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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Penn Hills, PA

Home Care Penn Hills, PA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Clayton gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Penn Hills, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Penn Hills, PA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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“I love working for these guys. Pretty flexible and my bosses are understanding that life”

I love working for these guys. Pretty flexible and my bosses are understanding that life happens. They go out of their way to help their caregivers and their elderly clients. Best company to work for! Love you guys.
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The Best Care !�
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“I work for always best care of Fox Chapel I meet the greatest people. I”

I work for always best care of Fox Chapel I meet the greatest people. I have the best boss and I absolutely would refer anybody who has a Caring Heart to be an employee of this company. I also refer anyone who needs someone of the Caring Heart in their life to help them with their daily living needs. Always best care is there for you I'm happy to be working for this company.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I love working for these guys. Pretty flexible and my bosses are understanding that life happens. They go out of their way to help their caregivers and their elderly clients. Best company to work for! Love you guys.”

Melissa A.
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“The Best Care !�”

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TESTIMONIALS

“I work for always best care of Fox Chapel I meet the greatest people. I have the best boss and I absolutely would refer anybody who has a Caring Heart to be an employee of this company. I also refer anyone who needs someone of the Caring Heart in their life to help them with their daily living needs. Always best care is there for you I'm happy to be working for this company.”

Izzy S.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Penn Hills, PA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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Senior Care Penn Hills, PA

Types of Elderly Care in Penn Hills, PA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
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Respite Care Penn Hills, PA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
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Caregivers Penn Hills, PA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Universal Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
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Home Care Penn Hills, PA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Pasqualino's Italian Restaurant or visit Neill Log House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

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In-Home Care Penn Hills, PA

Benefits of Home Care in Penn Hills, PA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Penn Hills, PA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Elderly Care Penn Hills, PA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your PA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
Senior Care Penn Hills, PA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Penn Hills, PA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.

Respite Care Penn Hills, PA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
Caregivers Penn Hills, PA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Allegheny Place
  • Brookdale Penn Hills
  • Juniper Village at Forest Hills
  • Assisted Living Concepts
  • Independence Court of Monroeville Enhanced Personal Care and Memory Care Community
  • Longwood At Oakmont Retirement Community
Home Care Penn Hills, PA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

In-Home Care Penn Hills, PA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Penn Hills, PA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

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Elderly Care Penn Hills, PA

Latest News in Penn Hills, PA

Fire forces families from Penn Hills apartment complex

PENN HILLS, Pa. — The Red Cross Disaster Action Team is helping residents who were forced out of their homes when a fire engulfed an apartment in Penn Hills.This happened just after 11 p.m. Monday at the Oak Ridge Apartments along Robinson Boulevard. From the outside, there doesn’t appear to be a significant amount of damage, but video and pictures from the inside tell a very different story.Carmalita Johnson-Barker was home with her three grandchildren, her daughter and her aid. They were all celebrating her birthd...

PENN HILLS, Pa. — The Red Cross Disaster Action Team is helping residents who were forced out of their homes when a fire engulfed an apartment in Penn Hills.

This happened just after 11 p.m. Monday at the Oak Ridge Apartments along Robinson Boulevard. From the outside, there doesn’t appear to be a significant amount of damage, but video and pictures from the inside tell a very different story.

Carmalita Johnson-Barker was home with her three grandchildren, her daughter and her aid. They were all celebrating her birthday. Before the fire started, she says she heard a lot of commotion in the neighboring apartment. It was so loud, she said she was going to have someone check on the people next door.

“I went to the hallway and the smoke was just billowing out,” Johnson-Barker tells Channel 11. “I screamed, came back in, and said to get the kids. When we came out, the smoke was billowing, the lights sparked which scared me - I fell down I was trying to get out of there.”

Johnson-Barker said she was able to get the grandkids out safely, but she was still so visibly shaken.

“I’ve never been through anything like this,” Johnson-Barker said. “I was sitting in the ambulance with the kids because it was cold. All the cops and firefighters - it was a mess, I was speechless, I’ve never gone through anything like that.”

