In The News

Don Block, executive director of the literacy council, echoed that sentiment: “It’s been a lifelong mission of mine to work with people who didn’t have educational opportunities through no fault of their own, whether it be because of war like in Hindreen’s case, or other cases in which people had to leave school.

Because the repertoire of the concert presents themes of hope, peace, and unity, the choirs are donating a portion of the proceeds to the Fox Chapel Area School District telethon charity, Live Like Lou. It is a fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation, which focuses on raising money for scientific research to find a cure for ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's Disease), and to support ALS patients and their families. The charity was started by Fox Chapel Area parents Neil and Suzanne Alexander in 2012. When Neil passed away in 2015, his wife continued the work in his honor.

The proposed $2 million amyloidosis research funding plan is dedicated to late Mayor Richard S. Caliguiri.

 “We owe it to future generations to make this film,” Linda Massaro said. “It is a one-of-a-kind documentary. Alzheimer’s deteriorates your mind and your body. And it takes a long time to run its course. The questions you don’t know you’ll be faced with — there are so many of them.” Massaro is busy raising funds for the film, she said, which she hopes will provide a roadmap for families navigating Alzheimer’s disease.

The third biannual Youth Undoing Institutional Racism Weekend (YUIR Weekend), a two-and-a-half-day anti-racist youth organizing training sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee, kick-offs Friday, October 21 and runs through Sunday, October 23 at the Hosanna House located in Wilkinsburg, PA. Fall 2016 YUIR Weekend Pittsburgh is sponsored by American Friends Service Committee in partnership with the Hosanna House, is supported by the curriculum of the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, and received financial support through The Pittsburgh Foundation.

The fundraising push to buy $720,000 worth of land has been aided in part by the Colcom Foundation, with a gift of $80,000, and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which is giving $100,000. The Pittsburgh Foundation jumped in with a gift of $30,000 to aid in the nonprofit's mission of protecting water and natural resources, according to foundation spokesman Doug Root. “These areas have been identified as integral to the biological diversity and strength of Allegheny County. And land conservation is the most effective way to protect water quality,” Root said.

The mortality rate for African American infants is three times the rate for white babies and black children are four times more likely to live in poverty than white children. Black people are more likely to say they are unhappy with life in Pittsburgh and to make plans to leave. In fact, Wallace cited a brain drain among college-educated African Americans. And the more low-income students a school serves, the fewer Pittsburgh Promise-eligible students it produces.

UpPrize is sponsored by The Forbes Funds with challenge partners BNY Mellon and Bridgeway Capital. Comcast is the official media/technology sponsor.

The Pittsburgh Foundation’s extended Day of Giving raised about $5.1 million for nonprofits, including $2.1 million through the 16-hour recovery event on Sept. 21.

Rotary Club of Latrobe and Community Foundation of Westmoreland County grants funded a new kiosk and parklet on Ligonier Street. The kiosk features segments of the city's history, claims to fame and a map.