Life’sWork Impact Report
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Other Barriers to Employment
The Life’sWork Family Services program saw some amazing accomplishments in 2024. Our Family Services program encompasses our Family Preservation and Family Life programs and focuses on ensuring that families have access to the resources and help they need to build successful, resilient, and strong families in Allegheny County and Westmoreland County. In 2024, our Allegheny County Family Preservation program experienced great success, with 96% of children being kept in their homes. Services provided included case management, advocacy,
LAURA’S STORY For a while, Laura didn’t know what her future held—or if it held anything at all. Five years ago, she chose to make a change and is now a recovering addict who has maintained her sobriety. She realized, however, that while was sober, she didn’t know how “to adult.” Life’sWork, specifically Megan, the team member with whom she worked most closely, became Laura’s “light in the dark.” Maybe the most instrumental thing for Laura was that she felt validated by those at Life’sWork. She told Megan that she wanted to work with fellow addicts, that she had found her passion but didn’t
Family Services
RECOVER
crisis intervention, parenting support, budgeting counseling, concrete goods, housing supportive services, as well as access to community resources that address the areas of concern identified by Allegheny County Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) as being of concern. Our Allegheny County Family Life program served 19 families, including 26 children under the age of 5. Additionally, this program focuses on assisting children to ensure that they are ready to attend school by age 5. All families participating in this program meet the poverty guidelines established by the federal government and are not involved with Allegheny CYF. In 2024, this program achieved a 100% success rate. In addition to case management and counseling, we provided training in parenting, life skills, and homemaking skills through this program. In December 2024, Life’sWork began providing contracted services for our Family Services program in Westmoreland County. By spring 2025, we anticipate having grown this program to include a staff of two to three case managers and a program supervisor. The services provided will be similar to those provided in Allegheny County and will offer 24/7 support as means of keeping Westmoreland County families together. Life’sWork looks forward to expanding our Family Services program into additional neighboring counties in 2025.
know how to go about making it a reality. Through Life’sWork, Laura landed her dream job, including help with acquiring the clothing she would need. Now she is excited to be a part of something new, to be working with addicts and teaching them the skills that Life’sWork helped her learn. Not only that, but she also assists in helping addicts find hobbies and activities that make them want to stay sober. “I want to change things. I want to change that stigma, and I want [fellow addicts] to know that I care,” she says. Laura says that sometimes all it takes is having someone believe in you. For Laura, Life’sWork was able to be that for her. “They care,” she says, “and they want to help us.” The gratitude she feels for everything Life’sWork has done for her shines through. “Through Life’sWork, I’m seen,” she says. “Everything matters. Like, I matter.” People like Laura are why the Life’sWork RECOVER program exists. Everyone deserves to feel like they matter. Recovery is courageous and hard and oftentimes lonely. But when we can extend a helpful hand and provide the skills and services that truly make a difference between success and failure, we give others the chance to learn, grow, and thrive. Laura is a perfect example of someone who is thriving and taking the opportunities she’s been given to help others as well. We encourage you to check out her full story using the QR code.
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