Newsletter fall 2005

families in hardship and poverty. Without reliable and affordable transportation, it required. Most workers receive their cars with employment needs, but this is usually collaborative effort to help local workers George and Susanne Dull of Fox Chapel purchase low-cost, reliable vehicles.
groups can refer individuals and families volunteer together for Free Rides for Seniors. NHCO now operates Community Auto’s
in need of affordable, reliable vehicles.
is to “make vehicle ownership affordable to the Department of Public Welfare’s
Vehicle Grant Program, which can pay
From May through August, Free
program at Family Services of Western
Rides for Seniors, which is part of
transportation for getting to work and to PA can provide a loan.
NHCO’s Faith in Action-Hartwood
meet other family transportation needs.” “High end” vehicles too costly for low- with the St. Margaret Foundation,
has provided 1,941 free bus trips for
2003. With NHCO’s partnership to operate reconditioning of other, more appropriate in need. It is the only nonprofit licensed car interior shots) of a selection of available by appointment or request a pick-up.
potential buyers to see what is available.
We need volunteers to photograph
the cars!
condition. We need volunteers to pick
up donated vehicles!
If you need a car or would like to donate Christine and Chuck Seibert, Dory
and Reinald McCrum, and Susanne
and George Dull.
the PA State Inspection. We need skilled
volunteer “technicians” to recondition
vehicles!
Construction to Begin on Expansion Project NHCO’s Millvale Satellite expansion has been delayed a year due to the flood, but we are excited to announce that we are moving forward. We invite our
supporters to a ceremonial groundbreaking on Saturday, December 10, at noon.
The Connector is published threetimes per year and mailed to 13,000 RSVP to Wendy Gordon at 412-487-6316 or [email protected] by December 5.
The current Millvale Satellite (1,900 square feet) is extremely inadequate for meeting the needs of local families in distress. There is absolutely no confidential workspace, which is vital to providing services with compassion, effectiveness and professionalism, and there is no group meeting space. Last year, 2,551 families in
need from 23 communities were served there (4,900+ were served across all
sites). In addition to Millvale, communities served include Sharpsburg, Etna, O’Hara, Aspinwall, Blawnox, Fox Chapel, Indiana, Harmar, Cheswick, Springdale,Tarentum, East Deer, Frazer, Fawn and Harrison.
Send any address corrections or othercomments regarding The Connector to [email protected].
• Provide 4,080 square feet for NHCO’s Millvale Satellite – adequate space for now and for growth for the foreseeable future; • Develop 3,432 square feet for rental to other human service and education providers, bringing needed services to the northern suburbs. Rent will be used to cover the increased cost of utilities, maintenance, security, etc. for the building; • Upgrade 10,144 square feet (entrance, multipurpose room and common areas) for shared programming space to enhance and promote community usage of the meeting/training/banquet facilities for seminars, workshops and events.
In exchange for spearheading the capital campaign, NHCO will receive occupancy for $1/year. This will free us from the burden of rent without exchanging it for the burdens of building ownership while dramatically increasing our dedicated With flood recovery efforts finally winding down, it is imperative that we move forward with this project and the fundraising necessary for it. But construction
costs have gone up 10% since we began to plan – due in part to the high demand
for construction in our area caused by the devastation of Hurricane Ivan. We expect prices to rise even more due to Hurricane Katrina.
Inkind donations and volunteer time will help to contain project costs, now estimated at $2.2 to $2.6 million. Can you help? Financial donations, inkind contributions and volunteers are all needed. Please also consider participating in
our Bricks Campaign!
NHCO expands services in response to community needs to ensure that no one in northern Allegheny County is cold, hungry or forgotten.
To learn more about this unique collaborative effort with the Borough of
Millvale, please attend one of our upcoming open houses at the current Millvale
Satellite: Saturday, October 22, 11:00 AM, or Friday, October 28, 6:00 PM.
RSVP to Wendy at 412-487-6316 or [email protected].
