Category: General Information

Staunton Farm Foundation Invests in Nonprofit Leaders Health, Wellbeing

Posted on by Alyse Horn

The $200,000 grant will fund the Nonprofit Resilience Program for two more years

Pittsburgh, PA — Recognizing the health of an organization and the mental and physical health of a nonprofit leader are intrinsically intertwined, the Staunton Farm Foundation has granted the Nonprofit Resilience Program (NRP) $200,000 to continue supporting leaders throughout our region.

Established in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NRP has held 7 cohorts and supported 60 nonprofit leaders through a multi-faceted approach that focuses on self-care, relationship building, and leader + organizational development. The program came to fruition through conversations between New Sun Rising (NSR), Neighborhood Allies, B.O.S.S Consulting, and other members of The Partnership Network (TPN) who were concerned about the vulnerability of nonprofit leaders.

The program creates a resource that assesses individual leaders and provides them tools for improving personal mental and physical health habits, but also addresses the organization’s overall health and provides capacity-building tactics and tools to better enhance the symbiotic relationship between the two. Nonprofit leaders are identified through a nomination process and participate in a 90 day cohort covering three phases. Advisory for the program is provided by members of TPN.

“We are grateful for the continual support of NRP. This year, we will be able to go deeper with our program alum by hosting our first annual retreat. I am excited for them to connect, self-reflect, and be activated to continue their dedication to self-care for themselves, their teams, and the communities they serve. The retreat will also launch the NRP Alum Network, where our ‘after-care’ program and other alum-led initiatives will begin,” said Jamie Johnson, Director of Programs at NSR.

On Thursday, August 31, NSR will host the first annual alumni retreat. The purpose of this retreat is to:

  1. Foster a community of care by building a sustainable “after-care” program that supports ongoing investment in self-care to implement within organizations.
  2. Create shared ownership for the purpose of the NRP Alumni Network.
  3. Discuss issues and solutions related to self-care + resiliency at a much deeper and more thoughtful level in an intimate environment.

The after-care program will include education, resources + opportunities in topics identified by NRP Alum. The NRP Alum Network is an initiative that is led by program alumni with NSR support.

 

About New Sun Rising: New Sun Rising supports nonprofits and small businesses to build vibrant communities through culture, sustainability, and opportunity. NSR believes that people and communities hold the knowledge and power to make positive change. We envision a future where regenerative community development practices create the conditions for true social, environmental, and economic justice.

About Staunton Farm Foundation: The Staunton Farm Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of people who live with mental illness and substance abuse disorders. The Foundation works to enhance behavioral health treatment, support, and recovery through grant making to nonprofit organizations in 10 southwestern Pennsylvania counties (Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland).

A year of Positive Deviancy

Posted on by Alyse Horn

Connecting innovative and radical individuals doesn’t jibe with the status quo, but throughout 2022, dozens of Positive Deviants from across the country were dismantling silos and building bridges towards grassroots change.

Co-created by The Collaboratory, New Sun Rising, and The Learning Tree, the series held three virtual retreats and two Deviant Dialogues with 11 guest speakers who are community leaders utilizing unconventional, yet creative and impactful strategies for positive transformation. 

“When you see something in the world that just isn’t sitting right with you, you have two options: you can complain about it or or can step into your calling and say, ‘I’m going to make a difference. I’m going to change this. I’m going to be a catalyst for change in the world.’ And don’t let anyone believe you cannot,” said Michael Knote, founder of Have A Gay Day in Dayton, Ohio and Positive Deviant speaker. 

Knote’s organization focuses primarily on the LGBTQ community to feel seen and loved where kindness is lacking. For his organization and other participants, the 2022 speaker series was utilized as a platform to raise awareness of these leaders and the impact their making. 

Jmar Bey, co-founder of South Hilltop Men’s Group and Hilltop Rising LLC. in Pittsburgh, was a speaker during a 2022 retreat. He is committed to providing training, employment opportunities, and promoting environmental protection through community programs that teach sustainable practices. 

