Category: Programs

Wells Fargo funds Clean Energy Workforce Program

Posted on by Alyse Horn

The Wells Fargo Foundation has granted New Sun Rising (NSR) $22,000 for the Clean Energy Workforce Program. 

The Clean Energy Workforce Program was established in 2021-2022 in part through seed support from the Wells Fargo Foundation. The program created a solar educational energy discovery zone with AYA Instruments, a solar installer certification curriculum which has trained 14 community members in partnership with the Community College of Allegheny County, and community projects for field training and public awareness including solar sheds at the Beltzhoover Institute of Arts & Sciences and Millvale Playground. The current funding will expand and deepen the program for 2023-2024.

“Our communities want clean and affordable energy choices,” said Scott Wolovich, executive director for NSR. “Solar adoption is growing rapidly, thanks to once in a lifetime investments like the Inflation Reduction Act. The questions we need to ask now are: who will get the opportunity to build this future and how will they benefit financially?”

This funding will help New Sun Rising increase the capacity of the Clean Energy Workforce Program and related community education through the hiring of a full-time Community Engagement Catalyst (CEC) at the Millvale Food + Energy Hub. 

It will also strengthen NSR’s ability to successfully manage the installation and design of the expanded solar capacity at NSR-owned and co-developed commercial facilities in Allentown, Beltzhoover, and Millvale, supported by alumni of the workforce program. People interested in participating in an upcoming 40 hr installer certification class, which includes a financial stipend upon completion, can fill out this brief interest form.

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

Nonprofit program continues to build healthy, resilient regional leaders

Posted on by Alyse Horn

Above: Mike Hiller (left), executive director of UpstreamPgh and a Nonprofit Resilience Program alumni, tabling at a 2023 Allegheny County Executive Candidate Forum.

Since its inception in 2020, the Nonprofit Resilience Program (NRP) has been lauded by nonprofit leaders as a cathartic experience to decompress, build relationships, and create routines that enable healthy habits within themselves and their organizations.

The program has hosted seven cohorts and supported 60 participants over the last three years with each group being nominated by The Partnership Network (TPN) and NRP alumni, and facilitated by Jamie Johnson, director of programs at New Sun Rising, based on their backgrounds. 

The two most recent cohorts focused on professionals in sustainability and members of TPN, which was integral in the creation of the program.

“It was important for the members of The Partnership Network to experience the program they helped create and advocate for,” Johnson said. 

Talia Piazza DePasquale, director of communications and storytelling at Neighborhood Allies, which is a member of TPN, said she had been involved in developing the language for the Nonprofit Resilience Program and understood it in theory, but found herself “caught off guard.” 

“Everybody was being so honest about what they were going through and the struggles they were having,” Piazza DePasquale said. “We had the space to come in and be completely vulnerable. I didn’t know I was going to be that honest when it started.”

UpstreamPgh Executive Director Mike Hiller participated in the sustainability cohort, but echoed Piazza DePasquale’s surprise and said he appreciated the “holistic way” participants showed up to the program.

“Jamie was able to bring people together in a way that allowed synergistic and empathetic conversations, because our experiences were so similar to each other,” Hiller said. “She put a lot of thought into this program and it came off as very genuine. I think that set the stage for the whole thing to be successful.”

Shequaya Bailey, director of operations at GroundedPGH, was also in the sustainability cohort and said she found a lot of value in the two professional development sessions with Kesi Howard. Howard worked with participants on personal growth and what that means for their professional life.

Recognizing the health of an organization and the mental and physical health of a nonprofit leader are intrinsically intertwined, the Staunton Farm Foundation recently granted the program $200,000 to continue supporting leaders throughout our region.

“We are grateful for the continual support of NRP,” Johnson said. “This year, we will be able to go deeper with our program alumni 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 be held on Thursday, August 31 and will launch the NRP Alum Network and after-care program, which includes education, resources and opportunities in topics identified by NRP Alum. The network is an initiative that is led by program alumni with NSR support. 

If you believe in building resilience among the nonprofit leaders in our region, please consider sponsoring the NRP Retreat. For more information, click here. 

Beaver County residents utilize Innovate program to formalize entrepreneurial dreams

Posted on by Alyse Horn

Above: The second cohort of the Innovate program during a showcase in November 2022. Photo by Akyera Thompson. To view more photos from the event, click here.

