Posted 8/25/2023
Congratulations to Hummelstown’s new Senior Executive Director, Roni Erath! Roni started at Merakey AVS in 1984 as a DSP at the Pittsburgh Campus. She held many positions over the years including Assistant Manager, House Manager, Shift Supervisor, Residential Services Director, and Administrator. After 28 years at the Pittsburgh campus, she accepted the position of Assistant Regional Executive. Then most recently to Executive Director overseeing 400 individuals and 1200 employees in Western PA. She continues to work in Western PA and since April she has taken on overseeing the Hummelstown area as well. She is married, with two kids and 4 grandchildren. She is an avid outdoors person, loves running, cycling, hiking, etc. Congratulations, Roni!
On Thursday, August 10, Merakey AVS’s Hummelstown Campus hosted a special Beach Day! Staff and individuals dressed in their beachy best and enjoyed a beach party complete with food and festivities.
The ladies from the Buckskin home joined House Manager Amanda Rose-Fehl at her camp in Slippery Rock, PA for the day. They went fishing, relaxed by the campfire, took a ride on a golf cart, and enjoyed pizza for dinner. They’re looking forward to another visit this fall!
On August 23, 2023, Megan Kober, PI, Caleb Holland, PI, and Christie Roxberry, PI, transformed the back half of the Slippery Rock Program Center building into a Hawaiian oasis with the help of the individuals they support. The lilting sounds of Hawaiian music set the tone as everyone participated in Hawaiian themed activities and crafts, including a little hula dancing. Everyone enjoyed a large Luau feast for lunch.
Liz, an individual receiving supports from Merakey AVS, has been part of the New Hire Orientation for the past 4 years at the M/AVS Kennedy Center. Liz even continued meeting with new staff during the pandemic, chatting with them virtually via Zoom. She is now back to meeting with new hires in-person and shares expectations of what staff should know and do when coming into her home or the home of her friends. Liz shares many of her personal experiences, as well as her “I Can’t Be Put Down” poem. She also gives each new hire a small bag of Merakey swag to welcome them to the organization.
Many newly hired staff have expressed how much they enjoy Liz’s presentation and Liz has shared “It makes me feel so good to have staff understand how others and I want and deserve to be treated, and I love meeting new people.”
On August 22, staff members and individuals from Merakey IDD’s northeast and central regions gathered for their 2nd annual staff/individual picnic at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, PA. The group enjoyed a day filled with fun rides, delicious food, and lively conversation.
