Posted 9/27/2024
In honor of Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Week earlier this month, individuals and staff from Edward J. Zapp and Kennedy Centers gathered for the first ever DSP Yard Games Competition and a picnic.
Congratulations to the following winners:
Zapp Games:
- Daria Matcho from Zapp: overall winner of cornhole
- Ryan Cunningham from Nyetimber: winner of the basketball skills competition
- Kristi Robinson from Green Garden: overall winner of bocce
- Robin Joswiak from Galey: lottery ticket door prize winner
Kennedy Games:
- Johnna Bosco from Barclay: overall winner of cornhole
- Scott DeMacio from Countryview: overall winner of bocce
- Cameron Gray from Evergreen: overall winner of Can Jam
- Mauriah “Molly” Priest from Patterson: lottery ticket door prize winner
Let's Go Bucs! Individuals and staff in Western PA got to see one more Pirates game this season. It was a beautiful afternoon as they watched the Bucs beat the Marlins 3 - 1.
The ladies from Ohioview home at Merakey AVS spent a sunny afternoon at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. They laughed and smiled as they visited their favorite animals.
Anthony, Lucas, Jason, and William from Windy Ghoul home at Merakey AVS have been enjoying time in their community. They recently visited Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens to see the flowers and glass displays, and to have lunch outdoors. They also visited Spirit Halloween to check out the interactive displays, costumes, and spooky decorations.
David from the IDD program in Lehigh County enjoyed a great weekend in Hershey, PA. He had a great time at the Hershey Lodge and Hershey Park.
Kaitlyn Benson, a Slippery Rock Program Center Aide organized several field trips for the individuals at the Center to Jennings Environmental Center. Once there, the educators at Jennings presented a lesson about all the local natural plants and animals the individuals could possibly encounter on their hike. They made it a sensory experience by encouraging people to smell the various plants, listen to the various sounds, look at the differences and similarities between the plants, and feel various plants. Everyone enjoyed a hike along the trails. There were several small sensory stations along the way that engaged people as they hiked. After their hike, the individuals enjoyed a picnic lunch.
Slippery Rock Program Instructor Bob Graziani and Program Aide Ashley Sutton took a small group of individuals to the Lemieux Sports Complex to watch the Pittsburgh Penguins practice. They had a great time watching their favorite hockey team play. Let’s Go Pens!