“We’re building ladders in Pittsburgh to find solutions for the unemployment crisis. If not us, then who? The deviant collective has to do it for ourselves,” said Bey.

By elevating their stories, Positive Deviant’s aims to shift the narrative towards a deeper understanding of what is possible, and how we can achieve it. 

“Fear is a prison that we all need to escape. When you think outside the box, people will tell you you’re crazy, but you’ll never move forward surrounded by naysayers,” said Tasha Rountree, a leading advocate for medical marijuana and marijuana expungement in Ohio.

While the speakers were a central component of Positive Deviants retreats, community members also participated in small group discussions to tease out the most common methods used by unconventional change agents to shift their state of being and inspire those around them. Those themes were analyzed and refined over the course of the year resulting in the Practices for Community Transformation.

Other 2022 Positive Deviant speakers included: 

  • De’Amon Harges, founder of The Learning Tree in Indianapolis describes his role on this planet as a social banker. He utilizes the intangible currencies that are cultivated and used by human assets and relationships to build a more abundant community. The bulk of De’Amon’s work is based on the principles and practices of the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) that brings neighbors and institutions together to discover the power of being a good neighbor. De’Amon builds on what is already present and in place in the neighborhood, using those formally undiscovered assets to connect and empower rather than working only from the community’s needs and deficits. 
  • Brett Bartlett is a spoken word artist and activist. Her passion for Women and Gender Studies is a common theme in her work. Brett writes poems of survival- her target audience is folks who have survived domestic violence or assault and those that love them so that they can figure out how to best support them.

 

 

  • Treble NLS is a multi-hyphenate Emmy Award winning artist based in Pittsburgh, PA. Treble currently works as the head teaching artist for 1Hood Media, a collective of artists and activists who utilize their medium to raise awareness and build liberated communities. He also has his own clothing line and is an Emmy nominated writer for his piece titled “Don’t Clip Our Tails” written in protest of the murder of George Floyd. 
  • Charlie Smith, is a futurist, author, transformation consultant and co-founder of Possibility Club. Charlie helps individuals and organizations find the courage to imagine breakthroughs and take uncharacteristic action to get what they want but don’t think they can have. His current interests are in the future of democracy at all levels of society, deep dives into the nature of collaborative innovation, conscious conversations, and podcasts to engage large numbers of kindred spirits and businesses.
  • Taylor Stewart founded the Oregon Remembrance Project in 2018 to help communities unearth stories of injustice and engage in the truth-telling and repair required to reconcile instances of historical harm. His work connects historical racism to its present-day legacies in order to inspire contemporary racial justice action. In what started as simply a way to memorialize a man named Alonzo Tucker, the most widely documented African-American victim of lynching in Oregon, Taylor now uses the power of reconciliation to rectify further instances of historical injustice.
  • “WILDSTYLE” PASCHALL is a musician, producer, visual artist, activist and author, Wildstyle is a great example of how we are more than what we see! As a producer, photographer and curator for All317HipHop, Roving Illustrator for The Learning Tree, and Central Indiana Community Foundation Ambassador, Wildstyle strives to make the invisible (issues, people, art) visible in Indianapolis. Wildstyle also uses his time to cultivate young hip hop artists to hone their skills like Jedi Knights.  He promotes and manages them. He says that “if I don’t model how to be a productive person how can young people see how to be one?”
  • Glenna Jennings is a passionate educator and activist whose teaching, research and service inform her dynamic, transdisciplinary practice of image-making, curating and socially-engaged creation.  Her work in the local community focuses on food justice and social equity through collaboration.

 

 

 

 

  • Amaha Sellassie is an afro-futurist, peace builder, social healer, freedom fighter, network weaver, student of cooperation and lover of humanity.  An Associate Professor of Sociology and director of Center for Applied Social Issues at Sinclair Community College in Dayton Ohio, Amaha is a practitioner-scholar dedicated towards building bridges of trust, healing historical wounds, and harnessing the unique gifts and talents of every human being as we press towards a just and equitable society.  

