Cayuga Centers Allegheny County

Today we want to take a moment to acknowledge the reality of grief and its impact on our lives. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, a pet, a job, or any significant change, grief is a natural and valid response.

There are various ways to cope with loss and grief; while there are no easy solutions, here is a list of books, that can at the very least provide valuable insights into the grieving process for both adults and children.

Keep these 16 books handy: https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-books-grief.html

🍽️ Pittsburgh Soul Food Festival 🍽️

📅 Date: August 30 - September 1
⏰ Time: 11 AM - 10 PM
📍 Location: Market Square/Boulevard of the Allies between Stanwix and Wood Streets
🎟️ Admission: FREE!

Join us for a weekend full of flavor, music, and community at the Pittsburgh Soul Food Festival! Indulge in a feast for the senses as local vendors serve up irresistible soul food that will have your taste buds dancing.

And while you’re enjoying the amazing food and festivities, be sure to stop by our bright orange tent to learn more about foster care. Whether you’re curious about becoming a foster parent or just want to know more about how you can help, we’re here to answer all your questions.

Let’s make a difference together—one plate at a time. See you there! 🍗🎶

Food trauma is an often misunderstood challenge faced by youth in foster care. For many of these young people, food can trigger anxiety and stress instead of comfort and joy.

Our latest blog post, From Scarcity to Security: Food Trauma in Foster Care, explores how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) shape a child’s relationship with food and offers practical strategies to help them heal and thrive.

We invite you to read, reflect, and share this important piece with your network of friends and family. Read the entire article and sign up for more at Cayuga Corner. https://cayugacenters.org/from-scarcity-to-security-food-trauma-in-foster-care/

🍎📚 to last year's back-to-school season with our team rocking those stylish quarter zips! As we gear up for another school year, we're reminded of the incredible impact foster parents have on young minds. Ready to make a difference in a child's life? Join us and become a foster parent today!

Meet a neighborhood mom and learn about the Martinos’ journey from foster care to adoption in our latest blog post!

A neighborhood mom: The Martinos' journey from foster care to adoption When Jaylen and Jahmir met Frances, the siblings found their forever home.

We are onsite today at the Allegheny YMCA Block party!

Come out and hear some cool music, great vendors, and learn how you can be a champion for foster youth!

We are also partnering with Allies for Children on a journey to find solutions to help youth in Allegheny County and beyond! More to come on this worthwhile initiative! Stay tuned,...

September is right around the corner! If you’ve been dreading the back-to-school supply run, we’ve got you covered: https://cayugacenters.org/back-to-school-tips-for-foster-parents/
We hope each and every child has a great start to their school year! 🏫📚📝

🚀 Ready to Make a Difference? 🚀

Ever thought about becoming a foster parent but don’t know where to start? Now’s your chance to learn more and take the first step towards creating a positive impact in a child’s life!

Sign up for a Virtual Information Session to discover how you can become a foster parent and make a lasting difference in our community. 🌟

Here’s what you’ll get:

🔍 In-Depth Information: Learn about the fostering process, requirements, and what to expect.
💬 Q&A Opportunity: Ask our experts any questions you have about fostering.
👥 Connect with Us: Meet other potential foster parents and connect with our supportive team.

Ready to take the leap? Visit our website at https://cayugacenters.org/pittsburgh/ to sign up for the virtual session and start your journey towards making a meaningful impact. Your new adventure in fostering begins here!

Become a Pittsburgh/Allegheny County Foster Parent Feel confident in your ability to foster with our bundled foster care support.

🌱✨ Join Us at Pittsburgh VegFest! ✨🌱

We’re thrilled to be part of this year’s Pittsburgh VegFest, where we’ll be sharing the critical need for supportive foster parents. This outdoor summer festival is the ultimate gathering spot in the heart of the city, bringing together the best veg food, music, shopping, speakers, food, yoga demos, and family-friendly entertainment for Pittsburghers of all ages.

Come celebrate the vibrant and diverse animal advocacy in the Steel City, and stop by our orange tent to learn how you can make a difference in a child’s life by becoming a foster parent. Our team is excited to meet you and discuss how you can join our amazing foster care community.

