February 2011

The Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania names Ashley Williams the first monthly “Women Who Wow” awardee. To see Ashley’s profile please visit www.girlscoalitionswpa.org/profiles.html To read an article about Ashley and Women Who Wow click www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_724928.html

The Tribune Review profiled a FISA funded program by Easter Seals that teaches school children about people with disabilities. To read more about this program that gives kids hands-on experience with wheelchairs, crutches and other assistive technology follow this link. www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_722131.html

On January 13, 2011 FISA Foundation’s Executive Director, Kristy Trautmann, participated in one of WQED’s Community Cinema screenings and panel discussions. For Once In My Life is a documentary about The Spirit of Goodwill Band, a group of musicians with varying disabilities. The film challenges preconceived notions of ability/disability and … Read More >

“I think the hardest thing as a parent is that Luke wants to have friends but doesn’t know how to make friends,” Dan H. said of his son, a 14-year-old with autism. But Luke has made friends through the Creating Lifelong Impressions while Moving Social Barriers, or CLIMB, program at … Read More >

The good news is that attitudes about abuse are changing. Over the last forty years, gradually victims of sexual and domestic violence have begun speaking out and being met with support instead of shame. These individual courageous risks have helped to turn the tide of public attitudes, though there is … Read More >

A new report by the National Center for Responsive Philanthropy, “Strengthening Democracy, Increasing Opportunities: Impacts of Advocacy, Organizing and Civic Engagement in PA” states that foundations in Pennsylvania funded 85% of the $ 26.1 million spent on advocacy from 2005 – 2009. Each dollar spent on advocacy to improve the … Read More >

The Court Appointed Special Advocate program of Allegheny County announced yesterday that Melissa Protzek, Esq., Executive Director, has been selected among over 1,000 current CASA and GAL member program directors as Kappa Alpha Theta’s Program Director of the Year! In February of 2010, FISA Foundation awarded CASA of Allegheny County … Read More >