During Christina Leeman’s time as a social worker, she became highly aware of the lack of affordable housing in Aliquippa.

According to the Vibrancy Index, there are 9,238 residents in the community and 56 percent of residents are homeowners compared to 71 percent in Beaver County.

“I never realized the problem and how hard it was to find safe housing,” Leeman said. “It was really put on my heart to pursue this, then Covid happened. But now doors are opening and now is the time.”

In November of last year, Leeman completed the Innovate program to help formalize her business Unique Grace Properties, which aims to connect rent burdened families with safe and affordable housing so they can thrive. The three month cohort is for early stage entrepreneurs with the goal of launching leaders in the direction of their dreams. 

Greenhouse Lab hosts Innovate, and Leeman learned about the program from its Executive Director John Jordan. 

“Innovate is specifically designed for people who are either starting new businesses and nonprofits, or who desire to get more serious about a side hustle they’ve been operating,” Jordan said.

Leeman currently has one house she and her husband are fixing up to rent with the vision of acquiring four more houses over the next two years. Through her involvement with Innovate, she was able to work individually with a coach who helped her hone in her business plan, and in group sessions she could talk through her ideas with the other 12 participants to get feedback.

Melissa A. Rhines during the November showcase presenting her business, Broken in2 Beautiful. Photo by Akyera Thompson.

Ferdinando Turkovich was in the latest cohort with Leeman for his business Crossroads Craftsmens Shoppe. He said the six group sessions and one-on-one coaching sessions worked out perfectly with his schedule and provided him with the direction he needed.

“Innovate helped me synthesize my dream and make it something more tangible,” Turkovich said. “I was able to process the information in my head in such a way that allowed me to put it on paper and see it as something that is obtainable instead of something that, in the mindspace, dies on the cutting board.”

Crossroads Craftsmens Shoppe is a custom woodworking shop with the goal to provide heirloom quality wood products at affordable prices, but the ultimate goal is to create a makerspace that provides access to professional tools, advice, and “allow individuals to explore their healing through tactile activities.”

Turkovich would like to work with adolescent kids who’ve experienced trauma and provide them with coping mechanisms through woodworking. Eventually, he would like to add metal fabrication and auto-body repair to the shoppe. 

“Those are the three main areas that if you learn one of those trades you are most likely to be successful, and when I say successful, I mean it’s something that you can rely on that ultimately gives you a [profession] and a way to escape the things that are going on around you in a healthy way,” Turkovich said. 

The Innovate program also included: Michelle M. Gabriel, Good Noodle Neighborhood; Stephanie Mason, Mason’s Delectable Delights; Karyn Stuart, The Sanctuary; Jamyra Harrell, Traveling Arrows; Melissa A. Rhines, Broken in2 Beautiful; Chynna Wilcox, The Table ESL Center; Lakeshia Tucker, B3 Women’s Empowerment Community; Erik Kerr, Getting Ahead Beaver County; Maximilian Elliot, The Lemonaide Lab; Marquay Priest, Priest Cleaning Solutions; Troi Moon, Moonlight Hair Co.

When Jordan co-founded Greenhouse Lab in 2020, he wanted to create a social impact incubator to help people start new businesses and nonprofits that would “revive and renew” the Aliquippa community. They offer five different services to leaders through a platform that builds on relational, practical experiences of the grassroots leaders in the area: strategic coaching, relevant trainings, marketing support, shared workspace, and financial management. 

Innovate is one of the two main programs offered by Greenhouse Lab, the second being Cultivate, which is designed for Innovate participants to continue receiving support as they implement their plans and launch their initiatives. Jordan said the development of these programs was largely based on materials from New Sun Rising’s Launch Incubator curriculum. 

“NSR said ‘Here is our stuff, adapt it if you need to,’” Jordan said. “Scott [Wolovich] and I have met pretty regularly for him to coach me through this and make sure we are adapting stuff well. I really value his input into the process and helping me think through things differently.”

The first session of Innovate was held in the early months of 2022 with seven participants, and the second cohort nearly doubled in size with 13 participants. The third cohort will begin February 2023 with a cap of 10-12 participants.

Jordan said the program is able to work at the capacity of how many coaches are available for the number of participants, which is volunteer based. When the second cohort concluded in November 2022, the program held a showcase for participants to present their full-formed ideas. 

