Another Side of East: A New Community House for East Liberty

Written by: Philip Hallen and Mark Bibro*

The recent Post Gazette article on East Liberty’s renewal is a welcome notice to the larger Pittsburgh community about the transformation and continuing innovation of the area. This transformation is a model of public private partnership which has been the hallmark of so much of Pittsburgh’s progress over the last several decades.

The forward-looking collaboration between ELDI and East Liberty Presbyterian Church in developing East Liberty Town Square is another example of how the spirit and culture of a neighborhood, decimated by an ill-conceived sixties renewal effort, can be recaptured, recreated and realized in new forms, based on neighborhood need and sound planning ideas.

There is another sector which increasingly takes a role in this remarkable renewal and it represents a large and viable – and almost invisible – piece of what is happening in East Liberty. The approximately 50 non profit organizations based in the 15206 zip code account for an aggregate payroll of almost $95 million dollars. When viewed from an economic impact perspective, this group of human service and educational organizations contributes in a major way to the vitality of East Liberty.

One of these non profits, East End Cooperative Ministry, an inter-faith, multi-program, social and human service agency, is joining the new physical face of East Liberty by building Community House, a new 58,000 square foot neighborhood center at the corner of Penn Circle East and Penn Circle North. This building joins the green infrastructure initiative of the Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development and is planned as a Platinum Level LEED certified addition to East Liberty’s array of new buildings.

Settlement houses or neighborhood centers have been a part of Pittsburgh’s history for decades, as its immigrant populations, both individuals and families, adjusted to the new industrial society of the day. Sarah Heinz House, Hill House, Kingsley House, and Hosanna House are some of the historic examples of how the non profit sector rallied to solve educational and family problems in the racially and culturally diverse neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. In these welcoming places, people learned languages, found new job skills, learned how government systems worked, found cultural enrichment through music and theater and learned to strengthen family ties and relationships.

Now East End Cooperative Ministry will add a similar space to the East End. EECM’s 14 program locations will be centralized in a physical and cultural community center designed to compliment the growing renewal efforts in the neighborhood. After 40 years of service to the homeless, the hungry, distressed children and families, EECM will be able to provide a new level of dignity, compassion and efficiency to its long record of service to East Liberty.

We proudly join with the enlightened retail and business community, the dozens of non-profit organizations, the hundreds of homeless and hungry, the countless children and families, and the thousands of volunteers, each doing a special task, each making a special contribution to the larger renewal. East Liberty is not only “becoming a vibrant community” as the Post Gazette says; it always has been one, in spite of hard times. These new times are full of hope – built on mutual commitment, sound planning, and community support rich with promise.

*Philip Hallen is President Emeritus of the Falk Foundation. Mark Bibro is Executive Director of the Birmingham Foundation. They are, respectively, President and Vice President of East End Cooperative Ministry’s Board of Directors.

Food of the Month with Edward Jones

Written by: Kate Snyder, Development and Donor Communications Coordinator

Supporting East End Cooperative Ministry doesn't have to be complicated. It can be as simple as collecting one particular food item for EECM's Pantry each month.

That's exactly the approach being taken by Deborah Hughes and the Regent Square Edward Jones office. They decided they wanted to do their part for the hungry in the community by hosting an ongoing "Food of the Month" food drive in their office.

Each month, they focus on one particular EECM Food Pantry staple -- like rice or pasta. They encourage their clients to donate and hope to involve the large community in their drives.

If you would like to host a community food drive, we are happy to help! We can help you brainstorm creative approaches and provide fliers and lists of much-needed items. To get involved, contact Tim Brown, Community Relations Coordinator, at 412.361.5549 ext. 411 or timb@eecm.org.

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Good Samaritan Service

Written by: Kate Snyder, Development and Donor Communications Coordinator

I had the honor of being asked to speak at East Liberty Presbyterian Church's Good Samaritan Service this past Sunday.

