issue 2 2013 The Magazine of The Heinz Endowments OPERATION HOMECOMING How a coalition of philanthropies, nonprofi ts and government agencies joined forces to support veterans’ transition from military to civilian life RIVER WATER SCIENCE STORMWATER CONTROLS inside Board of Directors The Heinz Endowments was formed state of knowledge and practice in from the Howard Heinz Endowment, the fi elds in which we work. Our fi elds Teresa Heinz established in 1941, and the Vira I. of emphasis include philanthropy in Chairman Heinz Endowment, established in 1986. general and the disciplines represented James M. Walton It is the product of a deep family by our fi ve grant-making programs: Vice chairman commitment to community and the Arts & Culture; Children, Youth & common good that began with H.J. Families; Education; Environment; André T. Heinz Heinz, and that continues to this day. and Innovation Economy. Christopher D. Heinz The Endowments is based in In life, Howard Heinz and Vira I. H. John Heinz IV Pittsburgh, where we use our region Heinz set high expectations for their Sasha L. Heinz as a laboratory for the development philanthropy. Today, the Endowments Damon Aherne of solutions to challenges that are is committed to doing the same. Carol R. Brown national in scope. Although the majority Our charge is to be diligent, thoughtful Judith M. Davenport of our giving is concentrated within and creative in continually working Franco Harris southwestern Pennsylvania, we work to set new standards of philanthropic Wendy Mackenzie wherever necessary, including excellence. Recognizing that none Shirley M. Malcom state wide and nationally, to fulfi ll of our work would be possible without James E. Rohr our mission. a sound fi nancial base, we also are That mission is to help our region committed to preserving and enhancing Drue Heinz thrive as a whole community— the Endowments’ assets through Director emeritus economically, ecologically, educationally prudent investment management. and culturally—while advancing the h magazine is a publication of The Heinz Endowments. At the Endowments, we are committed to promoting learning in philanthropy and in the specifi c fi elds represented by our grant-making programs. As an expression of that commitment, this publication is intended to share information about signifi cant lessons and insights we are deriving from our work. Editorial Team Linda Braund, Donna Evans, Carmen Lee, Whitney Stack, Robert Vagt. Design: Landesberg Design About the cover Photographer Jason Snyder’s “tintype” portrait of Jason Lewis, a former Army Ranger and Green Beret, enhances the look of determination on Lewis’ face. After serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, Lewis defi ed the growing stereotype of the down-on-his-luck vet, earning an MBA and eventually becoming a vice president in PNC Financial Services’ Strategic Initiative Offi ce. Snyder’s 19th century photographic process, which does not actually involve the use of tin, gives 21st century gravitas to the veterans’ portraits in this issue. 4 River Crews In the fi ve years since RiverQuest’s Explorer docked in Pittsburgh, thousands of schoolchildren have boarded the “green” ship to learn lessons from the region’s rivers while philanthropic and corporate support has helped keep the education nonprofi t above water. 12 vol. 12 issue 2 2013 Exit Plan Readjusting to civilian life can be diffi cult for veterans, but many in the Pittsburgh region say they’re up for the challenge—and some local philanthropies are working together to make the journey a little easier. 24 Wet Weather Environmentally friendly solutions to prevent stormwater from overwhelming Allegheny County’s sewer system may off er ways to control costs and meet new federal clean water standards as well as create attractive public spaces. 2 Feedback 3 Celebrate 32 Here & There Weather, Page 24 feedback Our special issue devoted to urban public education examined the challenges facing city schools and the initiatives that The Heinz Endowments supports to help provide equitable and high-quality 1 education in Pittsburgh. Youth Voice Teacher Quality Pedro Noguera, a nationally recognized When I read Christine O’Toole’s youth It was uplifting to read about the array of expert on urban education, clearly explains profi les, “From the Mouths of Teens,” in the education reforms taking root in Pittsburgh’s how reduction in anti-poverty programs special issue of h on urban public education, schools and that teacher quality is at the fore- stopped the advancement of African American I could not help but think of my favorite front of those reforms. The challenges any educational achievement that was occurring teachers and principals and how they talk district faces when addressing what matters in the 1960s. He also provides some hope for to me seriously and listen to my opinion. most — its teaching force — can be daunting, change by describing a few district-level I still remember the conversation