Grounded Strategies

Homewood Redd Up Day - Fuel Up, Redd Up, Get Up Event
2018-04-28 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax) | Homewood-Brushton YMCA, 7140 Bennett Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15208, United States
During this event, residents, and volunteers go out to clean the sidewalks and vacant lots in the area. Attendees will be provided with tools (especially trash pickers), bags, gloves, and etc. to help with cleanup. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for those who participate.

Community Stormwater Roundtable - Grounded Strategies Office
2018-04-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Grounded Strategies, 6587 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Click Here to RSVP

2018 GIS Class
2018-04-23 18:30 - 20:30 | Grounded Strategies’ Office, 6587 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburgh, 15206, United States

2018 GIS Class
2018-04-16 18:30 - 20:30 | Grounded Strategies, 6587 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Classes from March 19 – May 21

Instructed by Evaine K. Sing from Grounded Strategies
A ten-week course to learn the basics of GIS technologies (Geographic Information Systems), with a focus on the industry-standard ArcGIS platform by ESRI. Classes will be held every Monday from March 19th-May 21st from 6:30-8:30 PM.
The course will cover:
An overview of GIS, Finding, Downloading, Cleaning Data, File Geodatabases, GIS Outputs, Map Design, Spatial Data, Geoprocessing, Spatial Analysis, Application
We will utilize lecture, hands-on tutorials in the program, readings and application with a Community Project and Partner.

Frequently Asked Questions:
What do I need?

We use the text “GIS Tutorial 1, 10.3 Edition” by Kurland and Gorr. There are electronic versions available, but this is a great reference book and it can be easier to have something to flip through when you need a reminder of what you’ve learned.
A free trial of the software is available online but limited to 90 days which should get you through the class if you are looking to evaluate the system. I believe a 180-day trial is available with the purchase of a new copy of the text. Alternatively, if you would like to purchase a personal copy of the software, ESRI offers a personal license for $100/year though the text will still be required.
An external hard drive or jump drive with at least 2GB of free space.
Plan to have your own Laptop and ArcGIS software for the course. The desktop version of this software (which is what this class will focus on) only works in the Windows Operating System. So, if you have a Mac, you can run a Windows virtual machine on your Mac or try and borrow a PC.

If I don’t own a laptop, can I borrow one?

There are 3 desktops onsite (with ArcGIS installed) for students who cannot provide their own computer but this means you will only be able to work during the class hours.

What should I expect?

This professional development class is designed so that students can work at their own pace. We will work to get you familiar with concepts and tools during the class time and provide ample time to work on modules while we are available to help troubleshoot and answer questions. That said, the more time you are able to commit to finishing the in-class exercises and applying what you’ve learned in a practical project, the more you will retain.
Each year, we adjust the class based on the feedback of previous students to ensure you get a strong understanding of the system, its potential for use in your field of interest or work, and a starting point for data and analytics.
We work to solidify the individual lessons through project application – if you have a project in mind, we can work with you to make that happen, if you need a project, we will connect you with a community partner who may need some support – as mentioned, the more you use it, the easier it gets and the project is a great way to apply what you learn.
We get that this is something extra and we want to make sure it is worth your time! If you have additional questions or need more time, we can work with you so that you don’t get overwhelmed. We also want to make it fun, we provide snacks during each class and spend plenty of time commiserating over the challenges of clean data and imperfect technology!

What kind of projects can I do?

The only limitations for project applications are your commitment to time and access to the data. We can work to connect you to many data sources, but occasionally due to privacy concerns or disconnected systems, certain data may be hard to obtain – such as detailed crime or health information – but we will do our best to help you work on something that is relevant to you.

Is there a certificate for completing this course?

While this course is not accredited in any way, we will provide a certificate to acknowledge your completion of study. Successful completion includes the expectation of attendance in all classes (or making up the work if you miss it), successful completion of all assignments, and an applied project to be on the final day of class.

