Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC)

Posted on June 30, 2022 by Babs Sefiane

Life’sWork of Western PA has become an Educational Improvement Organization supported by the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC). Through this program, a donation to Life’sWork can provide your company with a tax credit of 75% for a one-year commitment and 90% for a two-year commitment. These tax credits are a dollar for dollar reduction in the taxes owed by a PA business. Not only would this program help reduce the taxes owed, but it would also give your company the opportunity to direct where tax dollars are being spent. The contributions made would directly support our Work Discovery Program, helping high-school aged youth with disabilities transition from school to the world of work. By applying for this program, you can help change the life of a student with disabilities while reducing your tax obligation – a win for the student, a win for the community, and a win for your business.

Applications for the EITC Program are approved on a first-come-first-served basis by the date received. July 1, 2022 marks the date in which all initial applicants can begin submitting their applications. It is highly recommended that companies get their applications in on July 1^st because only a select number of applications will be chosen. Therefore, the companies that get their applications in early have a higher chance of being accepted into the program. If you or your company is interested in applying for the EITC program go to https://dced.pa.gov/programs/educational-improvement-tax-credit-program-eitc/.

Spread Holiday Cheer!

Posted on December 9, 2021 by Babs Sefiane

The holidays are the time to:

• reflect on the past year

• give thanks for the blessings in your life

• donate to your favorite charity

• send cards to friends and loved ones

By purchasing holiday cards, featuring artwork from Life’s Work Clients, you can complete the above list in one full swoop. Clicking on the link above, you can purchase six notecards with envelopes to send out as part of your holiday cards tradition. There is no better way to complete all the best things about the holidays than spreading joy with a handwritten card.

Life’sWork Board Members | 2021-2024

Posted on November 1, 2021 by Babs Sefiane

On July 1, 2021, and November 1, 2021, Life’sWork welcomed a total of 11 new board members to begin their three-year term! They are: They are: Patriece Thompson, director of investor relations for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development; Jennifer Pannill, manager of recruitment and employer branding for Covestro, LLC.; Diann Donaldson, owner of Jazzy Boutique and Reliance Business Solutions; Kevin Sheehy, assistant vice chancellor of auxiliary operations and finance at the University of Pittsburgh; Alexander Hays, executive client manager at Highmark National Markets; Lori E. McMaster, executive director of external relations at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law; Jim O’Brien, senior relationship manager of PNC Healthcare; Jess Scott, graduate research assistant at the Matthew B. Ridgeway Center for International Security for the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs of the University of Pittsburgh; Stephanie Winer-Schreiber, shareholder at Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney PC; Benjamin Stein, regional manager at Coen Markets Inc.; and Amanda Laichak, PhD., regional vice president of Commonwealth Charter Academy.

These new board members help to make up the 27-member board at Life’sWork of Western PA. We have expanded our board to a larger size as we continually seek out increased perspectives, talents, and backgrounds to help achieve our mission of making lives work better.

Celebrating 1 Year in Our South Side Location!

Posted on August 10, 2021 by Babs Sefiane

On August 10, 2020 (one year ago today), Life’sWork of Western PA moved from our previous Forbes Avenue location into a new facility located in Pittsburgh’s South Side. Our new location was renovated to have a light, open feel and has allowed us to offer a welcoming space for clients that work in the facility daily while also providing more opportunities to engage with one another and the community.

Those who work with Life’sWork know our passion for finding meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and other socioeconomic barriers. However, what some may not realize is the extent of our commitment to evolve what the experience of meaningful employment includes. Our new location signals the growth in employment opportunities that we have created for our clients. Since we made our move just last year, 10 new partnerships have been created to provide different job experiences for the individuals that we help to employ. In this new location, Life’sWork has also successfully grown the RECOVER program, in which we help individuals recovering from substance use disorder and navigate the many challenges of obtaining employment.

Life’sWork of Western PA looks forward to a new era of growth while searching for opportunities for innovative solutions when considering how we can best serve their clients and the Pittsburgh Community.

Looking Back: 2021 Client Celebration Picnic

Posted on August 5, 2021 by Babs Sefiane

We are taking the time this week to look back at our 2021 Client Celebration, an annual event in which we honor the hard work and milestone anniversaries of the clients that Life’sWork of Western PA serves! This year was especially meaningful to our clients, who missed out on a year’s worth of celebrations, events, and parties due to the pandemic. Luckily, this May we were able to throw our biggest and best celebration yet to show our clients the appreciation that they deserve!

Our milestone anniversaries at this year’s celebration ranged from 5 years to 40 years! Many of the individuals that we recognized have transitioned through the many services that we offer throughout their tenure. While some may have started in our Facility Based Vocational Rehabilitation (FBVR) Program and remained there, we have still watched them flourish and find a sense of independence through meaningful employment. Other clients have made the transition from FBVR to our Small Group Staffing Program, Competitive Integrated Employment, or may even have a hybrid schedule working in many different programs. No matter what employment opportunities our clients have been involved in, we recognize and proudly celebrate their hard work and dedication. Meaningful employment has been a constant in the century that Life’sWork has served its clients and we continue to grow the opportunities available for each individual that we support today.

Click here to view our event highlight video!

31st Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Posted on July 29, 2021 by Babs Sefiane

This week marks the 31st anniversary of a landmark piece of legislation that outlined the rights and protections for people with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law on this day in 1990 and protects individuals with disabilities against discrimination in all areas of public life- including employment. There is so much within this act that we celebrate, even as we work hard every day to continue to fill the gaps in disability inclusion.

