Jamie Balser

ReClaim South Sustaining Momentum Ambassador Originally from Virginia, Jamie loves the Southside Slopes because its proximity to so many amenities. Jamie will be creating a welcoming trail head entrance to the South Side Park near the Bandi Shaum Garden. He hopes to inspire people to use this part of the trail and increase foot traffic into the park. He is excited by the activity in his neighborhood and is excited about making his community even more livable. As an experienced ReClaim South…

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Patti Stewart

ReClaim South Ambassador Patti has been a resident of Mt. Oliver City for nearly 40 years. Although the elementary school closed recently, her favorite green space in her neighborhood is the still active Phillip Murray playground. Her favorite bridge in the city is the Roberto Clemente, so it's no surprise that she is a fan of the Pirates. Click here to learn more about her project, Patti's Point.

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John Niederberger

ReClaim South Ambassador, 2014 As an avid antique glass collector, John can tell you all about the glass that used to be produced in his neighborhood at the turn of the century. Cousins with Suzanne, they have reconnected recently to tackle a greening project together. He is interested in improving the quality of life of his neighbors by "declucking" vacant lots in his community. Click here to learn more about his project, St. Joseph's Garden.  ReClaim South Sustaining Momentum Ambassador,…

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David Totten

ReClaim South Ambassador Originally from California, David is looking to get more involved in his neighborhood, which is what drew him to apply to ReClaim South.  As a Regional Transit Planner, it isn't a surprise that he is passionate preserving the highway of stairs that criss cross his community. Click here to learn more about his project, Little Free Libraries in the Hilltop.

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Melanie Pfeiffenberger

ReClaim South Ambassador Melanie is no stranger to environmentalism - she studied the subject at the University of Pittsburgh and is currently employed by the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PCR) as an Environmental Program Coordinator. She has only lived in Mount Washington for a few months, but already she loves the uniqueness of her neighbors. Along with the task of reclaiming a lot, she'll be keeping busy training for her first half marathon in the spring. Click here to learn more…

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Chitra Gurung

ReClaim South Ambassador Chitra moved to the Mt. Oliver neighborhood from Bhutan in 2012. He hopes that through his participation that he can create a community space for his Bhutanese people to help increase their knowledge and understanding of the neighborhood. He also is excited to help make Pittsburgh a greener city. Click here to learn more about Mt. Oliver Community Garden Gathering Space.   

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Suzanne N. Photos

ReClaim South Ambassador, 2014 Suzanne has lived in her neighborhood for 38 years and has seen the changes that it has gone through. In particular she misses the former St. Joseph church and the sense of community there was when she was growing up. Through this program, she hopes to restore neighborhood togetherness and increase the number of those residents engaged in the community. Click here to learn more about her project, GameStop at the Corner. ReClaim South Sustaining Momentum…

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Cheryl Ruffin

ReClaim South Ambassador, 2014 As a Pastor at St. Paul AME, Cheryl is already dedicated to the enhancement of her neighborhood. She moved back to Pittsburgh from San Francisco with her family to come back to a very vacated Knoxville. Although her neighborhood is a little rough around the edges, she is quick to point out the quality of her neighbors and congregation. Click here to learn more about her project, the Beloved Community Garden of Hope. ReClaim South Sustaining…

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Linda Piso

ReClaim South Ambassador, 2014 Like a true Pittsburgher, Linda left for a number of years, only to boomerang back to the 'burgh. She is excited to see her Library being more active and plans to partner with them to create a community garden. Her hope is that it will bring together different groups of neighbors (including her newest neighbors from Bhutan) together to socialize, work and eat together. ReClaim South Sustaining Momentum Ambassador, 2015 As a resident of Knoxville, Linda…

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Gordon Hodnett

ReClaim South Ambassador, 2014 For nearly 50 years, Gordon has lived in Beltzhoover, and he can vividly recount how the community used to be a thriving, active place. Today, there are less people and more vacancy and his favorite spot is his back porch and enjoys walking around McKinley Park. Through the program he wants to grow green things to beautify his block. Click here to learn more about his project, The Garden on Gearing. ReClaim South Sustaining Momentum Ambassador,…

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Natalie Thomas

ReClaim South Ambassador A lifelong resident of Beltzhoover, Natalie took the initiative to start the "Positive Effect Garden"  across the street from her house. During her time in the ReClaim South program, she hopes to learn more about gardening and continue to encourage the creative do-gooding of the neighborhood kids. Click here to learn more about her project, The Beltzhoover Unified Positive Effect Garden.

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Cara Jette

ReClaim South Ambassador, 2014 A Web Developer by day and future community leader by night. Cara is originally from Haverhill, MA. She joined ReClaim South in order to help improve her current neighborhood. Her favorite part of Allentown is her peaceful street with amazing views of the city. Click here to learn more about her project, The Historic Knoxville Incline Trail Entrance. ReClaim South Sustaining Momentum Ambassador, 2016 Cara is a driven Allentown resident who aims to brighten people's days as they travel…

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