“A lot of the coaches left saying, ‘If we could just bottle up that showcase and give that to people [to hold on to].’ It was a really cool night to experience what these folks represent in our community and what they’re bringing to our city and the cities around us,” Jordan said.

If you’d like to volunteer as a coach for the Innovate program, email john.jordan@greenhouselab.org.

If you’d like to learn more and support Unique Grace Properties, email celeeman75@gmail.com. For Crossroads Craftsmens Shoppe, email turkannacreations@gmail.com.

Sto-Rox Non-profit Community Launches “Grow Sto-Rox”

Posted on by Alyse Horn

MCKEES ROCKS – Five organizations from the Sto-Rox area recently joined forces to create a strategic collaborative called Grow Sto-Rox, including: Communities In Schools (CISPAC), Focus On Renewal (FOR), McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation (MRCDC), Sto-Rox School District (SRSD), and Zellous Hope Project (ZHP).

The group is spearheaded by New Sun Rising (NSR), who serves as the fiscal sponsor for the collaborative. After the initial establishment of a community Youth Partnership in 2014, these cross-sector organizations committed to creating equitable economic futures for Sto-Rox residents through community programs which are strengths-based and trauma-informed. 

Dorrian Glenn, program manager of Grow Sto-Rox.

To help Grow Sto-Rox achieve its mission, hiring a dynamic and a detail-oriented individual to manage the initiative was pivotal. After acknowledging the importance of a community-driven approach to achieving their goals, Grow Sto-Rox made the decision to hire local resident Dorrian Glenn as the new Program Manager, a position staffed at NSR. 

Glenn graduated from Sto-Rox high school in 1997. He went on to become an All-American Running Back for the Slippery Rock University football team, graduating with a BA in Communications. He later attended Point Park University where he graduated with an MBA. Glenn has extensive experience working for community organizations and is looking to spearhead the introduction of Grow Sto-Rox to the area and beyond.

Glenn will serve as the backbone and be responsible for driving Grow Sto-Rox’s work forward. In particular, he will support day-to-day communications, administration, community engagement, fundraising, and data functions.

In addition to hiring the Program Manager, Grow Sto-Rox has launched its first program called the Affinity Circles Wellness Program with the support of April Jackson. Affinity Circles seeks to rebuild the Sto-Rox community by reshaping the mindset of the Sto-Rox residents. If residents thrive, the community thrives. When residents have more control and are thriving in a vibrant community, they are more able to focus on the possibilities of success. 

The Grow Sto-Rox Program Manager position, and development of an Affinity Circles community wellness program, were made possible through grant funding from the Suckling Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation and Heinz Endowments.

Media Contact: Dorrian Glenn, (412) 886-7081, dorrian@newsunrising.org

About Grow Sto-Rox: The Grow Sto-Rox collaborative exists to improve the quality of life of Sto-Rox residents through programs which are trauma informed, strengths based, and create equitable economic impact.

About New Sun Rising: New Sun Rising supports nonprofits, social enterprises, and collaborations to build vibrant communities through culture, sustainability, and opportunity. NSR believes that people and communities hold the knowledge and power to realize the future they envision. We strengthen them through capacity building, accessible funding, data, and creative advocacy.

Nonprofit leaders build capacity, connectivity, and wellbeing through resilience program

Three women attending an event by Dress for Success Pittsburgh, whose CEO Tanya Vokes was part of New Sun Rising's Nonprofit Resilience Program.
Posted on by Alyse Horn

Above: During an Essential Worker Celebration in May 2022, Dress for Success Pittsburgh provided their mobile services to employees within the Butler Health System.

When Tanya Vokes was invited to participate in New Sun Rising’s Nonprofit Resilience Program, the first thing she thought was “I don’t have time for this.”

Vokes, the CEO of Dress for Success Pittsburgh, said a lot of nonprofit leaders, like herself, are pulled in so many different directions and taking on a three month program was a big commitment, but she convinced herself to do it.

“Once I did get involved, I was really happy with the results of the program,” Vokes said. “Right away it was a super supportive environment. Jamie is amazing, and the other nonprofit leaders who were in the cohort were really authentic and brought their true selves to the sessions.”

