Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh

Mercy Health System, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, was instrumental in bringing an amazing worldwide program to the students of Pittsburgh, and one that promises to have a life-long impact.

Mark Rogalsky, MSW, is the manager of Mercy Community Health’s drug and alcohol Prevention Services (and a Mercy Health System program). The program has been in Pittsburgh Public Schools for over twenty years. Around 2009, Rogalsky learned about Dancing Classrooms when his mother encouraged him to take his children to watch the movie “Mad Hot Ballroom”, the story of Dancing Classrooms. As he watched, he was impressed with a program that teaches youngsters ballroom dancing.

“Dancing Classrooms launched in 1994 as a not-for-profit project of the American Ballroom Theater Company. It is an arts-in-education program that teaches ballroom dance to students of participating schools. Dancing Classrooms is an in-school residency for every child, regardless of his or her background or experience.

Rogalsky’s program focuses on addiction prevention in the schools, but he felt that this program would also encourage “prevention” of so many other things that children suffer from such as poor social skills, lack of self confidence, and habits that do not promote good physical health and well-being – in a new way.

“The mission of Dancing Classrooms is to build social awareness, confidence and self-esteem in children through the practice of social dance.

Meeting with school, city and county officials, Rogalsky and Mercy Health Systems pitched Dancing Classrooms and was successful in bringing the program to Pittsburgh.

Today Dancing Classrooms is in fifth grade classes in sixteen schools and eighth grade classes in four schools. Rogalski stated “the program provides curriculum integration because it teaches various other academic subjects such as writing, artwork, math, and health and wellness.” The program is taught by world-class dance instructors Terry and Rozana Sweeney, and Gena Melago. It was founded by Pierre Dulaine.

Preliminary research of Dancing Schools’ effect on the children has been found to have a significant impact.

Rogalsky relates one mother’s  powerful comment regarding her son’s participation in Dancing Schools: “My son showed me how a woman should be treated.”

For more information contact Mr. Rogalsky at 412-320-2321.
www.dancingclassroomspgh.org

http://www.mercybehavioral.org/

Photo © 2013 Archie Carpenter and Pittsburgh Mercy Health System.


 

Knitting for charity during National Hobby Month

In celebration of National Hobby Month (January) it is worth noting the increasing number of people – men, women and children - who are using the fiber arts for charity. They are knitting, crocheting, quilting, and more for others in need.

The Craft Yarn Councilhttp://www.craftyarncouncil.com/know.html states there are 38 million knitters and crocheters in the US ranging in ages from 18 and up. A resurgence of the needle arts has exploded, and CYC tells us

“For 49% of respondents (to a recent survey), part of their time is spent making charitable items. On average, they participated in knit/crochet charities on 5.5 occasions in 2011. As you might expect, older adults have more time to spend on charitable work but it is important to 35% of younger knitters/crocheters 18–34 years old as well.

Erin Bailey Kopp, owner of Fiberolio, http://www.etsy.com/shop/FiberOlio a company that makes handspun yarn of any type imaginable (ever hear of yarn made from milk?), has seen a tremendous increase in sales from people who are knitting and crocheting for others.

“We encourage our customers to give back by using their talent to comfort those in need.”

The seeming increase in natural disasters has inspired needle crafters to do what they do best to help – make scarves, gloves, hats and blankets.

Kyla Quinn, of Knitting For Charity  added

“Charity knitting focus can take many forms. It can focus internationally, for people on the other side of the world. It can focus nationally, on people all around your own country. Or, it can focus on a more localized level.

“I have long had a love for charity and making a difference, so knitting for charity was a natural fit for me. The more I learned of charities designed to warm, comfort, and even save the lives of those in need, the more I wanted to do everything I could to help. And so here I am -- knitting for charity and always looking for more ways to make the world a better place through yarn and needles!

At knittingforcharity.org, you'll find the answers to just about ALL of your questions about knitting for charity - the variety of projects, how great the need is, what kinds of yarn to use, and more!

“If I do say so myself, I think we're a pretty generous bunch, and the creative ways in which we seek to help those who are suffering are truly inspiring.