Johnson-Barker said you could see flames shooting from a stove from the back of the apartment complex. Pictures taken by firefighters on scene show everything blackened around the stove, grey marks on the walls from the smoke and water dripping down the walls from crews trying to extinguish the flames.

Carmalita says she just wants to stay in her own home. A cleaning company came out Tuesday to fumigate.

“He checked out the apartment, said they’re going to get it cleaned up the best they can,” Johnson-Barker added. “I hope they do because from the hall it doesn’t look like we should be living there.”

Fortunately, nobody was hurt, but it’s not clear how many units were damaged.

The Allegheny County Fire Marshal will determine what started the fire and if there’s anything suspicious.

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In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of Feb. 26, 2024

PA Pre-K Counts accepting applications in MarchPA Pre-K Counts, a program of the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette Inc., will begin taking applications in March for its locations throughout Allegheny, Beaver, Fayette and Westmoreland counties for the 2023-24 school year.PA Pre-K Counts, offered at no cost to qualifying families, provides high-quality pre-kindergarten education for 3- and 4-year-olds living in Pennsylvania funded by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning.An Open Registration Day...

PA Pre-K Counts accepting applications in March

PA Pre-K Counts, a program of the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette Inc., will begin taking applications in March for its locations throughout Allegheny, Beaver, Fayette and Westmoreland counties for the 2023-24 school year.

PA Pre-K Counts, offered at no cost to qualifying families, provides high-quality pre-kindergarten education for 3- and 4-year-olds living in Pennsylvania funded by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning.

An Open Registration Day is planned from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 22 at Penn Hills High School, 309 Collins Drive.

This will be an opportunity to meet teachers and other staff, tour the classrooms and playgrounds, ask questions and fill out an application. Classes are five days a week for six hours each day, and children are served healthy and nutritious meals and snacks through the Child and Adult Care Food Program while attending class.

To participate in the program, children must be at risk of school failure because of income, cultural or special-needs issues. Children also must meet the income eligibility guidelines of at or below 300% of the federal poverty level for their family size.

Volunteer opportunities in the classroom and family engagement events allow parents to learn more about how to be involved in their child’s learning and development.

To complete an application, call the PA Pre-K Counts office at 724-437-2590 or go online at www.privateindustrycouncil.com.

PALS to meet, learn about Plum EMS project

The Plum Area Ladies Society will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. March 6 at the Plum Community Center.

The service project for the month is to fill 40 Easter baskets with candy and small toys for children served by the Plum Food Pantry.

The guest speaker will be Brian Maloney from Plum EMS. He will discuss the department’s mission to raise funds to provide car seats and cribs for families in need. He also will be accepting donations from members.

The theme for the monthly meeting’s refreshments and Friendship Basket is “Spring Is in the Air.” At the meeting, members will be able to pay the $30 for their admission to the May 4 banquet at Pugliano’s. The theme is the Kentucky Derby.

For the Ladies Day Out, the members will be attending the “55 and Over Comedy Tour” at 8 p.m. March 9 at the Oaks Theater in Oakmont. To sign up, call Lynda at 412-298-1269 by March 1 and indicate whether you want to meet for dinner before the show.

PALS, a service and social club, is open to women from Plum, Penn Hills, Monroeville and the surrounding communities. Newcomers are welcome at the monthly meetings, which are held on the first Wednesday of the month September through April. For details about joining, call Mary Lou at 724-327-8265.

Class of 1974 plans 50-year bash

The Penn Hills High School Class of 1974 will have its 50th reunion at 6 p.m. June 8 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Monroeville.

The cost is $65. The gathering will include appetizers, food stations, dessert, nonalcoholic beverages, a photo booth and a DJ. There will be a cash bar. To make a reservation, visit Penn Hills Class of 1974 on Facebook or contact Deborah (Tedesco) Gathagan at [email protected].

Registration open for softball

Registration is underway for the Penn Hills Girls Softball Association’s spring season through March 15.

Five teams are forming: 8 and under (coach pitch), $85; 10 and under, 12 and under, 15 and under, and 18 and under, each $125. All ages are as of Sept. 1, 2023.