Mission: North Hills CommunityOutreach is an interfaith nonprofitorganization that addresses thespiritual, emotional, physical and Contact Don Breitbarth at 412-821-0904 to help, and visit www.nhco.org for updated lists.
• Fire extinguisher cabinets with bubble door • 12” block material, ground-face block, split- Fay Morgan, Executive Director
• Volunteers to help with minor demolition Wendy Gordon, Editor
1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789 BRICKS CAMPAIGN
1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789 Participate in our Millvale Satellite Expansion Bricks Campaign and
make an impression that will last a lifetime!
BRICK OPTIONS
A. 4”x8” brick: 3 lines, up to 18 characters each B. 8”x8” brick: 6 lines, up to 18 characters each C. 8”x8” brick: Business/organization logo The Future Millvale Community Center & NHCO Millvale Satellite
Brick Sidewalk
**Early Bird Discount Deadline: November 30, 2005** Please Print Clearly!
Please complete a separate form
for each brick ordered.
Choose One:
! Brick A (4”x8”) - $55 ($50 before 11/30/05)
Your gift qualifies as a charitable deduction for tax purposes. Please mail form with
! Brick B (8”x8”) - $110 ($100 before 11/30/05)
payment (payable to NHCO with “Bricks”
! Brick C (8”x8” logo) $325 ($300 before 11/30/05)
Ferguson Road, Allison Park, PA 15101. Call (Call Wendy at 412-487-6316 to arrange logo delivery.) Wendy at 412-487-6316 with questions.
More than a year after flooding from Hurricane Ivan devastated much of our service area, we are finally winding down our relief efforts. Thanks to the generous support of thousands of local individuals and groups, we’ve helped hundreds of flood victims get back on their feet. We are still helping several families and businesses though and need skilled electricians and plumbers to volunteer their time and talents A complete overview of our flood work from the past year will be available in our upcoming annual report, which can be viewed online at www.nhco.org in November.
In the meantime, here is a brief snapshot of our flood relief efforts from the past year. All numbers are as of August 31, 2005.
assistance, bus passes, jobassistance and holiday help. For • 991 families received $695,559 in direct assistance, including:
• 755 individuals received new clothing • 176 families received household items (bedding, dishes, etc.) • 130 families received general home repair and/or clean-up • 117 families used dehumidifiers on a rotating basis • 92 families received a washer and/or dryer the Allegheny County
• 50 families received housing assistance (relocation or shelter) Department of Human
Services and The Pittsburgh
• 34 families received new furnaces with ductwork Project, we will walk beside
• 25 families received utility assistance • 53 small businesses received $67,681 in direct assistance, including:
• 30 businesses received general site repair and/or clean-up • 27 businesses received furniture, equipment and supplies • 22 business owners and managers received guidance from volunteer attorneys, marketing experts and other professionals them to apply for FEMA andflood insurance funds.
• 1,102 volunteers gave 18,366 hours of service
• Religious groups,
civic organizations,
schools and
businesses donated a
combined $243,806 in
funds and inkind
furniture were so nice and polite(even though we have four flights of PA Christian
Endeavor (PACE) who
traveled from the
Two young PACE volunteers repair a flood victim’s brick wall. in a two-week period. Flood victims in Etna, Sharpsburg, Millvale, Tarentum and Carnegie all benefitted from the volunteers’ hard work and positive attitudes.
Special thanks to Reverend Sam Yeager of PACE and to Mt. Alvernia in Millvale
• Special thanks to our partner, Hosanna Industries. In order to assist the greatest
numbers of households and provide assistance as efficiently as possible, NHCO performed case management services (needs assessments, eligibility verification, follow-up) for 110 families while Hosanna Industries bore the actual cost of making Support GroupsUnless noted, groups meet at NHCO Allison Park. Holidays This past summer, 22 high school students attending the may conflict with regular meeting schedules; verify dates with Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar at LaRoche
Harriet Gibbs at 412-487-6316 or [email protected].
