Mission Statement

“The Northside Leadership Conference is a coalition of Northside community-based organizations, committed to addressing mutual concerns through a united approach in order to promote and enhance the vitality, quality of life and image of Pittsburgh’s Northside.” Welcome

One thing we know about Northsiders – we know how to have a good time.

Northsiders celebrate with block parties and house tours. We celebrate with children and pumpkins. We celebrate with music and sandwiches and City steps. Is it any wonder that the first neighborhood-wide Mardi Gras party in Pittsburgh was on the Northside?

Consider some simple facts: * Pumpkinfest in Deutschtown and Marshall-Shadeland draw more than 2,000 kids each year. * Deutschtown Music Festival draws more than 12,000 visitors to listen to more than 100 bands, making it the largest 1-day music festival in the City. * Brighton Heights Memorial Day ceremony in Legion Park draws hundreds each year in moving tribute to veterans. * House tours in Allegheny West, Brighton Heights, Deutschtown, Manchester, Mexican War Streets and Observatory Hill bring a total of more than 6,000 visitors each year to “Oooh” and “Aaaah” over our homes and neighborhoods. * Fineview’s Step-A-Thon brings more than 100 crazy people to race up the City steps to the Catoma Overlook. * Northside Sandwich Week and Mardi Gras bring our local businesses together to show off the best of Northside. * Northside Old Timers Picnic, Fringe Festival, Veg-Fest, German Heritage Parade, The Wiggle Barrel Roll and Penn Brewery’s Oktoberfest all call Northside home. * And our individual neighborhoods hold block parties and festivals that bring people together.

Perhaps most importantly, for 33 years Northsiders have gathered together to celebrate our young people and our volunteers. We’ve awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships to more than 200 Northside kids to continue their education and each year we acknowledge the volunteers who give selflessly to make these neighborhoods stronger, happier and healthier.

Yes, Northside knows how to celebrate. Maybe it’s because we have so many wonderful reasons to celebrate!

Mark T. Fatla, Esq. Executive Director Northside Leadership Conference

1 Program

Welcome...... Mark T. Fatla, Esq., Executive Director

Master of Ceremonies...... Jack Hunt, a.k.a. Johnny Angel

Presentation of *Electronic Tablet Awards, the Rotary Club of Pittsburgh’s Northside

Presentation of *Scholarship Awards

Ryan Marks Brighton Heights, Vincentian Academy – ALCO Parking Rakeyla Little Allegheny City Central, Pittsburgh Milliones University Prep – Allegheny General Hospital Aleksei Kaminski Allegheny City Central, Pittsburgh CAPA – BNY Mellon Ray Dean Observatory Hill, Pittsburgh Perry High School – Cutruzzula and Nalducci Gregorie Paluka Northview Heights, Brashear High School – Dollar Bank Olivia Horgan Brighton Heights, Vincentian Academy – Faros Properties Olivia Maloney Brighton Heights, City Charter High School – First National Bank Imani Jai Chisom Manchester, Pittsburgh Obama High School – First Niagara Bank Jeremiah Hardy Observatory Hill, Pittsburgh CAPA – Goodrich & Geist Madison Custer Brighton Heights, Pittsburgh CAPA – Highmark Insurance Christian Peterson Brighton Heights, Agora PA Cyber Charter School – Huntington Bank Gwenhwyvar Soergel Summer Hill, Agora PA Cyber Charter School – Northwest Savings Bank William Joshua Fitch Brightwood, Pittsburgh Science & Technology Academy – Peoples Gas Emma Daniels Troy Hill, City Charter High School – Pittsburgh Mercy Sabrina Jones Observatory Hill, City Charter High School – PNC Bank Paul “PJ” Winters Brighton Heights, Sewickley Academy – Rivers Casino Melissa Burnett Brighton Heights, Pittsburgh CAPA – SSB Bank Amaan Bridgett Brighton Heights, Bishop Canevin High School – WesBanco Sarah Dixon Brightwood/Hampton, Hampton High School – Mark T. Fatla, Esq.

*Electronic Tablets are provided by the Rotary Club of Pittsburgh’s Northside. *Scholarships were underwritten by our generous sponsors.

Invocation...... Reverend Brenda Gregg, Destiny of Faith Church & Project Destiny

Dinner

Presentation of Neighborhood and Business Awards

Allegheny General Hospital...... Stuart Fisk Allegheny West Civic Council...... Trish Doyle Burton Brighton Heights Citizens Federation...... Gertrude Long Brightwood Civic Group...... Anthony Rocco Charles Street Area Council...... Harold Ralph Community Alliance Spring Garden East Deutschtown...... Denise Pierce East Allegheny Community Council...... Pumpkinfest Fineview Citizens Council...... Greg Manley Manchester Citizens Corporation...... Steve & Linda Hansen Observatory Hill Incorporated...... Timothy & Leslee Schaffer Spring Hill Civic League...... Chris & Tammy Waraks Summer Hill Citizens Committee...... Joan Zito Troy Hill Citizens Incorporated...... Ellen Crist

2 Presentation of *Northside Service Provider Award

Project Destiny

Presentation of *Lifetime Achievement Awards

Barbara Burns...... Historic Deutschtown Gertrude Long...... Brighton Heights Harold Ralph...... Charles Street

Introduction of Special Guests

John Clayton...... Dinner Chairman

Concluding Remarks

LaShawn Burton-Faulk...... President, Northside Leadership Conference

*The individuals presented with neighborhood awards were selected by members of their respective neighborhood organizations. *Service Provider and *Lifetime awards are nominated by and voted on by the Northside Leadership Board of Directors & Dinner Committee

3 Scholarship Winners

Ryan Marks Sponsor: Alco Parking

In both my high school career and prior, I have participated in many service projects to benefit my neighborhood in the Northside and the greater Pittsburgh area. For example, I just recently assisted the Pittsburgh Fire Union’s “Coats for Kids” project by helping the children in need pick out the coat they would like to receive, checking the size and generally interacting with the families who came to the function.

I’ve also demonstrated leadership in my younger years, as I organized a team for the Walk for ALS in my 7th grade year of elementary school when my uncle was diagnosed with the eventually fatal disease. Also, throughout my four years of high school, I’ve been accumulating over 100 hours of service to both my school, Vincentian Academy, and other service opportunities in the Pittsburgh area.

I also took part in Vincentian Academy’s campus ministry where I would help organize events for the students and participate in projects to help others via donation projects and visiting the elderly at the nearby Vincentian Homes. I’m also proud to say that I‘ve gone back to my elementary school, St. Sebastian, to help with the Fish Fry during Lenten season and to provide assistance during the festival that happens every summer. During this summer in particular, I took part in a Walk for Diabetes, specifically walking for a friend of my brothers who has been recently diagnosed with childhood diabetes.

Some other notable activities I’ve participated in include helping the elderly learn some basic computer skills, helping to organize the many toys at the Toys for Tots warehouse, and also helping to teach children about fire safety at a Carnegie Library. While attending these many projects and events, I’ve come to acquire a better understanding of what it means to help others and to be a leader when the time comes for you to step up.

When a challenge such as these projects comes around, I am willing to assist in any way possible, even if the task is unfamiliar to me. New experiences help shape a well-rounded individual who can tackle any situation with low stress and high efficiency, a quality that is incredibly useful in college and when entering a career.

I would like to thank all the members of the Northside Leadership Conference for offering this scholarship opportunity, as college is an important hurdle to overcome in a modern teen’s life. Hopefully I receive your aid when the time comes to choose a person who shows the qualities of service and leadership.

Rakeyla Little Sponsor: Allegheny General Hospital

A good education is key to a successful life. As a rising senior in Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS), my educational experience has helped me realize that impoverished and African American students need very specific support to improve our education and secure our future.

In 2012 as a ninth grader, I enrolled in the Pittsburgh Barack Obama Academy for International Studies 6-12 (Obama) to pursue an International Baccalaureate (IB) program. I joined “Girls Groups” a mentoring program that helps elementary students transition to middle/high school.

Additionally I played varsity basketball, ran track and joined the dance team. These extracurricular activities, which I enjoyed very much, helped balance the rigidity of the IB Program.

By 11th grade, I was struggling to stay afloat with the requirements of the diploma program and my other obligations. With encouragement and advice from my Basketball Coach, I decided to drop everything except basketball. Senior year was fast approaching and it was critical for me to make some additional changes to improve my grades.

4 My high school, like all other PPS schools, were short of guidance counselors due to budget cuts. There was only one (1) high school counselor for approximately 600 students. It was nearly impossible to get individual help and support. Desperate to obtain a better GPA, I decided to transfer to another PPS high school. My choice was Pittsburgh University Preparatory at Milliones (UPrep).

Currently I have a new environment, but the school culture and climate is very different from Pittsburgh Obama’s. However, I am doing well with my advanced placement (AP) studies, and feel much better about post- secondary success. I am looking forward to studying Psychology and Sociology so that I can work in school districts and community organizations to help students address the academic and social problems that prevent them from achieving their dreams.

With my success in the fields of psychology and sociology, I would like to work to support struggling schools. The adversity that I overcome during my high school years inspired me to improve education in impoverished communities and support a diverse population of students.

My goal is to help them with any mental or physical deficiency in order to help them achieve their dreams. I feel confident that my passion and experience will enable me to assist students, parents and communities to promote and accelerate achievement for all children.

Aleksei Kaminski Sponsor: BNY Mellon

Inequality manifests itself within regions, races, and one’s own being. Ever since the day I watched Celina, a six year old in Ghana, squat and urinate on the grass where I walked barefoot, I discovered the opacity of inequality in various regions of Africa. However, it wasn’t until I noticed a man, with an orange hat and black sunglasses that I see daily, leave the Light of Life Mission crying that I discovered economic and social segregation is not isolated to specific places, but instead epitomized right here in Pittsburgh, my hometown.

Following this realization, I’ve become passionate about social justice both domestically and internationally. I have also become concerned about the growing inequality in public health and infrastructure worldwide. Even though I volunteer and advocate for justice across the city, the Northside faces some of the worst extremities of economic and racial disparities in Pittsburgh.

The catalyst for my involvement in socio-economic justice began through the CAPA Black Student Union (BSU). The BSU is an intersectional club that advocates students of color and allies to unite, address, and fight racism occurring in our school, communities, and society. We’ve rallied to demand a more diverse faculty, mandatory minority history courses, and a solution to suspension disparity rates amongst African-American students.

In my community, I volunteer at the Northside Common Ministries and at City of Asylum-Pittsburgh. At the food bank, I sort miscellaneous boxes of food that can be distributed to those in need. I also organize the stocked shelves so the groceries are neatly presented in order to make the customers feel like they’re appreciated and valued. At City of Asylum-Pittsburgh, I lead registration tables and distribute fliers for promotional events in order to spread the awareness of censored writers across the world.

