Sky hand, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0)image from Mattia75′s photostream

“Empowership” is empowerment combined with leadership. Helping high school and college students achieve those goals is the purpose of the Student Empowership 2011 one-day conference. Global Solutions Pittsburgh, Baker Leadership and Carlow Universityare the hosts of the event. Students will receive skills-based training along with a chance to network. Keynote speakers include Penny Semaia, Assistant Athletic Director for Student Life at the University of Pittsburgh and Chaz Kellum, Manager of Diversity Initiatives for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Workshops from which students can choose to attend include Organizing with Social Media, Event Planning, Marketing & Promotion, Activist Toolkit, and much more.

Attendance is free. The only requirement to participate in Student Empowership 2011 is that you must be a high-school or college student and you must pre-register by 4:30 PM on September 30th. Please click here to register.

WHAT: Student Empowership 2011 Conference
WHEN: Saturday, October 1, 2011
9 AM – 4:30 PM (complimentary breakfast and lunch included)
WHERE: Carlow University in A.J. Palumbo Hall

Tucson High Takes to the Streets: 3 of 6, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0)image from cobalt123′s photostream

Luminari, Inc.is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit founded to “foster original activities that broaden minds, inspire innovations and promote community engagement.” Councilman Bill Peduto has worked with Luminari founding member Hilda Pang Fu to help mentor young Pittsburghers to become civic-minded individuals. One of Luminari’s projects is the I Want to be an Ambassador! camp. It’s a seven-day program designed to teach the vital art of diplomacy to 8th to 12th grade students. The teens participate in activities which concentrate on communication skills — especially those which involve negotiating and conflict resolution. It also features cultural field trips, media literacy, introduction to foreign languages and a two-day Washington, D.C. excursion to experience how ambassadors work together to improve our world. I Want to be an Ambassador! camp takes place from Jun 19 – Jun 27, 2012 at the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, PA and in Washington, D.C.

The cost to attend the camp is $1,200.00, but Luminari announced this month that they will provide a merit-based scholarship to attend the camp for Pittsburgh area students who will be in grades 7 through 11 during the 2011-2012 academic school year: The Luminari Award. Luminari will select up to eight area schools to participate in the award competition. Award winners from each school will receive a scholarship for an all-expenses-paid admission to Luminari’s I Want to be an Ambassador!From Luminari:

“We have two goals for the Luminari Award. One is to reward students for their noteworthy personal and academic qualities,” said Luminari founder and President Hilda Pang Fu. “The second goal is to honor the dynamic schools and inspiring teachers who support these students.”

To qualify, schools must commit to opening the competition to all eligible students; and gather at least six successfully completed applications from students in their district. Luminari Award winners will be announced in mid-February 2012.

Ms. Pang Fu said, “We are looking for students who are motivated, open-minded, and willing to learn and be inspired by ‘out-of-the-box’ activities. Winners will attend the I Want to be an Ambassador! camp in June 2012. The camp is committed to young people coming together to discover ways to collaborate, build sustainable working relationships and become agents for positive change in our world.”

For more information on how your school can participate,interested public and private schools should contact Luminari no later than September 30, 2011.Contact Jacqueline McWilliams at 412-877-1888 or at jaq.mcw@gmail.com. Visit Luminari on the web at http://www.luminari.org/.

#2 Pencils, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from kungfubonanza’s photostream

On August 4th, Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Linda Lane announced a proposed District Realignment Plan. The new plan would close seven schools (Fort Pitt PreK-5, Langley High School, Murray K-8, Northview PreK-8, Oliver High School, Shaeffer K-8, Stevens K-8) and seven buildings and open one new school. (click here to view the proposed changes). School Board approval is required to make these changes which would not take effect earlier than the 2012-2013 school year. The earliest the Board can vote on the District Realignment Plan is November 22, 2011.

The reasons for the proposed school closings are due to both declining enrollment and huge budget deficits. From their website:

Pittsburgh Public Schools, like districts across the Commonwealth and the country, is facing daunting financial challenges. When the District adopted the 2011 budget, the problem was smaller but still there – and showed an $8.7 million deficit for 2011 and forecasted a $53.6 million deficit for 2012.With the announcement of the Governor’s proposed funding cuts in March 2011, the District’s projected budget deficit grew to $68 million for 2012 and nearly $100 million in 2015.

