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Christopher M.’s Journey to Employment: A PA CareerLink® Story

By Kendrick P.

Christopher M. wanted to work in manufacturing, a field he loved, but it wasn’t easy to find a job. Even with these challenges, Christopher focused on his goal of creating a better future for his two children.

He worked closely with the PA CareerLink® Suburban Station team that included Kendrick P., job matcher; Brian K., workforce advisor; and Brianna Dixon, workforce counselor. This team helped Christopher explore his skills, interests, and career goals. Together, they worked hard to find the right job for him in manufacturing.

After weeks of effort, Christopher was hired by Veroni, a respected company in the manufacturing industry. When he received the job offer, Christopher felt a huge sense of relief. He said, “A great weight was lifted off my shoulders.”

Christopher was thankful for the support he received from Kendrick, Bryan, and Brianna. They believed in him and gave him the tools and guidance he needed to succeed.

Now that he has a steady job, Christopher is setting new goals. He plans to find better housing for his family. With his new stability, he feels hopeful and confident about the future. Christopher’s story shows the power of hard work, community support, and a dedicated team.

JEVS Care at Home Honored with 2025 Best of Home Care® – Leader in Experience Award

At JEVS Care at Home (JCAH), our top priority has always been providing compassionate, high-quality care to our clients and a supportive work environment for our caregivers. That’s why we’re excited to announce that our Southwestern PA office in Pittsburgh has received the 2025 Best of Home Care® – Leader in Experience Award from Activated Insights, a leading firm in experience management for post-acute care. This recognition places JCAH among the top 10% of home care providers nationwide, and we couldn’t have achieved it without the dedication of our caregivers and the trust of our clients.

What This Award Represents

The Leader in Experience Award is the highest recognition from Activated Insights, given to home care agencies that consistently rank among the best in key quality measures. Over the past year, 10% of JCAH’s clients and caregivers were interviewed each month, sharing feedback on caregiver training, communication, scheduling, and overall care experience. Their insights helped us achieve high scores in over 10 quality categories, reflecting our commitment to continuous improvement.

A Commitment to Excellence

Providing exceptional care is a team effort, and this award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our entire JCAH family. We use client and caregiver feedback to identify areas for growth, improve our services, and ensure we’re meeting the needs of those who rely on us.

Why This Matters

For families searching for in-home care, this award serves as an important indicator of quality and trust. For our caregivers, it’s a recognition of the compassion, skill, and dedication they bring to their work every day.

Thank You to Our Clients and Caregivers

We’re so appreciative of our clients for allowing us to be part of their care journey and of our caregivers for their unwavering commitment to making a difference. This achievement belongs to all of you.

If you’re looking for high-quality home care for a loved one—or a meaningful career in caregiving—contact us today to learn more.

 

Anna’s Strength: A Story of Not Giving Up

By S.K.

When Anna came to the United States, she held on to memories of her homeland, but the war forced her to leave and find safety. Leaving the Ukraine was difficult, and starting over in a new country, far from loved ones, was one of her hardest challenges.

When she arrived in the U.S., she struggled to find work in the competitive job market and was hired at a local daycare. Although she had not worked at a daycare before, she cared for the young children with patience and love. The long hours and demanding tasks were physically and emotionally draining, but Anna refused to give up.

The breakthrough came when JEVS Human Services (JEVS) announced an opening for an ESL teacher. The job could be the perfect fit for Anna, who immediately applied. She prepared diligently for the interview, sharing her story and passion for helping others. Her hard work paid off—Anna received a job offer.

As an ESL teacher, Anna has found her calling. Every day, she helps other refugees navigate the challenges of learning English, breaking down language barriers that once held them back. Her personal experience allows her to connect with her students, inspiring them to keep trying despite the challenges they face.

 

Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. King

By JEVS Staff  

As we honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2025, we reflect on Dr. King’s dedication to advancing freedom, justice, and democracy. This year’s theme, “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence365™,” challenges us to continue his mission every day. In this way, we work toward a world where equality and peace prevail year-round. 

Dr. King’s message, “The time is always right to do what is right,” reminds us that every moment offers an opportunity to act in support of justice, equality, and nonviolence. As we move forward, let’s embrace this powerful call by doing what is right in our work and in the communities we support. 

Why this matters 

At JEVS Human Services, we focus on tackling the challenges that many in our community face—like access to education, jobs, resources, and mental health support. By standing for nonviolence and justice, we help create opportunities that allow individuals, families, and employees to succeed. 

What you can do

Together, we can bring Dr. King’s dream closer to reality by making JEVS a place where respect, inclusion, and equity shine every day. 

JEVS Human Services (JEVS) 2024 Annual Report: Paths to Independence

By JEVS Staff   

 JEVS Human Services (JEVS) announces the publication of its 2024 annual report, “Paths to Independence.” This report reflects the ways that JEVS works with individuals to create sustainable paths to independence.  

Read the full report to learn how JEVS provides resources and services that foster career, financial, and personal independence for thousands of individuals each year. 

Special appreciation goes to our dedicated staff, partners, and supporters. Together, we strive for every person to achieve personal independence and fulfillment.  

Here’s to another year of progress and shared success! 

JEVS Town Halls: Celebrating Success and Strategic Goals

By JEVS Staff

JEVS Human Services (JEVS) President and CEO, Cynthia Figueroa, held town hall meetings to celebrate the accomplishments of JEVS’ programs over the past year. These meetings also gave employees a chance to share their thoughts and hear about the FY25-27 Strategic Plan goals directly from Cynthia. 