After living in Ghana for a summer, I’ve concluded that stable economic development in developing nations and within many of our local communities has not reached its full potential. My sensitivity and awareness to the problems that plague Sub-Saharan Africa have lead me to an interest in international studies and business.

In the future, I plan to pursue a degree in international relations and/or economics in order to achieve my dream of becoming either a diplomat or international businessman in developing countries. Nearly a billion people across the world and within our country face vast inequities not only in their access to health care, but also to education and economic opportunities. But I shall not turn a blind eye to those in need; my goal is to achieve a fundamental version of equality in order to ensure an equal tomorrow. I see struggle and commitment as a way towards an integrated society, with liberty and justice for all.

5 Ray Dean Sponsor: Cutruzzula & Nalducci

I am a proud scholar athlete, and aspiring young person. My identity is very important to me because it represents everything I stand for and believe in. I hold myself to high standards of morality and decency. I refuse to allow myself to be caught up in the whirlwind of uncouth trends and activities that are popular among youth today. I am not a follower, conforming to the whims and expectations of the masses. I stand up for what I believe in and blaze a new righteous path of my own through all the trials and tribulations of life. I can, with all certainty, say I am not your average teenager. I will not allow myself to be seen as just another teenager. I portray myself as the intelligent, confident, and hard- working young person that my parents raised me to be.

I spent the majority of my high school career playing varsity sports. In my free time I contributed to positive organizations such as S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions), Perry’s National Honor Society, AACAS (African-American Center for Advanced Studies) Executive Council and mentoring.

I believe I am a unique candidate primarily because of my outstanding academic achievement, strong citizenship and powerful work ethic. While I am focused and determined to succeed, I am above all else a responsible, law abiding citizen. However, I do intend to make as many friends as possible, as well as memories, that I will carry into the next stage of my life.

My first choice in my future academic major is Physics, primarily because of my interest in astral and aero-flight. However, if I feel it is not the career path for me, I may switch to communications. I am an avid reader and aspiring speaker thus I believe some kind of interactive and social career is a solid back up plan.

If I graduate with a degree in Communications, I plan to become either a writer or speaker advocating racial equality, youth education and a stop to gang violence. However, if I do graduate with a degree in Physics, like I originally planned, I hope to revolutionize the cost and possibilities for aviation and space travel. Both careers would positively influence the world, either economically or sociologically.

It is my goal to positively influence the world while also providing for myself and my future family. I believe my admission to a rigorous and influential school is one step on a long path to achieving this goal. The Northside Leadership Scholarship would be a great benefit to my goal and definitely help me reach new heights of academic excellence.

Gregorie Paluka Sponsor: Dollar Bank

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is what are you doing for others?” Volunteer activity is one way to put a smile on someone’s face. I can’t make the whole world happy, but I know that one person will do the same for the next person, and from there, we can make the world a better place. I contribute to my community on weekends when my friends and I work with the North Side community to help clean and help with African students who just moved into the community and can’t speak English. At church, I also teach them how to play the drums and lead activities requiring youth to work together. Music is beautiful because when you play that one melody you like the most it motivates you and brings joy to you. With that enthusiasm behind what you are playing, it can also motivate someone to do better. Once a person outside hears you playing something nice, something that brings that smile, they will be interested in getting involved. Music can bring people my age off the street to avoid the street problems and make our community a better place. By doing this, it helps my peers to see that there’s more we can do in our communities instead of just smoking. I do this because I want to make a change as a person and motivate someone else to do the same in his or her community.

6 As graduation approaches, many questions keep coming from people that care about me. “Do you have a plan after high school?” “Have you made up your mind of what you want to do?” Every time college comes to mind! Because my mother never went to college and neither did my father, they are the reason why my future plans include getting my bachelors degree and hopefully my masters. In this way, I can help my community better and provide them with more activities that will bring change. I have learned that nothing comes easily in life. Not all doors will be open, but if one closes, don’t let it affect your dreams. Stay hopeful and let that be a privilege for you because it even gives you more time to get ready for the next time. It means that there is that one college looking for someone like you, so there’s no need to give up. In today’s generation you do not need supervision for you to do better. As young people we all need to support one another in order to make a change.

Together we stand, together we can make a change, and together we can make Pittsburgh a better home for our visitors and help our communities. We can only do so if we work together as youth to prepare the generation for tomorrow.

Olivia Horgan Sponsor: Faros Properties

I have been a proud resident of Brighton Heights all of my life. I believe growing up in this part of the city has not only shaped who I am today, but has also prepared me for what’s to come. The experiences I have had and the people I have met in my neighborhood have impacted me in a way that I know is unique and special.

As a student at St. Cyril’s of Alexandria School (now Northside Catholic), I played basketball and was on the cheerleading squad, while also playing soccer for Old Allegheny and softball for the Brighton Heights Athletic Association (BHAA). When I was a student at St. Cyril’s and a member of the church, I served as an alter server once or twice a week for 3 years, volunteered at Lenten fish fries, performed at holiday caroling events sponsored by the neighborhood, and helped out at our school festivals each summer.

While it has been over 3 years since I have shot a basketball or performed a cheer, I have continued to play soccer at Vincentian Academy and softball at BHAA during high school. I have been a member of the Vincentian Academy Lady Royals Soccer Team since my freshman year and was voted a Captain and All-Section player for both my junior and senior years.

Unfortunately, this year will be my last softball season with BHAA, but I will always remember the (4) Greater Pittsburgh Girls Softball League, (2) Citiparks Big League, and (2) BHAA championships we won during my time as a player and captain of the Crush team. I not only made lifelong friendships, but I found many opportunities to help my community, as well. Each season, I have volunteered numerous times at the concession stand and have taken part in “Field Day”, an annual gathering of players and coaches dedicated to cleaning up our beloved home baseball fields at Jack Stack before the new season rolls in. I have also volunteered for annual fundraisers at Mount Assisi with my team.

Aside from my volunteer work for BHAA, I loved helping beautify my neighborhood with the Brighton Heights Citizens Federation. I assisted with planting and maintaining the gardens and park on Termon Avenue, as well as painting the guardrails a bright teal.

My future plans are still up in the air, but I have been accepted to the University of Michigan, Penn State, John Carroll, and Pitt. I am still waiting to hear from Notre Dame, Villanova and Lehigh. If I am accepted to Notre Dame, I’m sure I wouldn’t hesitate to go, as my dad is a proud alumnus. While I am still unsure of declaring a major at this point, I’ve been leaning towards business. No matter where I go or what I study, I will always remember where I came from and be grateful for my family’s support and guidance.

7 Olivia Maloney Sponsor: First National Bank

Volunteerism is an important aspect of being a part of a community. I have participated in volunteer activities such as cleaning up trash around my neighborhood, interning, and being a part of organizations.

I have many memories helping my dad cleanup trash around Brighton Heights for years. He leads the Brighton Heights Citizen’s Federation Spring cleanup. It is designed to be carried out in an organized fashion. Volunteers are assigned specific streets to cover. However, besides the day that is organized, it is encouraged to sporadically rid of trash around the neighborhood on one’s own time.

I am currently an intern at a costume shop called “City Theatre.” I have been an intern since the beginning of January, and it will end in late March. It is a program that was set up by my school, City Charter High School. Every day certain students go to a site for two and a half hours, which is based on what the student is interested in doing as a career. I want to be in the fashion design business after I attend a four year school. Within the internship, I am being mentored by the manager of the costume shop. I am learning new sewing techniques, organizing shelves, re-stocking items, cleaning, and carrying out small projects for plays. It has been a great learning experience, and I am excited to take what I have learned, and apply it in the future.

I have participated in an organization called SAGE. It is an acronym for “Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship.” It is a club at my school that I was a part of in ninth and tenth grade. Due to clashing with work hours, I did not continue it. Its focus is to teach students how to network, participate in a community, and multi task using creative methods. An aspect that I was heavily participated in was SAGE recycling. On a daily basis, a few students take all of the blue bins in classrooms, and put them in a larger bin, to be used for recycling purposes. This taught students the importance of recycling to the environment.

Overall, I am interested in participating in volunteer activities more frequently. I would also like to participate in new ones, but consistency is important in terms of making a difference. I am going to be planting fruit trees in an empty lot as a part of my action project, dealing with organic food. It is considered “guerrilla farming,” which is a method of free form farming that allows everyone in a community to have access to the crops.

Imani Jai Chisom Sponsor: First Niagara Bank

As being a lifelong resident of the Northside, I’ve found helping with the upliftment of the Northside community to be essential. I have been a part of many projects to help better my community. These experiences have furthered my understanding of the importance in building up the community while you are still in it. My volunteer work has been done through foundation grants, and I hope to use my knowledge of philanthropic practices to help my community long-term.

My early childhood years were spent in private school, later my parents chose to put me in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Upon looking for a public school, my parents decided that the school that would suit me would not be on the Northside. My parents’ decision to send me to a school off the Northside has been quite beneficial, but I have faced many hardships when dealing with their decision. The hardships have been the catalyst for my volunteer work on the Northside. As one of the many Northside students that attend my high school, I’ve had to deal with a difficult commute to and from school because of the districts’ cuts on yellow bus services for Northside students and early start times. I was fortunate enough to have parents that were able support my sister and I. Unfortunately, many others students did not have that luxury. Seeing students having to deal with this hardship and seeing the disparities between children for the Northside and other region of Pittsburgh made me want to make a change.

8 In 2015 I worked on campaign sponsored through the Buhl Foundation and the Sprout Fund to help raise awareness about issues that prevent Northside children from getting an adequate education. Issues such as lack of adequate transportation (bus service cuts), early start times, inequitable resources in our neighborhood schools, and inequitable course selections in the public school system are some of the things that I got to address in this campaign. Working with the Buhl Foundation and Sprout Fund I had the chance to learn about youth organizing, and I was able to practice what I had learned about youth campaigning right in my own neighborhood.

My extracurricular activities included being a part of a girl group called Three Talented Girlz (3TG). As a group, we volunteered for organizations while mentoring young girls by spreading a message of self-empowerment. 3TG performed at Harvard University, Apollo Theater, and many Northside events. While performing on the Northside, we visited seven Northside elementary schools. This allowed me to take my talents and my passion for social justice and use them to help younger girls in my community.

In the fall I will be attending Duquesne University’s School of Liberal Arts. I will double major in Theology and Political Science. I’d like to further my education by obtaining my doctorate in theology. I plan to teach at the university level, and use my degrees to work in a philanthropic foundation to help restore my community.

Jeremiah Hardy Sponsor: Goodrich & Geist

When I think about what I want to be in life two words come to mind leadership and service. I have served in many different capacities in my city. Some of the ways I have served is with my church, a group of members and I went to the Ronald McDonald House at Children’s Hospital for terminally ill kids. We cooked lunch and interacted with the kids there for four hours. This opened my perspective and allowed me to see and cherish the heart and feelings of a terminally ill child. It gave me a sense of hope to see smiles on their faces.