But what's this? You don't know about the Good Samaritan Service? Then you are missing out!

At 8am each Sunday, an eclectic mix of people gather for a time of spiritual reflection in the small dining room at ELPC (also known as East End Cooperative Ministry's Soup Kitchen). Worshippers usually include current guests of EECM's Men's Shelter, former shelter guests, and a varied bunch of other folk from the community, including a contingent of loyal EECM volunteers.

It's by far the most diverse worship service I've ever attended. And the most accepting. There are no barriers at the Good Samaritan Service. Wealthy and poor mingle and sing together. White and black chat over coffee and donuts. Attire ranges from suits and ties to jeans and t-shirts, and both ends of the spectrum are considered "appropriate." When it's time to "pass the peace" and greet one another, it takes 10 minutes because every single person greets every other person in the room with a smile, a few words, and a handshake or hug.

The order of service is informal and flexible. There are some hymns, a time of prayer, and a message by the speaker of the day. The messages are as varied as the people providing them. From text-based sermons, to personal testimonies, to reflections on the journey of faith. The act of sharing is much more important than the words being spoken.

To me, the Good Samaritan Service epitomizes the type of community we are trying to create here at EECM. It is welcoming, respectful and deeply caring, and its power lies in the shared gifts and talents of its members.

If you're ever in the neighborhood, feel free to stop by! You are always welcome.

Birthday in a Bag

Written by: Kate Snyder, Development and Donor Communications Coordinator

If you're ever looking for a fun philanthropic project to do with a group of kids, here's a terrific idea, brought to you by the middle school students of Sacred Heart Elementary School:

Birthday in a Bag Kits

The Student Council at Sacred Heart organized the collection of "birthday essentials" like birthday cake mix, cans of frosting, and candles. They packed them into individual bags, which will be distributed to food pantry clients with children.

If you need inspiration for easy group activities to benefit EECM, don't hesitate to give us a call! 412.361.5549.

Fantastic Flavor

Written by: Kate Snyder, Development and Donor Communications Coordinator

Arg! It just hit me that the last post on the East End Cooperative Ministry blog was several weeks ago. For shame. You'd think we were spending our days watching the paint dry, with nothing to report from the EECM trenches. But you'd be wrong!

First and foremost, I'm pleased to report that the annual EECM fundraiser -- A Flavor of the East End -- was a smashing success. Our best ever, if I might be so bold. In case you missed the action, here are some highlights:

Over 200 guests – from friends new and old to staff and board members to longtime volunteers to members of local media and representatives from our sponsors – gathered to support our mission of building a community of opportunity in Pittsburgh’s East End.

Restaurant group big Burrito whipped up some truly phenomenal culinary delights, from asparagus maki rolls to chicken and greens. The spicy lo-mein was the most popular dish, in part because it was served in little take-out containers, which attracted a lot of attention. Boyd & Blair, local purveyors of home-made vodka, provided tastings and won over many new converts.

There was fierce competition for nearly two dozen Silent Auction items, including a great Steelers package (including not only tickets, but other essential paraphernalia including Steeler wrapping paper) and a chance to play hoops 3 on 3 with Pitt Women's Basketball Coach Agnus Berenato.

And let's not forget the popular Restaurant Raffle, which provided guests with the opportunity to win one of 30 gift cards to eateries throughout Pittsburgh.

At the Build It Now: Wall of Community, guests were able to sponsor vital EECM services, from groceries for our Food Pantry clients, to Summer Day Camp for local youth, to breakfast for the homeless men at EECM's shelter.

We were lucky enough to have local Pittsburgh artist Daviea Davis join us the night of the event. Ms. Davis has a marvelous mosaic exhibit on display at the Pittsburgh Glass Center right now. During the event, she created a unique mosaic of EECM's distinctive logo -- with help from event attendees!

Thanks to everyone who attended A Flavor of the East End this year, and we look forward to seeing you (yes, I mean YOU -- the person reading this post!) next year.