ALL of Us Care Home Page

Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania’s All of Us Care program and the Fox Chapel Area School District welcome the Save-A-Life Tour, a drinking and driving simulator to the high school this December 18th from 7:45AM – 2:30PM. The tour, made possible by a grant from received from The Child Health Association of Sewickley, includes a presentation along with a hands-on drunk driving simulator. With an increasing number of students experimenting with alcohol, and the dangers of driving under the influence, this tour hopes to bring awareness to the district. The juniors and seniors in the high school will be required to attend, but the event is open to all students and the public.

After the students finish the demonstration, they will be asked to complete a quick, anonymous survey to better determine the student collective’s habits and needs. One of the most important things a student can learn from this is that it is their responsibility to always take keys away from an intoxicated driver.

COMPUTER LAB COMING TOGETHER!

As you may already know, our existing computer lab continues to gain popularity as one of our most successful activities. With the beginning of the school year we are averaging 30 students each day who come to complete homework, socialize, seek advice, and play games. At the same time we have been working towards expanding our lab to a much larger, more accomodating space on the second floor of our existing offices. After lots of hard work and some generous contributions from out sponsors, we are pleased to anounce that the construction of this lab is now under way! Zachary Duncan of Shaler High School has helped to start things off by making the infrustructure of the new lab his senior graduation project. So far he has installed the data cabling for the first 24 computers and is currently finishing the wiring for their jacks and connections to the patch panel and switch. There are also a number of students who have used their community service hours to remove old wiring and prepare the space for what's to come. The work they have all done will hopefully give them a sense of ownership of the lab as well as provide an important resource in our community for all ages.

We would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous contributions to this project:

COTILLION 2009

The Fox Chapel Cotillion is a activity of instruction in ballroom dancing, dining etiquette, and the social graces for middle school age children. The classes provide a safe, supervised way for young people to socialize while learning skills that will last a lifetime. Cotillion helps students to become more confident in social situations; it serves their parents by giving them an educational activity close to home; and it benefits the community by teaching and encouraging courtesy. Cotillion also serves as a fundraiser to support our other activities. Invitations will be mailed out to the middle school ladies and gentleman soon. The activity is not limited to middle school children only. If you would like your son or daughter involved, please contact our offices at 412-782-6855 to request an invitation.

COFFEE, TEA AND TEENS

Coffee, Tea & Teens
A Monthly Discussion Group
for Parents of Teens

3rd Thursday of every month
10:00 am - Noon
From September to May
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Fox Chapel

Coffee, Tea & Teens Call 412.366.1300 for more information or to register.

Raising kids in today’s fast-paced, complicated world is a challenge. In a supportive group atmosphere, we benefit from connections with other parents by sharing ideas, information and practical solutions to everyday problems. Join us as we support and learn together on the journey called “parenting”.

MERGER

All of Us Care is sporting a new look! What does that V shaped flag mean? As of January 1, 2008 our great program has merged with the awesome Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania. We will still be offering the same services but in a bigger and better way. Look for more information about us and other activities at www.voapa.org. To see the rest of this article, click here.

SUMMER activities

All of Us Care’s Summer activity is gearing up for another great year. We will kick-off this year with our opening picnic in late June Friday, June 27, 2008 between 12:30 and 3:00 pm. This year’s activities being offered are swimming at Camp Guyasuta, bowling, and field trips. In addition to those, we would like to get back to nature and take some time to go hiking, biking, and possibly even rafting or canoeing. We are currently looking for a few volunteers to help us with our summer activities. Interested parties should call 412-782-6855. To download the registration form, click here.

BOOKS-TO-YOU

In partnership with Scholastic, Inc., Volunteers of America is supporting efforts to get children reading again through a program called Books-To-You. Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania is distributing books to children in need in Pittsburgh and beyond. The facilities of All of Us Care have become a hotspot for this project and is utilizing the networking abilities of Tickets for Kids Charities in helping with the distribution of the books all through South Western PA. If you would like to get involved in the distribution or know children who we may give books to, please call us at 412-782-6855 for more info.

CORE VALUES CHAIN EVENT

On Tuesday March 25th, Fox Chapel Area School District administrators, teachers, volunteers, and community leaders had the opportunity to get together in support of the school districts core values. This event brought more awareness to the 3 core values that are being instilled with students: respect, responsibility, and integrity. Everyone involved and the students were asked to sign a link of paper. Each classroom connected all their links to make a chain. The chains were brought down to the lobby area and then linked together with other classrooms and suspended from the ceiling by everyone with help from the Dorseyville Middle School (DMS) Leadership students. Ann Flaherty, who was a major driving force behind this project said it best with, “The chain will stand as a colorful visual reminder to our students and to us all that we are connected, our choices may affect others, and by using the core values of respect, responsibility and integrity at DMS and in the community, we make a positive and useful contribution to this school community.”

COTILLION

The Fox Chapel Cotillion wrapped up its dance and etiquette classes with the annual Graduation Dinner Dance on March 8, 2008. The young ladies and gentlemen celebrated their success while using the dance steps and good manners that they learned. It was apparent that dance instructor Howard Zeigler and assistant Lynn Hood had worked their magic once again. Christine Ferguson worked with the group on proper dining etiquette, which was completely evident during the graduation dinner. We would like to thank all the volunteers, the instructors, the students and their parents, and all who were involved in making this years Cotillion happen.