31 years later, only four out of ten working-age adults with disabilities are employed- Life’sWork of Western PA is committed to changing this statistic here in our community. We envision a community where every individual can equally participate in meaningful employment. We ask you to celebrate by exploring more of our website to learn about the impact our programs have made on the individuals with disabilities that we serve.

John Iskey- A Hero at Life’sWork

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Babs Sefiane

A client from our Belle Vernon location has been deemed a hero following a motor vehicle accident this past month. John, an individual employed through Life’sWork’s Direct Facility-Based Employment Services, suffers from seizures and other intellectual disabilities. Though he may be shy at first, his mighty smile and friendly personality let you in on the fact that he is just the type of man who would be kind and brave enough to save the day.

In May on their way to dinner, John and his sister were in an accident that caused their vehicle to go off the road and down a hill, out of visible sight. John, despite his fear from the accident, quickly sprung into action. He was able to remove himself from the vehicle and ran to the road for help for his sister who was stuck. John flagged down a firefighter and is the reason his sister was able to get help quickly.

Like a true hero, John never complained about the incident. Instead, Life’sWork found out weeks later only from his support coordinator. What is even more special is how John was able to persevere and act as any great brother would, regardless of any of the challenges he faces on a day-to-day basis.

John is most excited to be featured at Life’sWork’s infamous “Wall of Fame”- a section in the facility where all clients who do something special are featured. Life’sWork is so proud of John!

John and his sister are both doing well since the accident.

Remembering Vickie Sitton

Posted on April 14, 2021 by Babs Sefiane

The employees, staff and fellow clients at Life’sWork offer our deepest condolences to the family of Vickie Sitton. It was with great sadness that we learned of her passing on April 10,2021. Vickie was a fundamental member of the Life’sWork team and had a tremendous impact on so many. We honor her memory and all the lives she touched and will never forget her infectious smile that warmed up any room. Who could forget Vickie’s love for the Pittsburgh Steelers!

Life’sWork had the pleasure of working with Vickie during her 30-year tenure as a client of Life’sWork (Pittsburgh location).

Thank you, Vickie, for being such an inspiration to us all and you will live in our hearts forever!

Project Spotlight: A helping hand when it’s needed most

Posted on January 12, 2021 by Babs Sefiane

Life’sWork recently partnered with Allegheny County Department of Human Services to fulfill a large project benefitting senior citizens in our community. During these trying and unprecedented times, our most vulnerable neighbors have been affected disproportionately. The Senior Care Kitting Project sought to address those needs. Over two weeks of non-stop work, we assembled and delivered nearly 9,000 care packages to seniors citizens across Allegheny County. The care kits included a range of supplies (such as hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, toilet paper, and more) as well as informational resources that will help enable our community members to stay safe and access services they may need during this challenging period.

The Impact

Many seniors citizens have been safely following COVID-19 guidelines by staying socially distanced, but have had difficulty finding ways to get essential groceries – especially at a time when many community and local stores have closed or reduced hours due to the pandemic. Allegheny County DHS sought to ease some of the burden for our local seniors by delivering these vital and necessary products right to their homes. The care packages arrived at a much-needed time to individuals involved in services and programs throughout Allegheny County. And the response we got made it clear: these essential items brought joy and hope to those who needed it most!

A Shared Mission

We were fortunate to partner with Global Links to procure all of the essential items for these kits. Global Links works to support health improvement initiatives in resource-poor communities and promoting environmental stewardship in the US healthcare system.

Since 1989, Global Links has been working to redirect still-useful materials away from US landfills to support public health programs in targeted communities throughout the Western Hemisphere – a natural partner for the Life’sWork mission to improve the quality of life of individuals in our community. Both organizations have the same vision: respect for all people, resulting in compassionate, inclusive and equitable communities where all individuals have an opportunity to thrive.

Interested in becoming a partner with Life’sWork? Read more about our Business Services here!

Remembering Linda Dickerson

Posted on September 29, 2020 by Babs Sefiane

Pictured above: Ms. Dickerson (bottom left) pictured with other former chairs of the Life’sWork White House Dinner

We at Life’sWork offer our deepest condolences to the family of Linda Dickerson following her passing on September 26, 2020. Ms. Dickerson was a champion for people with disabilities and worked tirelessly to support organizations providing opportunity to those who need it, making an impact that will be felt in our community for generations to come. We honor her memory as a relentless and passionate voice on behalf of individuals seeking to overcome barriers to enjoying a full and purposeful life.

Ms. Dickerson was very active in the Pittsburgh nonprofit community through consulting work, fundraising, and advocacy. As a member of the disabled community herself, she was committed to finding paths to independence for individuals with disabilities and was a living testament to inclusion – at home, at work, or in the community. Her monumental accomplishments included the successful campaign to make the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) federal law in the early ’90s.

Life’sWork was among the many non-profit organizations Ms. Dickerson supported in Southwestern PA. We had the pleasure of working alongside Ms. Dickerson during her 11-year tenure as a member of the Life’sWork Board of Directors and in her role on the Ambassador’s Council. From 1997-2008, she guided the agency on a multitude of initiatives, including the era of transition from the Vocational Rehabilitation Center (VRC) to our current name. Her input helped to shape Life’sWork as we know it today.

Thank you, Ms. Dickerson, for being an inspiration to us all to keep working toward creating a community where everyone belongs.