The Positive Deviants community is excited to announce their first in-person Learning Journey on Thursday, September 14 through Saturday, September 16, 2023.  If you are interested to learn more and join us please fill out the pre-registration form. Positive Deviants is an initiative of Dayton Collaboratory, New Sun Rising, and The Learning Tree.  In order to get connected, partner, or support the Positive Deviants practitioners or project please email hello@wearepositivedeviants.org.

Vibrancy Index data illuminates inequitable distribution of school funding

Posted on by Alyse Horn

A recent ruling by a Commonwealth Court judge determined that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional, given how heavily it relies on a district’s property taxes.

 

The result has been fewer resources for students living in low income districts, further perpetuating inequity within the state by failing to meet Sustainable Development Goal 4 Quality Education (SDG 4). There are a total of 17 SDG’s, which were created by the United Nations as a call to action to raise the quality of life for all people on the planet. 

“Students in poorer districts have not had access. Their schools don’t offer the same enrichment programs or have the same academic expectations as those in wealthier communities. That’s the way it has been for a very long time,” said Bridget Clement, Executive Director for Communities in Schools Pittsburgh-Allegheny County. “This ruling is a great step forward. Now it’s time for the hard work – figuring out where the additional funding will come from.”

Using data collected through New Sun Rising’s Vibrancy Index, Allegheny and Beaver County communities that fall within the lowest 20% for Quality Education (SDG 4) also rank lower for No Poverty (SDG 1), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), and Decent Work & Economic Growth (SDG 8). Furthermore, these communities tend to be communities of color, with the non-white population being three times higher compared to communities that rank in the highest 20% for Quality Education (SDG 4).

In the nearly 800 page document, Judge Renée Cohn Jubelire determined that Pennsylvania has failed to comply with the constitution by discriminating against poorer districts, disproportionately impacting children of color and children from low income families. 

“Fixing the school funding is critically important but it’s only one part of the solution, we’ve got to work on the community as a whole,” Clement said. 

The impacts of the current school funding model, illuminated by the Vibrancy Index data, shows how the inequitable distribution of funds limits opportunities for students to thrive and is connected to other outcomes within a community. Judge Jubelire ruling concludes that regardless of class or ethnicity, education is a fundamental right and Pennsylvania must provide students with a “meaningful opportunity to succeed academically, socially, and civically.” 

 

This Power in Numbers data story is part of New Sun Rising’s commitment to using data, technology, organizing, communication, and creativity to help people advocate for the future they envision. Learn more about the Power in Numbers initiative and access the Vibrancy Portal platform. Is there something that you would like to share about your experience with education system funding and outcomes? Contribute to the conversation through the community voice feedback form.

The Vibrancy Index helps people to understand conditions in their community through 50 institutional data points.  The VI also generates sub-indices in Culture, Sustainability, Opportunity, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).  Quality Education (SDG 4) includes seven different indicators such as preschool attendance, high school completion, and certification, Associates, Bachelors, and Graduate degrees. It is part of the Opportunity Index along with Poverty, Workforce, and Industry & Innovation.

Jamie Johnson promoted to Director of Programs at New Sun Rising

Posted on by Alyse Horn

New Sun Rising is happy to announce that Jamie Johnson has been promoted from Manager of Performance Improvement to Director of Programs for the organization.

Jamie Johnson, Director of Operations

In her new role, Jamie oversees the development, implementation, and strategic growth of capacity building programs that improve the vibrancy of disinvested communities in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

“I hope to support more diverse and equitable opportunities for communities, not exclusive to geographically, to demonstrate their self-discovered abilities. Communities dictate what they need and how they should go about addressing their needs. I believe we serve at the pleasure of communities,” Johnson said.

