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

Gloria DeGaetano, founder and CEO of the Parent Coaching Institute, has been 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.

"I was thrilled and a little bit in shock," DeGaetano admitted. "I'm working on a book about technology and families that has a different slant from my previous books. When I read about the competition, I decided to send in a proposal. I have the utmost respect and admiration for Sister Joan. She is one of the most influential religious and social leaders of our time."

DeGaetano selected March 2026 for her residency, which provides room and board at the Benedictine monastery, offering seclusion from daily routines. "I am looking forward to this type of disruption," she added. "It's a good disruption of 30 days away from the PCI office, even my home, to concentrate on my next book. On good days I can write 1,000-2,000 words. My goal is to write a majority of the first draft while there."

The Benedictine Sisters of Erie trace their origins to 1035 in Germany and have a long history of supporting the poor while advocating for social justice. Their writers' residency is one of several ministries that include the Inner City Neighborhood Art House, which provides arts classes to at-risk children, and Benetwood Apartments, offering low-income housing for elderly and disabled individuals.

This news matters because it represents a significant intersection between professional expertise in family dynamics and broader social justice movements. DeGaetano's work on technology and families addresses contemporary challenges affecting parents worldwide, while the residency's focus on justice and compassion aligns with growing concerns about digital equity and family wellbeing in an increasingly connected world.

The implications extend beyond the book itself. As founder of an organization that sets standards for parent coaching globally, DeGaetano's research could influence how families navigate technology's impact on relationships and development. The Parent Coaching Institute's Parent Coach Certification® program, offered in affiliation with Southern New Hampshire University, trains professionals who implement such research in practical settings.

For readers, this development signals important conversations about balancing technology use with healthy family dynamics. For the parenting industry, it represents thought leadership that could shape coaching methodologies and educational approaches. The residency's timing in March 2026 allows for focused development of ideas that may address pressing questions about screen time, digital literacy, and maintaining human connection in technological environments.