The founder and CEO of the Parent Coaching Institute (PCI), Gloria DeGaetano, has been awarded a one-month residency from the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Pennsylvania, a writing competition that emphasized themes of justice and compassion. The residency, which takes place in March 2026, offers writers seclusion in a monastery surrounded by nature, allowing them to focus on their work away from daily routines.
DeGaetano, who is working on a book about technology and families with a new perspective, expressed her gratitude and surprise at being selected. The competition was inspired by Sister Joan Chittister, an advocate for justice, peace, and equality, particularly for women worldwide. DeGaetano, who has written previous books on parenting and media, aims to use the residency to write the majority of her first draft, targeting 30,000 to 50,000 words.
The Benedictine Sisters of Erie trace their roots to St. Walburg Abbey in Bavaria, Germany, founded in 1035. They have a long history of supporting the poor and advocating for social justice. The writers' residency is one of many ministries, which also include the Inner City Neighborhood Art House, which provides arts classes to at-risk children, and Benetwood Apartments, offering low-income housing for the elderly and disabled.
The Parent Coaching Institute, founded in 2000 by DeGaetano, is a leader in parent coach training, offering a year-long online Parent Coach Certification® program in affiliation with Southern New Hampshire University. The program enrolls family support experts through an application process, with a $500 tuition discount for applications submitted before December 31, 2025. The deadline for the 2026 Spring Term is February 1, 2026. More information is available at www.ThePCI.org.
