Agency News
ANNOUNCEMENT: Our Adult Achievement Center in Leechburg, PA is now open!
PWAC is happy to announce the official opening of our Adult Achievement Center in Leechburg, PA as of September 30, 2024! This new program location will provide services to adults with disabilities in the southern Armstrong County area and has the capacity to serve up to 25 individuals with disabilities. We are actively accepting referrals and giving tours to potential clients, so contact us for more information!
“After nearly nine months of planning and preparing, we are happy to share that our Adult Achievement Center in Leechburg is finally open!” said PWAC CEO, Michelle Reefer. “I am so proud of my staff who worked so hard to make this happen, and we are excited to finally start working with some new clients in the Leechburg area. Our vision for this program is to create a positive impact in each of our clients' lives as they build new skills and work toward their goals.”​
PWAC opened its first Adult Achievement Center in Kittanning in 2017. It was due to the success of that program, paired with the need PWAC identified in the southern Armstrong County area for adult education services, that PWAC made the decision to open a second AAC program in Leechburg. The agency officially announced plans for the new program location in January 2024.​
PWAC’s Adult Achievement Center programs provide adult education services that focus on building clients’ knowledge, abilities, and competencies in daily living skills, health awareness, financial responsibility, safety awareness, leisure skills, socialization skills, and self-determination. The new AAC Leechburg has the capacity to serve up to 25 individuals with disabilities and is actively accepting referrals and giving tours to potential clients. The AAC Leechburg is PWAC’s fifth program location with three other facilities located in Kittanning and a fourth one in Shelocta.
A Special 25th Staff Anniversary!
Terri started at PWAC on September 9, 1999. Terri didn't know much about PWAC before applying to work here, other than the fact that the hours would accommodate her schedule by allowing her time to put her kids on the school bus before going to work in the morning. But now, knowing what she does about the agency, the job has become much more to her than that: "Now, my one wish would be that everybody has the privilege of spending time here," Terri said. "What an eye opening, life-changing experience it can be. And such a rewarding job and a wonderful place to work. The people you work with are everything."
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Terri is a Direct Support Professional, meaning that she works directly with our employees with disabilities to help them develop skills, learn new tasks, and complete production jobs for PWAC's company partnerships with businesses like Cook Medical, Butler Technologies, Sloan Lubrication Systems, and others.
We asked Terri the following questions about her 25 years at PWAC. See what she had to say!
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What is your favorite thing(s) about working for PWAC?
I love getting new jobs in and seeing how excited the individuals get working as a team to learn the steps necessary to complete the jobs and beating the deadlines by days. The pride and joy they have when Bogie comes in to tell them how proud he is and the positive feedback from the companies we work for is just over the top. We have some great partnerships with companies around the area that go above and beyond for our employees.
Terri John
Any favorite PWAC memories from over the years?
I thought my best memory was when the military personnel drove a couple of Humvees right into the front work area at the Industrial Center to get ready for a celebration. Everybody got to touch them, crawl inside, sit on the military seats we were producing for them, learn about the lives the seats were saving. But, my best memory was the next day, about halfway through the speeches, when it started to dawn on the employees that the day was not about meeting the military personnel and thanking them for their service, it was about local government representatives and all the military personnel being there to thank them for doing their jobs and their part to help keep them safe. The “oohs” and “ahs” and giggles and sounds of excitement in the room the moment the realization hit that what we were celebrating was them…that all these very important people that came in the fancy cars had come there to honor them…and the BEST part of all was when they walked over and shook the hand of every employee at the workshop that day. The pride on their faces and the smiles from ear to ear, the light in their eyes…this was a day to remember.
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Any family you’d like to mention:
I’ve been blessed with two wonderful children: a son, Andrew, and a daughter, Brittany. They have given me the most precious gifts ever, my grandchildren: Kaylee, Ava, and Tucker. And I’m so luck to be married to the love of my life, my husband Mark, who has shared this great journey of life with me for the last 35 years. And I can’t forget my new puppy, Jelly Bean.
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Hobbies:
I love bargain hunting and going to yard sales and thrift stores. We spend our weekends camping with family or side-by-side riding. I also enjoy gardening and propagating my succulents and plants. My grandmother always said I had a green thumb.
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Anything else you’d like to say?
It’s been an honor and privilege to work with so many people over the years. They’ve taught me so much. To be humble, proud of my accomplishments no matter how small. You don’t know what you can do until you give it a try, and today might not be your day, but try again tomorrow. It doesn’t matter if you succeed, you succeed by doing your best.
Congratulations to Terri! Thank you for your incredible 25 years of service!
Special 25th Staff Anniversary
Candy Mangioni
Candy started at PWAC on March 19, 1999. Two of her sisters were employed here at the time, and they encouraged her to apply for an open position, knowing she would enjoy the job. Today, Candy is a Direct Support Professional, meaning that she works directly with our employees with disabilities to help them develop skills, learn new tasks, and complete production jobs for PWAC's company partnerships with businesses like Cook Medical, Butler Technologies, Sloan Lubrication Systems, and others.
We asked Candy the following questions about her 25 years at PWAC. See what she had to say!
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What is your favorite thing(s) about working for PWAC?
'It has been an honor working with the employees and learning new things from them. They have taught me humility and a sense of self-worth. Their loyalty and relentless hard work and fierce dedication to PWAC and each other has made my job so rewarding. I also enjoy the times we get together, dances and parties where they let loose with no fear of being themselves. It is truly inspiring and gratifying."
Any favorite PWAC memories from over the years?
"There are so many in 25 years and I could have a fond memory about each and every employee I have worked with. What stands out most is the pride and satisfaction they have when they learn a new task and accomplish it and the pride they feel in a job completed and done well."
Any family you’d like to mention:
"My 4 children: Felicia Bosman (and her husband Josh Smith), Ben Ryan, Alicia Bosman (and her children Preston and Lilyana), and Deana Ryan Slagle (and her husband Jason, and their children, Jacob, Meranda, and Evan), and of course my 3 grand-dogs (Chesney, Alfie, Cheeto) and 3 grand-cats (Kitty, Nala, and Ruby)."
Hobbies:
"Reading mysteries, crafts, making various season wreaths, baking when I have the time, revitalizing old furniture, mostly stuff I have, and my favorite is my grandkids and Chesney."
Anything else you’d like to say?
"I’ve been honored and humbled working for PWAC and with the amazing employees I have gotten to teach jobs to and those I helped to move toward SGE, and many started in the rooms. The staff have been an added bonus; the many who enjoy this job and being there for the employees. Terri who has been a part of PWAC for as long as I have has been one of the best additions in work and play and Cheri has really captured a lot of hearts…a wonderful asset. Our staff works hard to ensure quality and quantity and a sense of unity with trainees."