College found time to help out with NHCO’s flood reliefefforts. One youth participant wrote to thank us: • Alzheimers/Dementia (for caregivers): Every second “When I learned that my group would be participating in • Young Widows/Widowers: Every first Thursday, 7 PM, the flood victim project, I was less than enthused because I did not think I would be able to contribute • Bereavement: Every first Monday, 2 PM much. After I looked back at the experience, however, I • (NEW) Life Limiting Illnesses (for caregivers): Every
realized how fortunate I was to be able to be a part of it. Our efforts may not have appeared extraordinary orheroic, but they were very much needed and appreciated.
Even more rewarding was the woman’s reaction to our service. She was truly touched, which inspired all of us to Contact Ginny Giles at 412-487-6316 or [email protected] continue to volunteer in the future.” for more information on any of these opportunities: NHCO’s Youth Leadership Program continues to expand into more school districts. If you are the parent, teacher or guidance counselor of a student who wants or needs to • Citrus Sale—group sales, distribution complete a community service project, contact Susan Rohm • Skilled volunteers such as electricians and plumbers to help local families still recovering from last year’s flood • Faith in Action volunteer caregivers• Bus drivers and dispatchers for Free Rides for Seniors • Callers to participate in the fall phone campaign• Callers to participate in a satisfaction survey to flooded • This year’s Dessert Theatre raised more than $6,000.
Special thanks to The St. Paul’s Players for donating
two performances.
• NHCO’s Bridge-A-Rama held their annual lunch at our
This one-hour session offers an overview of services and Allison Park office. In addition to their regular financial volunteer opportunities and is suitable for both current and contributions, they also brought food for our pantries.
prospective volunteers ages 14 and up. Contact Ginny Giles • Children of families served by NHCO were treated to a at 412-487-6316 or [email protected] to attend.
“mini press conference” with Pittsburgh Pirates Jack
Wilson and Jason Bay. Thanks to Giant Eagle in Seven
• October 20, 10 AM, Millvale Satellite Fields, Michelle Patterson, Judy Dodd, Damita Rupp,
• November 8, 7 PM, Allegheny General Hospital Brian Frey and Rich Mamone for making it such a
• 78-year-old Free Rides for Seniors rider Jean Creo of
Aspinwall now volunteers as a dispatcher. She says the Tobacco use is an economic issue as well as a health risk.
transportation program has made a big difference in her NHCO’s Tobacco Free North Resource Specialist is life and she is thrilled to be able to give back by available to speak to your congregation, school or civic group about smoking cessation and prevention. Contact NicoleDavis at 412-821-0904 or [email protected]. NHCO will • The Shaler Area Education Association raised $4,000
sponsor an activity for the Great American Smokeout on for NHCO’s flood relief efforts by selling $1 bracelets with November 17. Visit www.nhco.org for details.
• For each high quality hanger customers returned to Owl
Cleaners, owners Heather and Joe Ziccarelli donated
NHCO is one of the beneficiaries of this popular haunted 20 cents to NHCO for a total contribution of $3,000 so far.
house at North Park, which is open evenings through • Allegheny Financial Group raised $500 during a softball
October 30 (closed on Mondays). Thanks to Western PA
game. Special thanks to organizer Vince Parrucci.
Children’s Charities.
• The Pittsburgh Riverhounds held a soccer clinic for
local children at the Ross Township Community
Center as part of NHCO’s Tobacco Free North initiative.
• Barb Barcousky of Ben Avon was named a Community
Champion by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Barb is the lead volunteer at NHCO’s North Boroughs Food Pantry, which provides food for 175 local families every month.
[email protected] for tips on organizing a food drive. 5 NHCO’s Scholarship Program is open to nontraditional students who reside in northern Allegheny County, live at or below 200% ofpoverty level, and are enrolled (or plan to enroll) in a school ofhigher education. Applicants must write a 500-word essay on howan NHCO scholarship will make a difference in his or her life. Mostscholarships can be used not just for tuition, but also for books,supplies, transportation to school or childcare.