On Martin Luther King Jr. day of service members from my church traveled to Miryams homeless shelter for men and women. We packed bags filled with blankets, hats, gloves, hand warmers, food, water and other toiletries. When we arrived we also prepared breakfast and served the people at the shelter. We stayed and served for three hours and I was given the opportunity to serve the less fortunate.

I am a Leadership Student at The Pittsburgh Project one of our service projects is our homeowner project. The Pittsburgh Project is aware that there are struggling home owners on the North Side and around the city of Pittsburgh and our mission is to help them maintain their homes and uphold their dignity. For a week we spend eight hours a day helping to repair and rebuild the homeowners house. We assist those who are in need financially and cannot afford to pay for the repairs themselves or they have a disability that hinders them from being able to keep up with the repairs. The main reason why we serve is to get to know the homeowners that live in our city and give back to the community.

My entire high school career was a journey of me seeking who I truly am and what my passions are. Along the road watching innocent young lives being taken away has created a deep passion to fight for social change in this country. I want to tear down the systematic racism and oppression that exists in this country but not by orchestrating riots or with repetitive conversations. I want to write policies that allow useful education to be accessed by all at an early age. I want to help create a society where there are more black youth graduating high school and college and becoming positive contributors to society.

Thinking through all of these things I know I must lead my peers and my community in order to advocate for the people who feel like they have no voice. I would like to become a lawyer and having the ability to provide for the community is key and also understanding that in order to lead I must first be trusted. By showing my face and showing how selfless and determined I am for people especially in my community will speak volumes down the road in my career serving others.

9 Madison Custer Sponsor: Highmark Insurance

I’ve been a member of Three Rivers Rowing Association on Washington’s Landing in the North Side for four years. At TRRA, I’ve volunteered with our Adaptive Rowing program which has strengthened my love of volunteerism and helping other people.

I started out at TRRA on a team called First Row, which is a team for urban high school girls. Of the many teams I’ve worked with and been part of, First Row has been my favorite. My coach at First Row, Joy Nix, was also the coach of TRRA’s Adaptive Rowing team. When she mentioned that she needed volunteers, I jumped on board. Rowing was my favorite pastime, and being able to help people share my passion sounded like it was the perfect opportunity for me. I was right. On my very first practice, I started working with the athletes and their families, helping to coach them, carry boats for them and even going out on the water with them. This experience has really opened my eyes to volunteerism. I was so happy to be helping the people in my community that I hardly even realize it was service. Volunteering at Adaptive became my new favorite way to spend summer afternoons, and I was surprised when I had logged some of the most volunteer hours at the end of summer.

All of my hours at TRRA have definitely helped me prepare for college. I was accepted into Brigham Young University, my top school. I will start classes at BYU in the fall of 2018. Until then I will be on an 18 month mission trip for my church. I’m a Mormon, and when I turn 19 I will be eligible to go on this Mission trip and serve people that I wouldn’t be able to otherwise. I will find out around September where I’ve been assigned, and I could possibly be sent anywhere in the world. I’m so excited to help people in many more ways than one, whether it be by teaching English classes, or by helping build a barn, or even just helping people with their day to day.

After I return from this Mission trip, I will go to BYU. At BYU, I intend to major in Athletic Training and Psychology, with a minor in Creative Writing. I want to be a Sports Psychologist when I grow up, and I know that BYU will give me the education that I need to do that. I was recently looking at their University core classes, and I realized that even with taking my major’s classes, I’ll be given a huge selection of classes to take and I will be able to broaden my knowledge about so many subjects. I am so excited to go to college and start a new chapter of my life.

Christian Peterson Sponsor: Huntington Bank

My volunteer activities have been a result of my own personal interests as well as my involvement in my church and scouting. I have been a volunteer at our Northside Humane Society since before I was in middle school. I enjoy giving homeless cats a chance to experience human interaction so they can have better human compatibility, and therefore a better chance of being adopted. One of my biggest acts of service was a project I undertook in order to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. The goal of my project was to raise a total of one thousand pounds of dog food for my local Humane Society. I began by putting donation boxes in my church and writing letters to my scout troop and members of my church, then giving them a form letter to take to the grocery store asking for a donation of dog food. Eventually I wrote letters to larger corporations. I ended up collaborating with Del Monte Foods, and thanks to them and the donations from people in my church, I raised 4,585 pounds of dog food, as well as some cat food, greatly surpassing my original goal.

Another form of service I undertake regularly is my volunteer involvement with people on the Northside through my church. From time to time I help people move, clear out their yard, do some painting, etc. I have helped fellowship a refugee family from South Africa that moved to the Northside. My Mother and I have taken food to them and given them friendship. On every Christmas Eve my family and I help fellowship people in the neighborhood by bringing them goodies. I also help cook for missionaries from my church, who are usually in need of meals. 10 My plans for the future include going to college at Brigham Young University Idaho. I have been searching hard for a job that would give me a good skill to interest ratio - this would allow me to have more dedication and great job performance. I have narrowed down my choices to a few careers. One option is to be a prop builder for movies/plays/TV shows. I already have a good amount of experience in this area: I have built movie prop replicas with great success, and I get commissioned to build things for a local theatre production company for disabled people from time to time. One of my other options is to be a mechanical engineer. Engineering has always been a point of interest for me and I really like to design and test things. A career in this area would be very interesting and productive. My third option is to be a graphic designer. As mentioned, I like to be creative and design things, and this job is in demand these days.

In conclusion, a big part of my life is helping other people and having a good effect on my community. It is an important aspect of my current and future life, in addition to my career.

Gwenhwyvar Soergel Sponsor: Northwest Savings Bank

Hello! I’m from the Summer Hill neighborhood of the Northside of Pittsburgh, and I have a passion for helping others. Throughout the years I have volunteered through my parish and school, with my family, and with different organizations that my family and I are involved with. Each of the ways that I have volunteered in my life work together, and have shaped me into the person that I am today.

With my parish, I have volunteered with my younger sister’s Girl Scout troop and I have cantored and done altar serving at mass year round. With my sister’s Girl Scout troop I’ve enjoyed helping out with different activities and teaching everyone some of my crafts. Altar serving and cantoring took a lot of time and effort during the week and on the weekends, but it was definitely worth it; as it brought me hope and I enjoyed serving others. I continue to volunteer within my parish and bring joy to many.

My school, Agora Cyber Charter School, holds plenty of events/outings in which there are many opportunities to volunteer. These events include volunteering at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank by separating different food items for families, serving Thanksgiving dinner to men living at the Allegheny YMCA, and decorating Christmas cards for soldiers deployed around the world. I’m proud to be a part of Agora helping out others in need; especially those in the same city.

With my family, we volunteer in our own neighborhood and throughout the Pittsburgh area, bringing joy to others. Around our neighborhood we enjoy visiting our neighbors and bringing homemade sweets to everyone for each holiday; this really brings a smile to everyone’s face. By myself I make plenty of crafts, like parachord crosses and rosaries, which I make for people whom I feel would like or need one; given to people I do and don’t know all over the place. I knitted hats for the Operation Warm through the Pittsburgh Firefighters. Throughout the Pittsburgh area, my sister and I perform Scottish Highland Dancing at nursing homes, church services, etc. while my brother plays his bagpipes. And with my younger sister’s Confirmation project, my family and I made care packages for airmen overseas.

Finally, my family is involved with many organization/charities; in which many people are given the help they’re needed. These organizations include the Epilepsy Foundation, which provides education and support to people of all ages; Operation Warm provides coats to people; and Holt International in which people sponsor families in developing countries. I’ve helped with events sponsored by both the Epilepsy Foundation (Mardi Gras Gala, and making awareness videos), and Holt International (Winter Jam). Operation Warm has received hats and scarves that were all made by me and I’ve made awareness ribbons for the Epilepsy Foundation.

After high school I want to attend the Community College of Allegheny County for ASL Interpreting. I’ve chosen to be an interpreter because sign language has helped me to cope with life. My dream is bringing hope to others who cannot hear/speak well by giving them the ability to communicate.

11 William Joshua Fitch Sponsors: Peoples Gas

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” From a very young age I was told that it is important to give back. At the time it just seemed like words my parents would tell me so I would become a better person. However, when I got older I realized for myself that volunteer work is extremely important. Every person we meet helps us along the way and shapes us, and that is the reason we must do the same for the next person. Every day we are given the chance to affect someone’s life by giving back.

Over the last four years I have been volunteering every week at my church. I am currently the junior superintendent of my churches Sunday school. In the beginning I was one of the only two students to show up, but I quickly became involved. As junior superintendent I lead the group meeting every other week. I also serve the food for everyone at the end of the day. Occasionally I even teach a class whenever a teacher is unable to be there. As a teacher I have younger students that look up to me and expect me to act a certain way. It is a lot of responsibility but it feels great to be able to be in that situation.

I have showed leadership qualities outside of the church as well. I played for the Urban Impact baseball team from 4th grade throughout high school. When I became too old to play I began helping to prep the fields and coaching. I was coaching a team full of 7 and 8 year olds and it was incredibly fulfilling. I was once like them and now I was able to inspire and teach kids the same way my coaches inspired me. I plan on continuing my volunteering even after I get out of school.

My dream is to become an engineer because engineers use their knowledge to help solve problems and make life easier for others. I am really interested in prosthetics because they give people a chance to regain a portion of their lives. There is no better feeling, than the feeling that a person gets from giving back. I love volunteering and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.

Emma Daniels Sponsor: Pittsburgh Mercy

I am a senior at City Charter High School and this school has put me on the right path for volunteering and for my future. I am very fortunate to have been able to attend City Charter High School because I wouldn’t have been where I am now without my school.

During your senior year at City Charter High School, you have a necessary class called service learning. Service Learning is volunteering at a site that you can choose. When I had service learning, I was at the Light of Life Rescue Mission helping in the kitchen. Every time I went, which was two days a week from September to December, I was helping the chef clean up the salad bar, put all the food from the salad bar into the fridge and then I would wipe it down. After, I would usually stack the chairs, sweep and then mop the floor. After that, I would help prepare for dinner, so I had to put napkins and the silverware into the mugs they have received. After a few weeks of going to the shelter, I was told that my site was going to change because a few of the workers at the shelter felt like it wasn’t a safe environment for me. I was then placed at the Light of Life Rescue Mission mail room, which was safer for me. When I had first gone there, I was helping Heidi sort through the mail and then put it into the database. I had done this every time I had gone to the mail room.

Throughout my four years at City High, I have been thinking about my future and what I would like to do for my career. Every year we had a class called Career. This class was to help us figure out what exactly what we wanted to do the rest of our lives. However, each year in Career was different. In eleventh grade, we had started to focus on colleges and careers for ourselves. With the help of Mr. Jackson, I had figured out what I wanted to do and

12 that is nursing. I had talked about colleges with Mr. Jackson and my transition counselor, Mrs. Riley. I had applied to a few colleges and got accepted into all of them. Finally, in my senior year, I had narrowed down my options for colleges and the two colleges I am currently thinking about are Clarion University and Carlow University. Either way, I will be going to either college to pursue nursing because that’s what I want to do as my career for my future.