The Nonprofit Resilience Program (NRP), with the fourth cohort wrapping up in March, is led by New Sun Rising (NSR) Director of Programs Jamie Johnson. (This is the third cohort sponsored by Staunton Farm Foundation.) Recognizing the health of an organization and the mental health of a nonprofit leader are intrinsically intertwined, the NRP begins with one-on-one self-care coaching and an Emotional Intelligence Assessment with development sessions created based on the results.

This opportunity for self awareness and acceptance, and to work through things in a formal way, was a particularly important piece of the program for Vokes. 

“We tend to think we’re doing an alright job, but maybe we aren’t necessarily fully thinking through those [cause and effect] pieces, so having the opportunity to do that with like minded individuals, who have the same challenges as it relates to making time for ourselves as leaders, was really valuable to me.”

Anthony Harper, co-founder and lead instructor at Beta Builders, said the second phase of the program around strengthening connectivity through peer relationships was the highlight for him. He said he’s only been in the nonprofit space for a couple years, and “it was nice to get collective insight from people who have been doing it for awhile.”

Based on the initial goals and phases identified by The Partnership Network, a partner and advisor on this program, the sharing of collective experiences based on empathy and honesty helps participants better manage adversity in the future. For Harper, this ran parallel with his experience.

“Being able to reach out to people who are having the same experiences… and they can share with me different ways they’ve coped with situations and how they were able to move forward, it’s really been a support system for me,” Harper said.

This program came at a transitional time for June Hicks, development manager at Greater Valley Community Services. She said it wasn’t what she was expecting, given the state of the current virtual training world, but the NRP breakout rooms, open feedback, and bonding was “refreshing” and she “looked forward to each session.”

“The information I received made me align my future goals for the next chapter in my life,” Hicks said.

Click here to learn more about the NRP and here to learn about the third Northside cohort.

2022 ONS Mini-Grant Awardees

Posted on by Alyse Horn

Pittsburgh, PA — This year, One Northside (ONS) was able to distribute 24 mini-grant awards for small-scale community projects. These $1,000 grants were given to Northsider’s whose projects demonstrate pledged support of their neighbors, help strengthen connections, increase accessibility to resources, and/or activate significant places in their community. 

The projects and project leads are:

#PghCatFolx – Northside, Susan Kerr | 5th Annual Youth Christmas Concert, Charlene R. Fields | A Marvelous Transitional Living Home, Shayla Bryant | Alpine Parklet Native Perennial Demonstration Garden, Laura Winter | By Her Own Design: A Writer’s Workshop and More!, Brett Monae Searcy | Creating A Sense of Community in Summer Hill, Jacob George | Daniel’s Den Cancer Foundation, Roxanne L Robinson | Fall Festival, Karen Lucarelli | Family Childcare Home, Yolanda Ann Davis | FEDERAL STREET FLOWER ISLANDS 3, Anna Yoder | Fierce and Fabulous Sewing Club, Ruby Helvy | Financial Literacy Workshop Series 2; Business Training Camp, Jamara White | Floral Arrangements and Wreaths, Charlene Anderson | GOALS (Getting Over Adversity to Live Successfully), Danielle Lynn King | Heir Force Community Holiday Celebration, Russell L. Bynum | Mattress Factory Presents: Northside Futures, Kemuel Benyehudah | Mindfulness Writing: Workshops to Overcome Trauma, Shalace N Moore | Northside Public Safety Council Technical Support, Joanne Pomietto | Observatory Hill Community Gardens, Leslee Schaffer | Pittsburgh VegFest, Leila Sleiman | Senior Serenade, Carla Arnold | Storyburgh: DMZ Storytelling, Pamela Monk | Tabitha’s Daughters, LLC October Weekend Retreat, Maxine Garrett | Together We Stand, Tangerine McDaniel.

This is the only round of mini-grants for 2022. It was previously stated that 15 mini-grants were available. Given the number of applicants, New Sun Rising (NSR) was able to redirect funding to the program to back an additional 10 projects.

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 One Northside: One  Northside is a community-driven initiative to improve the quality of life in all 18 neighborhoods of the Northside. Since early 2014, hundreds of Northside residents have engaged with local leaders and stakeholders in community-wide conversations to create a shared agenda for the revitalization of this vital component of the greater Pittsburgh region.