There will be a Special Public Hearing on August 22, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. to receive public comment on the District Realignment Plan. This is your chance to make your views known. If you want to speak at this hearing, you must register with the Office of Superintendent of Schools by calling 412-622-3600 by Noon on August 22, 2011. You may also submit written testimony in lieu of appearing at the hearing via email to publichearing@pghboe.net or by fax to 412-622-3624 no later than 5 p.m. on August 22, 2011.

Pittsburgh Public Schools Special Public Hearing
August 22, 2011, 6:00 p.m.
Conference Room A, First Floor
Board of Public Education Administration Building
341 South Bellefield Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213

Generation Gap, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from xflickrx’s photostream

We often hear that Pittsburgh has a relatively high population of elderly residents. However, the latest census data showed a drop in the city’s median age — bucking a longtime trend. How does our area really compare to the rest of the nation? The Brookings Institution’s State of Metropolitan America is an ongoing effort by the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program to chronicle the demographic shifts transforming America’s metropolitan areas and to discusses what these trends imply in terms of public policy. The report has a section devoted to the age of the population. Some key findings from that report can be found here. They note vastly different trends around the country in what they call ‘The Uneven Aging and “Younging” of America.’ Some of their findings may surprise you.

While it’s not surprising that Baby Boomers account for an overall nationwide growth spurt of those in the 45 and older category, the areas of the country — including Pittsburgh — which have the highest concentration of elderly residents are not the areas which are experiencing the most rapid growth of seniors. This is in part due to the phenomenon of “aging in place.” In other words, people who flocked to the Sun Belt from the Snow Belt/Rust Belt for jobs in the last couple of decades have remained there and are now aging there. Whereas, cities like Pittsburgh — which lost population over the years — do not have a large percentage of people now crossing over into their senior years. (We do, however, have an increase in residents who are 85+).

The State of Metropolitan America looks at trends in areas other than age. The report includes breakdowns on the following demographics: population and migration, race and ethnicity, immigration, households and families, educational attainment, work, income and poverty, and commuting. You can read the full report here. Additionally, you can see a breakdown specifically for Pittsburgh on all of the above key indicators here.

AmeriCorps, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from St. Bernard Project’s photostream

GET A TECH JOB THAT HELPS YOUR COMMUNITY

Pittsburgh Cares, in partnership with Google and the HandsOn Network, is now accepting applications for Tech Corps VISTA, a new AmeriCorps VISTA program. The mission of Tech Corps VISTA is to help nonprofits be more effective in their use of technology — such as utilizing cloud based computing and applications specifically designed for the nonprofit community — in order to improve their overall outcomes and services. As posted on the Official Google Blog:

Community service has always been important to us. When thinking of ways we can give back, we often focus on where our strengths lie—namely, in technical knowledge. More and more frequently, Googlers who volunteer note that many incredible nonprofits around the U.S. lack the tech knowledge or resources that could immensely help their operations and their cause. With this in mind, we got together with the HandsOn Network, the volunteer arm of Points of Light Institute, to create the HandsOn Tech Corps, an initiative designed to help nonprofits effectively use technology to further their missions.

Tech Corps VISTA is offering 24 full-time, one-year jobs in seven cities across the United States and Pittsburgh is one of those cities. Participants will receive a biweekly living allowance, health insurance and an education award upon completion of a successful term of service. Members are also eligible for child care assistance and student loan forbearance or deferment. Applicants need to have experience in cloud based solutions and computing, tech support, and a passion for working in the nonprofit sector. You can view the entire position description and desired qualifications here. There’s a three-step applicaton process and the deadline for applying is June 17, 2011. Start your application now.