Open House Birthday Party
2018-04-16 15:00 - 19:00 | Grounded Strategies’ Office, 6587 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburgh, 15206, United States
We will be celebrating our 11th birthday at our home with you and friends! There will be food, activities, and we will be sharing what we’ve been up to as well as the planned projects for 2018.
This event is informal so feel free to bring the family along!

Land Lab Homewood
2018-04-14 09:30 - 17:00 | CCAC Homewood, 701 N. Homewood Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15208, United States
Register Now
Join us for Land Lab Homewood
On Saturday, April 14, 2018, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, join residents of Homewood, greenspace organizations, and GTECH for Land Lab Homewood. Land Lab connects residents with resources to transform vacant lots.
Spinning off from the successful city-wide Blight Bootcamp Conferences of the last two years in partnership with the Blight Working Group, GTECH is launching a series of Land Labs that will target the specific blight issues of a particular neighborhood.
Land Lab Homewood Program
This community event will feature a morning of networking and resource-sharing, presentations customized to address neighborhood-specific challenges and opportunities, and a volunteer workday.
Schedule for Saturday, April 14:

9:30 am: Connect with the Experts!
Check in, get breakfast, and connect with local greenspace organizations. Bring your questions to meet with our “Blight Doctors” for one-on-one consultations about your a vacant lot project.
11:00 am-12:15 pm: Presentation Session 1
12:15 PM: Lunch
12:30 PM-1:45 pm: Presentation Session 2
2:00 PM: Volunteer Work Day
Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Please let us know if you would like to reserve free childcare for this event. If you require free or reduced-price registration, please call:
(412) 361-2099 ext. 9#
Register Now

Community Stormwater Roundtable - EECO Center
2018-04-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Environment & Energy Community Outreach Center, 200 Larimer Ave, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15206

2018 GIS Class
2018-04-09 18:30 - 20:30, 2018-04-02 18:30 - 20:30, 2018-03-26 18:30 - 20:30, 2018-03-19 18:30 - 20:30 | Grounded Strategies’ Office, 6587 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburgh, 15206, United States
Classes from March 19 – May 21

Instructed by Evaine K. Sing from GTECH
A ten-week course to learn the basics of GIS technologies (Geographic Information Systems), with a focus on the industry-standard ArcGIS platform by ESRI. Classes will be held every Monday from March 19th-May 21st from 6:30-8:30 PM.
The course will cover:
An overview to GIS, Finding, Downloading, Cleaning Data, File Geodatabases, GIS Outputs, Map Design, Spatial Data, Geoprocessing, Spatial Analysis, Application
We will utilize lecture, hands on tutorials in the program, readings and application with a Community Project and Partner.

Frequently Asked Questions:
What do I need?

We use the text “GIS Tutorial 1, 10.3 Edition” by Kurland and Gorr. There are electronic versions available, but this is a great reference book and it can be easier to have something to flip through when you need a reminder of what you’ve learned.
A free trial of the software is available online, but limited to 90 days which should get you through the class if you are looking to evaluate the system. I believe a 180 day trial is available with the purchase of a new copy of the text. Alternatively, if you would like to purchase a personal copy of the software, ESRI offers a personal license for $100/year though the text will still be required.
An external hard drive or jump drive with at least 2GB of free space.
Plan to have your own Laptop and ArcGIS software for the course. The desktop version of this software (which is what this class will focus on) only works in the Windows Operating System. So, if you have a Mac, you can run a Windows virtual machine through your Mac or try and borrow a PC.

If I don’t own a laptop, can I borrow one?

There are 3 desktops on location (with ArcGIS installed) for students who cannot provide their own computer but this means you will only be able to work during the class hours.

What should I expect?