📅 Date: Saturday, August 10th
🕒 Time: 11 AM - 5 PM
📍 Location: North Side Allegheny Commons Park

Don’t miss out on the fun, food, and the chance to make a positive impact! 🌿💚

👯‍♂️ to that time our dynamic duo showed up in matching blue outfits! 💙 Just like we’re in sync, our team is here to support you in every step of your foster parent journey. Ready to make a positive impact? Join our foster family today!

🎥 FREE 🎞 MOVIE 📽 SCREENING 🎬

On behalf of Cayuga Centers and the Foster Care Agencies of Allegheny County, we’d like to invite you to a special screening of “Sound of Hope”: The Story of Possum Trot. Join us this Sunday, August 11, 2024, at the AMC Waterfront for the 4 PM showing.

This inspiring film shares the true story of Donna and Reverend Martin and their incredible journey of leading a small-town congregation in East Texas to adopt 77 children from the foster care system.

As we transition from congregate care to family-based settings, Allegheny County needs more loving families to provide homes for over 400 children in foster care. We're reaching out to caring people like you to help nurture this mission.

After the movie, we’ll host a panel featuring foster parents and a young adult who grew up in foster care, followed by a Q&A session. It’s a free event, and we’d love to have you there!

Please RSVP here [ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScM2DZ0g10k-LHi10xzKZZeMocPYwuqeLS4XlbHm5sWg6Sdfg/viewform ]for each individual attending and share this event with your network.

We look forward to seeing you on the 11th and working together to support our community’s youth.

Hello Class of 2037! 🥳 Are you ready for kindergarten? Our annual kindergarten readiness event is BACK on Saturday, August 17 from 9:00 am – noon. Rising kindergarteners and their families can visit the Museum, explore arts & making activities, gather resources from partner organizations, ride a school bus and more.

This event is free for rising kindergarten students and one accompanying caregiver. Additional family members can receive a discounted ticket of $8. Visit https://pittsburghkids.org/program/kindergarten-here-i-come/ for more information and to register.

🌟 Join Us for an Inspiring Free Event! 🌟

On behalf of Cayuga Centers Allegheny County and the Foster Care Agencies of Allegheny County, we are excited to invite you to a special viewing of “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” on August 11, 2024, at 4 PM at the AMC Waterfront.

This heartfelt movie tells the true story of Donna and Reverend Martin, leaders of a small church in East Texas who inspired their congregation to adopt 77 children from the foster care system.

Right here in Allegheny County, over 400 children are currently in foster care. As we transition from congregate care to family-based settings, we urgently need more families willing to provide loving, caring homes to these children.

Our hope is to inspire a similar movement in our community to support fostering and adoption.

🎥 Event Details:

Date: August 11, 2024
Time: 4 PM
Location: AMC Waterfront

Following the film, we will host a panel discussion featuring foster parents and a young adult who grew up in foster care. This is a unique opportunity for Q&A and to learn about upcoming activities and ways to support this mission within your network.

Please RSVP with the names and contact details of attendees using the link below:
👉 RSVP Here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScM2DZ0g10k-LHi10xzKZZeMocPYwuqeLS4XlbHm5sWg6Sdfg/viewform

If you need to change your RSVP or are unable to attend, kindly provide the names of your replacements or notify us so we can offer the tickets to someone on the waiting list.

Let's come together to make a difference in the lives of these children. Your presence and support can spark the change we need in our community. 🌟❤️

Make a difference in the lives of youth in foster care in Allegheny County. Join a terrific team, contribute to a great mission and enjoy generous benefits. Learn more at cayugacenters.org/careers.

We can't believe the school year is already right around the corner. We know that transitioning from a summer schedule back to a school schedule can be challenging for parents and kids so we've gathered some tips for you and your family to make things a little easier. Our favorite at Cayuga Centers is #4!

If you know a family who can benefit from these tips, share with them! We want the back-to-school transition to be easy for everyone. Visit https://cayugacenters.org/back-to-school-tips-for-foster-parents/ for more helpful information.

Would you like to help a foster youth be a driver for their own future?

Come and join us at the Waterfront car cruise today to learn more! Mention that you saw this post for a special surprise!

🌟 Make a Difference – Become a Foster Parent! 🌟

Are you ready to make a profound impact on a youth's life? Becoming a foster parent is one of the most rewarding ways to give back to your community and provide a safe, loving home for children in need.