CMU: Walking to the Sky, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0)image from ajstarks’ photostream

What makes a city desirable as a place in which we want to live? Is there a new American Dream in terms of how we live? These are some of the big questions tackled by a CEOs for Cities Strategy Session last month in Portland, Oregon. CEOs for Cities believes that “quality of talent, quality of place, and quality of opportunity, driven by quality of leadership” is what determines the success of a city and they attempt to nail down the facts on those factors. About 100 urban leaders from across the country gathered in Portland to look at how innovation is shaping cities and to learn why Portland has become a model for attracting talented young people. Councilman Bill Peduto was invited to attend and has been involved with the group since 2007. He has also served as a presenter previously.

The real turnaround for Portland occurred when they demolished a waterfront freeway to make it now largely pedestrianized. As Robert Liberty, Executive Director of the Sustainable Cities Initiative put it, “We changed course not because we are different but became different because we changed course.” Some of that change in course included investment in light rail, streetcar, aerial tram and bicycle infrastructure. Alex Steffen, a world leader on sustainability, futurism and walkable urbanism, noted that, “Being able to live without a car is the gold standard for young people” and “If your city doesn’t offer this option anywhere within it, young people will not move there.” (More reason to celebrate Pittsburgh recently being rated as ”one of America’s safest metropolitan areas for walking.”)

It’s about asking “How can my city be the best version of itself?” Relying less on cars has obvious benefits for the environment, but it also helps to build community when we get out of our individual, private cars and meet our neighbors on the sidewalks and on public transit. But, it’s more than just about lessoning the traffic — it’s about building a culture of DIT (Do It Together). That involves residents relying on each other, such as when a “cluster economy” grows when a particular industry has success and other spin-off companies are created to support it. It also means that the citizens are active in making their city the best that it can be. It means cities which cater to people and people who are enabled to participate in the planning of their cities — placemaking.

The video below features Carol Coletta, who just stepped down as CEO of CEOs for Cities. In it, she talks about the need for a new “American Dream.” One that’s not automobile-centric. One that’s better suited to our new reality and which takes advantage of the ability of urban environments to enact “innovation, opportunity and efficiency.”

Bricks In A Shed, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from yandahi’s photostream

PULSE (Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience) partners with local nonprofits to develop young, talented, university graduates to be the next generation of servant leaders in Pittsburgh to help transform our city. Participants receive mentoring, job training and skill development. They commit to an 11 month work placement with such groups as the Western PA Conservancy, the Andy Warhol Museum, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Venture Outdoors, East End Cooperative Ministry and the Union Project. PULSE has worked with over 100 nonprofit organizations in the past 16 years.  

An important part of the program includes cultivating community by having participants actually live together (currently in a house in the East End of Pittsburgh). Kate Stoltzfus was a past member of the program and she interviews this year’s group of participants at her Yinzpiration blog. They speak of how the program gave them the opportunity to serve the larger community while living in a supportive environment — “a built-in community of people who are also interested in serving in Pittsburgh.”

PULSE will be expanding to a second house in Garfield next year — bringing four additional participants to Pittsburgh for a total of 12. They need to raise an additional $16,000 towards this end. PULSE calls their effort “Building Community: Brick by Brick.” Individuals can purchase a “brick” for $20 each to help them raise the funds. In the spirit of what she learned during her year with PULSE, Kate Stoltzfus has committed to raising $3,000 of the needed $16,000. You can help by going to Kate’s Crowdrise page and donating there.

Complete absorption, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from glindsay65′s photostream

Pittsburgh is Kidsburgh because a group of Pittsburghers are dedicated to making Pittsburgh “the best place for kids on the planet.” As Executive Director of The Grable Foundation, Gregg Behr, puts it, “In one word, “Kidsburgh” conveys an idea and sensibility that Pittsburgh is committed to improving the lives of children.’ Kidsburgh is a portal for all the best that Pittsburgh has to offer to the children in this region. You can go to their website to find “Cool Things to Do with Kids in Pittsburgh,” or news stories of particular interest to parents, or even a slide show of striking images of the next generation of Pittsburghers. You can also sign up there to receive their Kidsburgh is Pittsburgh quarterly newsletter and visit the Kidsburgh page at Pop City.

