Commissioner Grace Stanko, treasurer of RED, is
presenting a check to Grace Coleman. Crisis Center
North’s Canine Court program is offered in district
justice offices in North Fayette and Coraopolis.
R O SS TOWN SH IP NE WS
oss Township
RED CAR CRUISE PROCEEDS DONATED TO PENNY THE THERAPY DOG
T
he Ross Business and Economic Development group (RED)
had their first car cruise on Sunday, August 28, 2016. The
proceeds of the cruise were donated to the Crisis Center
North for the care of their KD Advocate and K-9 therapist, Penny.
The spaniel mix goes to work as a Canine Court Advocate, as part
of the Crisis Center North Canine Court Program. Penny is the first
and only Canine Advocate in the courts in Allegheny County. The
courtroom setting can be uncomfortable for a victim of abuse,
who must confront and interact with his or her attacker for the first
time since the alleged incident; Penny’s presence in the courtroom
provides protection and comfort to these victims. Penny has also
put herself between client and abuser, as a protective behavior.
Penny also participates as a Canine Therapist in the counseling
programs. She helps comfort and guide victims of domestic abuse
during counseling sessions at Crisis Center North. Penny is owned
by Grace Coleman, Executive Director of Crisis Center North.
About Crisis Center North
Since 1978, Crisis Center North has provided assistance to victims
of domestic violence through a variety of confidential resources
and services. Each year, the Center provides free empowerment
counseling and advocacy to nearly 2,000 adults, teens, and
42 Ross Township
child victims of domestic violence in the northern and western
communities of Allegheny County. Crisis Center North also
provides nearly 20,000 community members and students with
educational programming regarding the dynamics of domestic
violence. The Center’s services are free of charge and provided to
individuals regardless of race, age, gender, disability, economic
status, or sexual orientation. The mission of Crisis Center North is
to empower victims of domestic violence and cultivate community
attitudes and behaviors that break the cycle of violence.
In order to accomplish this mission, the organization commits to:
Provide trauma informed services that empower those victimized
by domestic violence, expand awareness about the impact
that domestic violence has on the community and to provide
community members with viable options to interrupt the cycle of
violence, as well as improve the response of systems to meet the
needs of domestic violence victims. Visit crisiscenternorth.org for
more information.
The Ross Business and Economic Development group is
open to all businesses in Ross Township. Please email:
Redd@Ross Red.com or call Craig at 412.318.2900.