New Sun Rising Executive Director Scott Wolovich said he is “extremely grateful to have someone as trusted, talented, and genuinely committed as Jamie to direct our capacity building programs into the future.”

“During her time with NSR, Jamie has demonstrated strengths in designing and managing complex programs with multiple partners, such as leading a program with My Place at Action Housing centered around providing employment stability, entrepreneurship, and personal leadership training for chronically homeless young adults,” Wolovich said. “When the opportunity came up to design and direct the Nonprofit Resilience Program, we had no hesitation that her prior experience in social work and knowledge around personal development would be a great fit.”

Jamie said she is eager to continue working on the Nonprofit Resilience Program, which allows her to apply her counseling education and training to support business leaders.

“There are many personal factors that contribute to a leader’s ability to advance an organization and team towards their mission,” Jamie said. “Knowing that their efforts contribute to the lives of those they serve, why not provide a way for them to take time to evaluate how they can better care for themselves?”

Hillman Foundation grants Triboro Ecodistrict $250,000 for ongoing work

Posted on by Alyse Horn

Pittsburgh, PA — The Henry L. Hillman Foundation has approved a $250,000 grant to support operations and the continuation of existing programs for the Triboro Ecodistrict through 2021, allowing the partnership to deepen its efforts of serving its residents by creating more equitable and sustainable neighborhoods within Millvale, Etna, and Sharpsburg.

The funds will be used to advance joint undertakings by the three boroughs to include food programs for residents, specific green stormwater management projects, and flood preparation and insurance cost reduction through the Community Rating System.

“The recognition from the Hillman Foundation for the efforts of the Triboro Ecodistrict depicts the hard work of the three communities,” said Millvale Mayor Brian Spoales. “The support that this grant provides to us will help solidify the continuing efforts for completing projects along with providing a jump start on new ideas.”

Additionally, the grant will back continued research around the Triboro Community Library System, the launch of Triboro Solar Co-op with Solar United Neighbors, and more.

 

Contact

Brian Wolovich
Triboro Ecodistrict Director
triboro.ecodistrict@gmail.com

Scott Wolovich
Executive Director, New Sun Rising
scott@newsunrising.org

Brittany Reno
Executive Director, Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization
brittany@sharpsburgneighborhood.org

Megan Tuñón
Director, Etna Community Organization
etnaeco@gmail.com

 

About Triboro Ecodistrict

The Triboro Ecodistrict promotes coordinated sustainable community development throughout the Boroughs of Millvale, Etna and Sharpsburg. With over 10,000 residents combined, these Allegheny River Towns are building on a strong collaborative history to promote sustainable community development through the shared lenses of: Equity, Food, Water, Energy, Air Quality, and Mobility. This is a partnership between New Sun Rising, Etna Community Organization, and Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization.

SVP Full Circle Spring Cohort kicks off

Posted on by Scott Wolovich

Social Venture Partners (SVP) Pittsburgh held its Spring 2019 Full Circle Cohort kickoff event on Thursday, April 4 at Ascender in East Liberty. This event marked the beginning of the rigorous 14-week impact accelerator program that includes consulting, workshops, seminars, networking and a pitch event to create an action-oriented learning experience that will strengthen the five participating nonprofits impact and financial stability.

Participating nonprofits include: Greater Valley Community Services, Unity Through Creativity, Associated Artists Pittsburgh, Legacy Arts Project, and Coraopolis Community Development Foundation.

Each nonprofit is paired with a team of SVP partners to provide hands-on coaching and support through advanced social capital, new ideas, knowledge capital, skills-based human capital and private sector financial capital.

Nonprofits were selected through an application process that chose innovative and impact driven organizations focused on outcomes and open to new collaborative learning skills. Nonprofits that successfully complete the program also receive a $3,000 unrestricted award.

The Full Circle curriculum consists of three stages, each of which are further broken down into three parts providing support through preparation, workshops, and implementation review. Details of the Program Design can be found here.