AOUC ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY

All of Us Care held its annual Christmas celebration this past year on December 27th. With the help of the California based organization The Family Giving Tree and the Township of O’Hara, we were able to provide presents for the children in our activities. This event was also sponsored by many local restaurants and businesses who had given us the much needed food, drinks, and cake for our party. We would like to thank Little Chicago’s Pizzeria, Jimmy G’s restaurant, Veneziano’s Pizzeria, Shop ‘n Save Bakery, CoGo’s, Sacco’s Pizza, and Dollar General for their hard work and dedication to the children in the All of Us Care Program. Please show your support and thank these businesses if you have the opportunity.

SAFE HOMES PLEDGE

ALL of Us Care welcomes the Shaler Area School District in joining the lower Allegheny Vallery Area for the Safe Homes Pledge! We also want to thank the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for granting us the funding to make this possible.

Have you sent in your SAFE HOMES PLEDGE yet? What are you waiting for? It is simple and it gives you and your family a chance to talk about the use of drugs and alcohol. Once you have the pledge filled out send it to ALL of Us Care by fax 412-782-6856 or snail mail, the address is already on the form. Just sign it, fold it and mail it. Your information will become a part of a private directory, Safe Homes Directory, that will include other families to network with, drug and alcohol information, current laws and where to turn-to resources. HURRY! The deadline is December 31, 2007.

Office Hours

ALL of Us Care's operating hours for the fall:
Closed Mondays
Open 1-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays. The computer lab will be open 3 to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

Panera and AOUC Partner

Mock Car Crash a Success

Thanks to all involved who helped make the May

30, 2007 Mock Car Crash at Fox Chapel Area High School a success! ALL of Us Care worked with students Ed Moan, Alexa Crippen, Parker Donaldson, Brianna Mauro, Rick Yao, and Catherine Cannon to prepare them for their parts acting out the scenario, as well as several others who were passengers on the bus. A big thank you to Laidlaw Transit, who generously donated a bus and a driver for the event. Liberty Mutual provided a smashed car for display the whole week, and Vioral Auto provided the car and van used in the performance. Parkview Fire Department, Foxwall EMS, Seneca EMS, and Fox Chapel and O'Hara Police contributed their workers and tools to show the students what it takes to respond to an accident. Everyone did a wonderful job, and we hope it helped to save lives over prom weekend. Click here to see photos.

Computer Desks Built for Eagle Scout Project

Steve Smith, a FCAHS student and dedicated Eagle Scout, completed his Eagle Scout project with ALL of Us Care by building beautiful new desks for our computer lab. Dividers block the view of neighboring monitors, but can be swung on hinges to unblock that view if desired. Scott Emricko from Lowe's at the Pittsburgh Mills provided a gift card and an additional 10% off materials. Click the picture to see other photographs.

Teen Clean

FCAHS senior Aubrey Joscak is spearheading her senior project through ALL of Us Care called "Teen Clean." Read the article about it in The Herald here. The endeavor offers a chance for students to help make their neighborhood cleaner by picking up litter, sweeping sidewalks and streets, and shoveling snowfor senior citizens, the disabled, or anyone who is not able to do outside work themselves. Home Depot and Wal-Mart have contributed supplies. Any volunteers grades 6-12 interested call us at 412-782-6855.

Top of Page

SADD Club is Back in the Fox Chapel Area School District!

ALL of Us Care is registered with the national SADD organization. We have begun establishing the club in Fox Chapel Area High School, and would like to bring it to Dorseyville and fifth grade students as well.

Local area students will take the lead role in instituting drug and alcohol prevention activities such as the Mock Car Accident and the Drunk Driver Simulator. Other subjects that will be explored are suicide prevention, violence prevention, depression, teen pregnancy, eating disorders/body image and youth community involvement.

The high school SADD club meets every first and last Wednesday of the month during QRT. Check back towards fall for meeting times.

Save on Taxes and Help Us Raise Money

ALL of Us Care is conducting a cell phone recycling fundraiser. There’s nothing to buy. We are simply asking you for your used cell phone(s) and batteries for the phone(s) if you still have them. The phones are tax deductible donations. 100% of the proceeds will help fund ALL of Us Care. Recycling bins are located in Kerr Elementary, O'Hara Elementary, Fairview Elementry, Hartwood Elementary, the Dorseyville Middle School and the Keystone Savings Bank in Sharpsburg.

This will help us protect the environment as well. The phones will be recycled in accordance with EPA regulations or refurbished and sold through EcoPhones, an organization that works with community, educational, and religious organizations to raise funds and recycle electronic waste. The effects of such waste can be extremely hazardous. One phone alone has enough cadmium to pollute 158,200 gallons of water.

Save on taxes, protect the environment, help your community - everyone benefits!

Grandparents & Parents Support Group Meetings

The Support for Grandparents Raising Children of Substance-Addicted Parents group is now meeting weekly again on Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. in the AOUC offices. Please call us and let us know if you would like to attend.

In addition, parents of children addicted to chemical substances are forming a support group. Both the parents and children are invited to attend on Wednesday evenings. Please call to let us know you want to attend.

Teens Enjoy Local Concerts

AOUC brings in local and up-and-coming bands so that teens have a safe and fun place to listen to their favorite music. Past concerts have featured a range of styles, from the punk of Dollface Divine, to the alt-rock of Hello Radio, to the metal-tinged scream-o of Missing Since November.

The shows have been at the Boyd Community Center, from 7 to 11pm. This gives students a place to hang out at night, and be entertained at a low cost--for four or five bands, tickets are only $5 for pre-sale, $7 at the door. Click the AOUC Concert Series schedule to see dates and band line-ups for upcoming shows. Contact ALL of Us Care at 412-782-6855 to get pre-sale tickets for shows.

Our Mission

Check our December Calendar and find out what's going on with All of Us Care. Print it out and keep it handy so you don't miss anything!

Save-A-Life Tour