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Contents

Message from the CEO

About MVI

Revitalizing Community

Revitalizing Self

MVI Financials

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5-10

11-21

22-31

32-34

Message from the CEOWelcome to the 2013-2015 Report from Mon Valley Initiative! We achieved some very exciting

milestones during the past three years, including celebrating our 25th year of operation in 2013. We

all enjoyed taking a moment to celebrate and reflect on our collective work and accomplishments, and

it was a great opportunity to thank 25 “Wave Makers” who played significant roles in MVI’s growth

and success over many years. Also, over the past three years, we have enjoyed record-breaking

outcomes in our Workforce & Business Development program and made some very important

contributions in real estate development and community planning, despite generally decreasing

government resources for this work.

These successes represent intense collaboration between MVI’s Board of Delegates and staff, our

CDC members, community volunteers, local officials, and numerous other stakeholders. A broad

array of people and organizations were engaged in our efforts to envision the future and plan the work.

Many of these accomplishments are the harvest from small seeds that were sown years ago by the

tireless efforts of our staff and volunteers. As we celebrate these important outcomes, we recognize

that we must continue to think strategically and assess the many changes to our communities and

the entire context in which we work. We want to continue to plant new seeds that can grow and

provide a beneficial future harvest.

In order to ensure that we are planting the right seeds to accomplish our mission of “uniting the

communities and restoring the economic vitality of the Mon Valley,” MVI’s Board began to undertake a

governance assessment and strategic planning process in late 2015. This process is helping the MVI

Board, staff, and our many CDC members to step back and consider our work and our environment

with fresh eyes.

Much has been accomplished since the early days when MVI first formed in response to the economic

and social devastation caused by the closure of major steel mills and related industries in the 1980s.

But the Mon Valley is still suffering from the severe impacts that those changes brought and we

continue to see economic disparity and poverty in our communities even thirty years later. Through

the strategic planning work, we are asking ourselves how we can be more effective in accomplishing

our mission because it is clear that much remains to be done. I am truly grateful for the leadership of

the MVI Board members who have welcomed the opportunity to engage in taking an honest look at

ourselves and our environment to learn from our past, understand our present, and envision our future.

We are deeply grateful for the vital resources that so many of you have already shared with MVI and

we hope that you will continue to partner with us in creating a brighter future for the Mon Valley!

Laura R. Zinski, CEO 4

About MVI

MVIThe Mon Valley Initiative (MVI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, grassroots coalition comprised of 10 Community Development Corporations (CDCs) representing twelve municipalities in the Monongahela Valley. The coalition was formed after the collapse of the steel industry in the 1980s, leaving member communities with thousands unemployed and without the tax base of those major landowners. MVI strives to meet the needs of its member communities through work in four program areas: Community Outreach, Housing & Real Estate Development, Housing Counseling, and Workforce & Business Development.

MVI Coalition Members:

Braddock Economic Development Corporation (BEDCO)

Downtown West Newton, Inc. (DWNI)

East Pittsburgh Economic Development Corporation (EPEDC)

Greater Charleroi Community Development Corporation (GCCDC)

Homestead-area Economic Revitalization Corporation (HERC)

Monessen Community Development Corporation (MCDC)

North Braddock Cares, Inc. (NBC)

Rankin Community Development Corporation (RCDC)

Swissvale Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO)

Turtle Creek Development Corporation (TCDC)

“Working together to unite the communities and restore the

economic vitality of the Mon Valley.”

MVI Mission Statement

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Housing & Real Estate Development

Community Outreach

The Community Outreach Team supports and

engages the individual CDC and MVI Board

members. The Team helps build connections to

ensure that the MVI coalition remains strong and

deeply engaged at the local level. The Outreach

Team provides guidance at CDC meetings and

assists in building capacity to initiate grassroots

projects and community events in each member

community. The Team also coordinates special

events, runs social media, and provides support

to the other program areas.

Housing & Real Estate Development

The Housing & Real Estate Development

Team provides key services to MVI member

communities by building and renovating real

estate for residential and commercial purposes.

The Team has participated and taken the lead

in implementing many major municipal planning

efforts including the development of updated

zoning and related ordinances. The efforts of the

Team are linked to higher property values in the

communities served and increased wealth and

stability for buyers and tenants.

Workforce & Business Development

The Workforce & Business Development Team

assists unemployed and under-employed Mon

Valley residents to become prepared for and

able to access employment opportunities that

exist in the region. In particular, our program has

become a top choice for formerly-incarcerated

individuals who need assistance to address the

barriers they face as they re-enter the workforce.