“SVP Pittsburgh is really excited to welcome this next cohort for the Full Circle Impact Accelerator Program. We have a unique opportunity through this program to connect nonprofit organizations with private sector philanthropists who want to use their expertise and access to capital to support their growth towards increased impact and financial sustainability. ” -Leigh Solomon Pugliano, Full Circle Manager – SVP Pittsburgh.  

If you’re interested in learning more about SVP Pittsburgh or becoming a partner, contact Full Circle Manager, Leigh Solomon Pugliano. Join us for the Full Circle Happy Hour on May 23rd and Final Pitch Event on June 26th. For the Spring 2019 Cohort Schedule, click here.

Contact:

Leigh Solomon Pugliano, Full Circle Manager, SVP Pittsburgh | Director of Opportunity, New Sun Rising

leigh@svppittsburgh.org

412.573.1870

New Sun Rising Launches First Sustainability Cohort

Posted on by Scott Wolovich

Millvale, PA, October 2nd, 2018  – New Sun Rising announces their newest Vibrant Communities Incubator cohort: Launch Sustainability, serving the greater Pittsburgh area. The program will begin with the first of 6 monthly workshops on Wednesday, October 3rd. The 6 selected participants, including businesses, nonprofits, and community initiatives, will receive support to develop their ventures through monthly learning workshops with their peers, one-on-one mentoring, and access to funding to grow the impact of their work with customers and community.

The Vibrancy Funds support people building culture, sustainability, and opportunity within their community. New Sun Rising announced Launch Sustainability as a new funding opportunity for organizations and collaborations who build Vibrant Communities through sustainability, as defined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The program encouraged proposals which further promoted innovation, engagement, and equity in the Pittsburgh region. New Sun Rising sustainability programs empower the community software (people + connections) and hardware (physical infrastructure) to enhance natural systems and quality of life in the region. Six projects out of twenty-four applications were selected to receive $5,000 to $8,000 grants to help early stage projects improve sustainability in their community.

Leading one of the selected projects, Donna Pearson of Millvale is working with residents and businesses, in partnership with the Allegheny Watershed Alliance as a fiscal sponsor to launch the first ever Girty’s Run Watershed Association. “We applied for the grant to help build the foundation of the organization. This grant helps us to share information, raise awareness, and build capacity for change in unifying the six communities of the watershed. We hope to build upon the many opportunities, strengths, and resources already available in these strong communities,” said Pearson.

Launch Sustainability is a Vibrant Communities program of New Sun Rising, held in partnership with the generous support of the Henry L. Hillman Foundation.

 

Communities impacted by the selected project include: The City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods, Millvale, Wilkinsburg, Aliquippa, Shaler, Ross, West View, Penn Hills, Clairton, Homestead.

Selected Projects include:

Sustainable Packaging Group Purchasing Project; seeking to eliminate the use of non-recyclable food container use in small business district settings through cooperative purchasing to drive down individual business costs.

The Wilkinsburg Gateway Project; seeking to use creative placemaking, including public art, landscape design, and solar power, as a platform to build community pride and introduce tangible community sustainability concepts.

PearlArts Studios Extensions After School Programs; seeking to implement new after school outreach programs as in collaboration with Gwen’s Girls, MUSA, and the Wilkinsburg School District, challenging participating youth both mentally and physically, as well as introducing them to broader world views through dance.

Activating a Sustainable Bicycling Infrastructure in Downtown Aliquippa; seeking to activate an equitable and adaptive bicycling culture in the heart of Aliquippa through installing new bike racks and support a free bike sharing initiative, spurring inclusive mobility and economic activity in the heart of our downtown, in partnership with Communicycle Beaver County.

The Girty’s Run Watershed Association; seeking to launch a first of its kind watershed organization within the Girty’s Run Watershed, creating greater collaboration between residents, businesses, and municipal leaders and increasing opportunities for further implementation of community led educational programming and increasing funding opportunities for stormwater infrastructure.