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September 8, 2022: This release previously stated that 25 mini-grants were awarded. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Pop Up Play Event: An Amazing Day of PLAY!, Twila Simmons-Walker was a unable to accept the mini-grant, leading to 24 mini-grants being distributed. 

Data + Creative Advocacy initiative launches to promote impact, social innovation

Posted on by Alyse Horn

Graphic by Hunter Smith

To support the data needs of under-resourced organizations and communities, New Sun Rising (NSR) launched the Power in Numbers (PiN) initiative in 2019.

At 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29, Power in Numbers 2.0 kicked off with a virtual event to introduce two new resources, the Vibrancy Portal 2.0 data platform and the Creative Advocacy Playbook. The event, led by NSR Executive Director Scott Wolovich, had participants from the United Kingdom, California, and New York, among other locations. 

The Vibrancy Portal is a tool for nonprofit, social enterprise, and municipal leaders that aims to make data more actionable through greater access, insights, and integration. The new updates include a redesign of the user interface, more dynamic database structure, enhanced and expanded data sets, organizational ecosystem mapping, and the addition of Beaver County to the map.

“We know that for social innovation to grow, there needs to be investment in data and communications, and the ability to more effectively engage with the world around us,” Wolovich said. “Unfortunately, most small and community-led organizations lack this critical capacity.”

“Our own research showed that 80 percent of leaders placed high value on these things, but only 17 percent of them reported receiving related funding. This lack of investment really restricts their ability to compete for resources and grow their impact.”

The Portal serves to democratize data through two primary functions: a community data Explorer and organizational data Manager.

For the free and publicly available Explore website, NSR built upon work started with Carnegie Mellon University and participants in their own fellowship program to create a geo mapping application that is organized by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Although similar tools exist, most provide information at the county level and are not sensitive enough to show differing conditions between neighborhoods.

The Manager section of the website allows leaders to collect, analyze, and communicate data around 5 key areas: Issues, Capacity, Impact, Finances, and Reports. The site is password protected allowing teams to collaborate and encourage an actionable data model.

Lydia Moran of CONNECT, said they have been working with dozens of organizations over the last two years to create a multi-municipal climate action plan. During the Power in Numbers session, Moran also shared progress from the regional DISCOVER network. With so many different organizations involved across these efforts, a database like the Vibrancy Portal could make it easier to collect data and communicate regional impact.

“It’s really hard for us to talk about regional impact if we’re all measuring different things, and we’re not speaking the same language.” Moran said. “I’m very excited about this platform.”

The idea for the Creative Advocacy Playbook, which is being co-created with RiverWise, came from wanting to shift the paradigms and mindsets that hold existing systems in place and combat divisiveness while increasing engagement and awareness. The playbook will be publicly available and begin to support the launch of campaigns later this summer. While Wolovich admits there have been artists producing creative advocacy for years, “what makes this initiative unique is that it’s focused on building creative capital as an asset starting with the nonprofit and community itself.”

As far as the Vibrancy Portal goes, it is free, public, and ready to be explored. 

“It’s a dynamic ongoing project, and we’ll continue to build it out as we’re able to attract more resources,” Wolovich said. “We do have gaps in the data that we know are important for communities that we are working with, and welcome the help to identify or even think about different ways to approach those gaps.”

Although the initiative is in its early stages, one thing that has been made clear is that institutionally collected data largely shapes the narrative around communities. Power in Numbers helps under-resourced leaders work beyond the limitations of traditional data to more fully reflect, resource, and inspire the life of their community. 

Do you know an organization, issue, or community that would benefit from greater data utilization and creative advocacy? Email info@newsunrising.org to get involved.

Upcoming ONS Mini-Grant deadline June 2022

Posted on by Alyse Horn

Above: A student involved in the Believe & Achieve Learning Hub, which received mini-grant funding in 2020.

Pittsburgh, PA — The next One Northside (ONS) Mini-Grant application deadline is Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Project applications submitted to New Sun Rising (NSR) by this date will receive a decision on Friday, July 29, 2022.

This will be the only round of mini-grants for this year and there are 15 award agreements available.

The mini-grant program awards Northsider’s up to $1,000 to support small-scale community projects that demonstrate pledged support of their neighbors, help strengthen connections, increase accessibility to resources, and/or activate significant places in their community. 

For mini-grant applicants, the preferred method for submitting your application is to use the online form. Application must be received by the grant deadline. 

