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Contents
Message from the CEO
About MVI
Revitalizing Community
Revitalizing Self
MVI Financials
4
5-10
11-21
22-31
32-34
Message from the CEOWelcome to the 2013-2015 Report from Mon Valley Initiative! We achieved some very exciting
milestones during the past three years, including celebrating our 25th year of operation in 2013. We
all enjoyed taking a moment to celebrate and reflect on our collective work and accomplishments, and
it was a great opportunity to thank 25 “Wave Makers” who played significant roles in MVI’s growth
and success over many years. Also, over the past three years, we have enjoyed record-breaking
outcomes in our Workforce & Business Development program and made some very important
contributions in real estate development and community planning, despite generally decreasing
government resources for this work.
These successes represent intense collaboration between MVI’s Board of Delegates and staff, our
CDC members, community volunteers, local officials, and numerous other stakeholders. A broad
array of people and organizations were engaged in our efforts to envision the future and plan the work.
Many of these accomplishments are the harvest from small seeds that were sown years ago by the
tireless efforts of our staff and volunteers. As we celebrate these important outcomes, we recognize
that we must continue to think strategically and assess the many changes to our communities and
the entire context in which we work. We want to continue to plant new seeds that can grow and
provide a beneficial future harvest.
In order to ensure that we are planting the right seeds to accomplish our mission of “uniting the
communities and restoring the economic vitality of the Mon Valley,” MVI’s Board began to undertake a
governance assessment and strategic planning process in late 2015. This process is helping the MVI
Board, staff, and our many CDC members to step back and consider our work and our environment
with fresh eyes.
Much has been accomplished since the early days when MVI first formed in response to the economic
and social devastation caused by the closure of major steel mills and related industries in the 1980s.
But the Mon Valley is still suffering from the severe impacts that those changes brought and we
continue to see economic disparity and poverty in our communities even thirty years later. Through
the strategic planning work, we are asking ourselves how we can be more effective in accomplishing
our mission because it is clear that much remains to be done. I am truly grateful for the leadership of
the MVI Board members who have welcomed the opportunity to engage in taking an honest look at
ourselves and our environment to learn from our past, understand our present, and envision our future.
We are deeply grateful for the vital resources that so many of you have already shared with MVI and
we hope that you will continue to partner with us in creating a brighter future for the Mon Valley!
Laura R. Zinski, CEO 4
About MVI
MVIThe Mon Valley Initiative (MVI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, grassroots coalition comprised of 10 Community Development Corporations (CDCs) representing twelve municipalities in the Monongahela Valley. The coalition was formed after the collapse of the steel industry in the 1980s, leaving member communities with thousands unemployed and without the tax base of those major landowners. MVI strives to meet the needs of its member communities through work in four program areas: Community Outreach, Housing & Real Estate Development, Housing Counseling, and Workforce & Business Development.
MVI Coalition Members:
Braddock Economic Development Corporation (BEDCO)
Downtown West Newton, Inc. (DWNI)
East Pittsburgh Economic Development Corporation (EPEDC)
Greater Charleroi Community Development Corporation (GCCDC)
Homestead-area Economic Revitalization Corporation (HERC)
Monessen Community Development Corporation (MCDC)
North Braddock Cares, Inc. (NBC)
Rankin Community Development Corporation (RCDC)
Swissvale Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO)
Turtle Creek Development Corporation (TCDC)
“Working together to unite the communities and restore the
economic vitality of the Mon Valley.”
MVI Mission Statement
5
Housing & Real Estate Development
Community Outreach
The Community Outreach Team supports and
engages the individual CDC and MVI Board
members. The Team helps build connections to
ensure that the MVI coalition remains strong and
deeply engaged at the local level. The Outreach
Team provides guidance at CDC meetings and
assists in building capacity to initiate grassroots
projects and community events in each member
community. The Team also coordinates special
events, runs social media, and provides support
to the other program areas.
Housing & Real Estate Development
The Housing & Real Estate Development
Team provides key services to MVI member
communities by building and renovating real
estate for residential and commercial purposes.