Foster parents play a crucial role in helping children grow, thrive, and reach their full potential. Your support can create a positive, lasting change in their lives.

Here’s why you should consider becoming a foster parent:

❤️ **Change Lives:** Give children the love and stability they need.
🏡 **Support Network:** Receive ongoing training and support from our dedicated team.
👶 **Fulfillment:** Experience the joy of nurturing and guiding a child.

We believe every child deserves a safe and loving home. If you have room in your heart and home, we’d love to talk to you about the incredible journey of fostering.

Ready to learn more? Visit https://cayugacenters.org/pittsburgh/ or contact us at [email protected] . Together, we can create brighter futures for children in need.

🌟 Be the change. Become a foster parent today! 🌟

Become a Pittsburgh/Allegheny County Foster Parent Feel confident in your ability to foster with our bundled foster care support.

Every July, we set aside the fourth Sunday of the month to honor the often-overlooked heroes of society: parents. Whether a family is led by two parents, a single parent, or another guardian, these figures are crucial in providing financial support and nurturing emotional growth and development in their children. Parents are constantly making sacrifices to better their children’s lives, and on this day, we encourage everyone to express their gratitude and appreciation. Happy Parents’ Day!

🚗🔥 We’re Heading to the Waterfront Car Cruise! 🔥🚗

We’re excited to announce that we’ll be at the Waterfront Car Cruise, sponsoring 2 amazing cars and sharing the important need for supportive foster parents. This event is a paradise for auto aficionados, hot rodders, gearheads, car enthusiasts, and families alike!

Whether you’re into old cars, new cars, trucks, or motorbikes, this car show has something for everyone. Join us for a fantastic day of admiring incredible vehicles, meeting passionate people, and hearing fascinating stories.

Stop by our booth, check out our sponsored cars, and chat with us about how you can make a difference in a child’s life by becoming a foster parent. We’re looking forward to connecting with you and building a stronger, supportive community together.

📅 Date: Monday, July 29th
🕒 Time: 4 PM - 9 PM
📍 Location: The Waterfront in Homestead, PA

Don’t miss out on the fun and the opportunity to learn more about fostering! 🚗💙

The streets are open Open Streets PGH and we are onsite in the kids/family hub @ 100 Larimer Ave! Come on by and see us to learn about our supportive fostercare services! Mention you saw this post for an extra special gift!!

🚴‍♀️🌟 Join us at Open Streets Pittsburgh! 🌟🚶‍♂️

We’re excited to be part of this amazing community event where miles of city streets are open for everyone to walk, run, bike, and explore! Look for our bright orange tent 🧡—we’ll be there recruiting supportive foster parents who want to make a difference in children’s lives.

Whether you’re skating, rolling, dancing, or just enjoying the day at your own pace, stop by and say hello! You can also jump into a free fitness class at the wellness hub, teach your kids how to bike at the kid’s hub, grab delicious food from local vendors, and enjoy a variety of fun activities hosted by local organizations.

📅 Date: Saturday, July 27th
🕒 Time: 10 AM - 2 PM
📍 Location: Homewood & East End (Liberty Green Park)

Ready to start your journey as a foster parent? Come find us at Open Streets PGH and let’s make a difference together! 🌟

🐐 to when our adventurous foster parent recruiter visited a foster family’s goat farm! 🌾🏡 From farms to cities, we’re ready to support you every step of the way on your journey to becoming a foster parent. Ready to start your adventure? Let’s make a difference together!

Supporting our foster parents and youth is a top priority at Cayuga Centers. Whether you're dealing with a crisis or just have a routine question, we're here for you.
Message us to learn more about becoming a foster parent!

Nikki and James found purpose in giving back as foster parents to local teens in their community. Read their full story at

How a former foster child gives back to teens in foster care: Nikki & James’ foster parent story Nikki and James found purpose in giving back as foster parents to local teens in their community.

Our office will be closed today, July 4, 2024, in observance of Independence Day.

As we commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we pay tribute to our nation’s heroes and founding fathers. Their enduring legacy inspires us at Cayuga Centers to continue upholding the principles of justice, equality, and opportunity among our staff and community members. We wish everyone a happy Independence Day!

Learn more about the state of foster care in the United States by visiting cayugacenters.org/cayuga-corner.
Message us if you are interested in becoming a foster parent to the 355,000+ children in the American foster system.