Five Schools. Four Houses. One Family
This school year marked a new chapter for Pressley Ridge as all five specialized schools adopted the Ron Clark Academy House System.
Even halfway through the first year, the impact has been immediate. The four houses — Altruismo, Amistad, Isibindi and Reveur— quickly became more than
names or colors; they became a source of identity, pride and connection for students and staff
alike. Hallways and classrooms are now filled with chants, celebrations, and a renewed sense of energy.
“Watching students and staff get excited during the school day over cheers and chants has brought
so much fun back to our school.”- Pressley Ridge Day School Johnstown Staff Member.
Pressley Ridge offers specialized, short-term education programs for students who have struggled to
succeed in traditional classrooms. We help students improve academic performance, reduce
disruptive behaviors, build coping skills, and develop positive relationships. By learning and
practicing replacement behaviors, students gain the confidence and skills needed to successfully
return to their home schools and communities. The results have been significant. Staff turnover has decreased by 60%, attendance has improved and schools have seen an 11% reduction in restraints during the first half of the year — signs of a calmer, more supportive environment. Students are more
engaged socially and emotionally, while older students have naturally stepped into leadership and mentorship roles by encouraging younger peers, leading cheers and reinforcing positive choices. Families are also becoming more involved, attending events and celebrating accomplishments alongside their children, further strengthening the connection between home and school.
“I wanted to let Altruismo House know the positive impact you have had on my child. He teared up as he told me how happy he was for being student of the month. He had never felt so happy about something like that before.”
Most importantly, the House System has transformed the culture inside each building. Students now rally around shared goals, celebrate one another’s successes and recognize that achievement is tied to teamwork and belonging. What began as a new initiative has quickly evolved into a powerful sense of community that is creating stronger relationships, greater joy and a more connected school experience for everyone involved.
The work itself can be demanding. We often intersect with children and families during some of the most difficult moments in their lives. In those moments, leadership is not defined by title or identity. It is defined by presence. By helping people feel they belong.
Together, they form a holistic effort—one grounded not in a single story, but in many—working every day to do whatever it takes to create hope and success for the children and families we serve. In that shared work, each voice and experience adds depth and direction, strengthening our ability to respond with care, clarity and purpose. It is through this collective commitment that lasting change becomes sustainable.
I began my career as an Accounts Payable Clerk working with WV and MD. I transitioned to a Financial Manager/Accountant and was responsible for reconciling various accounts, managing credit cards for the agency, posting cash receipts and various other duties. Last year, I was promoted to the Controller position which oversees the Accounting Department.
We have likely all given to and know the importance of monetary donations to non-profit organizations. However, donations, particularly grants from foundations and corporations, often come with strict guidelines as to how and by when the funds must be utilized. Grant applications typically require organizations to specify certain programs or initiatives the funding is needed for, as well as the precise budget and timeline for the project.
For nearly two centuries, Pressley Ridge has been a cornerstone of support and transformation in the Pittsburgh region. Since its inception, Pressley Ridge has been driven by a singular mission: to help children and families in need. Over the years, the organization has evolved to meet the growing and complex needs of the community, offering a range of services including foster and kinship care, mental health support, residential treatment and educational programs. Through all of this, the organization has remained focused on one core principle—creating a positive, lasting impact on the lives of the children and families it serves.
The Pressley Ridge family has lost a true friend with the passing of long-time board member Fay Mosle, who passed away on Sunday, June 29th surrounded by her family.
Fueled by a passion to serve vulnerable children and families, Susanne Cole, President and CEO of Pittsburgh-based social services non-profit Pressley Ridge, has devoted her life to helping kids overcome challenges and reach their full potential.
In March 2022, Susanne Cole, President and CEO of Pittsburgh-based non-profit Pressley Ridge, received what she thought was a SPAM e-mail stating that the organization was being awarded a $10 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Thankfully, Cole followed up on the message and learned that Pressley Ridge would be receiving the largest gift in their nearly 200-year history, completely unsolicited.
By Jeremy Tepper, Allegheny Intermediate Unit
We are proud to announce that Pressley Ridge has been named a 2023 Top Workplace by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette! In addition, our President & CEO Susanne Cole was honored with the 
Despite personal upheavals, the determined future CNA/GNAs proved that they were able to withstand the pressures of a global pandemic, personal challenges, and academic pressures to succeed.
Hannah’s desire to help others came at a very young age, but her foster care journey began six years ago. In 2014, during the border crisis, she and her husband knew they wanted to help. Hannah’s husband, Jesús, is bilingual. When they became certified foster parents, they wanted to serve all children in need, especially unaccompanied immigrant minors who needed a bilingual family. The Origel family went on to foster a Hispanic youth from Guatemala and more than 15 other children over the last six years. 
In 2018, Sara and Joshua Glover became foster parents to a 13-day-old medically fragile infant. Special medical needs, doctor’s appointments and specialized care became part of their routine. Thankfully, the Glovers are trained foster parents through the Pressley Ridge Treatment Foster Care Program. The program helps to provide a stable family life for infants and children up to age 21 who have been affected by trauma, and as a result, may have behavioral or emotional needs. Treatment foster parents are specially trained to support a child’s emotional and developmental needs and are continually supported by Pressley Ridge professionals who provide a caring network of support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Now, the Glovers are a beautiful family with three children – two are biological, a boy and a girl, and their newest addition. “We knew we wanted to have him as part of our family, but we also knew that the first goal was to try to help him go home,” said Sara. “The Pressley Ridge Treatment Foster Care training helped prepare us for both, and kept us informed through the process. We are a multicultural family living in a wonderful Pittsburgh neighborhood reflecting our diversity, and we feel very blessed”, said Sara Glover.
Pressley Ridge Delaware recently received a generous donation from the Redd Heart Foundation. The staff were able to deliver boxes of food to all 47 treatment foster families as a small gesture of gratitude for their dedication to our children during this challenging time.
Teachers and staff from Pressley Ridge School for Autism celebrated student Tony’s birthday with a drive-by parade. Seeing so many familiar faces brought joy to Tony and his family and to the staff members, as well. PRSA is looking forward to creatively celebrating more birthdays, graduation and the last day of school throughout the next month.
By Jeanni-Marie Williams
The Pressley Ridge Social Research & Innovation Center is excited to announce the publication of a new article that discusses the results of a study examining alliances between families and residential treatment family workers. Published in the Children and Youth Services Review Journal, this article demonstrates that sharing working alliance feedback with residential treatment staff can be effective in improving working alliances with families. This study adds to our knowledge about the working alliance and helped to build the foundation for our Alliance Building: Learning to Engage (ABLE) model.
All across our regions and programs, Pressley Ridge children, families, and staff have so much to celebrate this holiday season. Thank you for your dedication and for continuing to do whatever it take for those who depend on our services.
