Ayanna Lee-Davis

Saul Ewing LLP Ayanna Lee-Davis is senior counsel in the Pittsburgh office of Saul Ewing LLP where she is a member of the Real Estate Practice and the Energy, Environmental and Utilities Practice groups. She counsels clients in a broad range of commercial real estate transactions including acquisitions, dispositions, lease negotiations and development projects, and also in energy-related transactions and oil and gas and environmental regulatory matters. Ayanna is a Pittsburgh native who was born and raised on the North…

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Angela Williams

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy I am a Northsider and alum of GTECH's ReClaim Northside Ambassador Program.  In my role with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy I administer grants and am active in several community groups on the Northside. Perry South has many older residents who remember the neighborhood 40 years ago and want to see positive change in regards to vacant land and disengaged adults and youth. They are frustrated with the current climate and uncertain about what to do to solve current social…

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Dorrie Smith

ReClaim Northside Ambassador “Northsiders are generational. We leave, but, believe me, we either return (take me for example) or keep it in our hearts.” About Me. I'm a very active person who wishes I could add on another 6 hours to a day. I'm a Pennsylvania Realtor, Manager of a daycare center, a mother of a daughter, grandmother to 4 wonderful grandchildren and a proud great-grandmother of a 2 year old. Don't get me wrong, I love my great-grandchild, but I'm way…

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Walt Yager

ReClaim McKeesport Ambassador What would you like others to know about your neighborhood? "Its gloried past as a foundation and stepping stone to return its image of pride, moral values, hard work and accomplishments." ABOUT ME. My hometown is McKeesport and I have lived there my whole life. I am married and have three grandchildren. Currently I do consulting and volunteer work for nonprofits in the area. I believe the biggest challenge that McKeesport faces is the blight, erosion, and loss…

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Matthew Yurkovich

ReClaim Northside Ambassador “I love where I live and want to reclaim a vacant lot. The idea of ecological restoration is of great interest to me and I think greenspace is very important to a neighborhood's health.” About Me. I spend much of my time outdoors both in my professional and personal life. I enjoy fitness challenges, spending time with my dog, gardening, cooking, biking and reading. I love the Northside and am very excited to be in this program. I'm a member of…

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Rhonda Moorer

ReClaim McKeesport Ambassador "[I hope] to rebuild and [for McKeesport to] become a positive force in the Mon Valley." ABOUT ME. I am originally from McKeesport and have lived in the 4th Ward for five years. I have been married for 30 years and have one son. I am very involved in my church, Bethlehem Baptist Church. I hope to see McKeesport return to its glory days and hope to be a part of the rejuvenation of that glory. I believe…

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Kim Brownfield

ReClaim McKeesport Ambassador "[Community means] to live together as one." ABOUT ME. My hometown is McKeesport, PA and I have lived here for the past 52 years. Currently I work at the University of Pittsburgh and am heavily involved in my church, Bethlehem Baptist Church. I want to see the city become more beautiful with my involvement. I am hoping that eventually new business will come to McKeesport to help it grow. For my project, I would like to implement playgrounds in my neighborhood.…

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Hank Gostkowski

ReClaim McKeesport Ambassador "There are still respectful neighbors who help each other when the need arises. From cutting several neighbors' grass, shoveling the walk ways without expecting anything, to hunting for a lost child or keeping watch out for others' homes when something does not look right." ABOUT ME. My hometown is Verona, PA but I have been living in McKeesport for the past 40 years. I am currently retired but work as a security guard at Renzie Park. For…

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Sharon Soles

ReClaim McKeesport Ambassador "We have hope. We can overcome our situation if more people would get involved." ABOUT ME My hometown is McKeesport, PA and I have lived there for 25 years. I worked for GNC in retail management for 14 years until I retired. I am married and have four grandchildren. I decided to get involved so that I can help reclaim the city that I love and assist community members working with vacant lots and properties. I am looking…

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Julie Fleckenstein

Reclaim McKeesport Ambassador "I hope that we have a renaissance like the other neighborhoods in the Pittsburgh area. This is such a great place to raise a family." ABOUT ME. My hometown is McKeesport, PA. Currently I  work for the City of McKeesport as a program assistant for the Youth CAST Leadership Network and also as adjunct faculty for the CCAC, teaching Professional and Academic Development and English Composition. WHAT IDEAS DO YOU HAVE FOR A VACANT LOT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?…

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Rochelle Williams

ReClaim McKeesport Ambassador I am hoping to make a positive change in our city and to restore it to what I have heard it was like in the past. ABOUT ME. My hometown is Pittsburgh, PA, but for the past 12 years I have lived in the Myers Park (11th Ward) neighborhood of McKeesport. I married my husband, Phil, 20 years ago and have two awesome and bright children, Nayelle (16) and Nason (13). I currently work as an Administrative Assistant…

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Dana Jackson

ReClaim McKeesport Ambassador “Our future is in their (younger generation) hands and we need to teach them ownership in their neighborhood and to help out with the elderly that need assistance with taking care of their property.” ABOUT ME. My hometown is McKeesport, PA. I am a mother of four children who keep me busy and make me proud everyday. I became an ambassador to make a difference in the community and influence others to do the same. I hope…

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