Farewell, summer! The pools are closing, the kids are back to school, and autumn is soon upon us. As we all get back into the swing of things, we hope you spend some time checking out updates from our team, happenings from around our communities, job openings, and some recent news articles on important issues facing our region.
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 DeskHelp us Revise and Expand our EJGP Platform! EJGP Full Network Update Join our Next Equity Researchers Working Group Meet-Up Network and Community Updates Big Service Changes: PRT plans to stop service on the 61D, 71A, 71C, 71D to Uptown and Downtown New Study from PCRG: Corporate and Real Estate Investment Purchasing Patterns in the Allegheny County Housing Market Now Hiring! Landforce: Communications Manager Positions at Just Harvest Black Equity Coalition: Data Justice Project Director In the News From PublicSource: Joint Pitt, state studies find link between proximity to fracking and increased cancer rates, asthma attacks, low birth weight From 90.5 WESA: Pa. wants feedback on master plan for older residents From NEXTpittsburgh: Walnut Capital wants special zoning to allow another expansion of Bakery Square |
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From the EJGP Project Team Desk |
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Help us Revise and Expand our EJGP Platform! |
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In late 2020, the Equitable and Just Greater Pittsburgh network developed a 64-page platform that outlines our regional priorities across seven different topic areas: education, climate and environment, food, health, housing, livelihoods, and transportation. Released in March 2021, the platform was always meant to be a living document to be revised, added to, and adapted to remain up-to-date and to address new and additional issues in the region. Over the next few months, we will be working on revising version one and expanding our platform to include new areas on immigrant rights and experiences, voting rights and democracy, public safety and legal justice, and data and technology. We want to build on the plans, platforms, and guides that you have developed or use to guide your equity and justice work! These can be local/regional, national, or international. We also welcome direct input and feedback on our platform revision and expansion. Outreach to interested groups and individuals will begin over the next couple of weeks, so keep an eye out in your inbox! In the meantime, please share with us! |
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Thank you to everyone who joined us for our August EJGP Full Network meeting on supporting and uplifting our LGBTQIA+ community with Dena Stanley of TransYOUniting and Sarah Rosso of the Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation. Dena and Sarah shared their expertise and perspectives on the unique challenges that LGBTQIA+ folks face and on the various intersectional identities that shape those challenges. They suggested ways that our network can get involved and support the great work their organizations are doing. You can view the recording of the session here. Our next Full Network meeting will be on Thursday, October 12th from 9-10:30 AM. We will use this meeting to review and provide input on our Platform revision and expansion work. |
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Equity Researchers Working Group Meet-Up |
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Our next Equity Researchers Working Group meet-up will be Thursday, September 21st, from 4 to 6 PM at Trace Brewing (4312 Main St, Pittsburgh, PA 15224) in the Coolship Room. Please join us as we discuss our work and goals for a new academic year. If you have any questions or would like to join this group, please email Eric at eric@urbankind.org. Community groups and organizations who would like to provide input or learn more about research projects should reach out as well! |
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Network and Community Updates |
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Big Service Changes: PRT plans to stop service on the 61D, 71A, 71C, 71D to Uptown and Downtown |
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Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) has posted a date for major service and route changes coming to the 61D, 71A, 71C, and 71D this Fall. These changes will significantly impact riders going to healthcare centers, universities, jobs, shopping destinations, Pittsburgh neighborhoods, and surrounding boroughs.
If you will be impacted or have thoughts about the upcoming service changes, please sign up to attend the upcoming Pittsburgh Regional Transit meeting on Tuesday, September 12th, at 5:30 PM. You can also sign up to attend Pittsburghers for Public Transit’s next monthly meeting on September 13th at 7 PM to learn how to get more involved. Pittsburghers for Public Transit has published a blog on what these changes would mean for riders and ways to share how these will impact riders’ experience. |
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New Study from PCRG: Corporate and Real Estate Investment Purchasing Patterns in the Allegheny County Housing Market |
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The share of Pittsburgh-area homes purchased by corporations or real estate investors has risen dramatically over the past decade, according to a new study from the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group. The study has three key recommendations: Support federal policy proposals such as the Stop Predatory Investing Act, which would deny certain benefits to corporations which buy 50 or more than 50 new single family rental homes in a year. Adopt land use and land recycling policies that incentivize affordable homeownership opportunities, through new housing construction or housing rehabilitation efforts. Establish procedures and rights for land banks to be able to reallocate unused land resources equitably. Ban unwanted solicitation of home purchasing without the permission of the homeowner and create more transparency in limited liability companies (LLCs) engaged in housing transactions at the city and county level.
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From PublicSource: Joint Pitt, state studies find link between proximity to fracking and increased cancer rates, asthma attacks, low birth weight |
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“While the studies, commissioned in 2019 to research communities near fracking in Southwestern Pennsylvania, did not identify the cause of the health problems, they did conclude that there were numerous correlations." |
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The Cancer and Environment Network of Southwestern PA is holding a panel session to discuss this report this coming Thursday, September 7th, from 12-1 PM. A panel of researchers will discuss implications of the findings, as well as steps for moving forward. Register here to attend. |
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From 90.5 WESA: Pa. wants feedback on master plan for older residents |
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“The Pennsylvania Department of Aging is seeking input on its new strategic plan aimed at improving the lives of older Pennsylvanians. The agency will hold several public listening sessions in the area in September, both online and in person.” |
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From NEXTpittsburgh: Walnut Capital wants special zoning to allow another expansion of Bakery Square |
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“Walnut Capital, which owns Bakery Square, is asking the city to expand its Specially Planned District to include The Village of Eastside strip mall, a 14-acre site that is home to Trader Joe’s, Staples and McDonald’s, along with other stores.” |
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Sharing is Caring ❤️
Have important information, updates, or news for the network? Whether it's an upcoming event, a new community resource, or an inspiring success story, your contribution can have a meaningful impact on those we serve. | | |
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