I had with and change must fi rst be built on a level of models for reducing racial achievement gaps. Dr. Wayne Walters, my current principal, at trust and collaboration that many mistakenly Endowments Chairman Teresa Heinz’s my fi fth-grade graduation. I spoke to him overlook. Not only does Superintendent message is informative, especially her about my fears of middle school. He answered Linda Lane have her eyes wide open, she is recounting of statements by Harlem Children’s my questions and told me, “You have some- proving what is possible. Zone Director Geoffrey Canada. These body waiting for you there.” It turned out that As I run an organization that dedicates include his ominous assertion that children he was my principal at Frick middle school itself to ensuring that every child has an in America today “who don’t get a decent and now again at Obama Academy. That effective teacher, it is encouraging to observe education are more in peril than ever.” conversation and those that have taken place such initiatives as the Pittsburgh Equity Plan, The article on City Charter High School since then are constant reminders that he the recruitment of African American male in Downtown Pittsburgh is particularly good. cares about me. teachers, individualized teacher professional This school has many proven strategies for I also enjoyed the fi rst-person story by development, and the revamping of the helping disadvantaged children. The two Dynae Shaw, “Our Turn at the Table,” about evaluation system. The hardest part about teachers at the school who wrote the piece, the Teen Bloc youth organizing group, and teacher quality work is that it does require Beth Baranowski and Cristine Smith, describe I applaud them for their work. We should all a focus on many moving parts. Hats off how special education and general education have teachers who care about our opinions, to those willing to take on this tough but teachers partner to provide collaborative yet but we know that’s not always the case. When critical job. differentiated instruction that enables students educators ask a student’s opinion, they do Kate Walsh who receive support services and those who two things. They open their minds to other President, don’t to learn together in the same classroom. perspectives that they haven’t thought of. National Council on Teacher Quality “Common planning and close relationships,” They also make the student feel more Washington, D.C. they said, “create an environment essential to comfortable, so when things get tough, the success of all our students.” it’s easier to ask for help. That type of commitment and Now I am getting a chance to give back The Urban Challenge cooperation is vital for students in every through my work as a Reading Warrior. I read As a researcher on race and education, urban school. I teach about both as part of my course with children in order to improve their test Dr. Ralph L. Bangs “Race and Social Problems” at the University scores. It may not be overnight, but I will work Associate Director, hard at this until the job is done. It all starts of Pittsburgh, and I work with many faculty Center on Race and Social Problems by building a positive relationship with my experts on these topics. I found the June University of Pittsburgh students and listening honestly to their 2013 issue of h magazine on urban education opinions. That is what we as Reading Warriors, revealing. teachers and mentors should do. The magazine, for example, summarizes results from a survey on parent attitudes about Jasmine Johnson Pittsburgh Public Schools. While the majority Reading Warrior, Neighborhood Learning Alliance of parents are satisfi ed with their children’s Senior, Barack Obama Academy progress, the level of satisfaction could be of International Studies much higher, and the majority of parents also appear to be concerned about the quality of teachers in the district. Comments: The staff of h magazine and The Heinz Endowments welcome your comments. All print and email letters must include an address with daytime phone number(s). We reserve the right to edit any submission for clarity and space. Published material also will be posted on The Heinz Endowments’ website, www.heinz.org, which off ers current and back issues of the magazine. celebrate 2 Whatever anyone might have thought of bringing The four weeks of arts programming featured a 40-foot-tall replica of a bathtub toy to mark acclaimed organizations and artists from around the beginning of a major cultural event, much of the world whose works had never before been the possible skepticism melted with a collective seen in the United States. With crowds fl ocking “Aw” as its huge yellow head and large orange to Downtown to visit the oversized bird, the giant beak peeked around the Carnegie Science Center duck proved to be just as much a hit in Pittsburgh before fl oating to its temporary resting place as it had been in places such as Hong Kong and at the edge of Point State Park.