Proofreaders:

Christina McLachlan

Doris Orr 

Hundreds attend annual Recovery Walk/Run  

Sunny day adds to enthusiasm 

Entrance to the 8th Annual Rally for Recovery Walk/Run on Sept. 7 at Frick Park

Speakers included Democrat Party Mayoral candidate Bill Peduto, Bishop David Brock-Koinonia Church of Pittsburgh, and Robin Horton Spencer-Executive Director of Message Carriers, who sang praises of those in recovery and of the people and organizations who support them.  They also offered insight on related healthcare issues.

Following the 3-mile walk/run through Frick Park, there was dance instruction, lunch, a petting zoo, pony rides, and a kickball game.

Thanks to the following sponsors: CCBH, Discovery House, Familylinks, IRETA, Jade Wellness Center, Pyramid Healthcare Pittsburgh, Renewal, Inc., Sojourner House/MOMS, South Hills Recovery Project, TADISO, and 1st Step Recovery Homes. Proceeds went to Message Carriers of Pennsylvania.

A long stream of people start a three-mile hike through Frick Park.

Save the date: Annual Victorian Tea! 

Date for 10th annual "friendraiser" confirmed

Mark your calendars for the 10th Annual Sojourner House Victorian Tea, set for Sunday, April 4, 2-4 p.m., at Pittsburgh's Grand Hall at the Priory! Please note that this year, there will be a networking hour, starting at 1 p.m.   

Latasha Wilson-Batch, Executive Director of Best of Batch Foundation, is serving as this year's honorary chair. Sojourner House board member Cori Begg is serving as chair.  

If you would like to be a table captain or if you have questions, please email [email protected]. Hope to see you there!

2014 Victorian Tea honorary chair Latasha Wilson-Batch has been a strong supporter of Sojourner House, including by delivering gifts to Sojourner House and Sojourner House MOMS families last Christmas with her husband, former Pittsburgh Steeler Charlie Batch.

All in the family at the 2013 tea: Dave and Noreen Begg, who volunteer in Sojourner House's daycare every Friday morning,  pose with their daughter, Sojourner House board member Cori Begg, who is serving as this year's Victorian Tea chair.

New board members, officers

Several people welcomed at June meeting   

Bob Breit, MD	Lynne Chadwick	Deb Desjardins
Ayana Ledford	Sarah Mayer	Rev. Jeff Tindall

Christie Smith

Pediatrician Bob Breit, MD, is now a board member of Sojourner House. He resides in Mt. Lebanon with his wife, Jean.   

Lynne Chadwick is now treasurer of Sojourner House and Sojourner House MOMS. She has served on the Sojourner House board for five years, previously as president and vice president. Chadwick is Chief of Staff, Risk & Compliance, at BNY Mellon. She earned her BA from University of Virginia and her MS from Indiana University, Bloomington. She and her husband, Peter, live in Point Breeze.  

Deb Desjardins, an Edgewood resident, is now board president of Sojourner House. She has served on the board for five years. Desjardins is Director of Development at The Children's Institute. She earned a BA from St. Michael's College in Vermont and an MEd from the University of Vermont.

Ayana Ledford, a North Hills resident, is now a member of the board of directors. Ledford is founding Executive Director of PROGRESS at Carnegie Mellon University (http://progress.heinz.cmu.edu/). She earned her BA from Dickinson College  and her MSW from the University of Pittsburgh.

Sarah Mayer, an Allison Park resident, is now a member of the board of directors.  Mayer is Principal Partner and Marketing Strategist for East Liberty-based Creative Agency, Shift Collaborative.  She earned her BA from University of Pittsburgh and has a background in non-profit management and marketing.  

Christie Smith, a Pittsburgh resident, is now a board member of Sojourner House
MOMS. Working in real estate, Smith is a Property Manager. A Peters Township native, she earned her bachelors degree from The American University in Washington, DC, and a masters of science degree in journalism from Northwestern University. 

Rev. Jeff Tindall, a Mt. Lebanon resident, is now a member of the board of directors. Rev. Tindall is Pastor of Carnegie Presbyterian Church and Stated Clerk of Pittsburgh Presbytery. He is also a licensed Pennsylvania attorney. Tindall is a graduate of Allegheny College, Capital University Law School, and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Families throughout the community enjoyed food, festivities and fun at National Night Out.

A record number of residents joined MOMS for it annual National Night Celebration on Aug. 7. Guests celebrated with a potluck picnic, live jazz, kids activities and much more.  The residents of MOMS hosted the event  celebration in their backyards  and in the Play-Yard at 5529 Black St., which was recently refurbished by G-Tech with help from CMU 1000+, Garfield CISP, Junior League & MOMS.    

Local musicians donated their time and talents during at MOMS during National Night Out.