This issue captures the efforts in stories of the Sarah A Reed Children's Center staff,counselors,therapists,nurses during one of the most challenging times in the institutions 149 years of existence.Here are some of those stories of success during these challenging and uncertain times during COVID-19. sarahreed.org

1. at Sarah A. Reed Children's Center
Shining Bright
We understand what a difficult time this is for everyone. Our staff, children
and families are experiencing the stress, anxiety and uncertainty right along
with you.
Our agency is very fortunate to have a knowledgeable and innovative team of
psychologists, medical personnel, doctoral interns and behavioral staff who are
working together to bring you helpful advice and ongoing resources to keep
you and your family healthy, both physically and mentally, as we navigate this
pandemic together. We invite you to check out:
www.SarahReed.org
2445 West 34th Street
Erie, PA 16506
(814) 838-1954
www.SarahReed.org
An open letter to our Sarah Reed staff, families, and friends:
In March of 2020 the way we provide behavioral health services changed dramatically due to the
COVID-19 outbreak. Because of the current situation, our employees have needed to provide our
array of programs and services in a different manner and with a risk that was not present before. In
addition, they have had to change from face-to-face treatment to telepractice and quickly learn to
use new technologies safely and effectively, while still providing quality services to our clients.
To our staff members at the Residential Treatment Program, you are ensuring the safety of the
children in our care while acknowledging the increased risk and burden placed on you and your
families. This is a stress most will never understand. I want to acknowledge all of you, our
everyday heroes. You have provided direct care, day in and day out, and maintained contact and
treatment through technology.
All of our staff across the agency have adapted quickly to new ways of carrying out their roles and
shown how incredibly committed they are to making a difference for the children and families we
serve. Thank you for your bravery, dedication and professionalism, especially during this crisis.
A web page dedicated to agency updates and
COVID-19 resources, including tips on how to help
you and your children cope during this time.
Visit www.sarahreed.org
A Community Resource During Turbulent Times
A Special Message from Our CEO in Response to COVID-19
EDITIONSPECIAL
James D. Mando
President/CEO
Psych
Snippets
A new video series led by Sarah Reed psychologists, Dr.
Brittany Hayden and Dr. Sallie Richards, featuring
interviews with a variety of experts across our agency.
Visit www.sarahreed.org/sarah-reeds-psych-snippets/
James D. Mando is the
President/CEO of Sarah A.
Reed Children's Center. He
has been leading the agency
since 2004.
We are proud to be your community resource
during turbulent times. Connect with us online for
helpful resources and the latest updates.
Spring 2020
Sarah A. Reed Children's Center
COVID-19
resourcePAGE
To our dedicated community of Sarah Reed donors, volunteers and friends, I want to say how grateful I am on behalf of our agency
for your continued support during these stressful and uncertain times. Many of you have reached out with donations to our COVID-
19 Emergency Fund, gifts of homemade face masks and face shields for our staff and children, and contributions of books, games
and supplies. Your generosity during this time means so much to me and to our agency.
Thank you for standing with us as we navigate these challenging times together.
I wish each of you and your family my very best.

2. Page 2
Want to hear more from Jennifer?
Check out Episode 3 of our new interview series
called Psych Snippets. Anthony Nedelman, our
doctoral intern from Fairleigh Dickinson University,
talks with Jennifer about COVID-19 and what Sarah
Reed is doing to keep children and staff safe. You
can access Psych Snippets via the About Us section
of our website: www.SarahReed.org/sarah-reeds-
psych-snippets
Brittany Boggs
Recreational Therapist
Which of these staff heroes is an identical twin and loves to watch Spongebob? Find out on our Facebook page!
Jennifer Zietz, RN, is the
Director of Nursing at
Sarah A. Reed Children's
Center. She's been making
a difference here for over
14 years.
Behind the Mask: Our Staff Heroes
Sarah Reed has a team of over 330 dedicated staff members who go above and beyond every day to make a difference for our children
and families, even when times get tough. We've been featuring these amazing people for our new Facebook campaign, Behind the
Mask. Connect with us online at www.Facebook.com/SarahReedCC to learn some fun facts about these staff heroes (and many more!)
who we're proud to call our Sarah Reed family.
Staff Member Spotlight: Jennifer Zietz, RN, Director of Nursing
Staff Member Spotlight
Jake Kerner
Behavior Counselor
Can you tell us a little about your background?
