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Our Mission: Offering compassionate, faith-based recovery services to mothers and their children.
Sojourner House's 16th Annual Victorian Tea to take place virtually on Aug. 16
Sojourner House is thrilled to be hosting its 16th Annual Victorian Tea  virtually  on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, 12:30 to 2 p.m.

Pre-Tea Time will take place 12:30 until 1 p.m., when registrants can enjoy the wonderful music of Brazilian jazz singer Kenia, while viewing photos of Sojourner House events during the past year, AS WELL AS photos of registrants wearing tea hats and fascinators! Then, starting at 1 p.m., emcee and award-winning journalist Brian Cook will host a one-hour program highlighting the award-winning work of Sojourner House and Sojourner House MOMS.

This year's Honorary Chair is Leah Lizarondo, CEO and Co-Founder of  412 Food Rescue, while Chatham University's  Words Without Walls  creative writing program is being honored this year's Pearl of Hope Awardee.

Please help us celebrate the successes of our families, and support us as we continue our fight to keep families together so they can become healthy, productive citizens of our community.

Since this event is 100% virtual, registration is free ! Click the button below to register.

Sojourner House greatly encourages registrants to submit photos of you wearing your favorite Tea fascinator or hat… you’ll be entered into a drawing to win one of four prizes! Please email your photo with a caption to Lindsey Hayakawa, Development & Communications Coordinator, at Lhayakawa@sjhpa.org, by Wednesday, Aug. 12 , to be entered into a drawing to win one four of Sojourner House's ever-popular baskets. ALL registrants have the chance of winning one of an additional four baskets. In summary: there will be EIGHT baskets up for grabs ! Winners' names will be announced throughout the tea!

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If you would like to make a donation to benefit the families of Sojourner House, please click on the 'Donate' button below.
A message for social justice
Dear Friends of Sojourner House,

One of the first objects that our clients, staff, volunteers, and guests see upon entering our building is a photo of great African-American preacher Sojourner Truth. As many of you know, our 29-year-old organization was named after Sojourner Truth who was nothing short of a heroine and a role model for all generations that have followed.

Truth was born into  slavery , but escaped to freedom in 1826. She gave herself the name Sojourner Truth in 1843 after she became convinced that God had called her to leave the city and go into the countryside "testifying the hope that was in her." During the  Civil War , Truth helped recruit Black troops for the  Union Army . An electrifying public speaker, Sojourner Truth committed her life to being a leader in the crusade against slavery in mid-19 th century America.*

As many of you also know, today is Juneteenth. Juneteenth - also known as Jubilee Day, Cel-Liberation Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, or the Black Fourth of July - is an American holiday that commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is linked back to June 19, 1865, two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, TX, announcing that the Civil War had ended and the slaves were free. Starting in 2020, Sojourner House is now observing Juneteenth as a paid holiday within our organization, to acknowledge the stain of slavery and to celebrate Black American freedom.

In the weeks that have followed since George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, we at Sojourner House have watched the outcry for change and social justice spread worldwide. Sojourner Truth’s fight for social justice continues to this day. Her tenacity, her hope, her strength, and her guidance are needed now more than ever.

Since 1991, the board and staff have, in the spirit of Sojourner Truth, made a commitment to the families who have passed through our doors, to help them build healthy lives of hope, tenacity, strength, and freedom from the disease of addiction. We hope that our families have led and will lead honest and socially just lives. In the words of Sojourner Truth: “The truth is all powerful and will prevail.”

In peace,
De’netta Benjamin-Miller
Executive Director

*Source: Wikipedia
In memory of Kathy Hendrickson
One of our beloved volunteers, Kathy Hendrickson, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2020. Kathy was a long-time volunteer who worked as a tutor for Sojourner House children of all ages. She also tutored a few moms in the program.

Liz Wasel, Sojourner House Volunteer Coordinator, worked closely with Kathy over the years, and had this to say:
"I'll miss Kathy dearly. She was the most kind, loving, generous, non-judgmental person."

