At PIC's Monessen Family Center after-school program, the kids got hands-on with the glowing world of chemistry by exploring glow sticks. They learned how a simple snap mixes chemicals to create that magical glow—and why it keeps shining without any batteries!...
Every fall we start hearing the same questions. Are the woolly bear caterpillars darker this year? Are the acorns heavier? Are the leaves falling early? For generations, people have looked to nature for clues about the winter ahead. Some of these ideas are just for...
At the Monessen Family Center, the kids dove into the fascinating world of anatomy. From learning about bones to discovering what shows up on an X-ray, curiosity was through the roof! It’s amazing to see their eyes light up as they connect what they learn in books to...
On Friday, October 17th, representatives from the Westmoreland and Alle-Kiski offices of PA CareerLink® attended the Southwestern Pennsylvania Healthcare Expo at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The event, a collaborative initiative among regional workforce...
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Head Start / Early Head Start FAQs The Private Industry Council discusses frequently asked questions for Head Start and Early Head Start students. Private Industry Council operates the Head Start / Early Head Start program for Beaver and Fayette Counties in the...
L. Michelle Ferguson (DADS MATTER Project Manager) & Daniel J. Bell (DADS MATTER Database Specialist) submitted a proposal that was accepted for presentation at the 12th Annual National Alliance for Relationship Marriage Education (NARME) Summit in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 11-13, 2022. The topic “That’s My Culture: An Introspective Exploration of Awareness and Sensitivity of Diverse Family Backgrounds” examined how a person’s experiences and worldview are significantly shaped by their family history and culture, which also extends to how life challenges are approached. Participants discussed the importance of cultural awareness and sensitivity by sharing their viewpoints and experiences with their own and others’ cultures. Discussion also included similarities and differences surrounding experiences and the impact they had on shaping who you are.
Participants in attendance were from a diverse range of cultures and backgrounds, including military, Asian, Pacific Islander, Marshallese, and various regions of the United States. It was very exciting to experience the interaction from participants and how they embraced the sensitive nature of the topic with open engagement. For those of you who know my office personality, it should come as no surprise of how natural it was to engage people, bringing lots of laughter and giggles as I candidly shared my experiences about childhood board games, toys, favorite foods, cotton candy, and Christmas holiday traditions. Dan on the other hand, maintained his calm, observant demeanor as he engaged the audience with multigenerational and cultural pictographs while overseeing role-playing and simulations of the various groups.
It was our goal to have participants obtain an enhanced appreciation for how culture shapes values and families’ interactions. Based upon positive feedback from participants immediately following our presentation and throughout the duration of the conference week…Mission accomplished! We look forward to sharing this presentation with our PIC family and community partners!
Wishing you continued Awareness and Sensitivity! 😊
L. Michelle Ferguson (DADS MATTER Program Manager)
&
Daniel J. Bell (DADS MATTER Database Specialist)
724-836-2600