"I grew up in Union City and went to college at Edinboro University. I graduated with a Bachelor’s of
Science in Nursing, and then I worked at Hamot Hospital right after college on a Medical Surgical Floor
for one year prior to coming to Sarah Reed. I've been at Sarah Reed for 14 years now! I became the
Residential Nursing Supervisor in 2015 and then in January of 2020 became the Nursing Director."
What has your experience been like at Sarah Reed during these uncertain times of COVID-19?
PSYCH SNIPPETS
www.sarahreed.org/sarah-reeds-psych-snippets
BONUS
Lakita Leggett
Residential Shift Leader
Joe Garofalo
Refocus Specialist
Morgyn Patterson
Clinical Care Staff
"I love it! You can take time and be with the children and really feel like you are helping. It's also nice
because you have each child’s whole treatment team working together to provide the best care. I feel
that Sarah Reed is like one big family - we all care about each other and want to see the staff and clients
succeed."
"It can be very challenging dealing with situations during the pandemic as there are still many areas that
are unknown about the virus. It also can be challenging because information can change on a regular
basis."
What is it like being a nurse at a children’s mental health facility?
Do you have any stories you’d like to share on a client or family you’ve helped?
"We had a client who was an insulin-dependent diabetic that was non-compliant. We worked with him on a regular basis and got
assistance from a diabetic nutritionist. He eventually was able to actually teach a class to his peers at Sarah Reed about diabetes! It made
me very proud of how well he was then able to take care of his medical condition."
Material
Page 2

3. Teen Shares Her Perspective on COVID-19 During Art Therapy Project
Our leadership team and staff have done an amazing job at
quickly adapting our 24-hour Residential Treatment
Program to meet the ever-changing health guidelines and
regulations that are necessary to keep the children safe
during the COVID-19 crisis. For example, each child now
has his or her own room to practice good social distancing.
Despite these changes, the 61 children on campus continue
to stay active and engaged in educational, therapeutic and
creative programs during this time, including:
*Daily online education with their Millcreek Township
School District teachers
*Art and recreational activities with Sarah Reed staff
*Staying connected with family members via Zoom
*Listening to audio books through our partnership with the
Erie County Public Library
*Group therapy sessions
We are very proud of the courage,
flexibility and tenacity the children
continue to show during these
uncertain times.
Children's Generosity Shines Bright
Children in the Sewing Club at the Residential Treatment Program
make cloth face masks for their peers and staff members. Special
thanks to the Sarah Reed Women's Auxiliary and our donors for
contributing the material for this project!
Page 3
Children's Corner
"Hi, I'm 14. I'm at Sarah Reed during COVID-19."
One of our 14 year-old students created this masterpiece during a recent art therapy activity at
the Residential Treatment Program. Children were asked to create a self-portrait and write
about themselves. “…I felt lost at first. Then I realized how many positive things were
around me. I created better bonds. I learned to hold onto hope.”
What inspiring words! I think many of us can relate, especially as we make our way through
these uncertain and challenging times.
Art Therapy for Staff Members, Too!
We'd like to give a special shout-out to Erica Schwartz, a board
certified art therapist at Sarah Reed, for conducting innovative art
therapy sessions via Zoom for our staff members. Erica's art and
journaling projects are a great way to de-stress and practice self-care.
Artist: K.E., age 14 from Erie County
K.E. is a teenager in our Residential
Treatment Program.
Planting Seeds of Hope
Thinking of Our Senior Citizens
Who doesn't love a homemade card? Recently the children
used their creativity to spread joy to the men and women at
Wesbury Retirement Community in Meadville, PA. We
hope these special greeting cards made everyone smile!
Our Art and Recreation Therapy team worked with the children on a
Seeds of Hope project to help them work through some of their
negative thoughts and feelings during COVID-19. The children wrote
down their ideas on special paper that dissolves in water and then put
them in the flower pot. They added water to dissolve the paper, and
then placed soil on top and planted seeds. They've really enjoyed
watering their plants and watching them grow! Once the flowers
bloom, the children plan to give them to Sarah Reed staff members who
have been temporarily furloughed to offer them hope and support.
Residential Program Update

4. Sarah Reed Parade Honors Children and Staff
BONUS
Have you seen our Millcreek teachers' dance moves yet or Kevin Dildine's mic drop?