In regards to community support, please have three different Northside residents or business owners email vibrancyfunds@newsunrising.org with their name, the project they are supporting, their Northside address and their phone number; or have them call 412-407-9007 with the same information.

In pre-approved circumstances, project leaders may submit for additional mini-grants. Only one mini-grant per project leader may be active at one time. To close your open grant, please fill out the report online form. Please contact vibrancyfunds@newsunrising.org for additional information. 

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 One Northside: One  Northside is a community-driven initiative to improve the quality of life in all 18 neighborhoods of the Northside. Since early 2014, hundreds of Northside residents have engaged with local leaders and stakeholders in community-wide conversations to create a shared agenda for the revitalization of this vital component of the greater Pittsburgh region.

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Trade programs available for Triboro Ecodistrict residents

Posted on by Alyse Horn

Are you a Millvale, Etna, or Sharpsburg resident and looking to start your career in the trades or expand your education?

Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization is offer $100 per week stipends (for up to 10 weeks) to Triboro Ecodistrict residents attending the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh, Bidwell Training Center, CCAC, or other qualifying trade schools.

The goal is to help local folks find a good-paying, in-demand career that they enjoy. If you are interested in this opportunity and want to talk more about it, visit tinyurl.com/SbgTIP or call (412) 407-7661.

For the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh’s full-time masonry or carpentry programs, classes run from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and no drivers license or G.E.D is required. Along with the fundamentals of masonry or carpentry, students will learn job readiness skills and computer literacy, along with receiving one-on-one financial counseling, life coaching, and job placement assistance with jobs starting at $15+/hour. The Trade Institute of Pittsburgh is located near the busway in Homewood in the 7800 Susquehanna Building.

 

 

Nonprofit Resilience Program a welcomed respite for Northside leaders 

Posted on by Alyse Horn

For the organizational leaders who participated in the third cohort of New Sun Rising’s Nonprofit Resilience Program, many said the experience was unparalleled compared to other programs they’d been involved in.

Not only was it tailored to the Northside community, but this cohort was created for leaders identifying as Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

Cecelia Ware, a Northside leader and member of the Nonprofit Resilience Program’s third cohort.

“I had not been a part of something like this before,” said Rick Mason. “It was a great opportunity to just connect with other African American leaders, and for there to not be any judgement when talking through and discussing honest feelings. That was the biggest value of the program.”

Mason said he believes the instant connection and understanding amongst the seven individuals in the cohort allowed the group to “dig deep pretty quickly.” 

Similar to previous iterations, the One Northside Nonprofit Resilience Program began with an Emotional Intelligence Assessment that helped program facilitators create Development Sessions based upon the needs of the leaders in the program. 

“It allowed us to see where we needed to care more for ourselves and we felt comfortable having that discussion, like, ‘Yes, I definitely feel like I’m not caring for myself in these ways and that is affecting my professional activities and interactions,’” said Angela Williams, president of Charles Street Area Council. 

Williams said self-care was at the forefront of the program throughout the remainder of the sessions and one-on-one consultations with coaches, which each participant received outside of the classes. 

Ashlee Carter, development director at Northside Christian Health Center and member of the Nonprofit Resilience Program’s third cohort.

Ashlee Carter, development director at Northside Christian Health Center, said she was impressed by the professional diversity of the coaches who were selected to support the participants, and how they allowed individuals to learn “different techniques of how to be a better leader in [their] community.”

This Northside edition of the Nonprofit Resilience Program was made possible with funding from The Buhl Foundation, which also gave participants a stipend to use on additional executive coaching after the cohort concluded. Carter said she is grateful for the opportunity to sign on for additional services that are tailored to her and her growth as a Northside leader.

Eric Acosta, project manager at Urban Strategies Inc., said he was one of the younger participants and he felt fortunate to be part of the program because he “had never been in a space like that before.”

“I’m really happy that I was part of this program and I hope it doesn’t become a one-off thing. I think there are a lot of people who could benefit from it in the Northside, but also Pittsburgh in general,” Acosta said. 

Mason said he knows there is value in programs having a time limit, but there were some “really great conversations” that participants didn’t have a chance to finish or follow-up on, and he thinks spending more time together and continuing to forge those relationships “would have been beneficial.”

