Author: Jillesa Shotts

December 7, 2022

It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s a Superhero Expert!

What do you get when you cross books, superheroes, and advocacy? The perfect combination, just like bravery, strength, and determination make a great superhero. Being a millennial, I of course grew up with Spidey, Super Friends, Batman, X-Men, and all the rest to appreciate a good superhero. But did you know that there is a superhero expert living in our...

Categories General

September 16, 2022

Direct Support Professionals Appreciation Week 2022

We are celebrating ALL Direct Support Professionals for the work you do every day, giving your heart, time, and dedication to people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. The following people were nominated by their agency for the amazing services they provide. Thank you for your service. You are so important to the system you support. ARMSTRONG COUNTY Robin Steffy, Evergreen Homes BUTLER...

Categories Community/General

August 31, 2022

Silence the Power of Addiction; Give Voice to the Victims

News about the COVID pandemic has covered our globe. It has been plastered on every form of media and everyone knows the concerns, precautions, and fatalities. But another national epidemic continues to grow under the surface. It may not have been broadcast in our local news hours or published in bold, capital typeface but the seriousness of statistics should not...

Categories General/Resources

July 6, 2022

The Community that Walks

I’m walking on sunshine, woooah I’m walking on sunshine, woooah And don’t it feel good! Yeah, I don’t sound like Katrina and the Waves but I do love walking out on a gorgeous summer day, how about you? Walking is one of my favorite things to do. It gets me off the couch and moving, which gives me a change...

Categories Community/General

February 16, 2022

That’s the Power of Love!

Ok before you skip off to youtube or rewatch 1985’s Back to the Future that featured Huey Lewis’s fantastic single “The Power of Love”, I want to share some thoughts with you this Valentine’s week. Romantic love gets a major spotlight on Valentine’s Day but let’s not forget nor underestimate the power of friendship. Think about what having a friend...

Categories Community/General

February 2, 2022

Open Up Pittsburgh

A friend of mine recently clued me into Open Up Pittsburgh. Don’t you like the sound of that name? To me it sounds like a call to step up and be inclusive. That’s right this has nothing to do with business closures, this has to do with opening up to wellness, community, equity, and accessibility. Their mission is briefly expressed...

Categories Community/General/Resources

December 29, 2021

Ahead

A new year is dawning just ahead. No one knows what a day may hold when those first rays streak across the horizon, so also we don’t know what the year will bring. With all the fears, burdens, joys, and potential you carry, hold onto hope. Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, And sings the...

Categories Everyday Life/General

December 22, 2021

The Present

Many different traditions and celebrations are being remembered this time of year. As you remember the past, far distant or the recent months, I hope you also cherish the value of being present. Sometimes that means being a listening ear as someone meanders down memory lane. They just need a tender heart willing to glimpse at what they are sharing....

Categories Everyday Life/General

November 24, 2021

Gratitude is Everything

A year holds so very much in it. For some it is endless change. That change can be grand, wonderful things or it can be devastating loss. For others the year stretched long in sameness and not the changes they might have wished. But throughout the rollercoasters and monotony, there is one thing everyone can do in their ride through...

Categories Everyday Life/General

November 3, 2021

Love – You Feel It, You Sign It

There are many ways to express our love and appreciation for other people. Love Letters by Emily (lovelettersbyemily.com) helps you express it in unique pieces featuring American Sign Language (ASL). This Rhode Island, family-based company has a big online presence. Love Letters by Emily was actually inspired by Emily’s Teacher of the Deaf who photographed her hand fingerspelling LOVE in...

Categories General/Resources