The Team has participated and taken the lead
in implementing many major municipal planning
efforts including the development of updated
zoning and related ordinances. The efforts of the
Team are linked to higher property values in the
communities served and increased wealth and
stability for buyers and tenants.
Workforce & Business Development
The Workforce & Business Development Team
assists unemployed and under-employed Mon
Valley residents to become prepared for and
able to access employment opportunities that
exist in the region. In particular, our program has
become a top choice for formerly-incarcerated
individuals who need assistance to address the
barriers they face as they re-enter the workforce.
The Team works diligently to form relationships
with both job-seekers and employers in order to
make the best possible matches.
ProgramsCommunity Outreach
Housing Counseling
Workforce & Business Development
Housing Counseling
The Housing Counseling Team provides direct
counseling to interested homebuyers, helping
them to understand and financially prepare
for homeownership. The Team helps these
individuals overcome potential obstacles, and
after counseling, many successfully go on to
purchase a home. Additionally, MVI serves as
a HUD-funded National Housing Counseling
Intermediary Agency, responsible for securing and
monitoring HUD funding for housing counseling
agencies across the United States.
6
Board of Delegates
BEDCO
Tina Doose (D) 2013
Jeb Feldman (D) 2014, 2015
David Rosenstraus (A) 2013, 2014, 2015
Vearlee Turner (A) 2014
DWNI
Barbara LaFace (D) 2013 (A), 2014, 2015
Mark Bowers (A) 2013 (D), 2014, 2015
Marlene Yurkovich (A) 2015
EPEDC
Mary Carol Kennedy (D) 2013, 2014, 2015
Maureen Cusack (A) 2013, 2014, 2015
Gloria Wilson (A) 2013
Fr. Mike Egenlauf-Singer (A) 2015
GCCDC
Alix Garlitz (D) 2013, 2014, 2015
Sid Simsic (A) 2013, 2014, 2015
Adele Hopkins (A) 2015
HERC
Rick Capp (D) 2013
Denine Hood (D) 2013 (A), 2014, 2015
Barata Bey (A) 2014, 2015
Ashley Baxter (A) 2015
MCDC
Geraldine Pergola (D) 2013
John Harhai (D) 2013 (A), 2014, 2015
Tom Jones (A) 2013
Alec Dick (A) 2014, 2015
Delmar Hepple (A) 2015
NBC
Jan Kazlauskas (D) 2013
Victoria Vargo (D) 2013 (A), 2014, 2015
Alicia Murray (A) 2013
Alison Flora (A) 2014, 2015
Manaya King (A) 2015
RCDC
William Pfoff (D) 2013, 2014, 2015
Valeria Jones (A) 2013
Dan Norman (A) 2014, 2015
Anita Cioppa (A) 2015
SEDCO
Veryl Lawson (D) 2013, 2014, 2015
Tim Ward (A) 2013, 2014
Eric Baldwin (A) 2015
TCDC
Dale Bizub (D) 2013, 2014, 2015
Janet Elder (A) 2013, 2014
Marlena Buterbaugh (A) 2015
D- Delegate A- Alternate Delegate
7
2015
Dale Bizub (TCDC), Chairperson
Victoria Vargo (NBC), Vice Chairperson
Barbara LaFace (DWNI), Treasurer
Alix Garlitz (GCCDC), Secretary
2013
Tina Doose (BEDCO), Chairperson
Dale Bizub (TCDC), Vice Chairperson
Mary Carol Kennedy (EPEDC), Treasurer
Veryl Lawson (SEDCO), Secretary
2014
Dale Bizub (TCDC), Chairperson
Victoria Vargo (NBC), Vice Chairperson
Mary Carol Kennedy (EPEDC), Treasurer
Veryl Lawson (SEDCO), Secretary
MVI Officers
Tina Doose, MVI Chairperson 2011-2013
Dale Bizub, MVI Chairperson 2014-2016
8
25th Year Anniversary Gala
On October 24, 2013, MVI came together to celebrate its 25th Year Anniversary. The anniversary was marked by recognizing 25 “Wave Makers” who have had a significant impact on the organization over the years, many of whom were able to join us at the Gala.
