Family Unification Services
      When Sarah Jenkins' home burnt to the ground this past June, she lost all her worldly possessions. And though she did not lose her seven children to the fire, she would have lost them-and more-to the "system" had it not been for the United Way's Impact Fund. She and her children, ages 9 months to 14 years old, had no home, no food, and no clothes. Jane's job was at risk. The children were going to be placed in substitute care-and probably split up-at a cost of $2,000 per child per month. Forgetting for a moment the unbearable emotional cost for the family, the financial burden for taxpayers could have easily exceeded $100,000. However, with just $4,600 from the Impact Fund, the Parental Stress Center was able to help Jane obtain housing and keep her job. Her family got clothes and medical attention. Counselors enabled Jane to see a light at the end of the tunnel and gave her the tools and the drive to reach it.

Family Unification Services
      PSC recieved a phone call from a frantic mother who was concerned about her thirteen-year-old daughter.  The daughter was self-mutilating by cutting herself.  The family was intact with two parents and three children.  Both parents were employed and owned their own home in the South Hills. Although they had insurance, they were not able to get an appointment for nine weeks.  The dilemma was what would they do for the nine weeks while they were waiting.  When the daughter cut herself again, the mother called PSC.  Because of the money received from the impact fund, PSC was able to provide in-home counseling to help the family stabilize and to prevent the teenager from being hospitalized until her evaluation at her mental health clinic.

Youth in Service Initiative
      Jane was a 13 year old girl who was enrolled in our after school/weekend program for kids 9-18.  She was extremely angry and was uncooperative, belligerent and defiant.  She was in a shelter and the County was trying to determine if she could be returned to her pre-adoptive home.  PSC believes in looking at the strengths and moving towards solutions rather than focusing on the problems.  As part of our Youth In Service Initiative, Jane was enrolled in our Adolescent Anger Management Class (which is funded with Contributor Choice dollars).  As a result of her participation and PSC's relentless encouragement and reinforcement, Jane got her anger under control and was returned to her pre-adoptive home; her adoption was finalized last month.  She then returned for our Summer Camp and was trained to be a Teen Leader.

      Jane was used to being judged and criticized.  She used her behaviors to keep from getting close to people.  PSC was a different experience for Jane. She stated that for the first time, someone believed in her and worked with her to help her succeed.

Fathers' Resource Center
      A father was court ordered to have supervision during his visits with his infant daughter.  The father contacted PSC for this service. Although the father was employed full-time, he was financially challenged.  In addition to supporting his own household, he paid child support and attorney fees. Because of the money we receive through United Way Contributor Choice, we were able to offer him a reduced rate for supervised visitation.  Initially, the visits were sporadic. The mother then stopped the visits for over a year.   Finally when the little girl was three, the visitations were resumed and both parents wanted PSC to provide the service.