The Team works diligently to form relationships

with both job-seekers and employers in order to

make the best possible matches.

ProgramsCommunity Outreach

Housing Counseling

Workforce & Business Development

Housing Counseling

The Housing Counseling Team provides direct

counseling to interested homebuyers, helping

them to understand and financially prepare

for homeownership. The Team helps these

individuals overcome potential obstacles, and

after counseling, many successfully go on to

purchase a home. Additionally, MVI serves as

a HUD-funded National Housing Counseling

Intermediary Agency, responsible for securing and

monitoring HUD funding for housing counseling

agencies across the United States.

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Board of Delegates

BEDCO

Tina Doose (D) 2013

Jeb Feldman (D) 2014, 2015

David Rosenstraus (A) 2013, 2014, 2015

Vearlee Turner (A) 2014

DWNI

Barbara LaFace (D) 2013 (A), 2014, 2015

Mark Bowers (A) 2013 (D), 2014, 2015

Marlene Yurkovich (A) 2015

EPEDC

Mary Carol Kennedy (D) 2013, 2014, 2015

Maureen Cusack (A) 2013, 2014, 2015

Gloria Wilson (A) 2013

Fr. Mike Egenlauf-Singer (A) 2015

GCCDC

Alix Garlitz (D) 2013, 2014, 2015

Sid Simsic (A) 2013, 2014, 2015

Adele Hopkins (A) 2015

HERC

Rick Capp (D) 2013

Denine Hood (D) 2013 (A), 2014, 2015

Barata Bey (A) 2014, 2015

Ashley Baxter (A) 2015

MCDC

Geraldine Pergola (D) 2013

John Harhai (D) 2013 (A), 2014, 2015

Tom Jones (A) 2013

Alec Dick (A) 2014, 2015

Delmar Hepple (A) 2015

NBC

Jan Kazlauskas (D) 2013

Victoria Vargo (D) 2013 (A), 2014, 2015

Alicia Murray (A) 2013

Alison Flora (A) 2014, 2015

Manaya King (A) 2015

RCDC

William Pfoff (D) 2013, 2014, 2015

Valeria Jones (A) 2013

Dan Norman (A) 2014, 2015

Anita Cioppa (A) 2015

SEDCO

Veryl Lawson (D) 2013, 2014, 2015

Tim Ward (A) 2013, 2014

Eric Baldwin (A) 2015

TCDC

Dale Bizub (D) 2013, 2014, 2015

Janet Elder (A) 2013, 2014

Marlena Buterbaugh (A) 2015

D- Delegate A- Alternate Delegate

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2015

Dale Bizub (TCDC), Chairperson

Victoria Vargo (NBC), Vice Chairperson

Barbara LaFace (DWNI), Treasurer

Alix Garlitz (GCCDC), Secretary

2013

Tina Doose (BEDCO), Chairperson

Dale Bizub (TCDC), Vice Chairperson

Mary Carol Kennedy (EPEDC), Treasurer

Veryl Lawson (SEDCO), Secretary

2014

Dale Bizub (TCDC), Chairperson

Victoria Vargo (NBC), Vice Chairperson

Mary Carol Kennedy (EPEDC), Treasurer

Veryl Lawson (SEDCO), Secretary

MVI Officers

Tina Doose, MVI Chairperson 2011-2013

Dale Bizub, MVI Chairperson 2014-2016

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25th Year Anniversary Gala

On October 24, 2013, MVI came together to celebrate its 25th Year Anniversary. The anniversary was marked by recognizing 25 “Wave Makers” who have had a significant impact on the organization over the years, many of whom were able to join us at the Gala.

MVI “Wave Makers”

Pictured on left side of stairs: Mr. Henry Beukema, Mr. John Botti, Mr. Rick Savido, Ms. Stephanie Cipriani, Senator Jay Costa, Ms. Jane Downing, Ms. Suzan Lami, Mr. Scott Brown, Ms. Pearl Williams, Mr. Mike Eichler, and Mr Rick Dunn.

Pictured on right side of stairs: Mr. Dale Bizub, Ms. Tina Doose, Ms. Adele Hopkins, Ms. Barbara Edwards, Ms. Mary Carol Kennedy, Ms. Mary Dunn, Mr. George Burroughs, Mr. Michael Solomon, Mr. Jeff Brooks, and Ms. Nadine Mehok representing her mother, Ms. Mary Kay Mehok.

