Rev. Tim Smith Receives Neighborhood Leader Award
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Non-profit Organization U. S. Postage 5344 Second Avenue PAID Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh, PA 15207 Permit No. 5333 Volume 2, No. 6 June, 2014 PUBLISHED BY HAZELWOOD INITIATIVE, INC. 5344 SECOND AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15207 Rev. Tim Smith Receives Neighborhood Leader Award his own Shadyside neighborhood by divid- member of the Pittsburgh Rock ‘N Hall ing it into 17 zones and creating a program of Fame and cheered the 2014 Alderdice that could and has been replicated count- Dragons who won the City League Boys less times. He recently received national Basketball Championship. We heralded recognition as recipient of the Iron Eyes the renowned artist Robert L. Qualters Cody Award during Keep America Beauti- Jr. for his life’s work and recognized the ful’s National Conference. Boris literally 2014 Inductees into the Jewish Sports personifies CPC’s mission to improve the Hall of Fame. environmental quality of life of Pittsburgh Space precludes me from highlighting residents through litter and illegal dumping hundreds of other outstanding and dedi- prevention, clean-up and enforcement. cated volunteers who are so worthy of Our office presented a variety of proc- recognition for their many contributions lamations to individuals, organizations, to our neighborhoods, our city and our and athletic teams to recognize their con- region. I offer a sincere thank you to all tributions and talents. We congratulated the unsung volunteers who do so much to Rich Engler who was inducted as the first make Pittsburgh a special place. Rev. Tim Smith’s Achievements As L to R: Corey O’Connor, Aggie Brose-past President of PCRG, Tim Smith, Ernie Listed In The Awards Banquet Program Hogan-Executive Director of PCRG on the dais at the William Penn Hotel for the Tim Smith has devoted his life to communicate positive messages about PCRG Summit. empowering families and youth; having mental and physical health to pre-teens million grant from The Heinz Endowments By Corey O’Connor spent over 25 years working with chil- and teens. Through the COL’s bas- to expand successful programs that reach dren and teens all over Pittsburgh. Tim ketball program, elementary and high While we’re not going to see the Stanley youth and families through the arts, educa- is the Executive Director of Center of school students are provided with en- Cup in Pittsburgh this year, we can all enjoy tion and athletics. Among his many signifi- Life (COL) and pastor of the Keystone couraging adult relationships to reas- the Pittsburgh Pirates as they pursue the quest cant accomplishments is the pivotal role he Church of Hazelwood. He is faithful to sure their success. for a World Series Trophy! On the other hand, played in the development of the Greater his mission of investing in the Hazelwood Tim has volunteered his leadership it has been a busy time for awards programs Hazelwood Community Collaborative and community’s future; the neighborhood’s as a past chairperson of the Hazelwood and recognition events for community leaders, his stint chairing the Hazelwood Initiative. adolescence. Under Tim’s leadership, Initiative and is instrumental in the de- cultural icons and local athletes. In his more than 25-year year career, he The Center of Life offers afterschool velopment of the Greater Hazelwood One of these leaders is Hazelwood’s own has always been faithful to his mission of programs to at-risk youth in Hazelwood Community Collaborative. He em- Reverend Tim Smith, the 2014 recipient of investing in the future of Hazelwood. while mentoring them to become produc- bodies a strong leader; he has respect The Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment The Clean Pittsburgh Commission hon- tive residents of the community. for everyone, carries a genuine under- Group’s Neighborhood Leader Award. He is ored Boris Weinstein for his lifetime of ser- COL’s award-winning youth jazz standing and compassion towards oth- Pastor of the Keystone Church and Executive vice to the City of Pittsburgh and keeping band has earned the recognition as a place ers, and is always making room at the Director of the Center of Life, whose motto it clean through his Citizens Against Litter for young people to engage in expressive table for those who are marginalized. -- “Everything is about People” -- exemplifies grassroots litter prevention programs. After traditional jazz. The KRUNK Movement The Center of Life’s motto “Every- his dedication to the Hazelwood Community retirement, Boris created a second career offers a student-lead music and health thing is about People” exemplifies Tim and his life-long devotion to empowering fam- that utilized his extensive experiences in initiative using the elements of jazz, hip- Smith’s dedication to the Hazelwood ilies and youth. Under Tim’s leadership, The advertising and TV to deal specifically with hop, dance, recording, and visual arts to Community. Center of Life was awarded a three-year $1.35 litter. He started his ambitious initiative in Hazelwood Initiative Closes On Purchase Of Burgwin School HAZELWOOD, MAY 19 – Hazelwood Program, Vibrant Teaching Communities, the ongoing renovation of the Burgwin rec- terred. We were most appreciative of The- Initiative executive director, Jim Richter, to- and Quest for Excellence. reation building and the future water spray resa’s efforts in her last days on the board. day announced that his agency completed the After wide-spread community organiz- park, the location is a touchstone of redevel- Enter a new board and the efforts by purchase of the former Burgwin School. “All ing efforts, Propel applied to the district for opment efforts for the neighborhood. Terry Kennedy to champion the commu- of the closing documents were signed, sealed, a charter in Hazelwood. Since the school Hazelwood Initiative sprang into ac- nity’s cause. Ms. Kennedy championed and delivered by 1:45 pm. It went like clock- board neither approved nor denied the char- tion submitting a Buyers’ Prequalification the sale based on a thorough analysis work,” Richter stated. ter application, an appeal went to the Com- and an offer letter to purchase the school based on financial, enrollment, and other For over five years Hazelwood Initiative monwealth’s Charter School Appeal Board at full price, $475,000. The offer was made factors along with overwhelming ad- and other community partners have worked to (“CAB”) for review. In October 2013, the through Fourth River Development, the real vocacy by the Hazelwood community. secure Burgwin School for reuse as a charter, CAB awarded the charter based on the merit estate broker for the school district. School administrators also recommended most recently centered on Propel Schools. In of Propel’s application. While Fourth River and school admin- sale of the school. On March 26, on the 2011, the Duquesne/Hazelwood Partnership With the granting of the charter, Propel istrators evaluated Hazelwood Initiative’s third attempt, Ms. Kennedy introduced a spearheaded by Rev. Tim Smith, executive and the community set out to secure a suit- offer, the community stated its case to then resolution approving “the sale of Burgwin director of Center of Life, brought the com- able site for the school. And what could be school board director, Theresa Colaizzi. Af- School to Hazelwood Initiative, Inc. for munity and Propel together. “We immediately more obvious than Burgwin. “I keep going ter several in-depth meetings, Ms. Colaizzi the offered amount of $475,000 which invited Propel Schools into our community back to the development adage, ‘The high- rallied to our cause and in November 2013 amount exceeds the amount opined as the because of their sincerity and their Promising est, best reuse of a school is a school,’” Rich- introduced a resolution to sell the school to market value by all appraisals obtained by Principles,” Rev. Smith reported. Those prin- ter said. Built in 1937, the 62,175 square Hazelwood Initiative. Although that resolu- the District.” When the vote was taken, ciples include Agile Instruction, Embedded foot building sits on 2.7 acres atop Mansion tion was met with opposition by the school the Board approved the sale by a mar- Support, Culture of Dignity, Fully Valued Arts Street in the heart of Glenwood. Added to board, community members were not de- Continued on Page 2 What’s Up? Community news ....................................Page 3 Library Branch Happenings Fun events ..............Page 8 Legislative News Government happenings ............Page 6 Memorial Day Celebration Riverside salute ......Page 10 31st Ward Wire Old and new news ..........................Page 8 June Garden Nurturing your garden .......................Page 16 Greenfield Grapevine All the Greenfield news ...Page 10 What About Food? What is food policy? ..............Page 18 Page 2 THE HOMEPAGE June 2014 Hazelwood initiative General Membership and Community forum Minutes The meeting was called to or- A: Yes, we hope to improve A: Not enough funding right der at 6:40 PM on May 13, 2014. overall quality of the facility. now. ____________________________________________ Visitors were acknowledged, and Q: Where can tires be dis- the Mission Statement was read. Committee Reports posed? Hazelwood • Greenfield • 31st WARD ____________________________________________ A: Still at DPW sub-station Minutes of April 2014 Meet- Facilities: Bob Vavro – graffiti behind Carbarn. The Homepage is published by the Hazelwood Initiative, ing: Bob Vavro made the motion busters cleaned up everything. Q: What if City employees also Inc., and is made possible by generous support from to accept minutes. Jim McLaugh- Planning: Kris DiPietro - May report issues around the communi- Councilman Corey O’Connor and State Representative lin seconded. All in favor. 21, 6:30 PM at Carbarn, strate- ties that they work in rather than Harry Readshaw along with advertising from local Finance Report: (Jim Rich- gies for the zones for development just the residents 3-1-1 calls? organizations and businesses.