This professional development class is designed so that students can work at their own pace. We will work to get you familiar with concepts and tools during the class time, and provide ample time to work on modules while we are available to help troubleshoot and answer questions. That said, the more time you are able to commit to finishing the in class exercises and applying what you’ve learned in a practical project, the more you will retain.
Each year, we adjust the class based on feedback of previous students to ensure you get a strong understanding of the system, its potential for use in your field of interest or work, and a starting point for data and analytics.
We work to solidify the individual lessons through project application – if you have a project in mind, we can work with you to make that happen, if you need a project, we will connect you with a community partner who may need some support – as mentioned, the more you use it, the easier it gets and the project is a great way to apply what you learn.
We get that this is something extra and we want to make sure it is worth your time! If you have additional questions, or need more time, we can work with you so that you don’t get overwhelmed. We also want to make it fun, we provide snacks during each class and spend plenty of time commiserating over the challenges of clean data and imperfect technology!

What kind of projects can I do?

The only limitations for project applications are your commitment to time and access to the data. We can work to connect you to many data sources, but occasionally due to privacy concerns or disconnected systems, certain data may be hard to obtain – such as detailed crime or health information – but we will do our best to help you work on something that is relevant to you.

Is there a certificate for completing this course?

While this course is not accredited in any way, we will provide a certificate to acknowledge your completion of study. Successful completion includes the expectation of attendance in all classes (or making up the work if you miss it), successful completion of all assignments, and an applied project to be on the final day of class.

Community Stormwater Roundtable - Homewood Library
2018-03-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Homewood Library, 7101 Hamilton Ave, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15208

2018 GIS Class Registration Deadline
2018-03-09 | Grounded Strategies’ Office, 6587 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburgh, 15206, United States
Registration is now FULL

Classes from March 19 – May 21
Cost: $500

Instructed by Evaine K. Sing from GTECH
A ten-week course to learn the basics of GIS technologies (Geographic Information Systems), with a focus on the industry-standard ArcGIS platform by ESRI. Classes will be held every Monday from March 19th-May 21st from 6:30-8:30 PM.
The course will cover:
An overview to GIS, Finding, Downloading, Cleaning Data, File Geodatabases, GIS Outputs, Map Design, Spatial Data, Geoprocessing, Spatial Analysis, Application
We will utilize lecture, hands on tutorials in the program, readings and application with a Community Project and Partner.

Frequently Asked Questions:
What do I need?

We use the text “GIS Tutorial 1, 10.3 Edition” by Kurland and Gorr. There are electronic versions available, but this is a great reference book and it can be easier to have something to flip through when you need a reminder of what you’ve learned.
A free trial of the software is available online, but limited to 90 days which should get you through the class if you are looking to evaluate the system. I believe a 180 day trial is available with the purchase of a new copy of the text. Alternatively, if you would like to purchase a personal copy of the software, ESRI offers a personal license for $100/year though the text will still be required.
An external hard drive or jump drive with at least 2GB of free space.
Plan to have your own Laptop and ArcGIS software for the course. The desktop version of this software (which is what this class will focus on) only works in the Windows Operating System. So, if you have a Mac, you can run a Windows virtual machine through your Mac or try and borrow a PC.

If I don’t own a laptop, can I borrow one?

There are 3 desktops on location (with ArcGIS installed) for students who cannot provide their own computer but this means you will only be able to work during the class hours.

What should I expect?

This professional development class is designed so that students can work at their own pace. We will work to get you familiar with concepts and tools during the class time, and provide ample time to work on modules while we are available to help troubleshoot and answer questions. That said, the more time you are able to commit to finishing the in class exercises and applying what you’ve learned in a practical project, the more you will retain.
Each year, we adjust the class based on feedback of previous students to ensure you get a strong understanding of the system, its potential for use in your field of interest or work, and a starting point for data and analytics.
We work to solidify the individual lessons through project application – if you have a project in mind, we can work with you to make that happen, if you need a project, we will connect you with a community partner who may need some support – as mentioned, the more you use it, the easier it gets and the project is a great way to apply what you learn.
We get that this is something extra and we want to make sure it is worth your time! If you have additional questions, or need more time, we can work with you so that you don’t get overwhelmed. We also want to make it fun, we provide snacks during each class and spend plenty of time commiserating over the challenges of clean data and imperfect technology!