Wave Makers not pictured: Mr. Dennis Davin, Mr. Brian Hudson, Ms. Ellen Kight, and in cherished memory, Ms. Ann Peelor.

“ I alone cannot change the world but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” -Mother Teresa

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Friends of MVI at the 25th Anniversary Gala

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MVI’s Housing & Real Estate Development Team works with local CDCs to move toward a renewed community by implementing a

diverse range of resident-identified revitalization strategies, including homeownership,

historic preservation, planning, multi-family development, parks and public infrastructure

improvements, and commercial development and marketing efforts. The depth and

diversity of the program’s approach creates a significant impact in our communities.

The Team identifies potential projects by working closely with CDC members, and

through strategic investment, is able to stabilize and increase property values.

MVI’s Community Outreach Team

works to build the ties that bind our coalition together. Cooperating closely with the

Housing & Real Estate Development Team and our CDCs, the Community Outreach

Team works to form a comprehensive approach to community development. The Team

engages member CDCs and their communities in planning and zoning efforts, while

assisting each organization to meet its local goals.

Revitalizing Community

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By the numbers...

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Rental Housing

With dozens of houses completely renovated

and sold through MVI’s Rehab for Resale

program and HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization

Program, our member communities experienced

some remarkable milestones in 2011 and 2012.

For the first time, sale prices of over $100,000

were achieved for rehabilitated homes in East

Pittsburgh, Rankin, Swissvale, and Turtle Creek.

Market interest and appraisals supported our

strong belief that quality homes with fantastic

design features would attract a variety of buyers.

It was very clear that MVI’s real estate efforts were

addressing our mission of “helping to restore

the economic vitality” of our communities. After

years of focusing on homeownership, 2013-2015

marked a renewed focus on rental opportunities.

Understanding that healthy and vibrant

neighborhoods include a diverse mix of housing

options, MVI and its member CDCs agreed that

there was a real and continued need for quality

rental housing. There was also a definite desire to

address mixed-use, historic downtown buildings.

In many areas, the construction of large, new

Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) financed

rental complexes ensured that households with

the lowest incomes had desirable and affordable

rental options. However, the resounding feedback

was of an increasing lack of quality rental options

for people at other income levels. In some of our

member communities, we saw life-long residents

move to neighboring towns because they simply

could no longer maintain homeownership (or live

on multiple levels), but had incomes just over

the limits to qualify for newly-developed LIHTC

rental housing.

MVI and our CDCs tackled this challenge to

diversify the rental market to serve all income

limits and restore historic buildings and downtown

areas through major projects funded in Braddock,

East Pittsburgh, Monessen, and Turtle Creek.

Three of the four developments are mixed-

income, meaning that in addition to units set

aside for households at lower income brackets,

some units are available for households making

higher incomes. These projects include three

historic and prominent downtown buildings as

well as a scattered-site residential development.

In addition, two developments include first

floor commercial spaces to further reinvigorate

downtown areas.

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In East Pittsburgh, the former Slovak Social

Club saw the start of the renovation of its two

upper floors into open-concept, one-bedroom

apartments in 2015. This property is adjacent

to another MVI rental property and is across

the street from the municipal gymnasium and a

Sprout mural that MVI and the East Pittsburgh

Economic Development Corporation (EPEDC)

sponsored in 2006. Half of the rental units in this

development will be targeted to households with

incomes of up to 80% of area median income.

The project will be completed in mid-2016.

In Braddock, the four properties referred to as the

Free Press Buildings, a $1.65 million restoration

project, are located along Braddock Avenue. The

historic structures were identified by the community

as a priority during a Braddock Avenue visioning

process in 2011. With assistance from Allegheny

County, MVI was able to acquire the properties,

address significant deterioration, and ultimately

complete a total renovation. MVI held a ribbon

cutting to celebrate the completion of this project

in October 2015. The buildings now consist of

seven commercial spaces and seven residential

apartments targeted to tenants with varying income

levels. In all, the project restores 28,000 square

feet to the tax rolls, providing a boost to the local

economy.

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In Monessen, the former Eisenberg’s Department

Store, for generations a hub of commerce and

the most up-to-date fashions, will be transformed

into 13 units of mixed income loft apartments

after sitting vacant for 15 years. This community

anchor, built in 1916, will retain its appearance

and will be sensitively reconfigured to take

advantage of the remaining historic features.

