Category: General Information

Applications open for Community Experience Catalyst at the Hub

Posted on by Alyse Horn

Above: Participants at the Millvale Food + Energy Hub in March 2022 for the Triboro Ecodistrict Workshop.

Are you a community oriented individual with facility management experience?

New Sun Rising (NSR) invites you to apply for the Community Experience Catalyst (CEC) position at the Millvale Food + Energy Hub. 

The Hub is a community center and event space located at 112 E. Sherman St. in Millvale, PA and the CEC will be required to attend to the operational and programmatic needs of the building. This mixed use facility, owned by Moose MODE Inc. and operated by NSR, serves as an office for multiple organizations with food and energy-related missions, as well as public space for meetings and remote work.

In the evenings and weekends, the Hub hosts performances and gatherings, as well as private rentals ranging from business meetings to bridal and baby showers. The facility is a sustainably-designed, adaptive reuse project working to support the Millvale Ecodistrict and Triboro Ecodistrict in achieving their community goals. 

Candidates must have the ability to maintain positive and effective working relationships with a diverse set of tenants, guests, and partners, and thrive in a team-based environment. This person is resourceful and figures out a way to get the job done: someone who likes to roll up their sleeves, do what is necessary, and have fun at work.

This full-time position requires flexibility and candidates must be able to work a variety of hours, including mornings/evenings and weekdays/weekends. Proficiency in Google Drive and creative marketing software like Canva (or the ability to learn this software) is required. 

Demonstration of a sincere interest and commitment to facility operations, sustainable design, food systems, solar energy, arts, and community-building is strongly desired. A minimum of three years related experience in a combination of these areas is preferred.

NSR and our subsidiary Moose MODE Inc. are committed to inclusion, diversity, and equity in the physical spaces we develop and the people who bring them to life. We value applicants with a wide range of experience, vision, and who have demonstrated commitment and responsibility in related projects and duties. 

For a full list of duties, responsibilities, and benefits, click here.

Applications open for NSR Sustainability VISTA

Posted on by Alyse Horn

Above: Robert Tunon of Etna (left) and Essifash Glah-Fisher (right), previous NSR Sustainability VISTA, working on the Etna Eco Park in 2021.

New Sun Rising is looking for a Sustainability VISTA to join our team!

In this position, the VISTA will support NSR projects in food systems, clean energy, watershed management, air quality, mobility, business districts, and housing.

The VISTA will primarily serve the Borough of Millvale and provide secondary support to neighboring communities. They’ll focus on outreach, volunteer coordination, and grant writing to further NSR’s sustainability initiatives. They’ll build capacity to implement Millvale’s new Ecodistrict plan and participate in meetings to continue collaboration with neighbors in Etna and Sharpsburg. Outreach activities will include managing and improving communications systems.

The VISTA will attend and present at community meetings and convene and participate in various meetings, training, events, and programs. The VISTA will recruit volunteers, map resources, and develop systems to increase the impact of the volunteer base. The VISTA will also collect data to track progress of sustainability initiatives.

At NSR, we provide capacity building, accessible funding, and data advocacy services that make positive change toward promoting vibrant communities. We are guided by our core value commitments to an equitable & inclusive society by using adaptive processes centered in asset-based practices.

As a member of the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group, NSR collaborates with community-based non-profits to achieve economic justice and racial equity through revitalization efforts. PCRG empowers community development organizations in the region, providing resources like the VISTA program, which enhances organizational capacity while cultivating leadership. The program has been successful in advancing the careers of VISTA members, who are given opportunities for professional development through classes, conferences, etc. 70% of VISTAs have gone on to positions at community non-profits, while 30% have pursued higher education, often supported by the end-of-service education award.

This is a full-time, yearlong position and applications will be accepted until October 31, 2023.

If interested in applying, click here.

Summer Youth Guide for the Triboro Ecodistrict

Posted on by Alyse Horn

Above: Kids participate in making crafts during Nature Night at Etna’s EcoPark. Photo courtesy of Etna Community Organization.

With school out for the summer, libraries and community organizations are making sure kids aren’t bored to pieces in the Triboro Ecodistrict. 

As a one stop resource for youth and teen activities, we’ve compiled a list of programs and events throughout Millvale, Etna, and Sharpsburg running in July and August.

