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A Safer East Liberty
Our efforts here at East Liberty Development, Inc. to create a safer and more vibrant East Liberty are highlighted in two articles this month.
Read the links below to learn more about our crime strategy and how we are working to revitalize East Liberty through a mixed-income, community-focused approach.
Following positive coverage a few days prior (see below), a Board Editorial from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette endorses our strategy, stating, "The results were phenomenal," and "East Liberty Development, Inc. deserves kudos and continued support."
Read the full article.
White papers examine the results of the East Liberty Development, Inc. strategy
Diana Nelson Jones of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette features the results of our crime study analysis, completed by third-party consulting firm, Numeritics. She delves into the statistics and the methodology we employed to create a safer neighborhood.
Read the full article.
*Stay tuned for more insights into East Liberty's revitalization as we continue to release our white paper series — an analysis completed by Numeritics.*
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Community Events Timeline
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Monday, April 6
East End Garden Group Meeting at Repair the World
 East End Garden Group is setting out to recruit and connect Pittsburghers to East End Farmers - and their garden volunteer needs. Join them in their first meeting to learn more about the volunteer opportunities, and meet other volunteers and farmers they will be working with.
This month they will break into groups to work on creating games and attractions for Just Harvest's farmers market booth.
Sign up and take a look at what delicious food will be there:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WI_GIgBiJvKP87ZJKJjPg5X-AnXkwkyxZYtkWigMYZI/edit?usp=sharing
Tuesday, April 7
Health Insurance & Food Stamp Enrollment at ENEC
 From noon to 4 pm, head over to the Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center to get help enrolling in affordable health insurance plans and SNAP (food stamp) benefits with Get Covered America and Just Harvest. See the flyer below for more details.
Wednesday, April 8
Vintage Renovation Plan Meeting
There will be a community meeting from 6-7 pm at Vintage Senior Services to discuss their renovation plans for the mansion located on N. Highland Avenue.
As a part of their merger with the non-profit, Familylinks, Inc., Vintage has sold the building and will be renovating it to accommodate for offices. Attend the meeting to learn more about the renovation plans and ask questions.
It will be held in the Vintage building (enter at the main door facing East Liberty Blvd).
Above is a mock-up of what the renovation may look like.
Thursday, April 9,10
Landlord Training Sessions
The HACP is offering a series of landlord training sessions throughout 2015. The sessions are open to any landlord in the city of Pittsburgh or Allegheny County.
If you know of any landlords who may be interested in attending the final session (detailed in the box to the right), please contact Stacy Pethia, Landlord Outreach Coordinator, at 412-456-5000, ext. 4004 or stacy.pethia@hacp.org.
Friday, April 10
East End Works Job Fair
On Friday, April 10th, there will be a summer job fair for teens (14-21)! Get a job, apply for the Pittsburgh summer employment program, and participate in exciting trainings. See the flyer below for more info.
Sunday, April 19
Just Harvest Tax Season Celebration
From 1-4 pm come out to Wigle Whiskey Distillery in the Strip to help Just Harvest celebrate the 117 volunteers who helped their 2015 free tax filing service return $5.1+ million to the community's working families!
There will be a Chinese auction, food trucks, and, of course, Wigle Whiskey.
Wednesday, April 22
Diversity Initiatives in Housing Talk
There are many organizations that have developed policies and practices to ensure fair and impartial treatment regardless of race, creed or faith in business, housing and community  development.
Learn about these practices and discover what the Housing Authority City of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations and local faith-based organizations have in common.
All are welcome and dinner provided. See the flyer below for more details.
Thursday, April 23
 The MODE impact Forum is coming up later this month on April 23rd at 6pm at Repair the World! RSVP for interactive discussion about strong communities and creating change in our region, which will be led by some incredible local impactivists!
Reserve your spot here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mode-impact-forum-with-new-sun-rising-and-repair-the-world-pittsburgh-tickets-16295183332
Saturday, May 16
EECM’s 9th Annual A Flavor of the East End
 East End Cooperative Ministry will host its 9th annual A Flavor of the East End to benefit at-risk youth and those in our community who struggle with hunger and homelessness. Join EECM and 200 of your friends from the community to sample tasty fare from some local restaurants, and try your luck at their raffle table, auction and mystery boxes.
