Programs

Advocacy at ESCA is FREE to everyone with developmental disabilities, thanks to grants, donations, and fundraising. We provide advocacy for individuals of all ages in Westmoreland County and the Eastern part of Allegheny County. Examples of developmental disabilities include ADHD, autism, down syndrome, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, etc.

ESCA provides educational advocacy, employment advocacy, advocacy for abuse and neglect situations, assisting people through the Office of Developmental Programs- IDD/A waiver process, educating individuals about legal guardianship, rep payee services, Power of Attorney in Pennsylvania to see if it is right for them, and MORE. We provide information and help connect you to other community resources as well.

Our other programs are also provided with advocacy in mind. They help us to build networks and supports through spending time with each other at events. We are not able to provide medical or legal advocacy and we do not lobby. If you feel you could benefit from a disability advocate at ESCA, please call us at 724-325-3344 and leave a message or email escadvocacy@gmail.com. Our hours vary as we work from the office, home, and the community but we will always return messages.

Programming at ESCA is open to the public and we welcome and encourage an inclusive environment! Bring family, friends, or staff! All are welcome.

Person Centered Plans (PCP) are a way for anyone to look at various aspects of their life together. This can be to set new goals, to realize behaviors that are healthy or unhealthy, or to see where you may need to add some support.

This process allows you to step back from the situation, look at smaller areas and then start to put pieces together that make sense. Sometimes we are too close to things and taking a step back allows you to look at the situation in a very different way. Please contact us if you are interested.

Art from the Heart is an inclusive art/craft program.

ESCA and Miss Gabi always have something fun planned for All Ages and All Abilities. We have painting, drawing, ceramics and other possibilities. ESCA discounts these in studio classes so that they are only $15.00 for our participants.

June, July, and August are Miss Gabi’s summer camps!

Please watch our calendar or Miss Gabi’s website and Facebook pages for details on events. There are also classes that were put on her YouTube channel (link below) if you feel like drawing with Gabi at home.

Miss Gabi’s Art is Good Inclusive Art Studio is located in Latrobe, PA.

Call Miss Gabi at: 412-260-8261, Please check her studio webpage at https://missgabisartstudio.com/ for more opportunities or her Miss Gabi’s Art is Good YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtytiTZ_V6MApQuiMVDDA4A

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Miss LaVerne is our Art from the Heart jewelry and metalsmithing artist! We do ask age 12 years old and up only due to materials. Miss LaVerne works with many types of jewelry from semi-precious stones, polymer clay, metal clay, and fused and tumbled glass. She also is able to teach metalsmithing to create one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry for you to enjoy. We have one class to learn how to create a project, and the other day is a simpler project so we can socialize while creating jewelry. Please always check our events calendar for details on events. We do ask that you let us know you are coming to the class so that we can have enough kits for each participant. escadvocacy@gmail.com. The classes are FREE of charge, but if you would like a second kit, they are $5.00 each.

You can also reach Miss LaVerne on Facebook at ‘Autumn Awakening’.

Adult Social Group (18yrs +) meets once a week at 10:30am on Wednesdays, except the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Please watch the calendar for details. This inclusive group meets at St. Alban’s Anglican Church in Murrysville where new friendships are fostered, skills are built, and community connections are encouraged. We try to have fun with games, fun drinks (hot chocolate and lemonade), and good company. All are welcome, there is no charge, and you do not have to register.

This is a fun and accepting group!

Drumstix is energetic and fun exercise class where you have the chance to move to the music and get a workout while you’re at it. This class is a blast! Our instructor, Coleen, will fit the class to all abilities. All ages are welcomed but our typical group is 18 years and up.

• Our classes are at Clelian Heights in Greensburg once a month at 3:30pm for free and open the public. This is typically the 3rd Thursday of the month but please check our calendar and Facebook page for changes.

East Suburban Citizen Advocacy is collaborating with the YMCA of Laurel Highlands (490 Bessemer Road Mt Pleasant Pa 15666) to bring Community Dances every other month on a Saturday night and they are providing Crafts and Drumming on Mondays (except major US Holidays). Please check our website calendar and Facebook for any changes.