May/June 2023 EJGP Newsletter |
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School is (almost?) out, the days are getting longer, and vacation plans are coming together! That must mean one thing… Summer is almost here! As we get outdoors to spend time with our communities, stay up to date on what we have been up to and what’s going on around the region with our latest newsletter! Be sure to open the newsletter in your browser to make sure you can see the entire newsletter. |
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From the EJGP Project Team Desk |
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Hiring UpdateMeet our new Community Networks Coordinator: Eric Macadangdang |
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Eric Macadangdang is the new Community Networks Coordinator at UrbanKind Institute, supporting the work of the Equitable and Just Greater Pittsburgh and the Black Environmental Collective. As the job title suggests, Eric is passionate about building strong and sustainable partnerships to bring about transformational change in Pittsburgh. Through his studies and experiences at Pitt and in the Oakland community, he sees how disparate power dynamics and unequal levels of engagement can create poor outcomes for residents. Driven by the belief that all issues are connected, Eric wants everyone to have a stake in shaping their future and challenging the status quo. He is excited to use this role to facilitate that belief. Communications Coordinator Update We are in the process of interviewing some candidates. We will be accepting applications until the position is filled. If you know of someone who might be interested, please share this job description with them, and ask them to apply as soon as possible! |
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Join our June Full Network Meeting |
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Our next Full Network meeting will be Tuesday, June 6th, from 9 - 10:30 AM on Zoom! Join us! The theme of this meeting will be Food Justice and Workforce Development. We are excited to have speakers join us to share their perspective and expertise on the area, including: |
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Americorps Civic Engagement Grant Update |
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Planning for the upcoming Advocacy and Organizer Training continues. The steering committee and project team are finalizing some logistics. Look out for an email from us in June for further information including how potential participants can sign up. In the meantime, start to think of some people who you might know who are involved in their community and who would benefit from this training and from connecting with advocacy and organizing efforts across the county! |
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EJGP's Cross-Community Network |
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Thank you to those who joined us for our CCN meeting on May 17th, where we discussed our purpose and ways that EJGP can better serve our neighborhoods. The Cross-Community Network (EJGP-CCN) is a network of community groups, community-based organizations, and residents who want transformational, people-centered change in their communities and across the Greater Pittsburgh region. Please stay tuned for future CCN meetings in our upcoming newsletters! |
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Level Up: Greater Pittsburgh Pay Equity Campaign |
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Despite being awarded the title of “America’s Most Livable City,” Pittsburgh and the surrounding region continue to struggle with pay equity, especially when it comes to women of color. That is why the Level Up: Greater Pittsburgh Pay Equity Campaign wants to hear from YOU! Your experiences and expertise as a Black woman and employee are vital to helping employers understand the importance of pay equity. To share your testimony as a worker, please visit the Black Women's Policy Center website and click on the "Pay Equity" tab. It's time to LEVEL UP! |
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From the Get the Lead Out Campaign: It’s time for the Allegheny County Board of Health to create a Housing Advisory Committee |
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Article VI is the regulation that grants the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Housing and Community Environment Program the authority to inspect and enforce minimum property standards and public health requirements for dwellings and premises in Allegheny County. The Article defines the requirements for how properties must be maintained inside and outside in order to keep residents and communities safe. It also has not been revised in over 25 years. As the Allegheny County Board of Health considers these revisions, folks from the Get the Lead Out campaign are asking for support in two ways: They have put together a letter calling for a Housing Advisory Committee, which would include advocates and community members, to guide the revision process. You can learn more and sign on here. The Allegheny County Board of Health will hold a public hearing on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at 5 PM to take testimony on the proposed revision of Article VI at the Department of Human Services (1 Smithfield Street, Liberty Room Lower Level Pittsburgh, PA 15222). The Board will also accept written comments until July 10th. The campaign encourages you to learn more about the proposed revisions and to provide input about the changes directly to the county here.
For more information about the Get the Lead Out campaign or if you’d like to get involved, please contact info@gettheleadout.org. |
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Community Input on the Food Justice Fund is Needed! |
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The City of Pittsburgh is working with the Food Justice Fund Committee composed of key stakeholders and community members to present the Food Justice Fund Plan to Council in July. The purpose of the Fund is to repair and rebuild broken food systems through community-led decision-making. The City is looking to gauge broad community input to better understand how the community interacts with the local food system. Please take a moment to complete their survey. Your input is important as the process is completed in order to address neighborhood-based food access challenges. |
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Sign on to Support the Workforce behind the Workforce |
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The Pennsylvania child care sector is in crisis. Unlivable wages of less than $12.50/hr. in this sector are causing a historic workforce shortage that is closing classrooms and driving up wait lists for working mothers and families. Child care providers can’t raise teacher wages because families are already struggling to afford the costs of care. They are also struggling to compete in the labor market, with many sectors offering $20+/hr. for positions that don't require the same levels of education or training. Start Strong PA is asking the Pennsylvania General Assembly to directly invest in a wage scale for child care teachers based on their qualifications. This direct action is needed to recruit and retain qualified teachers. Child care is the “workforce behind the workforce” and as such, the staffing crisis in the child care industry compounds staffing shortages across other sectors. Add your name to the petition by Friday, June 2nd! |
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Share your priorities on the 2024 City Budget It is budget preparation season for the City of Pittsburgh, which means now is the time to give your input! Throughout May, the City hosted several in-person engagement meetings in different communities. There are two in-person meetings left: Thursday, June 1st at 6 PM at the Sheraden Senior Center (720 Sherwood Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15204) Wednesday, June 7th at 6 PM at the Homewood Senior Center (7321 Frankstown Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208)
There is also an online survey that residents can complete to share their feedback on the 2024 operating and capital budgets. Complete the survey by June 9th! |
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Provide Input on the the Region’s Long Range Transportation Plan |
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The Southwest PA Commission (SPC) is the planning body that serves the ten county region around and including Allegheny County around issues of transportation, planning and development, and information systems. It provides funding for PRT and municipalities as well as planning around big projects. The SPC is currently accepting public input on their long range transportation plan, called SmartMoves for a Changing Region. You can learn more about the plan here. |
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Now Hiring: Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Network |
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The Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Network is seeking a Strategic Network Coordinator. This is a full-time one-year remote position (anticipated to be renewable) which does require some travel. The successful candidate must live in the region. Review of applications will begin on June 1st. The goal of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Network is to develop relationships with regional stakeholders to achieve the vision that Southwestern Pennsylvania water resources are sustainably, equitably, and collaboratively managed to protect public health and the environment, enhance community and system resilience, and deliver economic, ecological, and social benefits for all people of the region. |
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Join the Network and Share Your Neighborhood and Topic Area Updates and Information! |
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Want to share your upcoming initiatives and events with our network? It's as easy as 1-2-3! Email your upcoming event, petition, report, survey, or job opportunity to info@ejgp.org Be sure to include any vital information such as deadlines, registration links, and/or eligibility criteria Follow us @ejgppgh on Facebook and Instagram and don't forget to like and share our #EJGPtopics post to grow the network!
Looking for information related to a specific topic? Search the hashtags #ejgpfood #ejgphousing #ejgplivelihoods #ejgpenvironment
#ejgpeducation #ejgptransportation #ejgphealth #ejgpneighborhoods
Visit our website www.ejgp.org and leave your email to sign up for our newsletter! |
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