MVI “Wave Makers”
Pictured on left side of stairs: Mr. Henry Beukema, Mr. John Botti, Mr. Rick Savido, Ms. Stephanie Cipriani, Senator Jay Costa, Ms. Jane Downing, Ms. Suzan Lami, Mr. Scott Brown, Ms. Pearl Williams, Mr. Mike Eichler, and Mr Rick Dunn.
Pictured on right side of stairs: Mr. Dale Bizub, Ms. Tina Doose, Ms. Adele Hopkins, Ms. Barbara Edwards, Ms. Mary Carol Kennedy, Ms. Mary Dunn, Mr. George Burroughs, Mr. Michael Solomon, Mr. Jeff Brooks, and Ms. Nadine Mehok representing her mother, Ms. Mary Kay Mehok.
Wave Makers not pictured: Mr. Dennis Davin, Mr. Brian Hudson, Ms. Ellen Kight, and in cherished memory, Ms. Ann Peelor.
“ I alone cannot change the world but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” -Mother Teresa
9
MVI’s Housing & Real Estate Development Team works with local CDCs to move toward a renewed community by implementing a
diverse range of resident-identified revitalization strategies, including homeownership,
historic preservation, planning, multi-family development, parks and public infrastructure
improvements, and commercial development and marketing efforts. The depth and
diversity of the program’s approach creates a significant impact in our communities.
The Team identifies potential projects by working closely with CDC members, and
through strategic investment, is able to stabilize and increase property values.
MVI’s Community Outreach Team
works to build the ties that bind our coalition together. Cooperating closely with the
Housing & Real Estate Development Team and our CDCs, the Community Outreach
Team works to form a comprehensive approach to community development. The Team
engages member CDCs and their communities in planning and zoning efforts, while
assisting each organization to meet its local goals.
Revitalizing Community
11
Rental Housing
With dozens of houses completely renovated
and sold through MVI’s Rehab for Resale
program and HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization
Program, our member communities experienced
some remarkable milestones in 2011 and 2012.
For the first time, sale prices of over $100,000
were achieved for rehabilitated homes in East
Pittsburgh, Rankin, Swissvale, and Turtle Creek.
Market interest and appraisals supported our
strong belief that quality homes with fantastic
design features would attract a variety of buyers.
It was very clear that MVI’s real estate efforts were
addressing our mission of “helping to restore
the economic vitality” of our communities. After
years of focusing on homeownership, 2013-2015
marked a renewed focus on rental opportunities.
Understanding that healthy and vibrant
neighborhoods include a diverse mix of housing
options, MVI and its member CDCs agreed that
there was a real and continued need for quality
rental housing. There was also a definite desire to
address mixed-use, historic downtown buildings.
In many areas, the construction of large, new
Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) financed
rental complexes ensured that households with
the lowest incomes had desirable and affordable
rental options. However, the resounding feedback
was of an increasing lack of quality rental options
for people at other income levels. In some of our
member communities, we saw life-long residents
move to neighboring towns because they simply
could no longer maintain homeownership (or live
on multiple levels), but had incomes just over
the limits to qualify for newly-developed LIHTC
rental housing.
MVI and our CDCs tackled this challenge to
diversify the rental market to serve all income
limits and restore historic buildings and downtown
areas through major projects funded in Braddock,
East Pittsburgh, Monessen, and Turtle Creek.
Three of the four developments are mixed-
income, meaning that in addition to units set
aside for households at lower income brackets,
some units are available for households making
higher incomes. These projects include three
historic and prominent downtown buildings as
well as a scattered-site residential development.
In addition, two developments include first
floor commercial spaces to further reinvigorate
downtown areas.
13
In East Pittsburgh, the former Slovak Social
Club saw the start of the renovation of its two
upper floors into open-concept, one-bedroom
apartments in 2015. This property is adjacent
to another MVI rental property and is across
the street from the municipal gymnasium and a
Sprout mural that MVI and the East Pittsburgh
Economic Development Corporation (EPEDC)
sponsored in 2006. Half of the rental units in this
development will be targeted to households with
incomes of up to 80% of area median income.
The project will be completed in mid-2016.