Tickets are $100. To purchase tickets or make a donation, go to www.eecm.org
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/9th-annual-a-flavor-of-the-east-end-be-our-guest-tickets-16278466331
or call 412-345-7121
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Aldi stocks up on W. Pa. stores
"Discount grocer Aldi moved Friday to beef up its presence in Western Pennsylvania, announcing plans to open nine new locations on territory ceded by a fallen rival."
Read the full story...
Larimer Green Team — one of 15 'Love Your Block' grant recipients
"Mayor William Peduto today announced the 15 organizations that will receive funding for the eighth round of the Love Your Block (LYB) grant program, a servePGH initiative.
Through the block revitalization program, in partnership with The Home Depot, Peoples Gas and PNC, the City awards $1,000 to purchase supplies and tools to implement a block improvement project that mobilizes community volunteers to transform blighted lots into community assets. Additionally, a special $2,000 prize will be given to the organization that carries out the most successful block transformation, according to identified criteria."
Read the full story...
Designing for Equity — East Liberty Feature
ELDI is featured in an article from Impact Design Hub's Design for Equity Series.
Our work with the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh is highlighted, discussing how we developed a community-driven design process.
"The learning experience facilitated by the Design Center has enabled local community development organizations like East Liberty Development Inc (ELDI) to develop in-house capacity and expertise to undertake more ambitious projects."
Read the full story...
$1M in public financing approved for high-end housing in East Liberty
"A Shadyside developer is collecting more than $1 million through a taxpayer-based grant and a loan to help finance a $17 million project to build 78 high-end apartments in East Liberty."
Read the full story...
Preserving historic facades in East Liberty brings major changes to 'The Penn'
"The successful campaign to preserve two historic Terra Cotta storefronts in East Liberty has inspired major changes to Walnut Capital Partners' The Penn, an apartment addition to the firm's successful Walnut on Highland complex that includes the residential conversion of the Highland Building."
Read the full story...
Tracking the boom in Pittsburgh's East End
"As Larimer ramps up for $30 million in investment from a Choice Neighb orhoods grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Todd Reidbord of Walnut Capital Partners remembers how his firm’s Bakery Square development might have played a small role in helping the community be awarded the major competitive grant."
Read the full story...
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East Liberty Voices
"Watching the whole East Liberty transform meant that if we could change the community, we could change as well. The number one thing I got out of it was education."
-Ed Gainey in an interview for Neighborhood Voices
The Saturday Light Brigade, a radio broadcast studio and training facility, convened groups of African American male students in East Liberty this past summer and fall, 2014, to capture stories in a project called Neighborhood Voices.
Students arranged, conducted and edited interviews with African American male role models with a connection to their community.
The results are a timely reflection on our community and a testament to the inspirational stories that can be unearthed when we take the time to listen.
Hear their interview with Rep. Ed Gainey.
Listen to all of the East Liberty stories and student reflections HERE.
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Renaissance City Choir Seeking New Singers
Renaissance City Choir is seeking new singers for their annual Pride concert, taking place May 30th and 31st. Auditions will take place by appointment only through the end of March.
Contact Artistic Director Dr. Jeffry Blake Johnson at jbj@rccpittsburgh.com to request an audition. Professional training and/or experience is not required!
Visit www.rccpittsburgh.com/auditions/ to learn more.
Let's Move! Family Dance Party: Neighborhood Edition
Welcome the spring season and celebrate the neighborhood with Let’s Move! Family Dance Party at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater. Featuring performances, kid-friendly music, dancing, hands-on activities, and more, this party has just the right mix for toddlers and their families to get down!
Date/Time: Saturday, April 11, 11 am - 2 pm
Location: Kelly Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Avenue
Tickets: Pay-what-you-can
Jasmine Muhammad at ELPC
- East Liberty Presbyterian Church's will feature Soprano, Jasmine Muhammad, a rising star in the opera world in their next Cathedral Concert. Ms. Muhammad is currently a Young Artist with the Pittsburgh Opera. She will present a varied program of music for soprano and piano in the beautiful Chapel at East Liberty Presbyterian Church.
- Date/Time: Sunday, April 19, 4-5:30 pm
Location: East Liberty Presbyterian Church-Chapel
Tickets: free
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