Sabrina Jones Sponsor: PNC Bank

The opportunity that I experienced that was the most eye opening was this summer. I was able to do research for the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. This was perfect for me because I know so many people who are battling cancer, including my granddad. I saw my granddad’s health no longer be in his control. This was wounding to me because I could not help him. I felt young and helpless. I knew that I wanted to have a contribution to putting an end to cancer even if it was small because I wanted to stop cancer from destroying anymore families. I saw how much pain cancer had brought to him and our family. I wanted to help stop cancer from spreading like a wildfire.

During my experiences in this program, I had people who doubted my decisions, theories, and research but this motivated me to want to work harder. I knew that I had a purpose to be pout in this program. I desired to begin my research experience and develop skills for more rigorous and advanced research in the future. Even though my slips and falls strengthen my critics, I kept in mind that I should remain positive and committed to the process because even a diamond can’t be polished without friction. Thus further developed my keen interest in research, I love creating a hypothesis, doing a lab, and seeing new theories and ideas come out of the results. Sometimes when I had failure and had to brainstorm again, it was detrimental to my confidence but I knew that success takes time so I stayed persistent.

This research experience really aided me in becoming more open minded to life itself, science and my purpose in life. From long hours at the lab, to making new connections, the more I researched, the more I appreciated everything around me. I realized that there was so much more to discover, when I am in college, I plan to study to become an anesthesiologist. Another aspiration that I have is to find new strategies to improve public health. Health Care is a major issue in the world today in addition to cancer. There are millions of uninsured people living in poverty who are in desperate need of health care and medical assistance. Even with the Affordable Care Act, there are those who still cannot afford insurance. This problem will continue until more medical professionals break the barriers between health care and poverty.

To achieve my goals, I must follow through with every action whether it was a failure or success. This summer showed me that this is what I wanted to pursue in the future. I wanted to save people suffering from cancer just like the researchers and doctors I met on this journey. I plan to keep the same initial desire that I had since a child. Nobody can avoid illness but I want to play a major role in removing illness from our planet the best way I can.

Paul “PJ” Winters Sponsor: Rivers Casino

I’m very thankful for my mentors through the years, but am especially thankful for my parents who pushed me and encouraged me through this long continuous journey. I have been taking piano lessons since kindergarten. My grandfather believed that the piano was a fundamental, crucial instrument in the music industry because pianists are always wanted in some line of work. My dad and his brother took piano lessons weekly; my uncle majored in music and voice in college, and went on to teach. My dad stopped playing shortly after my grandfather died when he was 10 years old, but he saw his dad’s vision. When he had kids, he had them all take piano lessons, starting with me.

13 During my first few years of piano lessons, I couldn’t picture myself doing anything with my talents in the future because I never felt comfortable playing for others. I felt self-conscious about playing since I felt vulnerable around critics and other musicians I thought were more advanced with music, so I often kept my skills to myself. As the years went by I was introduced to many mentors who helped improve my musical aptitude and pushed me out of my comfort zone. They explained to me that I was given talent to give back to others.

One of my mentors is a director in Urban Impact Foundation, and she offered me a job with their choir, playing piano for their sectionals. Although I was too young to work then, I volunteered to work there, starting with something small. Through this organization, I began to gain confidence in my talent. I even took on a few private students two years ago as a part-time job. Through Urban Impact Foundation’s programs, I taught choirs as an assistant; taught private students as a volunteer; and went on tour with their traveling singing group, the Urban Impact Singers, to California twice and was their main accompanist for two years.

Because I am widely versed in music, I am presented with continuous opportunities to use my talents in my community. I have taught music through a program called El Sistema, in which I had the pleasure of being an assistant to a children’s choir. I was able to conduct rehearsals and teach music parts. I am teaching three private students classically so that I can pass on my knowledge of piano to someone else in hopes that they’ll do the same for future students. I was also recently accepted to join my church’s worship band; I am learning the organ from an extraordinary musician who wants to teach me as much as he can before I leave for college. Because of these different opportunities, my reputation has started to precede me due to the service and work I do. I hope these opportunities will lead to other chances to gain music experience, and I’m really excited about continuing music in college.

Melissa Burnett Sponsor: SSB Bank

This fall, I participated in the KABOOM program where I volunteered to build a park by Rooney Middle School in Brighton Heights. On that busy day, we built a playground, moved gravel, painted equipment, and mixed concrete. My family and I woke early in the morning and set out for a long day’s work. Initially, we were assigned to small groups where we worked on individual projects.

My project was building the climbing wall. Together we assembled the climbing wall, as well as a few other parts of the jungle gym, and cemented it in place. When we finished, the community came together again to transfer mulch into the playground, so that the kids had something soft to play on. Three tons of mulch and six hours later, we began to paint lines on the sidewalks for hopscotch and other sidewalk activities. I couldn’t wait to add the finishing touches, and see the looks on all the young children’s faces. We finished off by putting everything back in the trucks, and organizing the leftover papers. This project gave me an opportunity to give to the kids in Brighton Heights the same kind of playground I used to play on as a child. Those are fond memories for me and I want other kids to have similar experiences because I think that helps us grow into healthy, happy adults. Every so often, I like to walk by that park and watch the kids play. It makes me feel good to know I had a role in its creation.

In addition, I am a participant in two volunteering clubs in school: Students and Action and National Honors Society. Between these two clubs I help out all over the city, including in my own community. We have created valentines that were sent to Senior Homes, fundraised for school and communities, developed an environmental and recycling initiative in our school, and established a tutoring program.

In National Honors Society, the club has developed a successful blood drive, worked in food drives and volunteered at soup kitchens. Overall, these two clubs helped me contribute to not only my community, but also the greater Pittsburgh community. In each of these activities, I experience the gratification of knowing I help people in ways that are similar to how others helped me throughout my life.

Next year, I plan to study Engineering. Given that this vocation is not very popular people from my community, I hope that I can be a small source of inspiration for other young people in my community. When I graduate from college, I plan to continue helping young people. My desire to help communities grew alongside my passion for the arts, mathematics, and sciences. 14 My futures plans consist of finding a career where I can engineer buildings and structures that improve the community and help people live better lives. Building that playground really made me excited to learn how I can better serve the community. In the end, I aspire to play a small part in helping develop our world into a better, safer one.

Amaan Bridgett Sponsor: WesBanco

Volunteer work has always taught me the importance of helping others and giving back to communities and people in need. Two summers ago my mother had mentioned to me a service program that was taking place at her job. She told me that for 3 hours a day, twice a week I could come in and volunteer at her hospital, UPMC Mercy. I was immediately interested and signed up. They assigned me to the physical therapists’ office, and at the time this was something I was interested in. Twice a week I would go in and assist the therapists with their patients. I’d hand them tools, show the patients their way around, and learn many neat things along the way. This experience was great for me to see if I were to pursue that career path what I would encounter on a daily basis.

Just this past summer, a couple of classmates and I volunteered at the North Side Ministries handing out food to the poor and homeless. Every Wednesday we would head down and assist the other volunteers with preparing and serving food. After a few weeks, we headed outside and began working on two gardens. At first, we had to clear out the garbage and weeds. Then we began to dig and fertilize soil to prepare for a garden. These experiences were great! To be hands on with the needy and assist in making my community look better was a tremendous memory.

I am now a senior at Bishop Canevin High School. I have attended Bishop Canevin since I was a sophomore. I will be attending Alderson Broaddus University in the fall of 2016. I plan to major in accounting and minor in business. After I receive my masters in accounting, I hope to work towards gaining my CPA. I wish to be a corporate accountant and one day own my personal business. While retaining a great education from Alderson Broaddus, I will also be a member of the football team. This has been a key role in my life growing up here in Pittsburgh’s North Side.

Sarah Dixon Sponsor: Mark T. Fatla, Esq.

I am a senior at Hampton High School, and I can’t even begin to explain how excited I am to be graduating and moving on to the next chapter in my life. Attending college has always been part of my future plan. I would like to stay in state to receive my bachelor’s degree. In preparation for college I have been active in Future Business Leaders of America, and have participated in, Student Council, General Assembly, and Varsity Girls’ Basketball where I am a captain of the team. Throughout my four years of high school I have been active in numerous community service projects; however my volunteering began long before that. I come from a family of volunteers and have always been encouraged to help others.

Growing up on the Northside, I spent a lot of my time volunteering for the Brightwood Civic Group. Both my Grandmother and Mother inspired me to give back to the community and led by example. I helped with pulling weeds, and planting flowers and trees in local gardens ever since I was five years old. I have always attended local events like the Annual Pumpkinfest, Lighting up the Christmas tree, and planting gardens in the spring. Enjoying these fun activities sparked an interest in me to become active on the other side of the events as I got older.

15 The annual Pumpkinfest is a community project, hosted by the Brightwood Civic Group that I have helped with for about 7 years. Each year I would show up early to help set up the event; unfolding chairs and tables, setting up tents, and filling the gift bags. When the event started I helped collect the entrance money and handed out tickets, face painted, monitored the pumpkin patch, and handed out gift bags. Once it was over I would stay to clean up trash and put away the folding tables and chairs.

Another project that I volunteered for was the Christmas tree lighting, which was held in conjunction with the Carnegie Library community open house. During this event I handed out candy canes to the kids who visited Santa, I would also help them put ornaments on the Christmas tree. After the tree was all decorated, the lights were turned on for the whole community to see and enjoy as they drove past.

When springtime rolled around, the Brightwood Civic Group and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy planted a flower garden at a local playground in Brightwood. Each year I would attend and we would dig holes, plant bulbs, and cover them with soil. Over the summer the garden was taken care of by a neighborhood community steward. These plants added aesthetic value and drew attention to the natural beauty of the area.

Along with my work in the community, I also was an altar server at Saint Peter’s Parish in the Northside. I served mass from third grade until eighth grade, and volunteered for Sunday masses, the Stations of the Cross, and Baptisms.

Throughout my life, volunteering on the Northside has played a big role and made an impact on me. I have enjoyed my time volunteering because it is satisfying to see the results of something that you helped put together and the benefit that it has on the community. Because of my involvement with these associations, I have learned how to give back and do things for others without expecting anything in return. I plan to continue my community service into my college years and beyond.

16 Neighborhood Awards

Stuart Fisk Allegheny General Hospital

Stuart Fisk has been involved in HIV research, nursing, and prevention since 1988. He has provided hospice, nursing and medical care for persons living with HIV disease since 1992 with a focus on providing care for persons with substance use and mental health disorders. He has helped to develop a number of innovative programs to provide compassionate and state of the art care for these populations, both in Pittsburgh and San Francisco, CA. He was involved in the development and legalization of Prevention Point Pittsburgh, a syringe exchange program providing a broad range of prevention services for injection drug users in the region. He is currently on the Board of Prevention Point. Since 1999 he has been involved in the development of the Positive Health Clinic at Allegheny General Hospital; a Ryan White Care Act funded medical clinic for persons with HIV. He is a primary care for persons with HIV at the Positive Health Clinic.

