SAUNTEE TURNER, SECOND FROM LEFT, AND JORDAN MORRIS, SECOND FROM RIGHT, RECEIVE THE SISTER SUSAN WELSH GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD FOR 2024, FROM MCAULEY MINISTRIES.
McAuley Ministries, the grant-making foundation of Pittsburgh Mercy, is pleased to announce Sauntee Turner and Jordan Morris, of the Hill District, as the recipients of the 2024 Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award. Established in 2019, this award recognizes outstanding residents of Pittsburgh’s Hill District, Uptown, and West Oakland neighborhoods, the three communities historically served by the Sisters of Mercy.
The Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award celebrates individuals who embody the qualities of a “good neighbor” and demonstrate a strong commitment to improving their neighborhoods through volunteerism, community organizing, and acts of kindness. Awardees are recognized for going above and beyond to foster a sense of community, support their neighbors, and create positive change. The award is presented annually to two recipients: one young adult (ages 18-39) and one adult (ages 39 and older).
This year, Sauntee Turner and Jordan Morris are being honored for their tireless efforts in the community, where they exemplify the spirit of service and community that Sister Susan Welsh has long inspired.
Turner was nominated by Ryann Coleman and Kelly L. Protho for her exceptional contributions to the Hill District. She has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to community improvement through organizing clean-ups and block parties, advocating for youth safety at committee meetings, and providing essential school supplies for back-to-school events. Turner has also served as a featured reader in the Citiparks Reading Corner, supported students and teachers at Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) Middle and High Schools, and expanded youth-focused initiatives like the STEAM Saturday programs in Bedford Dwellings. In her professional role at the Pittsburgh Housing Authority, she continues to prioritize community service by considering the challenges faced by others in her decision-making, ensuring the needs of the community remain at the forefront of her work.
“Sauntee Turner is a hidden cornerstone of our city, and the work she does has supported and encouraged so many people to advocate better for themselves,” says her daughter and award co-nominator, Ryann Coleman.
Kelly L. Protho, director of the University of Pittsburgh Community Engagement Center in the Hill District, praised Sauntee’s contributions.
“I am extremely honored and grateful to be recognized as a Good Neighbor by such an esteemed organization as McAuley Ministries,” stated Turner upon receiving the award. “As someone who has lived in the Hill District my entire life, I’ve seen firsthand the value of service and understand the impact giving back has on our community and its residents. I am pleased to be of service to my fellow neighbors and committed to doing my part in the revitalization of our community. Thank you!” exclaimed Turner.
In the same spirit of service, Morris has devoted himself to making a positive impact in the Hill District. Tiffini Gorman, Cansa Jay, and Shandia Booker nominated Morris for his tireless efforts to create a supportive and enriching environment for students while also fostering strong connections between the school and the wider Hill District community. A lifelong resident and first-generation college graduate, Morris serves as an inspiring role model for the students he works with. As the community schools manager at Pittsburgh Public Schools University Preparatory Academy at Milliones (UPrep), Morris has demonstrated exceptional dedication to improving the lives of students both inside and outside the classroom. In addition to his administrative role, he serves as a football coach at UPrep, using the position to encourage students’ athletic and academic success.
Tiffini Gorman, director of Outreach and Strategic Partnerships at A+ Schools, praises Morris’ unwavering commitment. “Jordan consistently shows his dedication to the students and youth of the Hill District. Time and again, he goes above and beyond in his professional role. On several occasions, Jordan has personally supported student events, covering costs for catering and fees for students facing financial hardships,” she added.
Cansa Jay, family and community engagement supervisor of Macedonia FACE, emphasizes Morris’s ability to connect with students. “He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that each student feels valued and supported, which has led to noticeable improvements in student engagement and achievement,” stated Jay.
Highlighting Morris’ commitment to the broader community, Shandia Booker, a middle school counselor at UPrep, says, “He works to connect organizations with the school to collectively impact the lives of students, their families, and our school community. He is willing to go beyond the call.”
“To be a recipient of such a prestigious award is overwhelming. The Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award is truly an honor,” said Morris. “To be recognized as a servant in the reflection of the work Sister Susan accomplished is fulfilling. Without good neighbors, we have no community. McAuley Ministries has been a beacon of hope, providing support to the Hill District year after year. I could not have accomplished any of this alone. Students, parents, community organizations, and many others have motivated me with the selfless work that often goes unseen. I will continue to work to be a role model and a resource for my community, so future generations will have someone to look to. Thank you all for your support and for this humbling recognition,” added Morris.
“Our Mercy corridor comprised of the Hill District, Uptown, and West Oakland neighborhoods are rich in assets, and the most precious of our assets are our neighbors,” said Marisol Valentin, executive director of McAuley Ministries. “Being able to recognize and celebrate Sauntee and Jordan for all the love they share with their neighbors every day, for all the light they bring into spaces, is truly an honor for our board. We have worked with each of them on various activities, and they truly exemplify what it means to be a good neighbor.”
Turner and Morris were recognized at a special ceremony at the Sisters of Mercy Convent in West Oakland and will each receive an award of $5,000.