Located in the heart of Monessen’s downtown,

less than a block away from its newly renovated

library and greenspace, units will serve a wide

range of income levels. This project was funded

in 2014 and 2015 and construction will begin in

2016.

In Turtle Creek, MVI rehabilitated 12 rental

units while keeping the tenants in place. In

addition, an adjacent property was acquired

and developed into two additional units as

part of the “Grant Street Renaissance.” This

development, originally renovated and owned

by the Turtle Creek Development Corporation

(TCDC), transferred to MVI at the end of 2013,

with construction taking place in 2015. The

additional parcels acquired will be used to

increase parking and greenspace.

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Job Creation Through Real Estate Development

Through our real estate work, MVI creates many contracting and construction jobs. In both our larger

development projects and our single home rehab contracts, we strive to keep a diverse workforce

that reflects the communities in which we work. In the last three years, our projects have far exceeded

expectations and have substantially topped the 15% goal of utilizing Women Business Enterprises

(WBE) and Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), set by Allegheny County Economic Development.

The chart below outlines WBE and MBE participation as a percentage of total contracts awarded by

the County:

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Taylor Construction

The Housing & Real Estate Team has hired Taylor Construction and Development, a minority-owned

business, for many projects. The owner, Shawn Taylor, began the company with the goal of helping

customers get what they want within their budget. The motto of the company is, “Good people, great

work.”

Taylor Construction and Development has delivered on their motto, providing excellent work, at times

within tight budgets. Since 2013, MVI has hired Taylor Construction as the general contractor for the

Grant Street Apartments and 307 Sara Street in Turtle Creek; 809 Meadow Avenue, 203 ½ Meadow

Avenue, and 203 Prospect Avenue in Charleroi; as well as 928 Leeds Avenue and 1404 Leeds Avenue

in Monessen. Through these projects, MVI has provided Taylor Construction with over $1.4 million in

general contracting work, and this company has provided MVI with the high quality products we are

committed to delivering in our communities.

Before: 928 Leeds AvenueShawn Taylor After: 928 Leeds Avenue

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Community Planning & Zoning Initiatives

In some Mon Valley communities that are struggling to provide basic services with limited tax

revenues, being proactive in conducting planning and zoning updates has been very difficult.

This is especially true for those that have been or still remain designated as Act 47 Distressed

municipalities. These efforts require professional expertise in partnership with significant community

conversation and engagement, items that require serious investment of scarce resources (time and

money). With the departure of the steel industry in the 1980s, for many years these communities

have been forced to manage decline rather than envision how to grow. Because of this reality, we

have seen community plans and zoning ordinances getting further and further out of date. These

are important civic tools and when they lose their relevance in guiding the community toward its

ideal vision, it is almost impossible for beneficial new development to occur. As we learned from

several real estate market studies done within the last few years, some developers were unable to

even determine what the zoning was on a parcel of property they were interested in acquiring. Other

developers were welcomed and provided with zoning variances that were not actually legal. Old

plans and outdated zoning lend themselves to be ignored. This often means that any development

that does occur is rarely considered in the broader context of community-wide goals and needs,

or whether it could be leveraged into something more.

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Increasingly, and especially over the past three years, several MVI communities have been faced

with a seemingly new issue – market demand for new uses, new construction, and redevelopment.

With a clear understanding of the state of local planning and zoning in our member communities,

MVI engaged in a new focus area: we are now offering assistance to our communities to strategically

plan for their futures, and in six instances, MVI brought financial and/or staffing resources to assist

with the development of new, community-driven zoning ordinances. We helped to engage skilled

consultants, attracted resident participation through the work of the MVI Community Outreach

Team, and helped guide discussions utilizing the expertise of the MVI Real Estate Team, who

provided real-life examples of challenges and market-based potential in each community. New

zoning ordinances are being tailored exclusively to each community through this process. Residents

and interested parties were educated on both the roles of the municipal Planning Commission

and the Zoning Hearing Board. People learned that sensible and updated ordinances, responsibly

administered, could not only encourage wise development, but actually attract skilled developers

and new projects.

In each community, we spent over a year crafting new zoning ordinances. Many who participated in

the process are now watching and following the administration of the new ordinances as needed,

supporting Borough Councils and staff. As a result of MVI’s work, we are seeing interested residents

stepping up to volunteer as local Planning Commissioners. Most rewarding is hearing from developers

who note that the clear plans and new zoning ordinances are making it more likely that they will look

at, rather than past, our communities when considering where to make their investments.