Do you offer a flexible payment schedule?

If you are interested in a flexible payment schedule or need to pay in installments, just let us know and we can make arrangements. Email s.bailey@gtechstrategies.org.

What kind of projects can I do?

The only limitations for project applications are your commitment to time and access to the data. We can work to connect you to many data sources, but occasionally due to privacy concerns or disconnected systems, certain data may be hard to obtain – such as detailed crime or health information – but we will do our best to help you work on something that is relevant to you.

Is there a certificate for completing this course?

While this course is not accredited in any way, we will provide a certificate to acknowledge your completion of study. Successful completion includes the expectation of attendance in all classes (or making up the work if you miss it), successful completion of all assignments, and an applied project to be on the final day of class.

Resilience Generation Deadline
2018-03-02 | PA
Beginning in Fall 2016 through June 2019, GTECH will offer a range of custom interventions in partnership with 24 organizations in the effort to increase the resilience of communities across Allegheny County.
If your organization works with residents to build community health and resilience, you could apply for technical support ranging from $5 – 30k of direct and indirect resources.

Stack'd Fundraiser
2018-02-21 08:00 - 17:00 | PA
Make dinner a selfless act by joining us for a fundraiser to support GTECH Strategies. Come in to Stack’d at 728 Copeland Street in Pittsburgh on Friday, September 7th between 4:00pm and 8:00pm. Mention our name or tell the cashier you’re supporting the cause to make sure that 20% of the proceeds will be donated to GTECH Strategies.

Urban Leadership Series: Trauma Informed Community Development
2018-02-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, 616 North Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States
Metro-Urban Institute Presents the Urban Leadership Series. The Urban Leadership Series is comprised of workshops and lectures aimed at equipping organizations and individuals with the tools to address issues in urban communities.
Sessions are held the first Monday of every month and will be led by various community leaders. Sessions are an excellent networking opportunity and free and open to the public.

Poetry Unplugged: MLK Jr. Tribute
2018-01-12 20:00 - 21:30 | August Wilson Center for African-American Culture, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
The second annual Poetry Unplugged is a spoken word, poetic tribute to the legacy and teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. featuring host Mahogany Browne of the Nuyoricans Poets Café in NYC. Screens make the poetry visible in lobby and cafe. Featured poets are award-winning spoken word artists known for their fierce delivery and ability to move the crowd. Featuring DJ Selecta before and after the show.

90 Years of Allegheny County Parks: Celebrating their Legacy, Imagining their Future
2018-01-10 17:00 - 19:00 | PA
Honoring County Executive Rich Fitzgerald
Featured Speakers – Thomas Woltz
Woltz is the award-winning landscape architect leading the design of public parks nationally and internationally. The event will also feature University of Michigan Professor Robert Grese on Jens Jensen, Paul Riis and the design that influenced our
Allegheny County Parks system.
Registration is $10 and includes refreshments and free parking.

Environmental Justice Caucus
2017-12-04 18:00 - 21:00 | David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222, United States
Join history makers and community leaders to share success stories and discuss important environmental justice issues at the Environmental Justice Caucus, co-sponsored by Homewood Children’s Village. Take this opportunity to network with your peers and discuss community highlights and visions for your community as well as environmental justice and brownfields issues.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Cost: Free to attend
Sign Up to Attend

Urban Leadership Series: Grant Writing
2017-12-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, 616 North Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, United States

LIGHT UP POINT BREEZE!
2017-12-02 17:00 - 20:00 | PA
Join the PBO in dreaming of a green Point Breeze on Saturday, December 2, at the corner of Reynolds and Gettysburg — and join them in an aim to reduce, reuse, and recycle!
Balloon animals (5 to 6 p.m.)
Steel drums (6 to 7 p.m.)
Food, drink, and holiday music
Kids’ crafts and cookie decorating
“Doc McStephins” stuffed animal clinic
Photos with Santa Paws & Frosty
Specials from Point Breeze businesses
Electric car display
Adam’s E-bikes demo
Eco-friendly info tables
In the spirit of giving, please bring a book for a child between the ages of 5 and 13 to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Western PA.

