New Sun Rising

Creative.Life.Support (http://creativelifesupport.com/), the not-for-profit arm of Mr. Smalls Funhouse unveiled new office spaces in January. Located in the School House behind Mr. Smalls Theatre, the  facility in Millvale was created to offer a more student-focused area for non-profit programming.

Creative.Life.Support (CLS) is responsible for the wide-range of philanthropic services offered in conjunction with Mr. Smalls, to provide learning and professional opportunities for the community. This project offers the unique talents of nationally known personnel, providing a one-of-a-kind experience which instills career skills and a sense of accomplishment for participants.

Brightly colored flowers painted on sheet of plywood cover a big front window of what will one day become the Millvale Community Library on Grant Avenue. Read the complete story.

Local artist James Simon is completing 'Dog with Books', a whimsical scuplture sure to attract plenty of attention on Grant Ave in Millvale.  Slated to sit immediately outside the libary entrance, the sculpture gives a nod to the project's most important beneficiaries: the deserving children of Millvale and surrounding communities.  Along with extensive garden plans with reading areas and community garden plots, this project of New Sun Rising is shaping up to be a library like no other in Pittsburgh and truly a result of a collaborative community process. 

Dedicated to supporting projects that enhance the cultural, economic and social landscape in Pittsburgh, New Sun Rising is seizing a unique opportunity to touch the lives of young adults in the region with creative play. New Sun Rising will provide fiscal sponsorship for Obscure Games throughout 2011 and 2012.

As part of the the Alcoa month of service in October, several Alcoa team members teamed up with

Our recent board recruitment has been completed, with the addition of native 'Burgher Jennie Roth.  Lead organizer for the popular PodCamp Pittsburgh social media un-conference in 2009, Jennie is passionate and committed to community involvement.  Just this Fall, she organized Redd Up Thread Up, a community clothing swap to benefit the Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. Jennie is a contributing blogger for IHeartPgh where she spreads the word about community-based events and happenings.

Our Board of Directors has recently grown with the addition of two talented and motivated individuals, committed to improving the Pittsburgh region.  Connie Jackson recently took the initiative to be certified as a Grant Writer, attended Foundation Center courses, and delivered the training session 'Project Management 101' for Pittsburgh Cares.  She brings 28 years of involvement in non-profit efforts, along with extensive experience with business planning and execution skills.  Connie has already assisted with the strategic planning efforts of FarmCorps. Vivian Croft has been very active in Pittsburgh's non-profit community since moving here to study at Duquesne University.