Lifesteps Star Award recipient named at gala
A Cranberry Township woman received the Lifesteps Star Award at the 13th annual Star Gala on Saturday.
Julia Kaluzny, 29, described in a Lifesteps news release as “a vibrant young lady with Downs syndrome,” received the award at the Moroccan-themed benefit dinner, hosted at the Atrium in Franklin Township.
Lifesteps, a nonprofit agency serving western Pennsylvania since 1923, offers programs for children, families, adults with special needs and seniors designed to encourage growth, independence, confidence and dignity.
The agency said Kaluzny “has made great strides” in Lifesteps’ Transition Program, The Next Step.
After she graduated from high school in 2013, the Transition Program team “has worked to help Kaluzny fulfill her plans to live life as independently possible and make her dreams a reality,” the release said.
With the support of the Lifesteps team, Kaluzny is “making her dreams come true and enjoying her work at Chick-fil-A in Cranberry.”
Proceeds from the Star Gala benefit the Lifesteps Family Caring Fund, which helps support programs and services not otherwise reimbursed by federal, state or county grants.