Material
During some of our temporary closures due to COVID-19, staff from across the agency's
programs came together to support our 24-hour Residential Treatment Program. With no
hesitation, we had staff filling in from our Partial and Acute Partial Hospitalization Programs,
Career Alternative Education Program, Bridges Alternative Education Program, SELF/SBLP
Programs at Emerson-Gridley and our Refocus Rooms across Erie County. We are incredibly
fortunate to have a group of staff ready and willing to support each other and the children we
serve during this time of crisis.
Lifting Each Other Up During the Storm
Shining Bright - Spring 2020
Page 4
The children made brightly colored signs and cheered excitedly along West 34th Street on Saturday, May 16th during a very
special Walk of the Stars parade at the main Residential Campus in Millcreek. This was a chance for parents, teachers, staff and
community supporters to drive past campus and salute the children and dedicated team members for the strength, resilience,
positivity and commitment they continue to show during these challenging times. Special parade guests included the Millcreek
Police, West Ridge Fire Department, Therapy Dogs United and Erie Family Alliance. All the children wore green in support of
Mental Health Awareness Month. Visit www.Facebook.com/SarahReedCC to watch a video of this heartwarming occasion!
Hamilton Staff to Students: "We Miss You!"
Staff from Across the Agency Come Together to Help
We are incredibly thankful for our Millcreek
Township School District teachers who have
been treating our Residential staff to pizza,
bagels and other goodies during this time.
We've been collaborating with the teachers to
provide education to our children even with
schools closed. We have the best community
support system!
Make sure to check out the two outstanding music videos
on our Facebook page that were created by our teachers
from the Millcreek School District and our staff at the
Hamilton Partial Hospitalization Program. They are
guaranteed to have you singing and dancing along! Visit
www.Facebook.com/SarahReedCC

5. Donors Give Generously to COVID-19 Emergency Fund
Children's Center
Awarded PPP Funding
**Gifts received between March 23 - May 31, 2020
Donor Spotlight
We are thrilled to be approved for a
Payroll Protection Program Loan in
the first phase. The program opened
Friday, April 3rd, and we were
approved Monday, April 6th. Sarah A.
Reed Children's Center has used these
funds to retain as many of our staff and
contract workers as possible and to
meet the increased staffing needs in our
Residential Program – we have had 25
to 30 additional staff working in the
Residential Program every day during
this pandemic.
"We needed this loan to provide the
critical cash flow to allow us to
confidently commit to doing everything
necessary to continue providing high
quality treatment and educational
services to the young people served by
all of our programs. Without these
funds, we would not have been able to
continue uninterrupted services to the
children and their families who rely on
us each day," said Robert Freeman,
CPA, vice president of finance and
operations at Sarah Reed.
Special thanks to William DeLuca,
Allison Hodas and the team at
ERIEBank for helping to make this
funding possible.
How You Can Make a Difference During This Time
Your gift to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund will be used immediately. Right now our main goal is safety and maintaining a
constant supply of personal protective equipment, medical equipment and cleaning supplies. We are also purchasing Chromebooks
and other technology on an ongoing basis to help ensure a quick, seamless transition to remote therapy and online education for our
children, therapists and teachers. Please consider a gift to support our agency during this time. You can make your donation online at
SarahReed.org/donate, or to learn about other ways of giving, such as through your donor advised fund or a planned gift, contact
Gary L. Bukowski, MA, CFRE, Associate VP of Development, at (814) 835-7602 or GBukowski@SarahReed.org. Thank you!
Shining Bright - Spring 2020
Our Donors Make a Difference
Page 5
Medical equipment to protect staff and children from COVID-19
Chromebooks, webcams and other technology for remote learning & online counseling
Other emergency supplies for children, staff and programming needs
To meet the new social distancing regulations and to cover the unexpected and ever-growing
costs that are associated with our new provision of care and education, we've developed the
COVID-19 Emergency Fund. Some of the items covered in this fund include but are not
limited to:
Our generous community of donors have raised $17,555 to date in support of this effort, and
they continue to make monetary and in-kind gifts for those we serve. Thank you!
(L to R): Nurses Jennifer Zietz,
Natalie Dixon and Sharon Stauber
wear new face shields in the Leslie
Medical Center at Residential
thanks to in-kind donations from
Gannon University, the Erie
County Gaming Revenue
Authority, Bliley Technologies,
and Suburban Tool & Die.
Alex Wayne, residential
shift leader, wears one of
the 160 hand-sewn masks
donated by Flo Nedreski.