In Braddock, the four properties referred to as the
Free Press Buildings, a $1.65 million restoration
project, are located along Braddock Avenue. The
historic structures were identified by the community
as a priority during a Braddock Avenue visioning
process in 2011. With assistance from Allegheny
County, MVI was able to acquire the properties,
address significant deterioration, and ultimately
complete a total renovation. MVI held a ribbon
cutting to celebrate the completion of this project
in October 2015. The buildings now consist of
seven commercial spaces and seven residential
apartments targeted to tenants with varying income
levels. In all, the project restores 28,000 square
feet to the tax rolls, providing a boost to the local
economy.
14
In Monessen, the former Eisenberg’s Department
Store, for generations a hub of commerce and
the most up-to-date fashions, will be transformed
into 13 units of mixed income loft apartments
after sitting vacant for 15 years. This community
anchor, built in 1916, will retain its appearance
and will be sensitively reconfigured to take
advantage of the remaining historic features.
Located in the heart of Monessen’s downtown,
less than a block away from its newly renovated
library and greenspace, units will serve a wide
range of income levels. This project was funded
in 2014 and 2015 and construction will begin in
2016.
In Turtle Creek, MVI rehabilitated 12 rental
units while keeping the tenants in place. In
addition, an adjacent property was acquired
and developed into two additional units as
part of the “Grant Street Renaissance.” This
development, originally renovated and owned
by the Turtle Creek Development Corporation
(TCDC), transferred to MVI at the end of 2013,
with construction taking place in 2015. The
additional parcels acquired will be used to
increase parking and greenspace.
15
Job Creation Through Real Estate Development
Through our real estate work, MVI creates many contracting and construction jobs. In both our larger
development projects and our single home rehab contracts, we strive to keep a diverse workforce
that reflects the communities in which we work. In the last three years, our projects have far exceeded
expectations and have substantially topped the 15% goal of utilizing Women Business Enterprises
(WBE) and Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), set by Allegheny County Economic Development.
The chart below outlines WBE and MBE participation as a percentage of total contracts awarded by
the County:
16
Taylor Construction
The Housing & Real Estate Team has hired Taylor Construction and Development, a minority-owned
business, for many projects. The owner, Shawn Taylor, began the company with the goal of helping
customers get what they want within their budget. The motto of the company is, “Good people, great
work.”
Taylor Construction and Development has delivered on their motto, providing excellent work, at times
within tight budgets. Since 2013, MVI has hired Taylor Construction as the general contractor for the
Grant Street Apartments and 307 Sara Street in Turtle Creek; 809 Meadow Avenue, 203 ½ Meadow
Avenue, and 203 Prospect Avenue in Charleroi; as well as 928 Leeds Avenue and 1404 Leeds Avenue
in Monessen. Through these projects, MVI has provided Taylor Construction with over $1.4 million in
general contracting work, and this company has provided MVI with the high quality products we are
committed to delivering in our communities.
Before: 928 Leeds AvenueShawn Taylor After: 928 Leeds Avenue
17
Community Planning & Zoning Initiatives
In some Mon Valley communities that are struggling to provide basic services with limited tax
revenues, being proactive in conducting planning and zoning updates has been very difficult.
This is especially true for those that have been or still remain designated as Act 47 Distressed
municipalities. These efforts require professional expertise in partnership with significant community
conversation and engagement, items that require serious investment of scarce resources (time and
money). With the departure of the steel industry in the 1980s, for many years these communities
have been forced to manage decline rather than envision how to grow. Because of this reality, we
have seen community plans and zoning ordinances getting further and further out of date. These
are important civic tools and when they lose their relevance in guiding the community toward its
ideal vision, it is almost impossible for beneficial new development to occur. As we learned from
several real estate market studies done within the last few years, some developers were unable to
even determine what the zoning was on a parcel of property they were interested in acquiring. Other
developers were welcomed and provided with zoning variances that were not actually legal. Old
plans and outdated zoning lend themselves to be ignored. This often means that any development
that does occur is rarely considered in the broader context of community-wide goals and needs,
or whether it could be leveraged into something more.
18
Increasingly, and especially over the past three years, several MVI communities have been faced
with a seemingly new issue – market demand for new uses, new construction, and redevelopment.