In addition to Stuart’s involvement in HIV-Related prevention, intervention and treatment he is also the Director of the Center for Inclusion Health at Allegheny Health Network. The mission of the Center is to develop clinical, teaching and research programs to expand quality health care to populations that have been excluded from care due to mental health, substance use or other social determinants of health disparity.

Stuart also served on the Allegheny County Drug and Alcohol Planning Council for 7 years and has worked with the Allegheny County Overdose Prevention Project.

Trish Doyle Burton Allegheny West Civic Council

Since 1992, Trish and her husband John and their children, have been an integral part of the neighborhood, with both their home and business located in Allegheny West. Trish is one of those people whose years of quiet service are the backbone of our welcoming and beautiful community. She steps up where ever there is a need, no matter how unglamorous the job. She started out by cleaning up the leaves in front of the houses on her block, and then graduated to the monthly neighborhood-wide clean-up. Years later she’s still one of the most reliable people, who come every month to clean up trash. When we needed someone to deliver the monthly Gazette to all the houses on Beech Ave., she volunteered and, again, years later still hands them out. Dozens of tables, cases and cases of wine & beer and hundreds of paper plates and napkins have found their way to years of neighborhood summer picnics thanks to her efforts; not to mention all the potluck dishes she’s contributed to those picnics and volunteer recognition parties. More recently, she was one of the leaders of the effort that organized sponsorships for the flower baskets that appeared in the Western Ave. business district last year, and she managed to wrangle even more support this year. She’s also been training to take over the management of the Conservancy sponsored garden at the corner of Brighton and W. North.

This past year though, Trish has also taken on a leadership role. In the past, she’s served unofficially as Treasurer, but this past year she became an official member of the Board of Directors. After volunteering her home and garden multiple times over the years for tours (ask her about the time the tour goers scraped all the brand new paint off her steps!), this past year Trish served as the Ways and Means chair for the Allegheny West Civic Council. As chair, she managed both the summer Wine Tour and the winter Christmas tour which welcome over 3000 people to Allegheny West, involves over 100 volunteers and take months off planning. Aside from the fact that the tours raised lots of funds to support the Civic Council project throughout the year, Trish was incredibly successful at making new folks feel welcome and involved. We weren’t exactly turning volunteers away, (because we would never do that!) but we did have more help on jobs that are often difficult to find help. We can’t thank her enough for all her efforts. 17 When she’s not taking care of neighborhood business, she’s a lawyer and a principle in a retirement planning partnership. She’s active in her church, and regularly undertakes trips that help build houses in distressed areas. And she’s a published poet.

Always had the answers. To any question I had. Don’t wake me.

From the poem: Mother Pittsburgh Post Gazette: May 7, 2016 Trish Burton Doyle

Gertrude Long Brighton Heights Citizens Federation

In Memory of Gertrude (Jakubowski) Long – Brighton Heights

Our neighborhood bid farewell to the icon of volunteers on February 23, 2016. Gert Long was a member of the board of directors for almost 30 years. A few years ago, after being involved for so many years, she was named a Board Member Emeritus of the Brighton Heights Citizens Federation Board of Directors, which meant that she retained membership on the board forever without having to ever be elected again. That’s how highly regarded she was by the community.

Gert worked tirelessly for the neighborhood, most often behind the scenes. To mention just a few of her contributions: she helped clean up the streets and plant flowers year after year, she cooked hot dogs during the Spring Festival, bought candy and toys for the Halloween parade, and made all the prize numbers that the children wore in the parade for the prizes, stored the prizes in her home and arranged them on the monument the morning of the parade, and then helped distribute the candy bags in Legion Park. She cooked hamburgers and made cookies for the Community Day for a Pirate game after-party. She made lovely personal ornaments for the board members at the annual board Christmas party. She assembled and labeled the newsletters in her living room every other month and then navigated the bulk mailing process, a job that confounded more than one person trying to duplicate those efforts.

In addition to the federation activities, Gert also found time to volunteer at WQED for over 20 years, and she and her sister, Irene Jakubowski, who was her sidekick in most of her activities, were even pictured on the WQED volunteer web page. They demonstrated making Polish Christmas decorations and sweets at the Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh, and at various Grade/High Schools, and at Polish festivals throughout the area. Gert also helped with the annual Polish Day at Kennywood Park.

Gert never wanted any recognition for her contributions; she preferred to do her good deeds in the background. But her kindness, generosity, humility, and hard work influenced many throughout the years. She will be remembered fondly.

18 Anthony “Tony” Rocco Brightwood Civic Group

Anthony F. Rocco is the Senior Vice President - Community Banking of the Western Pennsylvania market for WesBanco Bank, Inc., where he is responsible for the business development and community outreach activities of 37 banking offices in Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, Washington, and Lawrence Counties. Tony and his team are committed to community service with focus on helping businesses and individuals with their financial needs. In addition, Tony participates in organizing financial education initiatives including efforts to schools, community groups and other organizations featuring Junior Achievement – Career Success Program, Teach Children to Save Program, and various homeowner programs. His recent activities include Board Member on the Northside Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer of the Brightwood Civic Group, member of the URA loan review committee, board of director of the Northern Allegheny Rotary club and the McCandless Rotary Foundation.

Harold Ralph Charles Street Area Council

Charles Street Area Council has selected Harold Ralph as its person of the year to receive The Northside Leadership award. We cannot find a more deserving recipient than Mr. Ralph. He served as President of Charles Street Area Council for many years and has been engaged in community organizing for over 32 years. Mr. Ralph is a devoted family man with a beautiful wife, with three wonderful children and five awesome grandchildren and still he finds time for his community.

One need not tell the other communities that make up the Northside Leadership Conference about the “ins and outs” of community development, especially in the Charles Street area; however, it is safe to say that Mr. Ralph has dealt with both during his many decades of active community service.

Many others have dropped the ball and run, because they cannot see any “fix” to problems that plague small low-income communities. However, Mr. Ralph has picked up the ball with new plans and worked hard to put those plans into action to make a “fix” for the betterment of the community.

In additional to serving as President of Charles St. Area Council, Harold has been a longtime Board member of NSLC. He was involved in the creation of NSLC’s Housing Development Program and he was the lead figure in the Gibson Green series of housing developments that helped stabilize the Charles Street neighborhood. All that, and he’s the nicest guy alive!

Mr. Ralph’s works to decrease crime in the community, develop housing, beautify green spaces, (and everything else in between), has always focused on the safety and quality of life for residents of the Northside. Through his many years of service there have been troubled and unthinkable community conditions, but over the years Harold Ralph became more steadfast and dedicated to the cause. His efforts have benefited many individuals and families that found safe, affordable housing, received college scholarships, bereavement condolences, an encouraging word and caring ear because of him.

One cannot tell you in a few words what his work entails. Mr. Ralph has a strong constitution pertaining to the community. His positive attitude creates a feeling that embodies hope and faith for a more caring, strong, safe and vibrant Northside. His energy and dedication are endless, like a rock that cannot be moved. Harold is officially stepping down from his volunteer roles of more than 30 years; but you will still find him mowing the lawn at the Charles Street - Brighton Road garden and attending meetings - because he really does care.

Charles Street Area Council and its residents want to thank Mr. Harold for his superior leadership and dedication to community and for just for being a Great man. Thank You Harold Ralph! 19 Denise Pierce Community Alliance Spring Garden-East Deutschtown

Denise is from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania raised with five sisters. Her father was in the military and their family resided in various armed forces bases from San Diego, CA to Camp Lejeune, NC as a child. As an adult she has raised three grown children and is grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren. After raising her children, Denise earned a master degree in Social Work from Cal U and a passion has been laid on her heart to be an activist for positive change in the community. Denise has spent extended time living in an American Indian reservation, and has an affinity for Bob Dylan. She loves the church, fiber arts and everything creative, and is very involved and committed to matters affecting our neighborhood.

PumpkinFest East Allegheny Community Council

For 25 years, East Allegheny Community Council has celebrated children and the wonderful resources we have in our community at Pumpkinfest, a Children’s Harvest Celebration. In commemorating this milestone, EACC wants to acknowledge the volunteers and partners that make this premier children’s event come to life each year. For multiple generations, it has become a family tradition to welcome in autumn on Pittsburgh’s North Side. It currently attracts an audience of nearly 6,000 people to East Park each year, more than 1,500 of them children.

As Pumpkinfest grew, so did the commitment of volunteers, partners and resources. In addition to all the behind the scenes work of the planning committee, our volunteers and partners provide us the means to transform the park in a safe, fun place to laugh, learn and share with friends, parents and neighbors.

The African proverb says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” A community-wide children’s festival needs lots of hard working hands from that village to be successful. There are over 200 volunteers involved in the celebration’s day of activities. Their efforts bring a personal touch to each and every child. From blowing up a balloon to helping a child pick that special pumpkin to decorate, no task is too big or small for our volunteers – and they do it with a big smile. The number of volunteer hours donated over the years are just too numerous to count.

Over 50 social service, public safety and educational organizations participate in the celebration every year. It is a fun way we connect families to year-round service providers helping to create a healthier and safer North Side community. We want to acknowledge Citiparks, Pittsburgh Public Works, Allegheny Center Alliance Church, Northside Leadership Conference & local fraternities and service groups for getting the job done each and every year. Allegheny General Hospital also hosts a Community Health Fair that provides screening, helmets and other health related information.

As the Pumpkinfest celebrates its twenty-fifth birthday, you can take pride in knowing that the North Side is a great village in which to live, work, play and invest - and raise a child! Please join us on Saturday, October 8th in East Park to celebrate this milestone.

20 Greg Manley Fineview Citizens Council

It is the Fineview Citizens Council’s honor to recognize Greg Manley as Fineview’s 2016 Neighborhood Awardee. Since moving into Fineview in early 2015, Greg Manley has made an immediate and significant impact on the neighborhood. Having purchased the historic Heathside Cottage, Greg has worked diligently to transform his residence into a community gathering place, venue, and performance space. In the past year Greg has hosted two major events: the Victorian Garden Party and A Very Special Christmas. Each event was free and open to the public. The events were well attended, welcoming, fun, and expertly orchestrated with live music, games, meals, prizes, tastings, and dancing. These events became opportunities for neighbors to meet and get to know one another in a festive and engaging atmosphere. In addition to these major events, Greg Manley has hosted several concerts, sit down dinners, brunches, and dramatic performances at the Heathside Cottage throughout the year. Each event further enhances the image and reputation of Fineview while creating a more well connected and friendly community. Greg Manley has made himself an integral part of the community in a short span of time and will continue to bolster the connectedness of Fineview’s residents as he plans and hosts a wide array of events at Heathside Cottage for years to come.

