PCRG’s Reimagining Communities Initiative (RCI) recently welcomed three new Community Coordinators to the team: Kevin Boyle, Alyssa Lyon, and LaShawna Russ.
The RCI Community Coordinators bring experience and expertise in community engagement and project management. They will be busy engaging residents and community leaders on activities such as: neighborhood data collection and analysis; vision and strategy development; the coordination of household financial counseling; and property improvement services.The trio will partner with PCRG member organizations in the 2015 RCI communities of Sharpsburg Borough, Hazelwood, and Beltzhoover.
Kevin Boyle will work with Allegheny River Towns Enterprise Zone (ARTEZ) in Sharpsburg Borough:
Background: Kevin has a B.A. in Urban Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to joining PCRG, Kevin spent his time implementing green infrastructure projects in the East End of Pittsburgh.
Hometown: Latrobe, PA
Hobbies: Biking the hilly streets of Pittsburgh and exploring cities by foot
Fun Fact: Kevin has partial heterochromia in his right eye.
Alyssa Lyon will work with Hazelwood Initiative (HI) in Hazelwood:
Background: Attended the University of Pittsburgh from 2008 – 2012; received B.A. in Communications and Africana Studies as well as certificates in Africana studies (plus a language) and Leadership.
Hometown: The Bronx, NY
Hobbies: Traveling, reading, and music
Fun Fact: Alyssa has been co-hosting a radio show entitled “Off the Record” for 2 years at WRCT radio at CMU.
LaShawna Russ will work with Hilltop Alliance (HA) in Beltzhoover:
Background: LaShawna has professional trainings and a certificate in REACH from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is currently working on a professional certificate for Nonprofit Management and Leadership from NeighborWorks America.
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Hobbies: Trying new foods and spending time with family and close friends.
Fun Fact: LaShawna loves cayenne pepper on everything except cereal and beverages.
Since its inception in 2011, RCI has successfully raised over $1 million in private contributions for programming in low- and moderate-income communities struggling with issues of blight and disinvestment. Due to the generous support of UPMC HealthPlan, S&T Bank, Northwest Savings Bank, First National Bank, and First Niagara Bank, the program has secured $410,000 for 2015. RCI was created to leverage PCRG’s longstanding leadership role in advocating for equitable public policy, community access to resources, and strategic organizational partnerships for the purpose of building community development capacity—both locally and system-wide—through meaningful community inclusion.
About Post Author
