Archived News & Events - February 2017

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed March “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.” The deinstitutionalization movement of the seventies and early eighties had laid the foundation for significant social change, and the presidential proclamation called upon Americans to provide the “encouragement and opportunities” necessary for people with developmental disabilities to reach their potential. NHS recognizes and celebrates the talents of all our individuals with disabilities!

For more information about Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, please visit:
https://www.specialneedsalliance.org/march-is-developmental-disabilities-awareness-month/
https://www.disabilityawarenessnj.org/
https://nacdd.org/learnmore-ddam/

NHS Congratulates Robert N.C. Nix III, Chairman of the Board of Directors

Robert N.C. Nix III, Esquire, Chairman of the NHS Board of Directors, was recognized at the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2017 Outstanding Director Awards for his service on several Boards in the Philadelphia area. The Outstanding Director Awards honors directors who have demonstrated the vital leadership and business savvy necessary to help guide their businesses' success. Bob was appointed Chairman of the NHS Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting in November 2016, and has served on the NHS Parent Board for over 31 years. Bob was presented with the award on February 23 at the Union League in Philadelphia.
Congratulations, Bob, on this incredible recognition and thank you for your years of service to NHS!

Fashion Show at NHS/AVS

NHS Allegheny Valley School in Philadelphia recently held a Fashion Show at the Verree Day Program. Staff helped individuals to dress fashionably, and then walked with them down a red carpet. There were three different themes for individuals to participate in, including “Pajama Jam”, “Sports”, and “Formal Wear”. Everyone enjoyed the show as expressed by their smiles and laughter.

Thank you to Program Assistant Tabitha Johnson and all the dedicated staff who planned the event and supported our consumers throughout.

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Record-Breaking PVGP Check Presentation

The check presentation for the 2016 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix (PVGP) was held at the Dancing with the Cars event on February 16, 2017. Hosted by the PVGP’s Presenting Sponsor, the Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Foundation (GPADF), this event is the preview for the 2017 Pittsburgh International Auto Show.

Guests gathered at the Ford stage for the big check unveiling to the PVGP charities. NHS/AVS resident Elizabeth Humphrey and the Autism Society’s Anita Iyengar both spoke about how the PVGP has impacted their lives. The GPADF then handed over a $405,500 check to the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and NHS Allegheny Valley School, surpassing the prior year’s record donation. This is the sixth year in a row and the tenth time in the last 12 years that a new record has been set, bringing the 34-year charity donation total to $4,752,000.

NHS/AVS had more than 75 guests at the event, including 12 Ambassadors and their accompanying staff members. Everyone enjoyed dancing, delicious food, amazing cars, and great company. NHS/AVS is grateful to the PVGP, its presenting sponsor, and to all its supporters for their commitment to individuals that we serve.

Partners in Kindness

On Friday, February 17, NHS/AVS residents Helen, Jonathan, Sharon, Shequala and Vicki, accompanied by Assistant Program Director Jeff D’Eramo and Behavior Specialist TeTe Green, visited Guardian Protection Services’ Warrendale, PA office for the 2nd annual "Partners in Kindness" event.

The day was planned to show appreciation for the Guardian employees who, for 20 years, have delivered holiday gifts to the individuals at NHS/AVS. “Partners in Kindness” banners decorated Guardian's employee cafeteria, cookies and Valentine’s Day themed cupcakes were served, and dozens of prizes were raffled off. As more than 100 Guardian employees came through the cafeteria, they were greeted by and enjoyed visiting with the NHS/AVS guests, who handed out home-made thank you cards to acknowledge the holiday gifts. Guardian employees in Tempe, Arizona, who have participated in the holiday gift giving from afar, joined in on the celebration event via video conference. It was a celebratory day!

We thank Guardian's Joe Colosimo, Mary Lynn Moriarity and Emil Parent for their dedication to and coordination of the event. Thanks you also to the Guardian employees who stopped by to say hello and to spend time with the individuals. We are grateful to Guardian Protection Services for their continued commitment to the NHS/AVS mission.

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Local Students Bring Smiles and Cheer to NHS/AVS

High school students from Seneca Valley and Quaker Valley spent their morning on Saturday, February 11, visiting with individuals at NHS/AVS. The students facilitated activities that brought tremendous joy to those we serve.

Led by senior Julie Milton, Seneca Valley hosted a Bowl-A-Thon for eight residents at the Patricia Hillman Miller Campus (PHMC). Students helped individuals use a ramp to roll the bowling ball down the alley to knock over the pins, were at the far end of the lanes to reset the pins, kept score, and helped to keep the activity rolling. To date, the Bowl-A-Thon has raised $1,500 to purchase sensory equipment at NHS/AVS’ PHMC. Julie and her friends scored big for NHS/AVS, and we are so grateful for their fundraising efforts and for the time they dedicated to enrich the lives of the individuals in our care.

That same morning, the Quaker Valley Boys High School basketball team led arts and crafts activities for 40 individuals from the Pittsburgh Campus, PHMC and nearby community group homes. The students worked with the individuals to make Valentine’s themed crowns, pillows and picture frames. The team also led a parachute activity which brought together the entire group of students, consumers, and others there to support the activities. Everyone also enjoyed watching the team run some basketball drills.

Thank you to the 7th graders of Holy Trinity Catholic Church who provided a sweet snack mix for those attending the events! We are grateful for our friends in the community who support NHS/AVS!

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NHS/AVS Cheers On the Pittsburgh Penguins

On February 7, NHS/AVS individuals David, James, Heather, Jennifer, Kelly, Anna, Tricia, Cathy, and accompanying staff members cheered on the Pittsburgh Penguins from the Sidney Crosby Charity Suite at PPG Paints Arena. In the luxury suite, everyone enjoyed snacks, watched the game and had a visit from the Penguins mascot Iceburgh. The group from NHS/AVS was announced and featured on the electronic scoreboard. The game ended in a loss after a shoot-out with the Calgary Flames, but everyone still had a great time! We are grateful to Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins for providing this opportunity to NHS/AVS.

NHS’s New Autism Center in Louisiana – In the News

NHS hosted a community presentation on February 9 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to discuss the new NHS Autism Center that will open in March. More than 130 people from Baton Rouge, and surrounding areas, attended the event to hear Karen Markle, EVP of Education and Autism Services and our new staff at the Center, provide information and answer questions on how we will support children and adolescents with an autism diagnosis. Since there is a tremendous need for these services in the community, the media was out in full force to cover the event and to interview Karen about the Autism Center. "We are really excited. I think having a service center that has customized programs for ages 3 to 21 is something that isn't widespread and we are really excited to support a continuum of individuals and their needs," said Karen.

Click the links below to see how NHS is making a difference in the Baton Rouge community!

Clarence Buggs Talk Radio Show
WAFB - Channel 9, NBC
Talk 107.3 - Rock it Right Radio
Baton Rouge Proud

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