Jefferson Regional Foundation Celebrates its Tenth Anniversary with the Launch of the ‘Community Voice Fund’

Jefferson Regional Foundation marks its 10th anniversary in March, and it will celebrate that milestone with a new initiative and grant opportunity, the ‘Community Voice Fund.’

The “Then, Ten, and Time Ahead” anniversary theme provides an opportunity for a renewed focus on engaging community members on strategies for increasing overall health and well-being in the towns and municipalities

Jefferson Regional Hospital serves, according to Chief Executive Officer Dr. Trisha Gadson. The Community Voice Fund will provide grants of up to $35,000 for nonprofit organizations and/or resident groups who are partnering with nonprofit organizations to convene residents, partners and stakeholders of the Jefferson service area to accomplish that goal.

Jefferson Regional Foundation was created when the former Jefferson Hospital became part of the Allegheny Health Network. The Foundation is dedicated to grantmaking in the South Hills and Mon Valley areas of Pittsburgh that will improve the health and vitality of residents, and it has awarded more than $20 million in grants since its inception. It also created the Jefferson Community Collaborative, an active network of 100 plus community-serving organizations that share a mission of bringing together change-makers to positively impact the health and vitality of communities south of Pittsburgh.

Although the foundation has consistently partnered with nonprofit organizations to offer resources for unmet needs, the Community Voice Fund illustrates the importance and necessity for residents to have an active voice in setting priorities and objectives that accompany strategies and planning that affect their communities, Gadson said.

“The passion, pride, drive, resilience, and ingenuity of residents within the Jefferson service area, often who are under-resourced and over-burdened, cannot be understated,” Gadson said. “Faced with the systemic challenges of racism, poverty, housing insecurity, community violence, and transportation, no person or entity is better poised to address community needs than residents with lived experiences.”

Organizations and community groups within and serving communities in the JRF service area can collaborate on a Community Voice Fund application, Gadson said. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, starting this month through April 28. Final reports from organizations that receive funding will be shared.

The Community Voice Fund guidelines and application can be found on the foundation’s website and on its Jefferson Community Collaborative website.

Additional information is available by contacting Dr. Gadson at trisha.gadson@jeffersonrf.org or via cell at 412-328-7637.

South Park Library “Friends” to Host Spring Book Sale

The Friends of South Park Township Library will be holding their Spring Book Sale, from Thursday evening, April 20 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Friday, April 21 from 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. and Saturday, April 22 from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., the ever-popular “$5.00 a Bag Day” when your “Friends” provide the bag for you to fill with anything you find at the sale. The sale will be held in the South Park Township Community Center, 2575 Brownsville Road, across from Bavarian Village.

A large variety of books will be available on many topics: (hardback, paperback, fiction, non-fiction, children, adult, school, educational, coffee table and large print books), also, old records, albums, books on tape, audio music tapes, CD’s, DVD’s, video tapes, video games, Blue Ray, audio/video material, computer and electronic games and programs, games, puzzles, toys and stuffed animals.

Please keep Friends in mind if you have books and miscellaneous items you wish to donate for the sale. These items can be brought to the South Park Library Lobby beginning Monday, April 3rd through Tuesday, April 18th. Please do not leave donated items outside the Library door when closed. Library must be open to drop donated items off.

Donations of games, puzzles and toys should contain all parts and pieces and placed in marked taped up boxes. Also appreciate your storing all items in a clean, dry area to help ensure their good salea ble condition. Friends do appreciate your donations and thank you, as this contributes to the success of the sale.

Just remember Friends do not accept small Reader’s Digests, National Geographics, jewelry or flea market/garage sale items. Computer books, programs, discs, business or tax publications, manuals and directories should be no older than 1 year. Encyclopedia sets, no matter what the age, are no longer accepted for sales. These items can be recycled from your home on recyclable days or dropped off at your local recyclable bins.

All proceeds from the Friends book sale will benefit the South Park Township Library. For further information on Friends please visit the web site at: www.southparklibrary.org/spfriends.htm.

ASSOCIATIONS OF UNIVERSITY PEOPLE HOSTING SINGLES EVENTS FOR AGES 50+

The Association of University People (AUP) is inviting singles, age 50 and older, who are 4-year college graduates, to join them for fun and meet new people. They have monthly dinners, meet at various social spots, gatherings, concerts and wine tastings. Interested individuals are welcome to attend. To obtain more information about AUP, call 412-353-9088 or email Aupsingles@gmail.com

The following activities are planned for April:

April 4: 10:30am for "Just Coffee & Conversation" at Mediterra Cafe in Mt Lebanon, 292 Beverly Rd. RSVP to mathurkettle@gmail.com

April 6: Phipps Conservatory. Lunch and Spring Flower Show. 1 Schenley Dr. Pittsburgh 15213. RSVP by calling Nancy for 1pm lunch at the Phipps cafe and 2pm reservations to attend the Flower Show. Contact Nancy at nl.hokaj@gmail.com or 412-862-7861.

April 11: 10:30 am for "Just Coffee & Conversation" at Mediterra Cafe in Mt Lebanon, 292 Beverly Rd. RSVP to mathurkettle@gmail.com

April 18: Lunch 12:30 pm at Cheesecake Factory in Ross Park Mall, 1000 Ross Park Mall Dr., Ross Township 15237. RSVP to nl.hokaj@gmail.com or call Nancy 412-862-7861.

April 29: Dinner 5pm Napoli Restaurant, 1273 Washington Pike, Bridgeville 15017. RSVP nl.hokaj@gmail.com or call Nancy 412-8627861.

South Hills Coin Club Meeting

The monthly meeting of the South Hills Coin Club will be held Tuesday evening April 11 at 7:30 PM at the Bethel Park municipal building located at 5100 West library Ave. in Bethel Park. All members and the general public are invited. This month’s program will be on the history of Atlantic Canadian provinces through coins. A 50/50 will be offered and children’s prizes to be awarded. Applications are now being accepted for membership. For more information call 724-984-6611.

West Newton Library Seeking Jewelry for May 6 Sale

The West Newton Library is accepting jewelry donations for their Jewelry and Book sale to be held on May 6 at 124 N. Water Street, West Newton. Costume, estate sale and precious jewelry, rings, bracelets, pins, earrings, can be dropped off during regular library hours Monday and Thursday, 12-5, Wed 127, and Sat 10-2.