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Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato joined Department of Human Services
Director Marc Cherna, Health Department Director Dr. Bruce Dixon,
Warden Ramon Rustin and Executive Director of KidsVoice Scott Hollander
for the groundbreaking of the Family Activity Center.
Onorato, Warden Break Ground for Family Activity Center
(August 9, 2006)
Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato today joined Warden Ramon Rustin and the Pittsburgh Child Guidance Foundation (PCGF) to unveil plans for a Family Activity Center, which will transform the lobby of the Allegheny County Jail into a more child-friendly atmosphere.“Many of the Jail’s visitors are children of inmates, and sometimes their wait can be long,” said Onorato. “This new center will allow us to make their visit a more comfortable and positive one, while providing their caregivers with important resources.”
The Family Activity Center will offer a craft area, video nook and book corner, as well as mock visiting booths to help children prepare for visits. Full-time employees and trained volunteers will offer caregivers information on services and resources important to the wellbeing of children. The center is thought to be the first in the United States where children will be able to engage in activities and caregivers will have access to needed information.
“Creating this facility has been my dream for years,” said Rustin. “The Family Activity Center will not only serve as a comfortable setting for children who are waiting to see incarcerated parents, but it will also encourage children to spend quality time interacting with caregivers.”
The Family Activity Center is a collaboration of more than 100 grant-makers, organizations and individuals led by PCGF, the Allegheny County Bureau of Corrections and Lydia’s Place Inc.
“Most of the 35,000 adults arrested in Allegheny County last year were parents, as were most of the 20,000 who were incarcerated,” said PCGF Board President Jane Burger. “Behind those astounding statistics are thousands of children. I am grateful to everyone who helped make this center a reality.”
The Family Activity Center is expected to open in October. Volunteers are still needed to staff the center.
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The Pittsburgh Child Guidance Foundation is devoted solely to promoting the mental health and optimal development of children from birth through age 12 who reside in Allegheny County. For additional information on PCGF or its programs or to volunteer, call 412-434-1665 or visit
www.PittsburghChildGuidanceFoundation.org.