Sign-up for her newsletter, Knitting Nuggets for an ongoing list of charities that knit or crochet for others.

Pittsburgh is well known for being a generous city in many ways. Natural Stitches, a yarn shop located in the East End of Pittsburgh, has a group that meets each Sunday called “Sunday Knitting For The Soul”. Manager Yvonne Spencer stated

“We meet to knit scarves and hats and donate them to  Bethlehem Haven". Bethlehem Haven is a nonprofit organization that provides a continuum of care for homeless women that leads toward self-sufficiency. Spencer added, “We welcome all knitters to come out on Sundays and join us.”

Sewickley’s Yarns Unlimited has a different and amazing approach. They have committed to sending UPMC Magee Women’s Hospital www.magee.upmc.com preemie caps and chemo caps. They are looking for volunteer knitters and crocheters to make the caps. Yarns Unlimited stands squarely behind their commitment because they will even provide the yarn and supplies needed to needlecrafters.

Begin your charity knitting journey by contacting either of these Pittsburgh shops:

Natural Stitches

The Village of East Side

6401 Penn Avenue

Pittsburgh PA 15206

412 – 441- 4410  Contact Manager Yvonne Spencer

Yarns Unlimited

435 Beaver Street

Sewickley PA 15143

412-741-8894  Contact Cathy

PROWD – Support for families of disabled children

 

Long Island NY mom, Dina Diana, started PROWD, when she realized how little information and support was out there for parents of children with disabilities. PROWD stands for “Parents Raising Offspring  With Disabilities”.

 

”My organization came out of my own life experience in dealing with children with disabilities. My son, Daniel (born normal), started having low muscle tone and associated problems at a few months of age. He then started with seizures at age one. That led to an episode of status epilepticus (lengthy, ongoing seizure) for just about an hour at 16 months. That episode resulted in an acquired brain injury.  This damage resulted in his diagnosis of mental retardation. He is diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum and has associated ADHD  (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and other issues that go along with all of these diseases and issues. It has been a very long road. 

 A registered nurse, Diana was grateful that she had a greater understanding of the medical aspects of her son’s condition. However, little did she know that she would need to be armed with that and more.

 

A family of five, the Diana’s also have two younger daughters.

 

“My third child was diagnosed with NF1, View shared post(a genetic, neurological disease associated with The Elephant Man's disease, as lay people know it) at the age of three. She has a learning disability and may have more obstacles to overcome in her life than I want to imagine. I'm hoping and praying for the best.

 Children who have disabled siblings can gain a greater appreciation of the value of different kinds of people and become more understanding of human differences, states Dr. Lawrence Kutner,  psychologist and author of “When A Sibling Is Disabled”. 

 

“My second child (16 years old) was great up until the past year, as she now suffers with anxiety and depression due to the impact of her siblings problems affecting the whole family dynamic over the years.

 

Kutner also states:

 “To handle the stress successfully, children need increasing amounts of information about their disabled siblings and other family issues. This information has to be presented in ways that match their own developmental needs and abilities. A kindergartener, for example, may require reassurance that he didn’t cause the sibling’s problem, especially if the disabled child is younger. He may also need to know that he can’t catch a disability the way he can catch a cold from a brother or sister.

“Older school-age children often have to explain their sibling’s disability to friends and classmates. They need to practice and master the social skills that will allow them to answer children’s and adults’ questions, even when they’re unspoken. Adolescents, who are struggling with their own wishes for independence, need to know what the family’s long-term plans are.

 

Dina realized that there are thousands of parents in the world who are equally confused as she was, misinformed, isolated, and suffer grief over “what might have been.”  She wanted to connect with them, and to help them on their journey as parents and caregivers of disabled children. She hopes to lessen the debilitating stress that can affect families.

 

“The stress and pressure of a disabled child is challenge enough. These families need people out there advocating for them, helping them along the way. If I can be a small part of their journey in lightening the load, I would be honored. 

 

To reach Dina, visit PROWD’s Facebook Page here.

 

To reach me, Ann Bailey, email me at libbylottie@yahoo.com

 

PROWD – Support for families of disabled children

PROWD – Support for families of disabled children