The 8-and-under team includes the option of a refundable concession fee of $30 for family members who help out at the concession stand; all other teams include the option of a $40 refundable concession fee.

Registration includes a full uniform. Open gym practices take place in February. Games for the spring season start at the end of April.

For new players, a copy of a birth certificate is required and can be emailed to [email protected].

Tickets available for purse bash

The Penn Hills Girls Softball Association is organizing a purse bash from noon to 3 p.m. March 16 at Penn Hills Fire Hall No. 7, 125 Universal Road.

Tickets, which are $50 in advance or $60 at the door, include admission to the event, food, wine, beer, nonalcoholic beverages and multiple chances to win designer handbags. Participants must be 21 or older to attend.

Doors open at 11:30 a.m., and the first raffle starts at noon. Winners will be drawn every 15 minutes. Ticket-holders do not need to be present to win.

Additional raffles will be available, including ones for “pick of the table,” 50-50, auction baskets, a mystery bundle and lottery tree.

Space is limited to 250 people, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. A limited number of reserved tables for up to eight guests is available for an additional $50.

For details or to purchase a ticket or reserve a table, call Marquitta Gray at 412-877-2301, Robin Brown at 412-443-5600 and Tiera Hempfiled at 412-225-9218.

Categories: Local | Penn Hills Progress

Penn Hills High School starts new school year with new principal

PENN HILLS, Pa. —Penn Hills School District students went back to the classroom on Tuesday to kick off their 2023-2024 school year.For Penn Hills Senior High School, students are seeing some new changes come with both educators, and opportunities in the school.This year, Penn Hills High School has its first Black principal, Tricia Mayo. Mayo said she worked at Pittsburgh Public Schools since 2011 as an educator."I didn't really take it as a big thing because I'm a Black woman every day,...

PENN HILLS, Pa. —

Penn Hills School District students went back to the classroom on Tuesday to kick off their 2023-2024 school year.

For Penn Hills Senior High School, students are seeing some new changes come with both educators, and opportunities in the school.

This year, Penn Hills High School has its first Black principal, Tricia Mayo. Mayo said she worked at Pittsburgh Public Schools since 2011 as an educator.

"I didn't really take it as a big thing because I'm a Black woman every day, I educate every day, I'm a part of my students' lives every day," said Mayo. "I was in Giant Eagle, and some of the students recognized me, and the reception I received from them was amazing, and that's when it hit me; I'm needed, and they told me that, and it was pretty emotional. Being able to be that person for these students, it means a lot to me."

Mayo said she's been in several leadership roles and is thrilled for her new position as principal.

"Leadership is lonely, however; I always recognize myself as a teacher first so I'm able to service teachers, so they're able to serve our students with intention."

Along with their new principal, students will now notice Safe Spaces provided for them.

"(Safe Spaces) was a program that was initiated by the Department of Human Services and they partnered up with the Penn Hills School District to be able to provide a safe space for the students to be able to come to," said Dion Dupree, the school and community liaison coordinator. "With the closing of the YMCA and other community programs, there wasn't too much for them to do. They wanted a space for them to come, just have the opportunity to relax, be kids, have a good time and be safe. Be off the streets and out of volatile situations."

Dupree said the program will allow students to create goals while also help increase enrollment, engagement and academic achievement.

"It gives them something to do. We have people like myself and others who work in the program that really genuinely care about the kids, so they also get that social, emotional support from adults that can help them further their dreams," Dupree told Pittsburgh's Action News 4. "So we're looking for enrollment to increase, for engagement to increase, and just looking to be a part of having a great year here at Penn Hills High School."

"Working into restorative practices where students are able to engage in conversation instead of physical violence, and able to talk things out. That's very important, especially with the pandemic; some of our students have lost those social skills," Mayo told Pittsburgh's Action News 4.

Last year, Pittsburgh's Action News 4 reported about a new 'no phone zone' implemented in the high school. This year, Mayo plans to keep the phones hidden away but said she's also open to change down the line.

"All they want to know is if they're going to be able to use their phones, absolutely not," she said. "However, I'm looking for students to be responsible with these pouches, and then we'll have a conversation."

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