The Regional EcoDistrict Collaborative; seeking to connect and strengthen Ecodistrict practitioners who have been discussing collaborative opportunities to leverage respective organizational strengths to accelerate the implementation of community scale sustainable development utilizing a locally defined version of the EcoDistricts Protocol.

About New Sun Rising

New Sun Rising  (NSR) is an innovative 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to build vibrant communities through culture, sustainability and opportunity. NSR provides programs and services that create equitable opportunity, solve social challenges, and strengthen the vibrancy of place. Since 2005, over 400 individuals, organizations, and funders have worked with NSR to launch their nonprofit projects, social businesses, and economic development initiatives throughout the Greater Pittsburgh region with $5 million of support. For more information, visit NewSunRising.org.

Fireworks and Air Quality: It’s not all boom and gloom!

Posted on by Zaheen Hussain

July has past, and the fireworks were strong!  While we have been on our air quality adventure in the Triboro EcoDistrict, some have asked what the impact of fireworks are on our air quality.  Don’t worry! It’s not all boom and gloom, there are some fireworks options that are better for the air quality than others! Learn more from this blog written by New Sun Rising Air Quality Interns, Anaïs Peterson and Noah Robinson!  

 

One of the most iconic parts of Fourth of July celebrations are the fireworks. The US has been using firework displays to celebrate independence since the birth of our nation. But has anyone ever stopped to think about just what is in those fireworks? Fireworks are great to watch but the ingredients of fireworks aren’t so much fun.

Fireworks are chemical reactions – that’s what makes the colors, noise, and what propels them into the air. Because fireworks are shot up into the air the chemicals that they are comprised off end up both in the air and raining back down into our soil and water. If you’ve ever watched a fireworks show and saw a large cloud of smoke after it ended then you’re familiar with what we’re talking about.

A study conducted from 1999-2013 found that the average concentration of fine particulate matter over a 24 hour period of time was 42 times higher over the Fourth compared to the surrounding days. Fine particulate matter is concerning because the particles are 20 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. In fact these particles are so small they can end up in your bloodstream. Of course correlation doesn’t equal causation but when fireworks were set off next to an air quality monitoring site in Utah, the PM concentrations rose 370%. People with asthma often feel the impact of these high PM concentrations first and it recommend that people who are affected by the smoke drink lots of water, watch from upwind of the fireworks, and keep inhalers close by.

Each color of firework is comprised of a different combinations of metals. These metals create beautiful colors but they can also cause problems to our health.

Blue- The blue color you see in fireworks is created using copper. On its own copper is not toxic but when combined with other compounds in fireworks dioxins are formed. Dioxins cause a number of adverse health effects and it is listed as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization.

Red- Red fireworks are a result of strontium. Strontium is extremely reactive with air and water and can end up in the soil and groundwater after firework shows. At low levels strontium does not cause health problems but at high levels it can impair bone growth in children.

White- White fireworks utilize aluminum which is one of the metals most used by humans. At low concentrations it’s safe but at higher levels it can impact mental and physical performance.

Cadmium is also used in many different colors of fireworks. Cadmium is a known carcinogen and breathing in high levels of this metal can result in lung,stomach, and kidney damage.

While this certain isn’t good news about fireworks this doesn’t mean the firework shows need to end! The United States military is working on developing green technology for explosives which can easily be applied to fireworks. Scientists are also working on technology which launches fireworks into the sky without any smoke.The color choices of firework displays also have an impact on the pollution! Next time before purchasing fireworks check the image below with information on what metals are in each color and how they might affect you. A number of cities are also changing from fireworks to light shows which are both better for your health and the air quality and also don’t scare your dog!