With a clear understanding of the state of local planning and zoning in our member communities,
MVI engaged in a new focus area: we are now offering assistance to our communities to strategically
plan for their futures, and in six instances, MVI brought financial and/or staffing resources to assist
with the development of new, community-driven zoning ordinances. We helped to engage skilled
consultants, attracted resident participation through the work of the MVI Community Outreach
Team, and helped guide discussions utilizing the expertise of the MVI Real Estate Team, who
provided real-life examples of challenges and market-based potential in each community. New
zoning ordinances are being tailored exclusively to each community through this process. Residents
and interested parties were educated on both the roles of the municipal Planning Commission
and the Zoning Hearing Board. People learned that sensible and updated ordinances, responsibly
administered, could not only encourage wise development, but actually attract skilled developers
and new projects.
In each community, we spent over a year crafting new zoning ordinances. Many who participated in
the process are now watching and following the administration of the new ordinances as needed,
supporting Borough Councils and staff. As a result of MVI’s work, we are seeing interested residents
stepping up to volunteer as local Planning Commissioners. Most rewarding is hearing from developers
who note that the clear plans and new zoning ordinances are making it more likely that they will look
at, rather than past, our communities when considering where to make their investments.
19
Recycle Park
North Braddock Cares, Inc. (NBC), the Carnegie Museum of Art (CMoA), the Braddock Carnegie Library
(BCL), and local arts group, Transformazium, partnered to revitalize “Recycle Park” in North Braddock.
Following CMoA’s 2013 International exhibition, a small team of professional architects and CMoA
education staff were recruited to join the Recycle Park Project to help develop this park into a community
asset that would have a lasting impact on the North Braddock community and the region as a whole.
Recycle Park, located at the corner of Bell Avenue and Verona Street, is a once-vibrant playground that
fell into disrepair and now contains only the skeletons of old playground equipment. The name “Recycle
Park” reflects the second life of the park and the community’s desire to revitalize it by repurposing
materials found in the neighborhood.
In 2015, NBC received two grants to continue work on Recycle Park. Funding through Vibrant Pittsburgh
and the Jewish Federation enabled the volunteer group to contract with architects and an artist through
the CMoA for the summer of 2015. They worked with local children to craft their vision for seating and
tables at the park, and made them a reality through several community-build sessions. A Fresh Paint
Days Pennsylvania grant from Keep PA Beautiful allowed NBC to paint the concrete walls surrounding
the park a vibrant mosaic blue in September 2015. With help from Braddock Tiles, work also began on
creating a colorfully-tiled entryway to the park.
NBC sees itself as having a leading role in being a catalyst for change in the neighborhood, beginning
with its ongoing efforts at Recycle Park.
20
Make Swissvale Home
On April 30, 2015, over 50 people gathered at D’s Six Pax and Dogz in Regent Square to eat, drink, and
learn how they could “Make Swissvale Home.”
Following a presentation by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage on the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA)
203(k) renovation loan program, the homeownership opportunity highlighted at this event, everyone
headed out into the community on a self-guided tour of seven hand-selected, for-sale Swissvale
properties that were excellent candidates for the 203(k) program. Members of the Swissvale Economic
Development Corporation (SEDCO) were stationed in each of the homes to highlight the renovation
potential to prospective buyers.
“We know that Swissvale has so much going for it – we have a great location, great neighborhoods, and we
are close to where you want to be,” said Deneen Swartzwelder, Mayor of Swissvale Borough and SEDCO
member. “Sometimes properties need some extra love and attention, and we want to match our available
tools and our homes with the right person who wants to become part of Swissvale’s awesome vibe.”
As a part of the event, SEDCO offered a $1,000 grant in down payment and closing cost assistance to
the first 10 homebuyers that utilized the 203(k) renovation loan program to purchase a home in Swissvale.
SEDCO partnered with MVI, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, and RennoReady to host “Make Swissvale
Home,” with the goal of increasing homeownership in Swissvale. Three homes featured on the tour
were sold in 2015.21
Revitalizing Self
The financial stability and self-sufficiency of individuals within a community largely
determines the longevity of any achievements of community revitalization efforts. This is
why the family and individual services offered by our Housing Counseling and Workforce
& Business Development Programs are so integral to the success of MVI’s programming
as a whole.