Steve and Linda Hansen Manchester Citizens Corporation

After living in the Lesser Northside for several years, Steve Hansen discovered the unique charms of Manchester in 1984. He has since watched several waves of neighborhood revitalization efforts take root in Pittsburgh, all of which have somehow managed to avoid the most obvious place for renewal: Manchester. The flat terrain, wide streets, proximity to the city WITH a free transit system, yards you can actually use, plentiful entertainment options and incredible housing stock make Manchester the perfect urban locale. One day Pittsburgh will realize this. Urban planners who have been trying to cram bike lanes onto city streets that can barely accommodate two lanes of automobile traffic will one day notice that Manchester’s wide streets can handle cars, parking AND bike lanes. Mr. Hansen is looking forward to the day when the various neighborhoods who’ve created fake appellations to avoid being associated with Manchester—Allegheny West we’re looking at you—proudly reassert their allegiance and Manchester is again celebrated as one of the most unique, diverse and interesting neighborhoods in all of Pittsburgh—and America.

Linda Hansen moved to Manchester twenty years ago from the suburbs. A native Pittsburgher from a family that made a reverse migration in the Sixties, she was shocked to learn that you don’t have to spend several hours in traffic at the end of each business day. She has since become one of the most active residents in Manchester. She sits on the board of Manchester Citizens Corporation and is President of Manchester Historical Society. In that role she oversaw the purchase of Anderson Manor, one of the most historically significant structures in Pittsburgh. She is currently leading efforts to reimagine the future of the building so that it can continue to be enjoyed by Manchester’s residents for generations. If there’s a clean-up effort, tree planting or house tour you’ll find Linda’s bright, contagious smile leading the way.

21 Timothy and Leslee Schaffer Observatory Hill, Inc.

Bonvue Street residents Leslee and Tim Schaffer started volunteering in the neighborhood in 2006 when they got involved with the block watch group. From there, they started organizing neighborhood clean ups and more, eventually co- chairing the block watch group when the previous volunteer stepped down. They raised money for the block watch by organizing a craft show and a neighborhood flea market. They also worked towards making neighborhood improvements by applying for a grant for Bonvue Street and even distributing their own newsletter to keep neighbors informed.

Beyond that, Tim, known as “Mr. Tim” has mowed the lawns and shoveled the sidewalks for several neighbors on their street, as well as mentoring neighborhood children by teaching them to play baseball - it is not uncommon to see him giving out pointers and helping them with their pitching techniques. He has purchased baseball gloves and sports equipment and given them away so they would have what they needed to play. He also purchases and fixes up used bikes and gives them away to children who do not have one or have outgrown the one they have – as he believes “every child should have a bike.” Tim has taken neighborhood children to both Pirates and Steelers games when he has extra tickets so that they could have that experience.

The Schaffer’s began volunteering at Allen Place when it first opened on Bonvue Street in 2010 and Leslee has taught both cake decorating and computer classes there. They co-chaired a successful National Night Out event with over 100 people in attendance.

In 2012, Leslee was elected to the OHI board and has worked tirelessly to improve all of Observatory Hill, focusing on property concerns, membership and the OHI newsletter, as well as the annual Heritage Day event. The Schaffer’s have made Bonvue Street and all of Observatory Hill a better place for all of their neighbors.

Chris and Tammy Waraks Spring Hill Civic League

Couples often introduce their partner as “their better half”, but with Chris and Tammy Waraks there is no better half, because they come as a package deal. Together this dynamic couple organizes, leads, and supports positive change in their hilltop community of Spring Hill. Go to any community meeting, event or cleanup and you will hear Tammy’s infectious laugh followed by Chris’ booming voice and “can do” attitude, working to get some project off the ground. As an experienced contractor with an eye for aesthetics, Chris has been instrumental in providing the tools and manpower needed for many neighbor endeavors. One of the most influential contributions of Tammy and Chris is the coordination and management of the quarterly neighborhood newsletter, which is critical for connecting, informing and engaging both long term and new families in community events. This classic, hand delivered newsletter is not lost in the neighbor’s email in-box, it is waiting on each household’s doorstep, offering a traditional and relaxing read.

Local ties brought this couple into the city from the suburbs and they became one with the community, transforming a regular hillside house into something so wonderful that zoning enforcement couldn’t help but make repeated trips to see what they were up to. They have doubled down on their commitment to the Northside and now Mr. Renovation is a regular sight in both Spring Hill and Spring Garden, making changes for the better.

While we recognize Tammy and Chris for their service today, we also want to recognize them for the positive example they set in regards to true partnership, as it is impossible to recognize one without the other, and this of itself is something special.

22 Joan Zito Summer Hill Citizens Committee

Joan Zito has been re-nominated as our Summer Hill Citizen’s Committees’ good neighbor of the year award for the Northside Leadership Conference for her continued efforts to make the North Side an even better place to live!

Joan has been a resident of the North Side her entire life. Born and raised in Fineview and moved to the Summer Hill neighborhood when she was married and has been a resident ever since.

She and her husband bought a home in Somerville in 1970. She’s been an active member of our community for over 60 years. She is a member of the St. Luke’s church. She is a member of Incarnation parish (formally Nativity church/school) including a guild member, Eucharistic minister, parent teacher aide and a volunteer as a cafeteria server.

She is a Board member of the Perry Hilltop Citizens Council, a Brownie and Girl Scout troop leader, Board Chair member of the Perry high school cluster. The Pennsylvania school board conference-nominated her as a parent representative for the Pittsburgh public schools.

She assisted in organizing the Perry North citizen group, block watch programs for Summer Hill, the East St. Valley initiative, planting trees along the highway as it was being constructed, and plants flowers to add to beautification of Riverview Park (Friends of the Riverview Park initiative).

Perry Traditional Academy - has held numerous positions on the PTSO including president for over 10 years, concession stand organizer as well as many other committees to help the school and students.

She is a member of the original Summer Hill group as well as an active member in the current Summer Hill citizens committee.

Joan is well deserving of our neighbor award because of her commitment to the Northside community, churches, schools and parks in the neighborhood just to name a few. She has volunteered countless hours over the years to help make Summer Hill a place she calls home as well as a place for her children and grandchildren to lay their roots. Her pride for the North Side is commendable and she is a recognizable face to many Northsiders for her hard work and dedication to the community.

Ellen Crist Troy Hill Citizens, Inc.

Ellen Crist got her start in urban gardening when she was elected to be the garden coordinator for a community garden in uptown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. After a successful start, the garden was unlawfully bulldozed by the city. This event only hardened her resolve, and next year she was back, opening a new garden in a heavily blighted area where massive amounts of illegal dumping had occurred for years. Her work helped to turn that street around and the garden went on to host several garden picnics and neighborhood events. A bike shop was even opened up across the street! She went on to be the garden coordinator for five community gardens in the neighborhood. In Harrisburg, Ellen also coordinated an electronics recycling event and several clean up days in the city so needless to say, Harrisburg residents were reluctant to let her go when she decided to leave for Pittsburgh.

Since residing in Troy Hill Ellen has cleaned up a neglected and overgrown, ornamental garden. She started a new compost system for the gardeners at the Lookout St. garden and Troy Hill’s community members. She has led several litter clean ups of Troy Hills city steps and streets, and also volunteers with Allegheny Cleanways Dump Busters. Ellen is also an active member of the Troy Hill Citizen’s parks committee, and when she’s not picking up litter she is studying for exams at Carlow College and working as a respiratory therapist. 23 Service Provider Award

Project Destiny

Project Destiny, Inc., whose Founder and Executive Director is Rev. Brenda J. Gregg, is a 501c3 nonprofit agency located on the Northside of Pittsburgh. Since 2004 Project Destiny has been committed to serv- ing all of our Northside Communities-Neighborhoods and beyond and working with inner city youth and their families to address issues relat- ed to youth development and education, domestic and teen violence, safety and economic issues and medical and educational disparity.

Their mission is To REIGN–Reach out into the Community, Educate, Inspire others, Grow leaders and Nurture our children, youth and their families in the Pittsburgh area.

The main Project Destiny administrative building is located at 2200 California Avenue and this is where Project Destiny has located their Family and Youth Engagement program staff. These staff provide home visiting services to address family needs and teen/parent conflicts and behaviors. The work done with families is based upon the family strengths and needs. Project Destiny is committed to keeping youth in their home, in school and in their neighborhood.

At this main location a number of family fun activities, celebrations and community events are held. There are also YouthWorks sessions (job readiness and mentoring) for teens as well as parenting classes and counsel- ing-coaching sessions. There is a boys’ athletics group which provides physical activity, mentoring and a safe place for teens to play and learn. The athletic teams are open to all youth who would not otherwise be able to play sports on their middle and high school teams due to grades or behaviors.

Project Destiny now operates an Early Learning Center which is located at 2404 Perrysville Avenue. Formerly this Northside Day Care was known as Robin’s Nest Day Care Center, serving many Northside families. The day care center was about to close its doors when Project Destiny was approached and asked to consider keeping the doors open. Rev. Gregg met with parents and with much community support and hard work; it was purchased. Project Destiny realized the need to sustain quality Day Care Services in this area of the Northside. Since purchas- ing the center, there have been a number of physical improvements made to the building and grounds. With these improvements and changes made to the curriculum the center now has a Keystone Star 2. Congratulations to Project Destiny and the dedicated nurturing staff in saving our neighborhood center!

At the Destiny of Faith Church, located at 3737 Brighton Road, in the Brighton Heights Neighborhood, the founder and Executive Director of Project Destiny Inc., five years ago, along with Northside residents, founded and planted Destiny of Faith, it is in this church building that Project Destiny holds their 6 week summer camp for youth from K through 8th grades. The camp usually has 50+ kids each summer attending this Monday through Friday full day camp. As an added bonus, through their relationship with the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, kids also get to go to Project Destiny’s overnight camp at the ICC or International Conservation Center in Somer- set, PA. This is where the Zoo keeps some elephants so the kids get a special tour and instructions by the care- takers. Kids also get to explore the countryside and get to have great outdoor exercise and sports as well as fun learning experiences.

Monday thru Friday Project Destiny’s out of school services offer an After School Program which has an average enrollment of 40 to 50 youth from K to 8th grades. This program offers a snack, full hot meal, help with home- work and offers a variety of fun activities in a safe place.

Each fall Project Destiny offers a back-to-school and school supply give-a-way and every summer they hold a Graduation Celebration where awards are given to each child matriculating through the important milestones of their learning education from Pre-school to Community College, College, Universities as well as technical and non-traditional school. They never cease to celebrate the great things that families and children accomplish!

Project Destiny, in partnership with Destiny of Faith and other faith base organizations, offers a Saturday Acade- my from 9 am-1 pm which is also located at the church building site. With the help of active parents and volun- teers this weekly program services about 30 youths from the age 3 to 17. All enhancement activities focus on the arts: music, fine arts, drama, dance and creative writing. With these and in other ways it helps to strengthen the leadership skills of parents and youth. Children are served breakfast and a snack each Saturday.