The scholarship committee recently granted $5,000 in scholarships for four current recipients and five new students for thefall term. The recipients range in age from 19 to 46 and areattending CCAC, LaRoche College, Indiana University ofPennsylvania, Pittsburgh School of Massage Therapy and NorthHills Beauty Academy.
Many thanks to the Scholarship Committee: Alicia Dal Lago,
Family Savings Account Program “graduate” Marilyn Millar owner of Alicia Photography and founder of the NHCO Scholarship proudly poses with Al Brumn, Assistant Sales Manager of Program; Mary Jo Hess, Zonta Three Rivers North member;
Mick’s Chrysler, alongside her 1996 Saturn. Rosemary Prager, lead volunteer for our Back-to-School Project;
and Ann Vande Weerd, Employment Specialist with CCAC–North
We recently received the following thank you letter from a grateful Marilyn Millar has dreamt of owning her own car since she was 18 years old. Marilyn lives in West “Please accept my deepest gratitude for the generous View and works as a food service assistant at scholarship award. Your vote of confidence most especially UPMC Passavant. With shift work, it can be very means a lot, for it encourages me as I make this big step in difficult, if not impossible, to have to rely on public transforming my and my daughters’ lives. I intend to use my education and degree in counseling to hopefully elicit Marilyn opened an NHCO Family Savings
positive transformation in the lives of others.” Account (FSA) on May 10, 2003. The FSA
If you or someone you know would like to apply for an NHCO Program provides a dollar for dollar match up to scholarship (or if you’d like to sponsor a scholarship to help others), $2,000 for home or car purchase, home repair, contact Harriet Gibbs at 412-487-6316 or [email protected].
small business start-up or college education. It is
funded by the PA Department of Community and
Economic Development. Savers must meet
Marilyn diligently completed her financial literacy Last year, NHCO was one of 14 organizations nationwide to deposits of $84 for 24 consecutive months. She receive a Compassion Capital Fund grant from the U.S. Department reached her savings goal of $2,000 in May 2005 of Health and Human Services. We used the $234,000 to mentor eleven small faith- and community-based organizations in staff, Although she had a driver’s license, Marilyn had board, program and resource development with an emphasis on not driven a car for many years, so she voluntarily compassion, effectiveness and stewardship. The project also gave completed a driver’s refresher course before $58,500 in sub-awards to the participating organizations.
We have been awarded an additional $260,000 to continue this After comparison shopping for two months, important work. Allegheny County organizations with a mission of Marilyn finally found the perfect car—a 1996 helping the poor, frail elderly or at-risk youth and a budget of less Saturn at Mick’s Chrysler. Thanks to Mick’s for
than $500,000 are now invited to apply. Contact RaSheda Davis at working with NHCO and Marilyn to ensure a 412-487-6316 or [email protected] to request an application.
Duquesne University’s Nonprofit Leadership Institute and
We congratulate Marilyn on her accomplishment KEYGroup remain our two major partners, and we have added
and hope that her new car serves her well for many other partners as well: Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management,
Holy Family Institute and University of Pittsburgh School of
To learn more about FSA, contact Harriet Gibbs Social Work.
at 412-487-6316 or [email protected]. Income We thank The Forbes Funds, Allegheny County Office for
Faith-based and Community Initiatives, Pittsburgh Presbytery,
The Heinz Endowments, United Way of Allegheny County and
Special thanks to State Senator Mike Turzai for
Senator Rick Santorum’s office for their support of Compassion
Find the results of our community needs assessment surveys and focus groups involving local healthcareproviders, religious leaders and school officials at Throughout September, our “sharing projects” room was www.nhco.org. We’ve also posted the results from a
inundated with hundreds of donated gently-worn coats for survey of volunteers that measured their level of our Free Winter Coat Shop. Visit www.nhco.org for a
satisfaction and desire (or lack thereof) for recognition.
recap of the project; we’ll tell you how many familiesreceived coats and who made it all possible.
