Parent Coaching Institute Founder Awarded Writers' Residency Focused on Justice and Compassion

Gloria DeGaetano, founder and CEO of the Parent Coaching Institute, was recently awarded a one-month writers' residency from the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Pennsylvania. The residency competition emphasized themes of justice and compassion, initiatives championed by Sister Joan Chittister, who has been an outspoken advocate for justice, peace, and equality for over three decades. DeGaetano expressed both excitement and surprise at the selection, noting her deep respect for Sister Joan's influential work as a religious and social leader.

DeGaetano plans to use the March 2026 residency to focus on writing a new book about technology and families, which she describes as having a different perspective from her previous works. The residency provides room and board at the Benedictine monastery, offering seclusion from daily routines. DeGaetano anticipates this disruption will allow her to concentrate fully on her writing project, aiming to produce 30,000 to 50,000 words during the month. She typically writes 1,000 to 2,000 words on productive days and hopes to complete most of the first draft while at the residency.

The Benedictine Sisters of Erie have a long history of supporting social justice initiatives, tracing their origins to St. Walburg Abbey in Eichstätt, Bavaria, founded in 1035. They first came to Pennsylvania in 1852 to educate children of German immigrants and have since maintained various ministries focused on community support. Their programs include the Inner City Neighborhood Art House, which provides arts education to at-risk children, Benetwood Apartments offering low-income housing for elderly and disabled individuals, and Monasteries of the Heart, an online community promoting Benedictine values. The writers' residency represents another aspect of their commitment to fostering creative and intellectual work aligned with their values.

Meanwhile, the Parent Coaching Institute continues its work in parent coach training through its Parent Coach Certification® program, offered in affiliation with Southern New Hampshire University. This graduate-level distance learning program attracts family support professionals through a competitive application process. Applications for the 2026 Spring Term are currently being accepted, with a deadline of February 1, 2026. Those submitting applications before December 31, 2025, receive a $500 tuition discount. The institute remains a leader in parent coaching education, maintaining high standards for certification and services worldwide.