24 For all of the Project Destiny programs, transportation is offered as necessary and when possible. Project Destiny also has regular field trips for youth and families.

Project Destiny is working with groups of our Northside youth in a number of Northside Public Schools where they facilitate their Youth Destiny group program. This important work is done within the school buildings to work on self-esteem, decision making, career path goals as well as health and wellness issues. They also offer field trips to these school youth involved in this programming.

Last year Project Destiny was the host site in partnership the Nova Net Program and Neighborhood Learning Alliance (Credit Recovery) for Pittsburgh Public School Students.

Rev. Gregg feels blessed to be able to serve our Northside community, schools, families and their children and youth with her regular dedicated staff (mostly part-time) and the additional full time summer staff; made up of diversified skill levels, well-respected skilled Parents, Social Workers, Educators, Early Child Care Professionals, Organizational Leadership Professionals as well as a great team of Program and Financial Professionals, as well as a very supportive Board of Directors and an array of great volunteers that we could never do without. Project Destiny serves on average 700+ participants annually.

25 Lifetime Achievement Award

Barbara Burns

Barbara is honored to be recognized for her service to her neighborhood, the North Side and the City of Pittsburgh. As a native North Sider, she was born and raised on Avery Street. Her neighbors gave her a sense of comfort and belonging, so, not surprisingly, one of her first efforts was to plan a neighborhood festival in East Park in 1976. Forty years later, she is still planning festivals for the neighborhood. Avery Street, like the rest of the neighborhood, had begun to show signs of disinvestment. As many residents where relocated by I-279 and others chose to leave, she and her family decided to stay and work to improve the neighborhood.

In 1978, Barbara incorporated the East Allegheny Community Council in an attempt to reverse these trends and to encourage preservation, reinvestment

and to attract new homeowners. It was a challenging and deeply rewarding experience. EACC has made great progress in achieving these outcomes. She is most proud of saving large structures like St. Mary’s Church and the Brewery, Historic Designation, restoration and new construction of dozens of buildings, improving zoning classifications, improving city services, and closing nuisance bars and properties.

Barbara worked with equally-committed community leaders to form coalitions, challenge the status quo, advocate for resources, and achieve positive change for the North Side. The North Side Leadership Conference and the North Side Development Fund are all products of these partnerships. They have provided us with technical assistance to address complicated reinvestment issues across the North Side. They also provide us an opportunity to speak in one voice.

Barbara has also served on numerous local, city, state and national organizations over the years. From the Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission to Reapportionment Commissions, she got first-hand experience in the importance of policy setting, legislation and politics. In 1981, she was elected to the Pittsburgh Board of Education where she served for ten years, five of them as President. When Murphy was elected Mayor, she ran and won the Special Election to complete his term in the State House of Representative, Later, she ran and won elected to Pittsburgh City Council when Onorato departed. She also was elected a Delegate to two Democratic National Conventions and has never missed voting in a Primary or General Election.

Today, Barbara is the proprietor of Sweet Time Café and General Store on East Ohio Street, a local post office and gift store. She also serves as President of the Historic Deutschtown Development Corporation, working to further improve the business district. She is a graduate of Chatham College and the Pittsburgh Public School system. She has lived on Avery Street for 67 years and proud to call North Side home.

In Memory of Gertrude Jakubowski Long

Our neighborhood bid farewell to the icon of volunteers on February 23, 2016. Gert Long was a member of the board of directors for almost 30 years. A few years ago, after being involved for so many years, she was named a Board Member Emeritus of the Brighton Heights Citizens Federation Board of Directors, which meant that she retained membership on the board forever without having to ever be elected again. That’s how highly regarded she was by the community.

Gert worked tirelessly for the neighborhood, most often behind the scenes. To mention just a few of her contributions: she helped clean up the streets and plant flowers year after year, she cooked hot dogs during the Spring Festival, bought candy and toys for the Halloween parade, and made all the prize numbers that the children wore in the parade for the prizes, stored the prizes in her home and arranged them on the monument the morning of the parade, and then helped distribute the candy bags in Legion Park. She cooked hamburgers and made cookies for the Community Day for a Pirate game after-party. She made lovely personal ornaments for the board members at the annual board Christmas party. She assembled and labeled the newsletters in her living room every other month and then navigated the bulk mailing process, a job that confounded more than one person trying to duplicate those efforts. 26 In addition to the federation activities, Gert also found time to volunteer at WQED for over 20 years, and she and her sister, Irene Jakubowski, who was her sidekick in most of her activities, were even pictured on the WQED volunteer web page. They demonstrated making Polish Christmas decorations and sweets at the Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh, and at various Grade/High Schools, and at Polish festivals throughout the area. Gert also helped with the annual Polish Day at Kennywood Park.

Gertrude Jakubowski was born on December 17, 1924 in Everson PA, the third of four girls in her family. She graduated from Scottsdale, PA High School and the Mason Frederick Beauty Academy. She first worked at Claffey’s Beauty Salon and then moved on to Tracy’s Stainless Steel Sinks where she worked in the payroll department. Then she met and married Thomas Long, a Pittsburgh Fire Fighter who passed away in 1984. She is survived by two sisters, Cecile Whitman of Denver, Colorado, and Irene Jakubowski of Brighton Heights, and three children, Gerard Long, Ellen Cavaliere and Marty Bagdes, six grandchildren, Amy, Clark, Linda, and Jill Cavaliere, and Fabian and Ben Bagdes, and three great-grandchildren.

Gert never wanted any recognition for her contributions; she preferred to do her good deeds in the background. But her kindness, generosity, humility, and hard work influenced many throughout the years. She will be remembered fondly. Harold Ralph

The Northside Leadership Conference has selected Harold Ralph as one of its Lifetime Achievement recipients this year. We cannot find a more deserving recipient than Mr. Ralph. He served as President of Charles Street Area Council for many years and has been engaged in community organizing for over 32 years. Mr. Ralph is a devoted family man with a beautiful wife, with three wonderful children and five awesome grandchildren and still he finds time for his community.

One need not tell the other communities that make up the Northside Leadership Conference about the “ins and outs” of community development, especially in the Charles Street area; however, it is safe to say that Mr. Ralph has dealt with both during his many decades of active community service.

Many others have dropped the ball and run, because they cannot see any “fix” to problems that plague small low- income communities. However, Mr. Ralph has picked up the ball with new plans and worked hard to put those plans into action to make a “fix” for the betterment of the community.

In additional to serving as President of Charles St. Area Council, Harold has been a longtime Board member of NSLC. He was involved in the creation of NSLC’s Housing Development Program and he was the lead figure in the Gibson Green series of housing developments that helped stabilize the Charles Street neighborhood. All that, and he’s the nicest guy alive!

Mr. Ralph’s works to decrease crime in the community, develop housing, beautify green spaces, (and everything else in between), has always focused on the safety and quality of life for residents of the Northside. Through his many years of service there have been troubled and unthinkable community conditions, but over the years Harold Ralph became more steadfast and dedicated to the cause. His efforts have benefited many individuals and families that found safe, affordable housing, received college scholarships, bereavement condolences, an encouraging word and caring ear because of him.

One cannot tell you in a few words what his work entails. Mr. Ralph has a strong constitution pertaining to the community. His positive attitude creates a feeling that embodies hope and faith for a more caring, strong, safe and vibrant Northside. His energy and dedication are endless, like a rock that cannot be moved. Harold is officially stepping down from his volunteer roles of more than 30 years; but you will still find him mowing the lawn at the Charles Street - Brighton Road garden and attending meetings - because he really does care.

We wish to thank Mr. Harold for his superior leadership and dedication to the entire Northside community and for just for being a Great man. Thank You Harold Ralph!

27 Special Thanks

Dinner Committee

John Clayton, Summer Hill Citizens Committee, Dinner Chairman Helen Wehner, Brighton Heights Citizens Federation, Dinner Honorary Margaret Eldridge, Fineview Citizens Council Josephine Harding, Brightwood Civic Group Georgiann Lucas, Summer Hill Citizens Committee Jackie Deloplaine, Spring Hill Civic League Kelly MacKay, Northside Leadership Conference Dinner Coordinator

Special thanks to Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Darlene Harris and Councilman Daniel Lavelle for sponsoring the scholarship luncheon and presenting proclamations to all of our awardees.

A special thank you to Lynn Schraf who designed the invitations, tickets and program book covers for this event.

A special thanks to Printing and Promotional Management for printing our invitations and tickets.

We would like to extend a HUGE special thank you to Cathy Deverts, Dan Hoffman and the Allegheny Health Network Communications Department and Highmark Print Shop who designed and printed the program books for this event.

Special thanks to John Graf and the Priory staff for hosting our event this year.

Special thanks to Pittsburgh Steelers for their door prize donation.

Special thanks to Pittsburgh Pirates for their door prize donation.

Special thanks to Barbara Burns for her door prize donations and making the gift baskets for our event.

Special thanks to our 2016 Awards Dinner Corporate Sponsors

Alco Parking Allegheny General Hospital BNY Mellon Cutruzzula and Nalducci Dollar Bank Faros Properties First National Bank First Niagara Bank Goodrich & Geist Highmark Insurance Huntington Bank Northwest Savings Bank Peoples Gas Pittsburgh Mercy PNC Bank Rivers Casino Rotary Club of Pittsburgh’s Northside SSB Bank WesBanco Mark T. Fatla, Esq.

Special thanks to all who donated items for our door prizes after the printing of our program booklet.

28 Health for the Community.

At Allegheny Health Network, we value our responsibility to serve the community. Together with our local partners, we are helping people stay healthy and enjoy a better quality of life. Allegheny Health Network is proud to support the 2016 Northside Leadership Conference Annual Awards Dinner and congratulates Stuart Fisk, recipient of the Neighborhood Award.

412.DOCTORS AHN.ORG

29 Congratulations to all those honored at the Northside Leadership Conference’s Annual Scholarship and Awards Dinner

Monthly leasing information Commuter parking rates Special event parking notices Parking rates & locations – Downtown – North Shore – Stadium Parking – Pittsburgh International Airport – SouthSide Works – The University of Pittsburgh

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30 Invested in our community.

At BNY Mellon, we honor those who make the community a better place, now and in the future.

It is our great pleasure to support Northside Leadership Conference.

bnymellon.com

©2016 The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.

31

CUTRUZZULA & NALDUCCI ATTORNEYS AT LAW 3300 GRANT BUILDING 310 GRANT STREET PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15219 (412) 391-4040 www.cutruzzulanalducci.com

32 e are proud to support Wthe Northside Leadership Conference.

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33 PROUDLY SUPPORTS THE NORTHSIDE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

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35 Being great neighbors helps our communities grow.