Carter felt similarly. She said she found a lot of the conversations “very thought provoking” and believed it would be valuable for the program to be scaled around “different communities in different areas.”

“This program isn’t all talk. This program provided a warm and welcoming environment where we felt comfortable, and it also provided real strategies and tools for how to overcome challenges that we were experiencing personally that would affect our professional roles,” Williams said. 

Leaders find support to better themselves, their organizations through Nonprofit Resilience Program

Posted on by Alyse Horn

Above: A Mentor Partnership of SWPA webinar with young professionals sharing the name of someone who they have felt mentored by. The partnership provided mentors to Nonprofit Resilience Program participants.

Nonprofit leaders are at a high risk of burnout and mental health impacts, a serious concern which was only exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. 

Even before the pandemic began, the need to create a program that helped community development organizations strengthen the wellbeing of their leaders was imminent, said Jamie Johnson, Director of Programs at New Sun Rising.

Photo courtesy of Assemble, who participated in NRP and agreed to be mentioned in this blog.

Through conversations between New Sun Rising, Neighborhood Allies, The Forbes Funds, and other members of The Partnership Network (TPN), the Nonprofit Resilience Program (NRP) was established to support the leaders of community development organizations across the region. The program was made possible by the generous support of the Staunton Farm Foundation and the Jack Buncher Foundation. 

“Exhaustion, lack of access to growth and learning opportunities, and little to no support for mental health needs was not uncommon,” said Stephanie Chernay, Chief Operating Officer at Neighborhood Allies. “This trend is especially apparent among women and minority leaders of nonprofits.”

Now with its third cohort completed, the Nonprofit Resilience Program has four goals: develop healthy leaders, create trust and connectivity, build organizational capacity, and strengthen the talent pipeline. 

Jamie Johnson, Director of Programs at New Sun Rising, said each cohort has built upon the one that came before it, but the second cohort (which took place in January 2021) tackled the particular challenge of navigating the impacts from the previous year, or the new normal. 

“This cohort, just like the others, proves how important and valuable it is to support our nonprofit leaders,” Johnson said. “The development of a space where they can place their hearts and issues on the table to be accepted and not judged is at the core of this program. We hope the nonprofit community finds opportunities such as this worthy of investment.” 

Christine Kroger of Neighborhood North Museum of Play who participated in NRP and agreed to be mentioned in this blog.

In late 2019, The Partnership Network (TPN), a group of intermediary funders and capacity building organizations mobilizing the community and economic development sectors to solve complex community challenges, met to discuss how they could better support community development organizations across the region. They found that the answer was, in part, by supporting their leaders.

The program contains three three phases that focus on: Healthy Leaders (individual self-care), Stronger Connectivity (relationship building), and Building Capacity (leader + organizational development). 

“I felt the Nonprofit Resilience Program was one of the few professional development opportunities that I attended that focused on the individual and made an effort to see everyone as a person and not just a part of an organization,” said a Nonprofit Resilience Program participant.

Johnson said confidentiality of participants’ names and their organizations was intentional in creating the program so leaders would “feel comfortable enough to be transparent about where they are at.”

“It allowed participants to become vulnerable enough to share their concerns and weaknesses, and anything they may be dealing with, professionally or not, with each other,” Johnson said.

Kelly Burgos Harper, Board President of Monaca Community Development Corporation, who participated in NRP and agreed to be mentioned in this blog.

The first cohort in 2020 included 11 nonprofit leaders from both small and large organizations ranging from staff sizes of 1 to 100+. Out of the 11 participants, seven identified as Black and four as white. Seven participants also identified as heterosexual women, two as heterosexual men, one woman as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and one person as lesbian, gay, bisexual.

The second cohort included individuals who all identified as women; out of the eight participants, one identified as Asian, two as Black, four as white, and one as Caucasian and Puerto Rican. Eight participants identified as women in the second cohort, and one woman was pansexual. The third, funded by The Buhl Foundation, were all Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

“Supporting the mental health of our nonprofit leaders is a necessary step to creating a more efficient, impactful community development system,” said Chernay. “The Nonprofit Resilience Program creates a space where leaders can be honest about their challenges, build trust with their peers, and access individual and organizational capacity building assistance.” 

Due to the success of the program, The Staunton Farm Foundation has committed to funding two more Nonprofit Resilience Program cohorts.