New Sun Rising Impact Report 2017

Posted on by Dan Stiker

For many of us, 2017 brought new challenges to our cultural, environmental, and economic well-being. Tough conversations ensued as people began to ask whether the ‘tendencies in the world’ were reflective of their values or were in need of change. New Sun Rising responded with our most impactful year ever, supporting 156 non-profits and entrepreneurs who committed to use their power to make positive change in their communities.

During this past year we also made some fundamental changes, such as clearly communicating our goals through a new mission statement:

New Sun Rising builds vibrant communities through culture, sustainability, and opportunity.

And, building upon a decade of lessons learned while helping grassroots leaders overcome their challenges, we published the Vibrant Communities framework to inspire others to join the movement. We adopted new core values of Equity, Entrepreneurship, and Place to focus our decision making. We strengthened our team to mirror the diversity we value in life and expertise, adding: Zaheen Hussain (Director of Sustainability), Jamie Johnson (Performance Improvement Manager), and Leigh Solomon Pugliano (Director of Opportunity) to join Daniel Stiker (Director of Culture + Operations) and myself. We also acquired the Millvale Moose to develop a Center for Community Vibrancy with a number of mission aligned partners.

This 2017 Impact Report offers a glimpse into how New Sun Rising and our partners are building vibrant communities. Not simply dreaming about what’s possible, but by demonstrating that today, people are working hard to strengthen our culture, achieve sustainability, and create opportunity for all. We hope that you’ll join us.

-Scott Wolovich, Executive Director

The Vibrant Communities Framework, informed by the shared values of New Sun Rising and our partners, guides our work and strives to bridge the opportunity gap. We believe that transformational change requires a commitment to engage + co-power local stakeholders, connect opportunity with community priorities, and to develop + activate a an entrepreneurial mindset.

By quantifying and reporting on both the social and financial return on our investments, we lift up and value a range of contributions made by the individuals and communities we support.

View the full report here:

NSR 2017 Impact Report

NSR Welcomes Culture + Sustainability Interns

Posted on by Dan Stiker

New Sun Rising welcomes three dynamic summer interns to the team. Two will be supporting the Director of Sustainability, Zaheen Hussain, and his work surrounding Air-Quality and one supporting the Director of Culture + Fiscal Sponsorship, Daniel Stiker.

This is a wonderful opportunity to be able to expand organizational capacity around the Vibrant Communities Framework of Culture, Sustainability, and Opportunity while also gaining input from + contributing to the development of young professionals in the Pittsburgh region. Without further ado, may we introduce:

 

  Noah Robinson, Sustainability

Noah Robinson, 21, is one of the new air quality interns at New Sun Rising. He will be a senior in the fall at the University of Pittsburgh where he is studying Environmental Science. In his own words,

I have a huge passion for the environment and the outdoors simply because I grew up in the beautiful New England states. My family were huge outdoor adventurers when I was growing up. We would annually take trips to Acadia National park, kayak in the ocean, mountain bike through Maine’s forests, hike Maine’s mountains and relax on Lake Champlain in Vermont. When I moved to Pittsburgh for college, I immediately noticed the impact of pollution in the region. Learning more from my classes, I wanted to become involved in helping solve the problem and that is  why I chose to intern at New Sun Rising.

I think air quality is an important issue to discuss and solve because everyone deserves to breathe clean air. Poor air quality not only affects health but also the economy of the region. Clean air results in less hospital visits, better vegetation and a more attractive city for companies. Clean air is essential for living healthy and improving the economy. I would love to do as much as I can to help the Pittsburgh region improve its air quality.

His other hobbies include photograph and ultimate frisbee. His camera is the Sony RX100 M5 and he is partial to taking star photos of the night sky and notes that he usually has his camera on him to capture anything that catches his eye. He concludes,

I’m really excited about this opportunity to work with New Sun Rising and help with the air quality projects. If you ever see me around and want to learn how to throw a frisbee or just chat, don’t be afraid to ask. Thanks for reading!