The plan was developed by more than 500 voices, including interviews with external stakeholders, participants, guidance from the employee strategic planning committee, executive leadership, and the board of directors. Over the next 3 years, we are committed to the following strategic priorities:  

  1. Expanding integrated, innovative, and sustainable programs.
  2. Increasing visibility and influencing stakeholders to benefit those we serve.
  3. Maintaining JEVS’ financial sustainability.
  4. Being a mission-driven employer of choice.

Holding town halls is one of the ways that JEVS fosters teamwork and strengthens connections across its programs and services. 

To learn more, visit our program directory

Celebrations and Community Giving: 2024 Seasonal Highlights from JEVS

By JEVS Staff

JEVS celebrates the holiday season with employee potlucks and giving back to the community.

JEVS has forty programs in its four divisions of Workforce Development, Career and Technical Education (CTE), Community Living and Home Supports, and JEVS Care at Home.

To support those we serve, JEVS held a food drive. JEVS’ Work Ready supported 43 participants with food for their families for the Thanksgiving holiday. JEVS administrative office locations and Orleans Technical College (OTC) also collected canned and dry food items to distribute over the holidays.  

Reed’s Farm, A JEVS Human Services Employer Partner: Building Community and Growing Healthy Food

By JEVS Staff

A Place for People of All Abilities

Reed’s is an employer partner for JEVS Human Services and its hireAbility program, which is part of JEVS’ larger workforce development division. This program helps people with disabilities learn job skills, build confidence, and become more independent. Through this partnership, Reed’s Farm creates real job opportunities and provides a supportive environment where people can work and grow.

JEVS hireAbility client, Issac, working at Reed's Farm
JEVS hireAbility client, Isaac, working at Reed’s Farm

Isaac is one of the people who works at Reed’s Farm through hireAbility. He helps maintain the community space, which includes a coffee bar, bakery, and market. Melanie Reed, the Programming Director, says Isaac works hard and has grown more confident since he started working there. His contributions are valued by both the team and the community visitors who enjoy the welcoming atmosphere he helps create.

Reed’s Farm is proud to be part of JEVS’ mission to create sustainable paths to independence and economic security. The farm provides hands-on work experience in gardening, animal care, and other farm tasks. These activities not only teach important skills but also help participants feel like they are making a difference. Working at Reed’s Farm fosters a sense of belonging and purpose, empowering participants to achieve their goals.

Goals for the Future

Cookie Till, a local restaurant owner, started Reed’s Farm to help with a problem that is getting worse. In the area around the farm, fresh and healthy food can be hard to find. This is called a “food desert.” Cookie wanted to change that by growing healthy food and creating a space where everyone feels included.

Cookie kept the name “Reed’s” from the farm’s previous owners, who had it for over 80 years. She hired Melanie Reed, who is not related to the original owners, to help run the farm. Melanie’s knowledge of farming has helped the farm grow and reach more people.

Reed’s Farm is also working to teach more people about healthy eating and sustainable farming. They plan to work with even more schools and groups to bring fresh food to the community.

Plan Your Visit!

Reed’s Farm invites visitors to experience everything it has to offer. It’s a chance to meet the Reed’s team, enjoy delicious food like oven-fired pizza and baked goods, and shop for coffee, market items, or creations from local artists—all while supporting their mission.

Click to learn more about Reed’s Farm and JEVS Human Services.

Dmytro’s Story: Seizing Opportunity and Securing a New Career

By Mariya K.

Dmytro Z.’s story is inspiring. He arrived in the United States seeking safety and new opportunities after leaving Ukraine due to the Russia-Ukraine war. With a background as a system administrator in Kryvyi Rih, Dmytro possesses valuable skills in technology. However, upon his arrival, he faced many hurdles.

Yet he was determined to find a job quickly, relying on his own savings to support himself. Dmytro shared his dreams of working with computers with the JEVS Human Services Center for New Americans (CNA) staff, who worked with him to fill out the required forms.

After applying for jobs and doing well in his interviews, Dmytro received a job offer from the Scheerer Bearing Corporation. The company is known for making strong bearings used in tough industries like forestry and mining.

Four months after Dmytro started his job, the JEVS team visited the Scheerer Bearing Corporation. The owner praised Dmytro for his work ethic and ability to quickly learn production processes and English. Thanks to his dedication, Dmytro received a well-deserved salary increase, which contributes to his independence and stability.

Dmytro’s story reflects his strength and determination, especially coming from a war-torn country. JEVS CNA staff enjoyed working with Dmytro and is confident that he will continue to thrive in his career.

Congrats, JEVS Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), on your achievements!

By JEVS Staff

Congratulations to JEVS Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) on their DSP I, DSP II, and DSP III certifications! These certification courses test how a DSP responds to different situations. At JEVS, many DSPs complete additional training to gain these certifications. JEVS DSPs go beyond caregiving and manage many responsibilities. 

DSPs do many important things to support people every day. They help with daily tasks like getting dressed, eating, and cleaning. They provide support for going to appointments and taking medication. DSPs also organize rides for outings and activities, and they encourage being part of the community. They are there 24/7 to support individuals, making sure they feel safe and respected while maintaining their independence. 

Congratulations to these DSPs on achieving their certifications!

DSP – I Certification 

Chinyere Mbah

DSP – II Certification 

Michael Barnett

To learn more about JEVS Home Care and Residential Services, click here 

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