Posted 5/2/2025
Easter in Slippery Rock
The individuals at Slippery Rock Program Center participated in several Easter activities last month. Some dyed Easter Eggs, some went on a picnic, and some had an egg hunt in the Sensory Garden. Almost everyone celebrated with an Easter party and Easter baskets.
SMC Fourth Street Fun
Merakey’s IDD services in Schuylkill Mountain Center Fourth Street had fun celebrating Susan's birthday and dying Easter eggs.
Spring has Sprung
Spring has sprung and the residents at Merakey AVS on Verree Road in Philadelphia are fully enjoying the turn of the season. Some of the residents recently participated in an easter egg hunt on the grounds of Verree Road. The staff prepared prizes and games for the residents to enjoy. Smiles filled the entire facility during this activity.
History Center Visit
Cathy and KaCee from Merakey AVS Barclay home had a blast exploring the Heinz History Center.
Taking a Stroll
Kenny, Chris, and Eric from Merakey Fox enjoyed strolling through Bridgewater Park, Rochester Park, and Main Street in Beaver, PA.
Working in the Greenhouse
At the Pittsburgh Campus Greenhouse, the seedlings that residents began growing in early March are now ready to be planted. Resident Sam was able to transplant her basil, while Bri started working with her dill weed plants. Both have learned the full process of starting their own seeds.
A Celebration of DSP Conference
Twenty DSPs from Merakey AVS attended A Celebration of Direct Support Professionals Conference in Pittsburgh on April 10, 2025. The free conference offered information, training, and resources designed to assist DSPs in their professional and personal everyday lives. The day recognized these hardworking staff as the backbones of our industry and thanked them for their support and dedication. They received breakfast, lunch, giveaways and a special jazz reception after the conference.
“It was such a wonderful experience,” commented DSP Jamie Pedaline. “The speakers were great and told us a lot about how they were trying to better things for all DSP's because we are very important. Our job is so important.”
“The speakers brought some interesting perspectives to the world of direct care,” added HMA Sarah Poremba. “I really liked being able to chat with other direct care professionals.”
Fun at Moon Park
It was a perfect day at Moon Park for the ladies from Merakey Galey home. They played outdoor games, had fun on the swings, and blew bubbles.
Picture Holder Craft
Slippery Rock Program Center Program Aide Kait Benson assisted the individuals in her area in making personalized picture holders. They made salt dough, rolled it out, then used cookie cutters to shape them. After the holders dried, they painted them and then applied a clear coat. They loved making mementos that reflected their personalities.
National Aviary Visit
Slippery Rock Program Center Program Instructor Cindy Solman took a few individuals from her area to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh. They enjoyed the beautiful weather as they strolled through the aviary. They loved seeing all the different birds like the little lorakeets and the peacocks. Everyone agreed it was a wonderful trip.
Take Your Child to Work Day
The Merakey AVS Pittsburgh Campus celebrated Take Your Child to Work Day with a variety of fun activity stations set up throughout the day. Individuals and children enjoyed making tie-dye shirts, building birdhouses and bird feeders in the sensory garden, painting pots and rocks, and eating a special treat from a local ice cream truck.
