Merakey

The Galey ladies recently had a creative day out at the Canton Art Museum. They all enjoyed their visit and look forward to returning.

In September, Merakey proudly participated in and sponsored the Autism Speaks Pittsburgh Empower Walk & 5K Run at Acrisure Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Representing our commitment to community and inclusion were Kristen Spadafora, Education Director at Mt. Pleasant, and Lead Teacher Julia Castagnola and her daughter Arianna. The group warmly welcomed over 2,000 participants and shared valuable information about Merakey’s Children and Family Services programs. A special thank you goes out to The Pretzel Shop in Pittsburgh’s South Side for generously donating fresh pretzels, adding a delicious touch to the day for all attendees. Merakey’s presence at the resource fair helped make the event a meaningful and memorable experience for individuals and families impacted by autism. Merakey has been a proud supporter of the Pittsburgh Autism Walk community for over 25 years, and we look forward to many more years of collaboration, advocacy, and support. Here’s to continuing the journey—together.

Last week, two day programs took trips for fun and fellowship. Robinette and Sonia from the Lindbergh house had a ball hitting up the arcade at Dave & Buster’s, and Geraldine from the Norristown house enjoyed an outing at the park.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, celebrating the contribution of people with disabilities to the workforce and advocating for inclusive employment practices. October 2025 honors the 80th anniversary of NDEAM and the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—two milestones that mark decades of progress toward a more inclusive, equitable workplace. The 2025 theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” is both a reminder and a call to action: people with disabilities have always been essential to America’s workforce, and we must continue creating spaces where everyone can thrive. Merakey Allegheny Valley School’s front desk receptionist on Tuesdays and Thursdays is Joshua Appleton. Joshua happily answers incoming telephone calls, welcomes visitors, accepts package deliveries and assists with a variety of other tasks, just to highlight a few of his responsibilities! Joshua is an exemplary employee who is punctual, professional, and most importantly, PROUD of his contributions to the workplace!

The Silent Auction is officially OPEN! Bid on exclusive items including Apple Airpods, signed Eagles merch, 76ers tickets, and more! Even if you can’t attend the gala, you can still support Merakey programs! Start bidding: https://ow.ly/LB0n50XauFe

Learning disabilities affect millions of people worldwide. This Learning Disability Awareness Month, let's provide support, increase public knowledge and promote early identification and intervention. Everyone deserves a more accessible future!

The staff at Patricia Hillman Miller Campus held a touching memorial and equipment dedication in honor of Samuel, a beloved longtime resident of the campus. In his memory, Samuel’s family generously donated two new pieces of equipment to the outdoor Sensory Garden for his friends to enjoy. The ceremony included music, meaningful readings, and a special brick presentation to his family.

Merakey AVS’s Pittsburgh Campus turned into the magical world of Harry Potter! Staff and individuals went all out dressing in wizarding gear, decorating the campus, and participating in spellbinding activities! From competing in the Triwizard Cup on the field, dancing in the Great Hall, and enjoying wizard-themed treats, it was a day full of magic and memories!

With Halloween just around the corner, individuals from the Slippery Rock Program Center visited the Spirit Halloween Store to get ideas for costumes. They had a great time browsing the displays and donning some of the costumes.

The guys from Robinson Smart Home had a wild time exploring the Erie Zoo! 🦏