MVI’s Housing Counseling Programhas continued to have success offering housing counseling in both individual and group
settings. Our Housing Counselor meets with potential homebuyers to help them better
understand their finances, obtain mortgage loans, and take the necessary financial steps
toward homeownership. Additionally, in its role as a HUD National Intermediary, MVI
has assisted its network agencies to leverage millions of dollars and provide housing
counseling services to thousands of households across the nation.
MVI’s Workforce & Business Development Program
assists job seekers in gaining employment as a primary step toward financial self-
sufficiency. The Team provides assistance through a three-part curriculum: “Know
Yourself, Know the Market, Make the Match.” Through this process, participants
gain a better understanding of their assets, learn of resources available to them, and
meet with potential employers to learn about career paths within local companies.
22
Housing Counseling
At the local level, MVI’s Housing Counseling Program provides pre-purchase housing counseling
and homebuyer education in individual and group workshop settings. Through MVI’s program,
participants are able to meet directly with a Housing Counselor to learn the appropriate steps
to manage their finances in order to purchase and keep a home.
Additionally, as a result of a partnership with NeighborWorks® Western PA, the Team has been
able to provide a mortgage default and delinquency referral service to individuals and families who
are behind on making their mortgage payments or who may already be in foreclosure. Fortunately,
requests for this service have decreased over the past three years, as a result of the mitigation of
the national foreclosure crisis.
23
As a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Intermediary, MVI provides HUD grant funding to its national
network of housing counseling agencies. These core operational funds then provide agencies with the
leverage they need to obtain funding from additional supporters.
From 2013-2015, MVI directed the completion and submission of grant applications for 26 network
agencies. Because MVI has primary HUD grant compliance and oversight responsibilities, management
staff of member agencies are able to devote more time to delivering services. Additionally, each member
agency can seek the advice and expertise of staff from other network agencies, maximizing resources
to ensure that all agencies have the greatest possible impact.
16,562
8,748
2,711
3,430
221
Participants Receiving Pre-Purchase Counseling
Homeless Participants Served
Participants Counseled on Rental Housing
Participants Counseled in Home Maintenance and Homeowner Financial Management
Participants Counseled in Resolving or Preventing Mortgage Delinquency
HUD Intermediary
24
Nyesha’s Story
The Housing Counseling Team measures their success not only through statistics but through success
stories, such as this one:
Nyesha, a single mother of four, wanted to explore her ability to purchase a home of her own and was
referred to MVI’s Housing Counseling Program. At the time of her referral, Nyesha was making rent
payments of $600 per month, yet realized she and her children were out-growing their small apartment.
She felt secure in her employment and was determined to work towards homeownership. As the main
provider for her family, she had already learned how to manage her credit and debt load, but she knew
that she could not afford to let her expenses spiral out of control.
When Nyesha arrived at MVI, her credit score was reasonable, but she learned that it could improve.
MVI’s Housing Counselor noted a number of accounts on the credit report that needed to be corrected
and Nyesha quickly took action to resolve those issues. Additionally, the Housing Counselor identified
that the biggest obstacle for Nyesha would be to find a way to save money while providing for her family.
25
Together they worked to devise a realistic budget.
A few months later, Nyesha contacted MVI again. She had resolved the problems with her creditors, her
credit score was showing improvement, and her tax refund was on the way. MVI’s Housing Counselor
helped her to review mortgage options. Nyesha was successful in obtaining a pre-approval for a mortgage
and began looking for a home that would fit the needs of her family. When she found the home that met
her budget and had the amenities she desired, (which happened to be an MVI Rehab for Resale home),
MVI’s Housing Counselor also assisted her in obtaining a combination of public and private financial
assistance to make the home even more affordable.
After a little more than one year since beginning to work with MVI’s Housing Counseling Program,
Nyesha had become a homeowner. The home was already fully renovated with updated energy-
efficient mechanicals, a finished basement, and plenty of room for her kids. Nyesha’s persistence and
commitment paid off for her and her family as they now enjoy their new home.