​Don’t miss our pre- and post-event festivities as well:
4 to 5 p.m. Happy Hour at Pino’s
8 to 9 p.m. Grow Pittsburgh Shiloh Garden solar night tour, 7211 Thomas Blvd.

GTECH GSI: RUPC Project Dedication Ceremony
2017-11-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Riverview United Presbyterian Church, 3505 Perrysville Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15214, United States
Come join GTECH and the Riverview United Presbyterian Church GTECH green stormwater infrastructure project dedication ceremony! We have come a long way with this amazing project and would like to celebrate its completion with GTECH friends, partners, and project participants!
You can look forward to live music, food trucks, ribbon cutting, cake, and so much more!

Happy Hour at Threadbare to Benefit GTECH
2017-11-08 17:00 - 20:00 | Threadbare, 1291 Spring Garden Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15212, United States
Are you as excited as we are about Wigle Whiskey’s newest venture? Been waiting to check out the newest addition to Pittsburgh’s local scene?
Then join us for a fall happy hour at Threadbare, Wigle’s Northside Ciderhouse and Meadery. 12% of sales will go to benefit GTECH’s programs so join us for an enjoyable evening out and bring a friend (or two)!

Urban EcoSteward Quarterly Training
2017-11-04 10:00 - 13:00 | Nine Mile Run Watershed Association, 321 Pennwood Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15221, United States
Interested in becoming a long-term Urban EcoSteward volunteer? Join program partners at this free training to learn about the Urban EcoSteward program, choose a site that you’d like to adopt long-term, and pick up skills that you can use on your site.
This event is required for all new Urban EcoStewards and is free and open to all. Learn more about the program here.
The Urban EcoStewards program is a partnership between the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Nine Mile Run Watershed Association, Tree Pittsburgh, Allegheny CleanWays, and Allegheny Land Trust.
REGISTER

Land Lab - Larimer
2017-11-04 08:30 - 14:30 | St. James AME Church, 444 Lincoln Ave,, East Liberty, PA, 15206, United States
Spinning off from the successful city-wide Blight Bootcamp Conferences of the last two years, GTECH is launching a series of Land Labs that will target the specific blight issues of a particular neighborhood.
The first Land Lab is taking place on Saturday, November 4, in Larimer at St. James AME Church – a neighborhood that is seeing significant development but is still dealing with high numbers of blighted, vacant lots. Any resident or community organization in the city or county that faces the issues of vacant lot blight is invited to attend. The mini-conference distills the most valuable knowledge shared at the earlier Bootcamps, while tackling a few of the particular challenges of the host neighborhood. The Land Lab is designed to offer residents the opportunity to get involved in their neighborhood’s efforts to help manage the negative aspects of vacant lots, while sharing strategies and resources for improvement.
8:30am Registration and Catered Breakfast
9:00am Opening Statements and Introductions
9:30am Session 1: Who you gonna call? Lets chat about who can help with your communities needs.
11:00am Session 2: Don’t Do it Alone! Learn how to engage new and existing volunteers and who is already willing to lend a hand.
12:15pm Catered Lunch and Tabling
1:15pm Session 3: Finding the Funds. What is already in motion and how can your project play a role in your communities development!
Funding for this effort was made possible by the Colcom Foundation

ReClaim Central Ambassador Graduation
2017-10-24 18:00 - 20:00 | The Blakey Center, 1908 Wyle Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219

August Wilson Park Volunteering + Garden Class
2017-10-21 09:00 - 11:00 | August Wilson Park, 1801 Cliff Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, United States
Join Parks Conservancy staff at the newly re-opened August Wilson Park for these regularly scheduled group volunteer events! At this event, participants will get a basic overview of soil and nutrients. We’ll talk about soil amendments plus how and when to apply them.