Mask-Erie and Project
Linus also donated a
generous supply of masks
for our children and staff.
Each of the 61 children in
the Residential Program
have a few more new books
to call their own thanks to
our friends at Hooked on
Books for Kids - Erie. The
organization donated 189
books on May 6th.
We'd like to thank the following donors who made a difference during this challenging time:
J.P., age 10, works on a
writing assignment in James
N. Herr Hall using a new
Chromebook thanks to an
$11,000 grant from the Erie
County Gaming Revenue
Authority for our
technological initiative.
Anonymous (3)
Ms. Cindy Bastow
Ms. Cynthia Belczyk
Mr. & Mrs. William Bengel
Ms. Heather Bithell
Bliley Technologies
Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Bojc
Mr. & Mrs. Milan Bojc
Charities for Children, Inc.
Charles Strong Charitable Trust
Compass Group USA
Mr. Joe DeMartino
The Honorable Michael Dunlavey
Erie Community Foundation
Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority
Ms. Eileen Flanagan
Gannon University
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Hafner
Mr. & Mrs. Harry Hain
Mrs. Patricia Herr
Hooked on Books for Kids - Erie
Mr. & Mrs. Nick Iwig
Mr. & Mrs. Dave Johnson
Dr. & Mrs. Charles Joy
Mr. & Mrs. James Malue
Mask-Erie
Ms. Julee McCoy
Ms. Florence Nedreski
Network for Good
Ms. Mary Lou Niethamer
Project Linus
Ms. Melanie Pol
Ms. Melissa Reckard
Dr. Ravi Sabherwal
Sam's Club
Mr. Larry Shallenberger
Ms. Mary Schultz
Dr. & Mrs. Eric Schwartz
Ms. Linda Smalley
Mr. Alan Smith
Suburban Tool & Die
Ms. Sandra Tucker
United Way of Erie County
Walmart Foundation
Ms. Mary Whipple, CRNP
Ms. Margaret Zibelman

6. To Gather or Not to Gather, That is the Question
So, which events were you looking forward to this summer?
Perhaps it was a concert, golf tournament, motorcycle rally,
beach party or gala. One thing is for sure, Erie’s long list of
special events is what makes our city so vibrant and exciting.
Many of these events are fundraisers for non-profits, like Sarah
Reed. That’s why our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19
by putting a hold on large gatherings can be both a good thing,
when it comes to the health of the community, and a bad thing, when it comes to the
opportunities lost by the charities holding these events.
As a special events manager, being faced with restrictions on large gatherings has been
surreal. But, in the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, “If life were predictable, it would cease
to be life…!” However, and more importantly, I recognize how much the attendees of
these events look forward to them and how much of a sense of loss we are all feeling.
Just know that you are not alone.
Please stay connected with us and learn about our Sarah Reed events throughout
the year via our social media pages and on our website. We will be monitoring the
situation closely and following the CDC's and our state's recommendations. In the
meantime, we encourage you to continue supporting your favorite charities in ways that
are personally meaningful to you.
We will get through this together and we will gather again soon!
If you no longer wish to receive our newsletter
or you prefer to get our e-mail edition, please
contact Stephenie Bojc in the Development
Office at (814) 835-7604 or
SBojc@SarahReed.org.
Thank you!
2445 West 34th Street
Erie, PA 16506
(814) 838-1954
www.SarahReed.org
Did You Know...
Celebrating 149 Years!
This is a photo of some of the first
children helped by Sarah Reed and her
colleagues in 1871. The cost of
services back then was $1.64 ½ per
child each week, and in its first year
the agency was able to help 80
individuals, including orphaned or
neglected children, homeless women
and their children, and elderly women
in need of shelter and care.
Special Events Corner with Molly Myers Join Us for
Erie Gives Day on
August 11th!
Mark your calendars for Erie's biggest day of
giving! If you'd like to make a difference for
Sarah A. Reed Children's Center, log onto
www.ErieGives.org on August 11th from 8
a.m. - 8 p.m. Your gift will receive a special
match from The Erie Community Foundation.
Questions? Call Gary Bukowski at (814) 835-
7602 or e-mail GBukowski@SarahReed.org.
MollyMolly Myers, Special Events Manager at Sarah A. Reed Children's Center
Phone: (814) 835-7606 ٠ E-mail: MMyers@SarahReed.org