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 Testimonial from the Philadelphia Defender Association
I’m emailing you to let you know how much I appreciate the wonderful work that your staff did with my client, who just discharged from your program on Tuesday, 12-13-11. My client went through a traumatic time with the loss of her baby shortly after entering the program, and the way that your staff provided her with the support and treatment that she needed was exceptional. While my client really did a lot on her own to get through things and go on to excel in your program, if it weren’t for your staff I know she would never have gotten through it the way she did and be where she is today. She is one of my first clients in the 6 years that I have worked here that really applied herself and got the most out of everything the program had to offer, including getting her GED and many other certificates.
Ms. Walker and Mr. Patrus, along with everyone else that worked with my client should be commended for the great work that they did with her and the work that I’m confident they do with all of our other clients in your program. I also commend the line staff that worked with my client while on the unit. I had many phone calls with her where she reflected how much she appreciated the staff on her unit and their openness to allow her to express herself and grow. Ms. Walker and Mr. Patrus also did a great job maintaining communication with me and our office, updating us with Bianca’s progress and allowing her to call and communicate whenever it was requested.
Overall, I just wanted to express my thanks and appreciation for everything that your staff and program did to help my client succeed and grow into a phenomenal young woman. Thank you so much!
Juvenile Social Service Advocate
Defender Association of Philadelphia
Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO)
Thanksgiving Project Recap
As you know Thanksgiving is a very busy time for CEO. With hard work and dedication of many supporters and volunteers, we are able to feed thousands of households in the area. This year's food distribution was a success, because of many partnerships that held Food Drives and helped CEO serve 7,619 households for Thanksgiving.
Thanks again to all of the volunteers and donors that helped make this year's Annual Thanksgiving Project a success!
Volunteer Groups:
Franklin Security Bank, Local Boy and Girl Scout Troops, King's College, Wilkes University, Misericordia University, LCCC, PPL, KNBT Bank, Wyoming Valley United Way, Greater Hazleton United Way, Wyoming County United Way, Coca Cola, RSVP (Retire & Senior Volunteer Program),
Benco Dental, Travelocity, ClemMar House, LIU 18, VA Transitional Housing Program, St. Nick's/St. Mary's Church, St. Therese's Church - Shavertown, Blue Cross of NEPA, Kingston Kiwanis, Mid Atlantic Youth Services,
Trion Industries, CVS / Caremark, Polish Union, CEO Staff, HDC Staff, Frontier, Westmoreland Club, Lake Silkworth Lions Club, Day Development, Lake Lehman High School, St. Jude's Church, Jewish Community Center, American Red Cross-Hazleton Chapter, Hazleton Area High School Key Club, Holy Family Academy Students of Service, Keystone Job Corps-Youth Services Division.
On behalf of all those who were able to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, a special thank you goes out to all those organizations who held "Feed a Friend" Food drive in support of CEO and the Weinberg Foodbank and to all those who volunteered.
Partnership and Community Service Awards
On October 15, 2008, two awards were given to Western PA Child Care during the Emlenton Community Service Awards Ceremony. The awards included a Community Service
Award presented by State Representative Scott Hutchinson to MAYS' Executive Director Mike Cummings and an Oustanding Partnership Award presented by State Senator Mary
Jo White.
 View Certificates
The youth who participated in MAYS' community service program were present at the ceremony and thanked the borough of Emlenton for the opportunity
to right their wrongs and give back to the community.
The partnership between Western PA Child Care and the Borough of Emlenton has not only enhanced the lives of the young men at the facility, but the lives of those
living in Emlenton.
CEREMONY PHOTOS
Click on the thumbnails to view larger images.
 
 
Volunteer Service Awards
On May 21, 2008, Pennsylvania Senator Lisa Baker presented a Certificate of Recognition to PA Child Care (formerly Luzerne County Juvenile Detention Center) in recognition of their generous contribution of volunteer service. View Certificate
Letters of Commendation
On Saturday December 6th and Sunday
December 7th I had the privilege, along with another instructor to provide a First Aid and CPR (Adult, Infant, Child, and AED) class to 25 Youth in Units G and H.
Please congratulate and commend these youth for a job well done. I truly was proud of each and every one of them. Their behavior as well as their performance in both
classes was “top notch”. My friend, Steph Marlow, and I have now done CPR and First Aid training with 1/3 of the youth population in this facility (Units A, G, and H).
Thank you for the opportunity to give youth another “tool for success” and a means of possibly helping others in the future. A special thank you to Carol Wilson for
setting this past training up and also to Kim Kaufman for setting up the one for Unit A.
Linda Trojak,
Red Cross Instructor
"...Not once have I seen any of the boys without a smile and a happy "hello." They have made a difference in Emlenton by their work ethic, respectfulness and pride in the work they have accomplished. I, for one, would be proud to have any of them as a neighbor in this community." Read Letter
Barbara E. Carr,
Co-Chairperson
Emlenton Renaissance Committee - Garden Committee
"On behalf of the Borough of Emlenton, I would like to thank you and your staff for the outstanding contributions that Western PA Child Care has made to our community through the volunteer work performed by your young men. We have experienced budget difficulties in Emlenton for many years due to depressed economic conditions. The work you have performed has enabled us to provide services for our citizens that otherwise would not have been available. We are also impressed by the pride that the young men take in the work that they have performed..." Read Letter
Richard L. Carr,
Emlenton Borough Mayor
"Recently I was invited to Western PA Child Care to see a presentation presented by two of the youth that are on the work program and work with the borough maintenance department. I've seen their transformation from scared children into secure young men full of pride. It was amazing to hear them in their own words tell about their first days here in the community. They were apprehensive to even step out into public, fearful that they wouldn't be accepted. They described themselves as criminals that would be looked down upon... Soon they learned they were now part of a community. They were overcome by the respect you get from a hard day's work... This program has been a win-win situation for everyone. We hope that this partnership continues for many years to come." Read Letter
Nancy Marano,
Emlenton Borough Manager
"On behalf of myself and my grandson, we would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Chriswell and Mrs. Palmer for their thoughtfulness and dedication in helping my grandson achieve his goals. Indeed, they have went way above and beyond their ordinary duties to help my grandson to be all that he can be. They are dedicated, impartial, fair, and just... Thank you all again for my grandson's care."
Youth's Grandmother
"I would like to thank you for hiring such a good team of staff that has the will power to turn youth from the streets into productive men and women of society. When I walked through
these doors, I had the mind set that all I'm going to do is time and go home, but I was fooled when I met Ms. Tronzo, Mr. Coast, and Mr. Patterson for the first time, and they told
me I could make it in this program. I didn't believe them, and as a matter of fact, I didn't believe in myself.
Since my time here in Unit G, I grasped the understanding from the staff and my peers about what is really important and that it is my life. No staff member could have said it better
than Mr. Gallagher who said "if you are man enough to get yourself in placement, be man enough to get yourself out."
Mr. Shorts, you are the wisest man I ever met, and you bring joy to one of the most miserable places in the world and that is to be away from family. I would also like to thank Mr. Ross for showing me
what I like to call tough love and Mr. Dickson for showing me how to be a good father figure and a friend.
Mark T.
Discharged Youth
Newspaper Articles
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