 

  Anaïs Peterson, Sustainability

Anaïs Peterson, 20, will be a junior this fall at the University of Pittsburgh where she is majoring in Urban Studies. In the future, she hopes to attend law school in order to affect laws and policy. When her family moved to O’Hara Township from Chicago five years ago, the new environment made a lasting impression. She recounts:

Just as soon as I fell in love with being outside in Pittsburgh I learned about how terrible the air quality is here. Today I still spend a lot of my time outside doing the things that I love but I always check the air quality before leaving my house and often times I am forced to stay inside. I want Pittsburgh to continue to be this incredible mix of city and nature where people can enjoy things like the rivers and outdoor festivals. I believe that the terrible air quality in this region might change it from a vibrant area to a deserted one and I don’t want to see that happen. I love it here but if the air doesn’t get better I don’t want to stick around. I think a lot of people my age echo this same sentiment and if the air quality in this region doesn’t change the trend will become younger people moving away instead of moving here.

Anaïs’ hobbies include cloud watching and doing activist work which she notes,

I know seem completely unrelated. I love the sky because no matter where I am it is always the same sky. To me knowing that I can always look up and see ​the same sky is incredibly comforting and the perfect reminder that everyone on this earth shares so many things. I love doing activist work because I believe part of everyone’s purpose is to make the world a better place. What I love most about this work is meeting the other incredible people who care so deeply about the planet. I am constantly inspired by the people I am lucky

  Adam Hoge, Culture

Adam Hoge, the new NSR Cultural Marketing Intern, is a senior at The University of Pittsburgh where he studies Marketing and Business Information Systems and this past semester, interned at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Having a network of passionate and driven people in his life, paired with his interest in art and design, led him to New Sun Rising. In his own words,

A job [internship] centered around culture was important to me because culture is an idea that is often overlooked, but affects how people in a community feel and interact. The positive experiences that one has within a community are directly correlated to the culture that the community thrives in. A good community culture, driven by the underlying values that make that community unique and special, can have an impact beyond that community; a wake that can benefit ourselves, our neighbors, our families, our city. It’s around this focus that I would like to contribute my efforts to New Sun Rising and the projects that it supports. 

In his free time, Adam enjoys drawing, painting, play soccer and basketball, snowboarding, and traveling.

 

Allegheny County Solar Co-op Info Session

Posted on by Dan Stiker

Interested in going solar? We’re partnering with Solar United Neighbors of Pennsylvania, a nonprofit that provides unbiased, installer-neutral support, to create the Allegheny County Solar Co-op to help. Solar co-ops bring together a group of neighbors to go solar together and get a discount on a high-quality solar system because of their group purchasing power. The expert staff at Solar United Neighbors works with co-op participants through each stage of the process of going solar, ensuring that you understand how solar works,how it can be financed, and how it can be installed on your home.

If you’re interested in learning more about going solar and how the Allegheny County Solar Co-op can help, join one of our FREE information sessions on Wednesday, May 9 at 5:30 pm at Millvale Moose (112 Sherman St Millvale, PA 15209) (RSVP here) or Thursday, May 24 at 5:30pm at the Mt. Lebanon Public Library (16 Castle Shannon Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15228 (RSVP here). The co-op is open to all residents in Allegheny County, and joining the co-op is not a commitment to install solar panels.

Find out more on the co-op webpage: solarunitedneighbors.org/Allegheny

A Conversation with Bekezela Mguni of Black Unicorn Project

Posted on by Dan Stiker

New Sun Rising fiscally sponsored project, Black Unicorn Project, is a library and archive that exists at the intersection of literacy, art, + history while focusing on the contributions of Black women, Queer & Trans POC. Recently, New Sun Rising VISTA Amy Maurine Edwards interviewed founder Bekezela Mguni and the transcript has been printed in the local publication, Steel This Magazine. Their discussion touches on Mguni’s current reading recommendations, the growth of the archives, fourth-wave feminism, intersectionality, and more. Read the full article here and look for printed copies around town.