Onoroto Celebrates Success of Family Activity Center at County Jail / Portrail of Gwen Elliott Unveiled During Anniversary Commeration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 15, 2008
Onorato Celebrates Success of Family Activity Center at County Jail
Portrait of Gwen Elliott unveiled during anniversary commemoration
PITTSBURGH — Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato today joined Warden Ramon
Rustin and officials from the Pittsburgh Child Guidance Foundation (PCGF) and Lydia’s Place
to celebrate the success of the Gwendolyn June Campbell Elliott Family Activity Center on its
first anniversary at the County Jail. It is the first family friendly waiting area of its kind in a
major jail in the United States.
“I want to congratulate the center and its volunteers for a successful year of providing education,
services and comfort to children who visit family members in our jail,” said Onorato. “More than
40 volunteers have donated in excess of 2,000 hours of service to the center. Thanks to the
volunteers’ efforts, children visiting our jail are having more comfortable, positive experiences,
and their caregivers have access to helpful information and important resources.”
Since opening in late spring 2007, the center has had more than 3,800 visits from children and
3,200 visits from adults accompanying children as they wait to visit loved ones.
“Creating such a facility was my lifelong dream,” said Rustin. “I can hardly begin to express the
sense of pride I feel as I walk through the jail’s lobby each day. I now see children engaged in
activities, eating healthy snacks, and enjoying their time in the waiting area. We certainly have
reason to celebrate today.”
The County Executive issued a proclamation, brought as a “Speedy Delivery” by Mr. McFeely
of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, designating August 15, 2008, as “Gwendolyn June Campbell
Elliott Family Activity Center Day” in Allegheny County. Kathi Elliott, daughter of the late
Pittsburgh Police Commander, unveiled a portrait of her mother that will hang in the center along
with a plaque describing Gwen’s great contributions to creating the family-friendly waiting area.
“We always considered Gwen Elliott to be our ‘chief volunteer’ since she personally recruited
many of the center’s original volunteers,” said Rustin. “Now the center’s goal is to double the
number of volunteers by the end of this year, so we’re encouraging people to honor Gwen’s
legacy by becoming volunteers.”
Beginning in late 2005, Commander Elliott joined with more than 100 individuals and
community organizations to design the center and its programs under the leadership of the
PCGF, Allegheny County Bureau of Corrections, and Lydia’s Place Inc., an organization
dedicated to helping female offenders and their children rebuild their lives.
“The Board and staff of Lydia’s Place are pleased to have played a key role in the creation and
implementation of this center,” said Kip Bryant, board president of Lydia’s Place.
Onorato also announced that after a successful year under the management of Lydia’s Place, the
Family Activity Center has been integrated into the jail’s operations and programming under the
supervision and management of the Warden. While there will be no visible changes to visitors or
volunteers, this is a major step in ensuring the center’s continued operation.
In addition to volunteer services, valued in excess of $40,000 for the past year, foundations,
churches and individuals have donated more than $400,000 to develop and maintain the center.
The Family Activity Center includes 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
offer caregivers information on services and resources important to the well-being of children.
To volunteer at the Family Activity Center, contact Shirlene Jones at 412-350-6423.
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