Kidsburgh was recently featured on an episode of WQED’s onQ. The program took a look at the Kids & Creativity movement. Just as Pittsburgh’s own Fred Rogers used the latest in technology 50 years ago (television), today’s tech leaders are finding new ways to engage kids using the very latest in digital technology. This is not technology for technology’s sake. Rather, it’s a recognition that many of today’s kids are already swimming in a digital sea and that we need to both find a way to keep up with those who are and to ensure that all are well prepared for the jobs of the future. This is technology as a means to an end — to put together the right brain and the left brain and the artist and the technologist.

Please share Kidsburgh with anyone you know who cares about the well-being of kids in our region.

Commencement Processional , a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from Earlham College’s photostream

Did you know that the average debt load for the two-thirds of college students who take out loans to pay for college is $24,000 by the time that they graduate — and that this is up 6% from just a year earlier? Now couple that statistic with one by the Corporation for National & Community Service which ranks millennials as having the lowest rate of volunteerism and you begin to see a bigger problem. Millennials are saddled with huge debts which prevent them from giving the time to service projects and civic engagement that they would like to do and that their community needs.

Enter SponsorChange.org. SponsorChange.org believes both that non-profits deserve the best talent and that higher education should be accessible to everyone and they’ve found a way to make that happen. Their motto is “You Serve. They Sponsor. Change Happens.” It works like this: SponsorChange.org finds donors to raise funds to sponsor service projects at non-profits, they find non-profits who have a need for skilled college graduates for projects, and then they recruit college grads to complete service projects in exchange for student loan payments.

It’s a Pittsburgh-based organization founded by brothers Raymar and Robert Hampshire. They have four main goals:

- Promoting financial literacy among young professionals

- Working together with faith-based organizations to help mobilize its congregations to serve

- Partnering with corporations to create customized employee volunteer programs

- Assisting elected officials in mobilizing young volunteers to government programs

CNN recently aired a piece on SponsorChange.org. It looks at Gretchen Jacobs’ story. SponsorChange.org connected Gretchen with CommuniTeach — an organization which helps people share their skills with their neighbors and learn new ones. CommuniTeach got a motivated college grad who they could not have afforded to hire on their own and Gretchen received valuable professional experience in addition to direct payments to her college loans. A win-win situation.

You can go to SponsorChange.org’s website to sign up to be a donor, a participating recent grad, or a non-profit organization.

Morning Break, a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from NewEndProductions’ photostream

The Shyne Awards recognize the positive achievements of young adults (ages 13 -19) and gives them the opportunity to “shyne.” It’s open to young people in Southwestern PA including Allegheny, Westmoreland, Washington, Greene, Fayette, and Butler counties. Nominations can be made from February 1st to May 1st and the awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at the August Wilson Center in Downtown Pittsburgh. Awards will be given in the following categories:

Academics: The individual must display exemplary academic standing, and community information on how their ability to achieve assists their and will benefit the community-at-large.

Arts: This category includes various forms of the arts including music, dance, vocal and visual arts. The applicant must provide in this area supporting documents that will display and communicate their designated achievements and success.

Community Service: The individual must communicate an area(s) in which they are providing a service to an individual, group or organization. Supporting documents must communicate number of years, time and talents have been donated to a specific cause(s); goals and outcomes applicant wishes to accomplish through their service.

Entrepreneurship: Information about the business, how many years the young adult has been in business, service/product they provide and how their business benefits the consumer/community.

Service in Ministry: Information must be provided about the individual’s involvement in ministerial activities, the length of time serving, the impact and the goals the individual wishes to accomplish serving in this capacity.

Science: This category is designated for young adults who display exemplary talents in one or more of the following areas: chemistry, biology, astronomy, geology and/or physics.

Overcoming Obstacles: This category will spotlight an individual who has encountered an extreme circumstance and chose to rise above and achieve their goals. Examples are, but not limited to, a death, environment, and accident or illness

Young Adult Group: An assemblage of individuals engaged in a collective activity involving, but not limited to, music, ministry, and/or community service.

You can learn more about the award rules here and download an application to nominate a worthy young adult here.

As their website proclaims: “It’s not just an event. It’s a movement!”

Here’s a recap of last year’s awards: