Day of Giving- October 4
On October 4, 2011, all donations of $25 or more, made to HEARTH through PittsburghGives.org were to receive a portion of The Pittsburgh Foundation's estimated $500,000 matching pool.
HEARTH raised $28,000 on October 4, and with the foundation's match of approximately $4,000, we raised a grand total of approximately $32,000. Thanks to everyone who participated in this fund raising event. We rely on your support!
Click to read this article (pdf)
Jerry Drozynski's story is providing
housing to the homeless
Jerry Drozynski has played a critcal role in HEARTH's development. He has worked hard to open the doors of HEARTH at Benet Woods.
Read the full story from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
15 Years of Opening Doors to Families in Crisis
In 1989, through the leadership of Arlene Grubbs, a Board of Directors formed from a group of service providers in order to address the tremendous hardship of displaced and homeless women, who were in need of affordable transitional housing. The board worked tirelessly to transform St. Benedict’s Academy in Ross Township into Benedictine Place, a safe haven for homeless women and their children. In 1995, these efforts reigned true when HEARTH (at that time, North Hills Affordable Housing) opened their doors.
For 15 years, HEARTH has been opening doors to families in crisis. Striving to achieve our mission of providing a progression of supportive services and housing that empowers families to become independent, self-sufficient and adequately housed, changing the lives of 188 women and 350 children for the better. With the support of HEARTH, the women who go through the program at Benedictine Place enroll in educational or training programs guiding them to economic self-sufficiency, meet with a case manager weekly in order to set both short and long-term goals, and attend life-skill sessions focusing on communications, budgeting, parenting, stress management and problem solving.
Last year was a year of great change for HEARTH, when the agency went from serving 15 families to serving 32. In July, the first family from Benedictine Place entered the newly developed second step program - P.R.I.D.E. which stands for: Providing Residents the opportunity for Independence, Dignity, and Economic stability. P.R.I.D.E. is a permanent supportive housing program for women with a mental health or physical disability comprised of scattered site apartments throughout the community. Through this program, women leaving Benedictine Place who need long - term support can continue to receive it while taking additional steps to become independent. These participants are still required to work toward self-sufficiency and financial independence.
In November 2009, HEARTH at Benet Woods opened. Six duplexes, consisting of 11 units and a community room are located on Rodenbaugh Road in Ross Township. HEARTH at Benet Woods’ mission is to extend HEARTH’s continuum of care, by empowering working individuals and families of modest incomes to become engaged and invested in a local community through the development of permanent affordable rental housing.
None of these great accomplishments would have been possible without the overwhelming support of the people in our community. HEARTH is forever grateful for the generosity that allows this agency to provide for those in need. For the last 15 years and for the years to come in the future, Thank You.
Sunday, February 6 - WYEP’s Alternative Souper Bowl for HEARTH at Borders
WYEP’s Alternative Souper Bowl for HEARTH was held on February 6 at the Borders in the Eastside, where guests donated non-perishable items for HEARTH. We collected two car loads of donated items from the event. Thanks to the volunteers and all participants for your contributions.
Visit www.wyep.org for more coverage.
HEARTH receives a grant from the Homeless Children’s Education Fund (HCEF)
Thanks to a grant from the Homeless Children’s Education Fund (HCEF), this year’s Learning Center project is the development of the newscast for the kids here at HEARTH. On one assignment for the newscast, Danny decided to interview a limousine driver, Chris from Quality Limousines. Chris was so flattered that on his night off, he took the kids for a donated ride in the limousine while Danny conducted his interview.
It was definitely a special treat for everyone and the kids had a fantastic time!
From Left to Right: Leah, Caterina, Danny & Jonah
Saturday, March 5 - Eighth Annual Glass Slipper Ball
Provides Scholarships for Women and Girls in Need...
Zonta Three Rivers Pittsburgh North, a professional women’s service organization, presents The Eighth Annual Glass Slipper Ball Featuring the Best of the Chefs, Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 7 p.m. at the Four Points Sheraton in Marshall Township.
Hosted by emcee WTAE Anchor, Sally Wiggin, the Glass Slipper Ball featuring the Best of the Chefs and Libation Purveyors, is one of Pittsburgh’s largest and most popular fundraisers. To date, the event has generated more than $325,000 for scholarships that are distributed through the Zonta Pittsburgh North Foundation to agencies such as Crisis Center North, HEARTH, POWER, Girls Hope, and North Hills Community Outreach.
“The evening surprises most first time guests because they are so busy grazing, dancing, and shopping, they barely sit down! “ says Cindy Yingling, event chair.
The 2011 event will showcase dozens of restaurants whose chefs create signature hors d'oeuvres and desserts designed specifically for this event. Also featured are tastings from libation purveyors including: Capital Wine and Spirits, D’Andrea Imports, Fuhrer Wholesale, Southern Wine and Spirits and The Wine Boss.
Restaurants on board to participate in 2011 include: Andora Catering, Atria’s, Bella Frutteto, Blue Water Tavern, China Palace, Cioppino, Erin’s Fine Foods, Four Points Sheraton, Fresco’s, The Hartwood, John Marshall Catering, Key Impact, McGinnis Sisters, The Naked Grape, Osteria 2350, The Perfect Pastry, Pretzel Crazy, The Regional Learning Alliance, Saga, Shakespeare’s, SiBA, Springfield Grille, SweetHouse Bake Shop, Ugandan Gold Coffee, Walnut Grove, Willow, and Woodside’s Grill.
Amidst the sampling and tasting, guests will dance to the sounds of Dr. Zoot; bid on spectacular silent auction items; and take part in the “Peoples Choice Awards” for best hors d’oeuvre and dessert. A highlight of the evening is a LIVE AUCTION with dazzling trips to Africa, Paris, Isle of Capri and Much More!
Tickets to the Glass Slipper Ba ll sell out quickly. They are available online now www.ZontaThreeRiversNorth.com at the same price as last year – $100. Corporate sponsorships, program advertisements, silent auction donations, and other ways for local businesses to get involved are still available. Companies interested in a sponsorship, should contact Team Effort Events at 724-935-6100.
About Zonta International
Zonta International is a global service organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. Zonta currently has over 33,000 members in 67 countries. The Pittsburgh North chapter meets the second Wednesday of every month at Fresco’s in Wexford. Learn more about Zonta at www.ZontaThreeRiversNorth.com.
A Message from our Board President... continued from home page
HEARTH has leased our transitional housing space, Benedictine Place, from the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh for the last 15 years and has enjoyed a supportive relationship with them during that time. Recently, the sisters put their property on the market and we have been informed that they have found a prospective buyer. Hence, we are now actively searching for a new location.
Though this is a challenging time for HEARTH, we see this as a great opportunity. The Board of Directors and staff remain committed to our core mission of providing transitional and permanent affordable housing for families in need. We see this as a time to expand our programs and enable more families to move toward self-sufficiency.
We know you will continue to support the mission and our programs as donors, volunteers and community advocates. We will continue to provide you with updated information as it becomes available through our website and newsletters.
Since 1995, HEARTH has assisted 542 women and children in becoming self-sufficient by providing 4,734,912 hours of support. Last fiscal year, 94% of the program participants who left our program secured employment and 94% left with permanent housing. Our transitional housing program at Benedictine Place has demonstrated unparalleled success.
Be assured, we are committed to meeting the needs of our program participants and their families. They are always at the forefront of our planning. We are excited about this new adventure and the opportunities it presents. Please feel free to contact our Executive Director, Judy Eakin, if you have further questions.