When neighbors prosper, our communities prosper. At First Niagara, it is the belief that drives how our teammates embrace the communities in which they live, work and play. It is what guides us when we provide opportunities for individuals and businesses to grow, mentoring our children, or give a helping hand to those in our community in need. As we go about our daily lives in our communities, we believe when neighbors help neighbors, anything seems possible.

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*QUALIFICATIONS: Bonuses only available to customers who have not had an open checking account within six months of opening a new “MyNorthwest” checking account (“Account”). All account owners must be qualifying customers. Bonuses limited to $200 per Account. Within 6 months of Account opening, two ACH Direct Deposits (“Deposit(s)”) of $200 or more made by an employer or other outside source must be deposited into Account. Internal transfers between accounts or deposits made at a branch or ATM do not qualify as Deposit(s). First bonus of $100 will be posted to Account within 14 calendar days of the second Deposit. Eligibility to receive the first $100 bonus will expire 6 months from date Account is opened. Second bonus of $100 will be paid to Account within 14 calendar days after one year anniversary of Account being opened provided: (i) customer qualifies for first bonus; and, (ii) two Deposits were received within two months prior to one year anniversary of date Account was opened. Bonus credits not considered part of minimum balance to open Account. “My Northwest Interest Checking” accounts not included in promotion. Employees of Northwest Savings Bank and affiliates not eligible for Bonuses. Bonuses subject to IRS 1099 INT reporting for year in which received. Offer may be extended, modified or discontinued at any time without prior notice and may vary by market. **Mobile data or text charges may apply. ***Includes ATMs accessed through Northwest’s membership in the Allpoint ATM Network. For more information, visit www.allpointnetwork.com. Northwest Savings Bank is Member FDIC. 37 38 For all you do. And for all that can still be done.

Highmark would like to extend warm congratulations for your extraordinary contributions. Never stop believing. Never stop caring. Never stop doing what you love to do.

39 when you invest in the Community, the returns are guaranteed. At Huntington, we know how important it is to give back to the community. After all, we do more than just work here – we live and raise our families here too. And after everything this community has done for us, we’re just happy to be able to return the favor.

The Huntington National Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. ¥® and Huntington® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. Huntington.® Welcome.™ is a service mark of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. ©2015 Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.

40 Chad’s Quick Tip If you or a contractor are digging on your property, make sure a PA One Call to 811 is made. It’s free and it’s the law! Once the PA Before you begin digging, state law requires One Call has been made you to call PA One Call at 1-800-242-1776 you will see markings and/ or flags near your work or 811 at least three days before you dig. area within three days. All utility companies will be notified of your planned work and will mark the location of any underground lines. Respect the markings and excavate with due care and be sure to report any and all damage to pipelines, line markers, locator wires, or warning tape to the appropriate utility.

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SAFETY Chad Dochinez, Safety and Technical Training Specialist • Employee of Peoples Natural Gas for 23 years

41 PARTNERS IN HOPE

For more than 170 years, the ministries of Pittsburgh Mercy have empowered people by providing services that meet their physical, mental, and spiritual needs. In the Northside Leadership Conference, we have a valuable partner.

That’s why we’re proud to honor the Conference’s important role in the community. We salute them — as well as the individual neighborhoods, businesses, and people — for their commitment to enhancing the vitality, quality of life, and image of Pittsburgh’s North Side.

Together, we work to provide services, support, and something equally important. Hope.

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42 43 GET OUT AND LIVE A LOT

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44 PeopletoPeople That’s how we work with our community!

Congratulations Melissa Burnett and all of the Awardees!

Peopletopeople banking gives you a greater return! www.slovaksb.com 2470 California Ave Pgh PA 15212 4123229023 Member FDIC

45 We are proud to support the Northside Leadership’s 33rd Annual Scholarship and Awards Dinner

46 47 From Pittsburgh City Councilwoman D arlene Harris City Council District 1

Congratulations to the 2016 Scholarship & Tablet Recipients

Wishing you much success in the future as you continue your education

Ryan Marks, Brighton Heights, Vincentian Academy, Sponsor ALCO Parking Rakeyla Little, Allegheny City Central, Pittsburgh Milliones University Prep, Sponsor Allegheny General Hospital Aleksei Kaminski, Allegheny City Central, Pittsburgh CAPA, Sponsor BNY Mellon Ray Dean, Observatory Hill, Pittsburgh Perry High School, Sponsor Cutruzzula and Nalducci Gregorie Paluka, Northview Heights, Brashear High School, Sponsor Dollar Bank Olivia Horgan, Brighton Heights, Vincentian Academy, Sponsor Faros Properties Olivia Maloney, Brighton Heights, City Charter High School, Sponsor First National Bank Imani Jai Chisom, Manchester, Pittsburgh Obama High School, Sponsor First Niagara Bank Gwenhwyvar Soergel, Summer Hill, Agora PA Cyber Charter School, Sponsor Northwest Savings Bank Jeremiah Hardy, Observatory Hill, Pittsburgh CAPA, Sponsor Goodrich & Geist Madison Custer, Brighton Heights, Pittsburgh CAPA, Sponsor Highmark Insurance Christian Peterson, Brighton Heights, Agora PA Cyber Charter School, Sponsor Huntington Bank William Joshua Fitch, Brightwood, Pittsburgh Science & Technology Academy, Sponsor Peoples Gas Emma Daniels, Troy Hill, City Charter High School, Sponsor Pittsburgh Mercy Sabrina Jones, Observatory Hill, City Charter High School, Sponsor PNC Bank Paul “PJ” Winters, Brighton Heights, Sewickley Academy, Sponsor Rivers Casino Melissa Burnett, Brighton Heights, Pittsburgh CAPA, Sponsor SSB Bank Amaan Bridgett, Brighton Heights, Bishop Canevin High School, Sponsor WesBanco Sarah Dixon, Brightwood/Hampton, Hampton High School, Sponsor Mark T. Fatla, Esq.

Congratulations to the 2016 Neighborhood Awardees

Allegheny General Hospital……………………………………………………………………………..….……….…Stuart Fisk Allegheny West Civic Council………………………………………………………………………....……Trish Doyle Burton Brighton Heights Citizens Federation …………………………………..……………………………...…..…...Gertrude Long Brightwood Civic Group …………………………………………………….…………………………….…..…Anthony Rocco Charles Street Area Council ……………………………………………………….……………….……..……….Harold Ralph Community Alliance Spring Garden East Deutschtown ………………..…………………………….…….…Denise Pierce East Allegheny Community Council …………………………………………………………………….…………Pumpkinfest Fineview Citizens Council………………………………………………………………….………..…….………..Greg Manley Manchester Citizens Corporation………………………………..……………………………….……Steve & Linda Hansen Observatory Hill Incorporated …………………….………………………………………………Timothy & Leslee Schaffer Spring Hill Civic League ……………………………………………………..…………………….…Chris & Tammy Waraks Summer Hill Citizens Committee ……………………………………………………………….…………………..…Joan Zito Troy Hill Citizens Incorporated ………………………………………..……………………….…………………..…Ellen Crist

Congratulations to the 2016 Service provider Awardee

Project Destiny

Congratulations NSLC 2016 Lifetime Achievement Awardees

Barbara Burns, Historic Deutschtown Gertrude Long, Brighton Heights Harold Ralph, Charles Street

48 49 50

NSLC 33rd Annual Awards & Scholarship Dinner

I am honored to be given the opportunity to support the Northside Leadership Conference’s 33rd Annual Awards & Scholarship Dinner. The residents and community leaders being honored tonight represent the best that Pittsburgh has to offer. It is their hard work and dedication to the city that makes Pittsburgh a better place to live. Additionally, I would like to thank the Northside Leadership Conference for hosting the awards dinner and for providing scholarships to our Northside youth, whose volunteer work represents a bright future for the City of Pittsburgh.

R. DANIEL LAVELLE CITY OF PITTSBURGH COUNCILMAN - DISTRICT 6 510 City County Building Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219 412.255.2134 phone - 412.255.0737 fax www.pittsburghpa.gov/district6/ www.facebook.com/LavelleDistrict6 www.twitter.com/RDLavelle

51 The Northside Leadership Conference has been a force for positive change on the Northside for many years. Your dedicated staff has working tirelessly to improve the quality of life area residents.

Thank you for all you do, especially for making life better for the youth of our community. The scholarship funds you provide have helped and continue to help many deserving young people to fund their education, which benefits us all.

Congratulations to this year’s scholarship winners. I wish you all the best.

The People’s Office is honored to join you in celebrating this wonderful occasion.

State Representative Jake Wheatley 19th Legislative District The People’s Office 2015 Center Avenue, First Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (412) 471-7760

52 53 Sweet Time Café & General Store

The General Store offers unique seasonal gifts, custom gift baskets, gourmet foods, coffee & teas, greeting cards, children’s toys and books, confectionaries and chocolates, wreaths and home decorations and much more. Quality merchandise from these and other fine companies for everyone on your list.

The Bearington Collection Bethany Lowe Designs Bethlehem Lighting Boston International Paper Products Carol Wilson Fine Arts Cards Fantastic Crafts Garland & Wreaths K&K Interiors Mary Lake-Thompson. Ltd. Melissa & Doug Toys

Historic Deutschtown Business District US Postal Service available daily 435 E. Ohio Street Pgh., PA 15212 Phone 412.231-7170 Monday—Saturday 9 am— 5 pm

54

Join us at the

Northside Farmer’s Market Fridays th May 13th through Sept 16 3:00 pm-7:00 pm

The Place to Start Join us each Friday at your local Northside Farmer’s When Market for Health and Wellness recourse, information, Every FRIDAY from May 13th through Sept 16th* activities and programming. 3-7 PM Highlights and guests include: YMCA fitness classes Where Northside Farmer’s Market in Allegheny General Hospital Doctors and Nurses Allegheny Commons Park Northside Bike Rides For more information contact Walking Tours 412-231-4714 ext 204

Venture Outdoors [email protected] Walk with a Doc For weekly activities visit facebook.com/ NorthsideLeadershipConference Health Screenings * In the event of rain, A Place To Start will be Healthy cooking and nutrition canceled for that Friday. Giveaways and MORE!!!

55 56 Congratulations to all the Scholarship Awardees!

57

Building Innovative and Sustainable Communities

130 Seventh Street, Suite 300 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412.688.7200 www.trekdevelopment.com

58 NorthSide/NorthShore Chamber of Commerce

Honoring the Past and Looking Toward a Promising Future

Congratulations to Our Community Leaders

Who Make Our Neighborhoods Outstanding

Lake Elizabeth 1911

Through January 17, 2017

Created by Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh in partnership with The Fred Rogers Company. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood © 2016 The Fred Rogers Company. All rights reserved.

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10 Children’s Way • Pittsburgh, PA 15212

59 Business doesn’t work without community. That’s why Pipitone Group has begun an ongoing volunteer effort with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and our local high school’s backpack program— we encourage others to pitch in.

We all have the ability to make a difference.

STRATEGY | BRAND | MARKETING DIGITAL | COMMUNICATIONS

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62 63 Notes ______

64