WHAT’ S NEWS IN NORWIN
HOPE HOSPICE SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
Hope Hospice is looking for volunteers to visit hospice patients, either in patient homes or in a facility. To simply listen or reminisce with someone who is dealing with a lifethreatening illness can make a big difference! A one-hour training program is provided, with an emphasis on compassionate care towards patients and their families, and the time commitment is flexible. If you are interested in joining Hope Hospice’ s volunteer program, please call 412.367.3685 for more details.
TAKE OFF 5K-10K WALK / RUN
On April 22, the Take Off 5K-10K Walk / Run will take place at Saint Vincent College in memory of PA State Trooper Kenton Iwaniec. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of Preliminary Breath Testing Devices for state and local law enforcement. To join the cause, help sponsor the event, collect pledge donations and / or create a team. For more information, visit trooperiwaniec. org.
STUDENTS TAKE A STAND AGAINST DATING VIOLENCE IN VIDEO CONTEST
Teens from across the region took a stand against dating violence during Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month by participating in a Southwest PA Says No More video contest. Young adults and teenagers are at the highest risk for all forms of dating violence, including verbal, emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Teens are also uniquely positioned to influence their peers’ behavior by distinguishing early signs of controlling behavior and intervening to stop abuse.
Southwest PA Says No More has announced the winning videos, selected from entries submitted by local high school and college students. Students explored themes in their videos such as showing that not all abuse is physical, bystanders can be upstanders, and demonstrating what a healthy, mutually respectful relationship looks like.
First Place: Signs of Dating Violence. This video, submitted by Rose Egan, a senior at Norwin High School, uses examples of text messages to demonstrate that not all abuse is physical, and that having control over a partner’ s actions is a form of dating violence.
Second Place: No More Emotional Abuse. Norwin High School seniors Leah Vorce, Jolene Muller and Kaitlyn Astley made this video, which illustrates examples of healthy and unhealthy behavior in relationships.
People’ s Choice: A Domestic Violence PSA. This video, made by Norwin High School senior Abigail McCormick, demonstrates the language that is used in an abusive relationship.
Experts from Southwest PA Says No More partner agencies voted for the first and second place winners who will be awarded a $ 500 and $ 300 prize, respectively. The People’ s Choice winner, selected in an online vote, will receive a $ 200 prize. To view the videos, visit: southwestpasaysnomore. org / category / contest /.
The winning students will be honored at an upcoming check presentation ceremony.
Though the contest was open to all high school and college students in southwestern Pennsylvania, all three winning videos came from students of Norwin High School.
“ Any time I can get my students involved and get them speaking about a serious topic, it’ s not only a good thing for them but for the entire school. I was excited when I heard the results of the contest, I always thought I had some very talented and creative students; it ' s nice to see someone else recognize their talent as well,” says Susan Spadaro, who teaches video production and graphic design at the high school.
“ It’ s inspiring to see students’ creativity and focus on healthy relationships, prevention and bystander intervention that are central to the mission of Southwest PA Says No More. We hope these videos will be shared throughout the community and that they will influence others to take a stand against dating violence,” says Kristy Trautmann, executive director of FISA Foundation.
Southwest PA Says NO MORE is an initiative of FISA Foundation, The Heinz Endowments and United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. The contest was cosponsored by The National NO MORE Campaign, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Film Pittsburgh.
About Southwest PA Says NO MORE Southwest PA Says NO MORE is a growing community of organizations and individuals who are working to end domestic and sexual violence. FISA Foundation, in partnership with The Heinz Endowments and United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, developed Southwest PA Says No More to showcase the important prevention-focused work happening in this region, and to make it easier for individuals and organizations to take action to stop gender-based violence. More than 20 organizations across the region have partnered with Southwest PA Says No More, including the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh and Children’ s Hospital of Pittsburgh. For information, visit southwestpasaysnomore. org. n
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