Congratulations Heidi Crisp, Merakey AVS Central PA DSP of the Quarter! Heidi was surprised to learn she won the award, and very happy and appreciative of the staff who nominated her. Heidi commented about the love she has for the individuals she supports, and they are the reason she has done this for 20 years. Thank you, Heidi, for putting your heart and soul into exceptional care!

The DSP of the quarter award has been made possible through Steven’s Fund to recognize Merakey AVS Direct Support Professionals in Central PA. The fund was created in 2017 in memory of Steven Garlick by his mother Betsy Friedman. To contribute to the fund, visit https://avs.merakey.org/donate-now and include “Steven’s Fund” in the “other” and/or “comments / instructions” box.

Carol Erzen and the Staff Development Team shares encouraging words about the COVID-19 vaccine. Thank you, Carol and team!

The ladies from Ewings Mill I at Merakey AVS in Pittsburgh, PA turned their living room into a bowling alley to play a few games and cheer-on each other.

Great job, ladies!

Kevin from Great Oaks at Merakey AVS in Pittsburgh got into the winter spirit by building a snowman at his home. Great job, Kevin!

The ladies from Merakey AVS’s Galey Home have had a very busy month. They celebrated birthdays, decorated for the holidays and made gingerbread houses.

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During Zoom sessions, individuals who attend Kennedy and Zapp Centers at Merakey AVS participated in a special volunteer holiday project making cards for children who are hospitalized. More than 100 beautiful cards were made and sent to Cards for Hospitalized Kids.

The project was started by an 11-year old girl named Jen Rubino who was hospitalized during Christmas time. Jen was inspired to create cards for other hospitalized kids after receiving a card from a hospital volunteer. In March 2011, Jen and her friends began making cards to distribute to sick children in local hospitals; she founded Cards for Hospitalized Kids later that year. The cards are made by volunteers locally, across the nation, and worldwide. According to Jen Rubino, even this small gesture for kids struggling with illness in the hospital means so much.

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Individuals from the Hookstown, Green Garden and Patterson homes at Merakey AVS had a fun time decorating gingerbread houses. Great job, everyone!

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