Another major project in the works is Turkey on Every
Table, which provides local low-income families with a
complete and nourishing holiday meal. With your help, we
Thanks to generous congregations, Vacation Bible Schools, civic groups, businesses and individuals, 607 low-
income children and young adults (preschool through college) returned to school with new backpacks filled with age-appropriate supplies, and families in extreme need received clothing certificates. Thanks to six-time lead Sunday, November 13
volunteer Rosemary Prager. Special thanks:
Dutilh UMC and Orchard Hill Church each collected
more than 100 backpacks filled with supplies.
Magoo’s Bar & Bistro
• For the second year, Rogers Elementary collected
pennies (Change to Make a Change) throughout the school year to purchase clothing gift certificates.
Sharing Holiday
• Northwood Realty celebrated Christmas in July and
Warmth offers the gifts
• Hampton Presbyterian gave money to 17-year-old
100% of the ticket price is
church member Sara Hunkele to help others. Sara
purchased several backpacks and filled them with • Christopher and Andrea Gingrich (ages 8 and 9)
collected school supplies from their North Park Manor • Lauren Cebulski collected school supplies from her
neighbors on Balmoral Drive for her confirmation project and then helped sort and pack the items.
• For the third year, teenager Katie Muskal conducted a
collection in her Oakridge Neighborhood.
• Retired school teacher Ann Brooks bought 42 new
• Oxford Athletic Club set up a collection box for its
Special thanks to Magoo’s Bar & Bistro (owner Jay
• Treasure House Fashions donated clothing certificates.
Fairbrother) for generously sponsoring this event.
For more information on any of our sharing projects, Members of Springdale United Presbyterian Youth Group On September 16, seventeen MEDRAD employees,
including lead volunteer Drew Campbell, provided most of
the supplies and tools necessary during their United Way
Day of Caring project at NHCO. The group cleaned up our
grounds, painted walls and made repairs.
CCAC North faculty and students, led by Kathy White,
continued this work later in the month. They bought theirsupplies using donated Shop’n Save Greenpoints.
Both groups have made wonderful improvements to our facilities, and we appreciate that they chose NHCO for theirprojects.
• HP Laser Printers• Portable tv/vcr combination unit (2) Name __________________________________________ • Portable/window air conditioning unit• Paper shredder Address _________________________________________ • Gas cards• Wall-mounted diaper changing table _______________________________________________ • 2006 appointment books and calendars• Carpeting (materials and installation) for North Boroughs Satellites Email ___________________________________________ To donate any of these items, contact Dianne Buirge at 412-487- Phone (in case of questions) ________________________ 6316 or [email protected]. For a complete wish list, visitwww.nhco.org.
! $30 ! $60 ! $80 ! $100 ! Other $ ______________ ! MasterCard # __________________________________ ! Visa # ________________________________________ NHCO’s Board of Directors recently voted unanimously to move our endowment fund to The Pittsburgh Foundation. Currently, we
Expires _________________________________________ have about $11,000 in our endowment, but we hope to grow that Signature ________________________________________ amount over the coming years to ensure that no one in northernAllegheny County is cold, hungry or forgotten.
Our endowment was established with gifts from the Rotary Club
! Save postage! No acknowledgment necessary.
of McCandless, Alfred and Arlene Grubbs and from proceeds
from our Fifteenth Anniversary celebration in 2002.
Placing our endowment with The Pittsburgh Foundation offers Please contact me about volunteering.
many benefits, including the ability to structure, accept and manage ! Please contact me about including NHCO in my will.
complicated gifts such as life insurance policy designations and ! in honor of ! in memory of ! in celebration of For more information about making a gift to NHCO’s endowment fund, contact Kerry Mink at 412-487-6316 or [email protected].
_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ • 2357 - NHCO’s General Fund (allows NHCO to respond most
_______________________________________________ • 3806 - NHCO’s Employment Services• 9140 - NHCO’s Food Pantries NHCO is an IRS-approved 501(c)3 organization.
Your donation qualifies as a charitable deduction.
• 9036 - CFC Code for federal employees 1975 Ferguson RoadAllison Park, PA 15101-3235

Source: https://www.nhco.org/News_Fall2005.pdf