Josh's Story – Paid Leave and Bonding

I'm the father of two kids, a 5 month old (Abby) and an almost five year old (Bela). When Abby was born, I was incredibly blessed to receive two months paid time off from Meetup, where I work as a software engineer. For my first daughter, Bela, I was given a week paid time off (which I was grateful for) but we decided to spend through our savings so I could take a few months leave.

I always tell other dads that taking that initial time off to bond and learn together with the new baby was one of the best decisions I ever made. That initial time is just so important — not just for bonding and emotional understanding, but for feeling like an equal and competent parent and being in tune with what’s going on with your lil’ one! I feel like it gave me a critical and deep foundation for parenting that I’m incredibly grateful for.

Everyone needs paid family leave so they can have the same opportunity.

Join Our Campaign for Paid Family Leave!

The PA Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces (led by PathWays PA and the Women and Girls Foundation) is beginning a statewide campaign to secure paid family leave for all workers across the commonwealth - and we want you to be involved!

Please fill out the form below to show your support for the campaign. We look forward to working with you to engage women and men across this state in this important campaign to support workers, businesses, and families. You can also share this link with other organizations who you think should be involved.

We hope you will join us at 2 PM on October 4, 2016, for our first all-coalition conference call! Please email Emma@wgfpa.org if you are able to attend.

https://goo.gl/forms/D9Jm9ObJCUlDtWBs1

Why Paid Family and Medical Leave is a Growing Priority for Small Business

Register here!

Small business owners spend their days concentrating on their particular specialties, but there's one thing they have in common: they all have to contend with a host of similar workforce issues. One topic making big news lately is paid family and medical leave. This event will include a panel of local business leaders to discuss specific policy proposals under consideration at the national level and how they will impact small businesses. We also will hear stories from local small employers who support these policies.


Winnie Stachelberg, Vice President Center for American Progress (Moderator)
Ken Weinstein, Owner Trolley Car Diner
Mercy Mosquera, Owner Tierra Colombiana
Joseph Gidjunis, Owner of JPG Photography
Marianne Bellesorte, Vice President of Advocacy, PathWays PA

A question and answer period will follow the discussion.

Register here!