26
MVI’s Workforce & Business Development Program has been helping job-seekers find
employment since the Team was established in 2000. While helping individuals to “land the
job” has always been the top priority, it became apparent early on that many of the participants
could also benefit from tapping into other services and programs to help stabilize their overall
financial position. Over the years, the Team has worked with participants to identify programs
and partners that could offer other types of assistance (beyond employment services) to
complement the direct support offered by MVI. The combination of these services has provided
the boost needed to help individuals move closer to reaching their personal goals.
With the Workforce & Business Development Program already embracing this broader approach
in the delivery of career development services, MVI was excited to learn of the opportunity
to apply to be recognized as a Financial Opportunity Center (FOC). In collaboration with
Neighborhood Allies and with support from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), MVI
became one of three new local FOCs. FOCs are career and personal financial service centers
that focus on the financial bottom line for low-to-moderate income individuals. This means
guiding individuals to change their financial behavior by making a long-term commitment to
increasing income, decreasing expenses, and acquiring assets.
FOCs provide families and individuals with services across three areas: employment services,
financial education and coaching, and access to public benefits. These core services are
offered in an integrated way to provide a comprehensive approach to employment, financial
capability, and personal wealth building.
Workforce & Business Development – Financial Opportunity Center
27
Southwestern Pennsylvania Re-Entry Coalition (SPARC)
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Re-Entry Coalition (SPARC) was formed through collaboration amongst
agencies in Southwestern Pennsylvania as an effort to coordinate resources for individuals whose criminal
record creates barriers to self-sufficiency.
In the last three years, SPARC has hosted events including “How to Get and Clean Up Your PA Rap Sheet,”
various “Lunch and Learn” sessions, and the “Life Without Bars” conferences. Through these events,
job seekers learn how to obtain their record, determine what can be corrected or expunged, and how to
address their criminal record with potential employers. Agencies attending these events learn about the
critical issues that face formerly-incarcerated individuals and discuss innovative strategies to address
them. To increase collaboration, the “Life Without Bars” Conference brings agencies who contribute to the
prisoner re-entry process together with job seekers going through that process, providing strategies and
solutions to effectively re-integrate individuals with criminal backgrounds into Southwestern Pennsylvania
communities. At the conferences, participants learn about resources for transportation, establishing good
credit, and re-unifying families. Also, employers provide perspectives on hiring individuals with a criminal
background. In 2015, over 100 individuals attended each day of the two-day event and the program
concluded with a resource fair with over 20 service providers participating.
30
Jerry’s Story
Jerry had been unemployed for over a year when he
learned about MVI while visiting a local job fair. He
quickly contacted MVI and enrolled in the Workforce
& Business Development Program in February 2015.
Jerry was a veteran and a Commercial Driver’s License
(CDL) Driver by trade, but he had trouble finding
work because of his criminal record. Jerry’s financial
situation had reached a critical point, and he was
serious about finding employment. He was present
for every Job Club, on-site employer presentation,
and training program that MVI offered. He was always
dressed professionally in a suit and tie because he did
not want to miss any opportunity. Jerry also worked
hard at learning how to explain his criminal record to
employers and perfected his interviewing skills.
Before long, Jerry attended UPMC’s on-site
recruitment event at MVI, and the UPMC Human
Resources (HR) Manager was extremely impressed
with him. Jerry was dressed for the part, and he confidently explained his legal history and qualifications
for the position that he was interested in pursuing. The HR Manager asked Jerry’s MVI Workforce
Development Specialist/Financial Coach to email him Jerry’s resume and other information. The following
week, Jerry was called in to UPMC for an interview, and within one week he was hired as a shuttle
driver, earning $12.00 per hour. Jerry was grateful to MVI and continues to come back as a speaker at
Orientation sessions to offer a story of hope and success to other job seekers in our program.
