call Merakey AVS!
It was hockey night in Pittsburgh for participants Michael, Crystal, and Megan from Maratta home at Merakey AVS. The ladies had a blast cheering on the Pittsburgh Penguins!
Eric and Heather participated in a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) trip to Daffin’s candy store on January 25. They had so much fun exploring the Chocolate Kingdom, and while there, they picked up candy bars for Slippery Rock Program Center’s Daffin’s fundraiser.
Program Instructor Danielle Mitchell led her group at Slippery Rock Program Center in an experiment making homemade Puff Paint by mixing shaving cream with glue. They discovered that glitter had to be added at the end to make their puff paint sparkle. Everyone liked their glittery snowflake crafts.
On January 22, Lowell and Dottie from Slippery Rock Program Center went to the YMCA in Butler County, PA to go swimming. Both love to swim, and they plan on using their memberships to enjoy the pool as frequently as possible.