Kathy continues to positively impact Sojourner House,through the many gifts given in her memory, including a tribute gift from the "Soup Group" at Calvary Episcopal Church.
Thank you to our donors!
Thanks to our donors, Sojourner House received much-needed items such as kitchenware and lamps, in addition to jewelry and other accessories being donated to lift residents' spirits. Now more than ever, the families of Sojourner House and MOMS are grateful for the support they have been given. Please join us in thanking our donors, including those listed below:
  • John & Donna Abriola
  • Cynthia Baca
  • Heather Ballance
  • Phyllis Barber
  • Bethany Presbyterian Church
  • Angela Betts
  • Tom Bohman
  • Clifton & Patricia Callaway
  • Shirlee Carter
  • John Cetorelli
  • Michele Clarke
  • Connie Coffelt
  • Donald Coffelt
  • Rosemary Coffey
  • Ann Crawford
  • James & Melanie Crockard Foundation
  • Amanda DeKalb
  • Cynthia Eline
  • Patricia Ergas
  • Dr. Staci Flint
  • Audrey Grant
  • Wendy Harrington
  • Liz Harrington
  • Scott Harris
  • Catherine Hayes
  • The Heinz Endowments
  • Chris & Kathleen Hendrickson
  • Holler Mask Force
  • Michele Huber
  • Ken Mawr United Presbyterian Church
  • Michelle Kent
  • Demi Kolke
  • Joanne LaRose
  • Gerald Lucci
  • Christina Lynch
  • JoAnn Mack
  • Stephanie Masullo
  • Reed McManigle
  • Catherine Meara & the Penn Hills Arts Council
  • Virginia Peet
  • Pittsburgh Foundation
  • Christie Powell
  • Sally Power
  • Zhi Qiao
  • Norma Raiff
  • Hilda Schwille
  • Christie Smith
  • Candy Smith Vasquez
  • The Pittsburgh Chapter of The Links, Inc.
  • Trinity Tower United Methodist Church
  • Carol Warneke
  • Jeaneen Zappa
Scott Harris helped to secure two gallons of hand soap to Sojourner House in April.
Sally Power, Treasure House Executive Director, donated Mother's Day gift bags to Sojourner House.
Christina Lynch pictured with her donation of diapers at the Sojourner House Admin Office
Long-time supporter Jeaneen Zappa recently donated jewelry to be offered in Sojourner House residents' incentive closet. The jewelry belonged to Zappa's late mother, Rosemary. Zappa is holding a photo of her mother and father, Bob, also a supporter of Sojourner House.
Audrey Grant, former neighbor of Sojourner House founder Peggy Reding, recently moved and donated kitchen items and housewares.
Claudia Bohman, daughter of Sojourner House Director of Development, Susan Orr, helped transport the donations from Audrey Grant.
Sojourner House spring fun
On May 16, the families of Sojourner House enjoyed gardening and sunshine. The front lawn of Sojourner House looks amazing, thanks to everyone's fine work!
Sojourner House resident showing her daughter how to plant seeds
Mom's little gardening helper
A resident pauses to show what she's working on
On May 28, long-time volunteer Ann Brooks surprised the residents of Sojourner House with a sweet and cool treat! Ann provided ice cream, toppings and cones for all to enjoy. Many thanks to Ann Brooks for always thinking of the families of Sojourner House!
Residents making their ice cream cones
Residents enjoyed a surprise sweet treat
Lamar Advertising highlights Sojourner House during Mother's Day weekend
Sojourner House was highlighted on Lamar Advertising billboards throughout Pittsburgh during Mother's Day weekend, Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 10. Lamar Advertising Company, one of the largest outdoor advertising companies in the world, also is Presenting Sponsor of this year's 16th Annual Victorian Tea. Thank you, Lamar, for all that you do for Sojourner House!
View of one of the billboards from the 40th Street Bridge and Rt. 28 intersection
View of one of the billboards in Greentree
View of one of the billboards on Parkway East
One billboard on Rt. 279 near the Camp Horne exit
Employment Opportunities
Sojourner House is searching for a Clinical Supervisor and Intake Assessment Specialist. Qualified candidates are invited to apply with a resume and a brief cover letter to Sojourner House Human Resources. Please click on the buttons below for more info about each employment opportunity.