31
Thanks to Our Corporate, Foundation, and Government Contributors
Corporations FoundationsBenevity Community Impact FundC. W. Benedum FoundationG. C. Murphy FoundationPOISE FoundationPNC FoundationRoy A. Hunt FoundationStandard Charitable FoundationThe Heinz EndowmentsThe Pittsburgh FoundationWagner Family Charitable Trust
Government
Air Technology Inc.BNY MellonCitizens BankCommunity Design CenterDisaster Restoration ServicesDollar BankDowntown West Newton, Inc.Dundee ConstructionDuquesne LightEnterprise Zone Corporation of BraddockEQT CorporationFifth Third BankFirst Niagara BankHighmark CorporationHuman Services Center CorporationLGA PartnersLhormer Real Estate AgencyLocal Initiatives Support CorporationMcGee, Maruca & Associates P.C.Mistick ConstructionNeighborhood AlliesNETCOPlummer Slade PNC BankSteel Valley Arts CouncilThree Rivers Workforce Investment BoardTotal Development ConceptTurtle Creek Development CorporationUnited Way of Allegheny CountyUnited Way of Allegheny County Maurice Falk
Endowment FundWells FargoWesBanco Bank
Allegheny County Economic DevelopmentAllegheny County Department of Human ServicesPennsylvania Housing Finance AgencyRedevelopment Authority of the County of WashingtonU.S. Department of Housing & Urban DevelopmentWestmoreland County Department of
Planning & Development
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Anonymous Edith AbeytaSharon & Skip AlbertsLeanne AurichLinda BabcockJohn BachettiGail BachyNancy BakerEric BaldwinMary Kate BartleyEvelyn BenzoSilvia BessonartBarata BeyJohn BixlerDale BizubBethany BloiseCynthia BloiseDaniel & Deborah BookerChristina BostickJohn BottiJefferson BrooksScott BrownAnthony BubaAlethia BushMarlena ButerbaughCheryle CampbellRick & Annette CappAnita CioppaStephanie CiprianiTimothy CloughertyRichard & Lorraine ConleyBarry CoursonMaureen CusackSharon CusackFrancis & Nancy DaleyPatricia & Dennis DamicoLarry DavisTina DooseCharles & Deborah DrummondDr. Martin DudasMichael EichlerJanet ElderStephanie EsonGeorge FausoldColleen FedorJeb FeldmanMark FeldmanMegan Finnerty
James & Jane FlahertyJoseph P. Flynn, Jr.Regis FordSharyn GallagherAlix GarlitzLora GasiewskiBill GattiDavid GibsonDavid GillilandCourt & Sherri GouldDeborah GrassDavid & Nancy GreenJohn HammerJohn HarhaiCarey HarrisRon & Leslie HartmanJudith HarveyDonn & Lorraine HendersonCharles & Melanie HendrixSusan HockenberryDana HodgeApril & Josh HooverHarold & Tina HribalThomas & Priscilla JackmanJoel JenkinsDaniel JenkinsPeter KellarColin KelleyMary Carol KennedyEllen KightVon Kim Do TrinhSara Mae KruzanBarbara LaFacePatrick LaniganVeryl LawsonLarry & Claire LevineBob MaceyWalter Malich, Jr.Benjamin MarkleJanice McMannisHarold & Sharon MillerRobert MistickJay & Suzan MohneyPatricia MoyerSamson MurageZinat Naderi Aaron & Meredith NelsonKerry O’Donnell
Doris & Lawrence PatchelLinda PatchelGeraldine PergolaWilliam PfoffMike & Mandie RadichKenneth & Judy RagerDarrell RappCurtis & Tracey ReavesDavid & Marie ReeseDonald & Sherlyn RichesonErica RogersChrista RossGinger RumphJoy SablDaniel SantoroBeth SavageRicardo SavidoLen SchocklingHenry & Lori SchultzPatrick & Tamara ShattuckPaul & Gwendolyn SimmonsStacey SimonSidonia SimsicMichael & Mary SolomonF. Charles SpenceSteve TaylorSonya TilghmanArthur TintoriMichael TobiasJason TogyerEdward Trdina, Jr.Victoria VargoGina VelarRichard & Susan WallaceTim & Terry WardMallory WatkinsJonathan WeaverMark WesselJo Ellen WelshJohn WerlingGladys WheelerSheila WhiteDale YoungMatthew & Marlene YurkovichAnthony ZabiegalskiRonald & Laura Zinski
Thanks to Our Individual Donors
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