Tools, gloves and training are provided.

REGISTER

Green Playces: Hill District Dedication and Mosaic Unveiling
2017-10-17 17:30 - 18:30 | Jeron X. Grayson Community Center, 1839 Wylie Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, United States

Conversation. Connections. Impact: Making Change in Our Backyards, an ioby Convening in Pittsburgh
2017-10-14 14:00 - 18:00 | Hill House Association, 1835 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, United States
Conversations. Connections. Impact: Making change in our backyards, an ioby convening in Pittsburgh.
ioby’s first-ever convening in Pittsburgh will celebrate neighbors who are building and investing in positive local change that creates a future for all in Pittsburgh. Learn from our city’s resident leaders who are raising funds with ioby, and share your hopes for your neighborhood.
The program will feature an interactive PLACE IT! workshop by James Rojas, an urban planner, grassroots activist, and artist who facilitates hands-on community visioning sessions to help residents connect and develop ideas together about equitable public space.
We can’t wait to have you with us!
Questions? Please contact dana@ioby.org, or 917.817.2070
Draft Program Schedule:
12:00 – 1:00 Hill District Walking Tour (Come along for this tour to hear from local ioby project collaborators and long-time neighborhood leaders – Please email dana@ioby.org if you plan to attend this special part of the day)
2:00 – 2:25 Arrivals, Welcome, and Intros
2:25 – 3:05 James Rojas hands-on PLACE IT! group workshop, Part 1 (Build your favorite childhood memory)
3:05 – 3:10 Break and Announcements
3:10 – 4:20 ioby Leader Panel Presentations and Discussion (hear successes, challenges and strategies for making positive change on the ground in Pittsburgh from project leaders working on murals, community gardens and more – as well as from an ioby coach who can also share some tools and tricks)
Panelists include:
Dwayne Barker, Fineview & Perry Hilltop Community Pride Project
Lisa Freeman, Manchester Growing Together Farm
Ramo Lord, Exploring Labor’s Safety and Health Concerns
Barbara Rudiak, South Side Community Murals
Tacumba Turner, Allendale Acres, where we ‘eat to live’
Linda Wallen, Pigeon Positivity
Dominique Williams, ioby Leader Success Strategist
Eleanor Williams, Northside Resource Mall
4:20 – 5:00 James Rojas hands-on PLACE IT! group workshop, Part 2 (Build your vision for an ideal Pittsburgh)
5:00 – 6:00 Food, Drink, Mingle and Share Project Ideas

REGISTER

6th Annual Two Wheels Lots of Green: Bike Tour & Block Party
2017-10-07 10:00 - 16:00 | Grounded Strategies’ Office, 6587 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburgh, 15206, United States
On a sunny October day, GTECH celebrated Pittsburgh’s greenspace community with a guided bike tour and block party! This year’s Two Wheels Lots of Green event featured Pittsburgh’s East End. We rode 6.5 miles and made stops in Larimer, Homewood, and Wilkinsburg.
2017 Featured Greenspace Projects & Partners
At each stop, we spoke to community partners, learning about their journey and the transformation of vacant spaces into activated places.
Stop 1: Ms. Betty Lane’s African Healing Garden & Chatman Properties for the URA LandCare Program
Stop 2: Grow Pittsburgh’s Garden Resource Center
Stop 3: Homewood Green Playce with Bible Center Church
Stop 4: Wilkinsburg Green Playce with Hosanna House
Stop 5: Sankofa Village Community Garden
Stop 6: Tioga Play Yard with Operation Better Block

We’re excited to present a new design by our friend and local artist, Seth Storck. Get the GTECH bike shirt at our store.
After the guided bike tour, we celebrated with our friends and community partners at a block party outside of GTECH’s office on Julius St. Thanks to all of our sponsors and vendors for an incredible afternoon! See pictures from the event below:

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Special thank you to our generous sponsors:
