three-nonprofits Archives

I’m excited to post our second post in the “Three Nonprofits” series. Each week we feature a Pittsburgher and three of the nonprofit organizations that they think are important. Have three favorite nonprofit organizations that you would like to share? Click here to submit your list.

I’m exited to share this weeks post- Sue is an incredible force in Pittsburgh both online and off. She has been blogging longer than I have! Make sure to check out her blog – Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents.

Meet Sue Kerr you can follow here on Twitter @pghlesbian24

Sue’s favorite thing about Pittsburgh is… This is my hometown.

Sue’s Three Favorite Nonprofits are…

Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Pittsburgh @GLCCPgh
Since 1981, the GLCC has been supporting the LGBT community and it continues to flourish as an all-volunteer organization. I met my partner Laura at the GLCC along with many of my dear friends. What resonates with me is the fact that almost every young adult involved as a volunteer was part of the GLCC’s youth programs at some point – almost to a person. That’s a powerful statement about the impact a Community Center has on a community.

North Side Common Ministries
NSCM is an example of faith in action in a way that’s respectful & authentic. They are the largest food pantry in Western Pennsylvania – serving over 1,000 families.

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank @PghFoodBank
Simply put, they meet the needs of our hungry neighbors with dignity and resourcefulness. My family is a steel mill family so the rise of the Food Bank is entwined in my family’s DNA (sadly.)

What is the best way to get involved?
The Gay and Lesbian Community Center (GLCC) is all-volunteer. The most pressing need is for volunteers to staff the front desk to keep the doors open and the phoneline answered. This does require an orientation and training. The second “best” way to get involved is to participate in an activity – attend the women’s social group, bring a dish to the monthly potluck, play OUTrageous Bingo, try our belly dancing classes or pick what strikes your fancy.

One of the things I’ve been trying to do here on the blog is to share more about the nonprofits that are working on important issues here in Pittsburgh. This is the first post of what I hope will become a weekly series where Pittsburghers share three nonprofit organizations. Have three favorite nonprofit organizations that you would like to share? Click here to submit your list.

Meet Elizabeth Collura you can follow her on Twitter @beezuskiddo

Elizabeth’s favorite thing about Pittsburgh is… Food. All the food. Also wandering around Frick Park.

Three Pittsburgh Nonprofits…

Haitian Families First @HaitianFam1st
Ali and Jamie get right down to the hard work. They are all action and more action when it comes to making a difference in the lives of Haitian families.

Assemble @AssemblePGH
Assemble is a nonprofit that succeeds by doing. Assemble’s learning parties connect kids and adults over a shared energy for exploring science, tech, education, art and math. Kids often aren’t getting access to quality education in these fields at school, and Assemble brings it right into the City’s neighborhoods with an open door and a smile.

The Education Law Center @edlawcenterpa
The Education Law Center confronts inequality and injustice in education, both on the policy level, and on the individual litigation level. They fight for all kids in Pennsylvania to have access to a quality education. Nancy Potter, one of the Education Law Center’s attorneys, is a friend of mine and she is intelligent, devoted, and a true believer in the value of fighting for kids’ education.

What is the best way to get involved?
The best way to get involved in Haitian Families First is by shooting an email to Viv Croft, their Pittsburgh Operations head, and telling her you want to help! Their most immediate and pressing need is always funding, and they are extremely flexible to work with. HFF has extremely low overhead, so when you volunteer to raise funds for them, you have the satisfaction of knowing that the money is going right to the on-the-ground needs of Haitian families.