The Sharpsburg Community Library (SCL) has a calendar of events with details on their programs and if they are full, if kids can sign up for a waitlist, or if there are still openings. Click here to view the full calendar. 

For a calendar of events hosted by the Millvale Community Library (MCL) and Etna Community Organization (ECO), click here.

We also have some information below on programs throughout the three boroughs. Keep scrolling to learn more. 

Remember to keep an eye out for Rivertown Kidz! They’ll be bringing movie nights to each borough. The first is on June 30 in the backyard of the Millvale Community Library. On July 21, they’ll be at the Borough Community Pool and Playground in Etna, and August 18 at Kennedy Park in Sharpsburg. Each movie starts at 7 p.m. Free transportation, snacks, and drinks will be provided.

Did we miss something? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list. Email alyse@newsunrising.org.

 

Millvale

Happening at the Millvale Community Library, 213 Grant Avenue: 

  • Every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Grown up and Me Music Program is a partnership with You Be You Inc. providing music, stories, games and more for babies through preschool aged children. 
  • Every Wednesday at 12 p.m. All Bodies Welcome Yoga – Free Yoga on the Back Deck of MCL.
  • Every Thursday at 4 p.m. Kids of Steel is a youth group that focuses on athletic/exercise activities and meets in the BackYard of MCL.
  • On July 7 and August 4 from 4-6 p.m. Library Lego Hang where kids can come play with Legos at the Library! Unstructured, all ages table top play time.

Etna

Happening at the Etna Borough Pool and Playground, 2 Pine Street:

  • Etna Community Organization (ECO) has partnered with North Hills Cares to distribute free lunches to kids 18 and under at the Etna Pool and Playground each weekday from 12-1:30 p.m. They could use volunteers to help distribute the meals! Signup here.
  • Rivertown Kidz Movie Night: July 21 @ 7 p.m.

At EcoPark, 37 Grant Avenue:

  • Nature Nights at EcoPark each month through October. This is a fun environmental education program for kids where ECO provides free crafts, pizza and popsicles. Nature Nights will take place on June 27, July 25, August 22, September 26, and October 24 from 6-7PM.


Sharpsburg

Happening at Sharpsburg Community Library, 1212 Main Street:

Most summer camps at the library are full, but there are some programs that still have space available:

  • Chess Club for ages 6-11: first Saturday of the month @ 1-3 p.m.
  • Lavender Club for LGBTQ+ tweens/teens age 10-18: first Wednesday of the Month @ 6:30 p.m.
  • Wiggle Time for ages 2 and under: Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 10:30-11 a.m.
  • “Los Zorritos” Spanish Mini-Camp for ages 5-10: July 10-14, daily 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • STEAM Storytime for ages 2-5: Wednesdays and Fridays @ 10:30-11:30 a.m.
  • PreK Read & Play + Caregiver for ages 3-5: Fridays @ 1:30-2 p.m.
  • Chinese Play & Learn for ages 3-7: July 22, 2-2:45 p.m.
  • Make-n-Take for ages 5-12: Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
  • Teen Time for grades 7-12: Tuesdays @ 4:30pm
  • Tweentastic for grades 4-6: Thursdays @ 4:30pm

Waitlisted Camps:

  • Colorful Mini Camp for PreK + caregiver: 7/5 & 7/6, 12pm-1pm
  • Marvelous Mosaic Camp for age 6-12: 7/17-7/20, 12pm-2pm, snack provided
  • Community Art Camp for age 9-12: 7/24-7/27, daily 12pm-2pm, snack provided

Community events w/ library activity table:

  • Summer Finale Party: Tuesday 8/8, 5pm-7pm @ Allegheny RiverTrail Park, Aspinwall
  • Aspinwall’s Big Night Out: Thursday 8/10, 5pm-8pm @ Aspinwall Recreation Field

Summer Reading program

  • All ages
  • Earn raffle ticket for each day you read
  • Read anything! Books, comics, magazines, audiobooks, fan fiction, etc.
  • Log your days with the Beanstack app – choose Cooper-Siegel Community Library
  • Program dates: 6/3 – 8/5
  • Prizes include gift baskets from Spark Books (early childhood, school age, & teens), Pokemon basket, art basket, gift cards from Big Burrito Group, Beans & Cream, & more!
  • K-12 students will earn FREE Millie’s Ice Cream coupon
  • Kids may also earn a bead for their summer keychain/bracelet each week they check in

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