Two Wheels Lots of Green 2015 Wrap Up! Posted on September 3, 2015 by Grounded Strategies More than 90 bikers visited just a few of the community-driven spaces that the Northside has to offer. Altogether we visited 14 different Northside-based assets, met 10 awesome, active Northside residents and raised more than $12,500 to support neighborhood-based greening initiatives Did you bike with us this year? [View the story "2015 Two Wheels Lots of Green" on Storify]Read More
412Build cohort unveils Homewood-based projects, shares life lessons Posted on August 31, 2015 by Grounded Strategies A mere five weeks ago, local high school students began the 412 Build program – a unique internship that fuses elements of STEAM education, entrepreneurialism, play and community development. On Friday, these proud students unveiled their built additions and shared their personal takeaways. In partnership with the Homewood Bible Center the youth engaged the community, designed kid-centric elements to enhance the Homewood-based playground. Features designed, built and installed by the 412Build cohort The evening kicked off with a passionate Homewood resident taking the…Read More
How to gain Community Support for your Vacant Land Project Idea Posted on August 25, 2015 by wpengine The key for your community project's success is getting the community's support. So you've checked out Lots to Love, found a vacant lot in need of some love and have the perfect idea for the space – now what? Well, the first step to getting your idea off the ground is building a community around it. 1. Make a plan Develop a plan with as much detail as you can. Where is the proposed site? What do you plan on doing with…Read More
GTECH’s Next Three Years Posted on August 23, 2015 by wpengine GTECH CEO, Andrew Butcher, unpacks GTECH's three year strategic plan. As you may know, we at GTECH started off this year with a healthy dose of strategic planning. It has been three years since our last planning process and a lot has happened since then. We doubled our staff and revenue, hosted more than 90 Ambassadors in more than 60 communities, launched new initiatives like Lots To Love; Green Playces; and The Healthy Home Incentive Program, retired the ReFuel Pgh program, and transitioned our energy…Read More
The 5 types of bikers who should check out Two Wheels Lots of Green Posted on August 19, 2015 by Grounded Strategies 1. The Explorer Maybe we’re biased, but exploring Pittsburgh by bike is the best and most fun way to see the city. If you agree, this ride is for you! You’re sure to notice new Pittsburgh-based gardens, shops, murals, buildings and other beauty on this year’s Two Wheels Lots of Green bike cruise as we weave through historic Northside neighborhoods. Whether you know the Northside well, or have had little interaction with it, we’re confident you’ll stumble on a hidden…Read More
Event – The 4th Annual Two Wheels Lots of Green Bike Tour is August 22. Posted on August 10, 2015 by Grounded Strategies Pittsburgh Nonprofit Hosts Event Combining Biking and Community Development in Conjunction with Bike PGH’s Bike Fest PITTSBURGH–GTECH’s fourth annual fundraising bike tour and post-ride celebration will be held Saturday, August 22, 2015 starting at 2PM at the Wigle Whiskey Barrelhouse at 1055 Spring Garden Ave. The day will kick off with a bike tour highlighting GTECH’s vacant land reclamation sites and other resident-driven community projects throughout the Northside’s 18 neighborhoods. The bike tour is followed by an after event at…Read More
It’s a Family Affair! Northside Ambassador and Family ReClaim Vacant Lot Posted on July 29, 2015 by wpengine ReClaiming vacant land is tough work. This is a job for the whole family! A Place for Moms: Welcome Corner is becoming more beautiful by the day. Cynthia Mendoza, a ReClaim Ambassador and resident of Observatory Hill, has overwhelming support for her project (Just check out her feature in Next Pittsburgh from last month). Whether it is grateful neighbors giving kind words as they drive by, volunteers showing up for workdays or donors contributing to her crowdfunding campaign, the Welcome Corner has…Read More
7 (Free) Things You Can Recycle & Reuse to Spruce up a Vacant Lot Posted on July 24, 2015 by Grounded Strategies Landscaping a vacant lot can be expensive. Below you will find a 7 different types of free or almost free materials that our Ambassadors used to beautify there vacant lot project. From Craigslist finds to items bound for the landfill, these pieces now serve a productive community purpose and didn't break the bank. 1. Landscaping rocks Perusing the "free" and "lawn & garden" sections of Craigslist, Alandra & April found some GIANT rocks that someone was getting rid of. They want to use as…Read More
Homewood Residents Young and Old Give Input on the Next Green Playce Posted on July 23, 2015 by Grounded Strategies Homewood Bible Center hosted an input session for community stakeholders. On July 13, GTECH partnered with the staff at the Homewood Bible Center to host a community input session where residents (yes, even those as young as 4!) had the opportunity to share their ideas for their Green Playce project being installed this fall. Overall kids, teens and adults decided they want to see colorful and educational installations. In addition they'd like to see benches and other spaces that encourage gathering.…Read More
Volunteer Opportunity: Two Wheels Lots of Green Posted on July 17, 2015 by wpengine Bikers needed to help lead a ride through Northside neighborhoods Our 4th annual project showcase and fundraiser Two Wheels Lots of Green is happening August 22nd, and we need a few good volunteers to help make it the best that it can be! If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the form below. Once your responses have been submitted we will contact you with more information about your role and logistics for the day. Thank you for…Read More
CEOs for Cities workshop in Pittsburgh Posted on July 5, 2015 by wpengine Little Bets + Positive Deviants = Social Capital An equation for innovation Most problems don’t have an easy answer. Most greatness isn’t achieved without considerable adversity. Even our most basic needs requires significant care and attention – just ask my 10-day-old son. In this spirit, most cities aren’t organic bastions of fairness, health, access and opportunity. This reality was presented front and center at the recent CEOs For Cities workshop in Pittsburgh with a stark confrontation that the more innovative –…Read More
11 Pittsburgh-based grad students are mapping what the Northside has to offer Posted on July 1, 2015 by wpengine Have you heard of these spots in the Northside? This summer I am one of a group of local graduate students that will be working on an asset identification project in the Northside. We are currently in our fifth week of exploration and research, and I would like to share a few of my favorite places while trekking the Northside's 18 neighborhoods. Neukirche is an art center in East Deutschtown that is community focused and works to make art accessible to everyone. Their Fallow…Read More