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Recycle Park

North Braddock Cares, Inc. (NBC), the Carnegie Museum of Art (CMoA), the Braddock Carnegie Library

(BCL), and local arts group, Transformazium, partnered to revitalize “Recycle Park” in North Braddock.

Following CMoA’s 2013 International exhibition, a small team of professional architects and CMoA

education staff were recruited to join the Recycle Park Project to help develop this park into a community

asset that would have a lasting impact on the North Braddock community and the region as a whole.

Recycle Park, located at the corner of Bell Avenue and Verona Street, is a once-vibrant playground that

fell into disrepair and now contains only the skeletons of old playground equipment. The name “Recycle

Park” reflects the second life of the park and the community’s desire to revitalize it by repurposing

materials found in the neighborhood.

In 2015, NBC received two grants to continue work on Recycle Park. Funding through Vibrant Pittsburgh

and the Jewish Federation enabled the volunteer group to contract with architects and an artist through

the CMoA for the summer of 2015. They worked with local children to craft their vision for seating and

tables at the park, and made them a reality through several community-build sessions. A Fresh Paint

Days Pennsylvania grant from Keep PA Beautiful allowed NBC to paint the concrete walls surrounding

the park a vibrant mosaic blue in September 2015. With help from Braddock Tiles, work also began on

creating a colorfully-tiled entryway to the park.

NBC sees itself as having a leading role in being a catalyst for change in the neighborhood, beginning

with its ongoing efforts at Recycle Park.

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Make Swissvale Home

On April 30, 2015, over 50 people gathered at D’s Six Pax and Dogz in Regent Square to eat, drink, and

learn how they could “Make Swissvale Home.”

Following a presentation by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage on the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA)

203(k) renovation loan program, the homeownership opportunity highlighted at this event, everyone

headed out into the community on a self-guided tour of seven hand-selected, for-sale Swissvale

properties that were excellent candidates for the 203(k) program. Members of the Swissvale Economic

Development Corporation (SEDCO) were stationed in each of the homes to highlight the renovation

potential to prospective buyers.

“We know that Swissvale has so much going for it – we have a great location, great neighborhoods, and we

are close to where you want to be,” said Deneen Swartzwelder, Mayor of Swissvale Borough and SEDCO

member. “Sometimes properties need some extra love and attention, and we want to match our available

tools and our homes with the right person who wants to become part of Swissvale’s awesome vibe.”

As a part of the event, SEDCO offered a $1,000 grant in down payment and closing cost assistance to

the first 10 homebuyers that utilized the 203(k) renovation loan program to purchase a home in Swissvale.

SEDCO partnered with MVI, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, and RennoReady to host “Make Swissvale

Home,” with the goal of increasing homeownership in Swissvale. Three homes featured on the tour

were sold in 2015.21

Revitalizing Self

The financial stability and self-sufficiency of individuals within a community largely

determines the longevity of any achievements of community revitalization efforts. This is

why the family and individual services offered by our Housing Counseling and Workforce

& Business Development Programs are so integral to the success of MVI’s programming

as a whole.

MVI’s Housing Counseling Programhas continued to have success offering housing counseling in both individual and group

settings. Our Housing Counselor meets with potential homebuyers to help them better

understand their finances, obtain mortgage loans, and take the necessary financial steps

toward homeownership. Additionally, in its role as a HUD National Intermediary, MVI

has assisted its network agencies to leverage millions of dollars and provide housing

counseling services to thousands of households across the nation.

MVI’s Workforce & Business Development Program

assists job seekers in gaining employment as a primary step toward financial self-

sufficiency. The Team provides assistance through a three-part curriculum: “Know

Yourself, Know the Market, Make the Match.” Through this process, participants

gain a better understanding of their assets, learn of resources available to them, and

meet with potential employers to learn about career paths within local companies.

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Housing Counseling

At the local level, MVI’s Housing Counseling Program provides pre-purchase housing counseling

and homebuyer education in individual and group workshop settings. Through MVI’s program,

participants are able to meet directly with a Housing Counselor to learn the appropriate steps

to manage their finances in order to purchase and keep a home.

Additionally, as a result of a partnership with NeighborWorks® Western PA, the Team has been

able to provide a mortgage default and delinquency referral service to individuals and families who

are behind on making their mortgage payments or who may already be in foreclosure. Fortunately,

requests for this service have decreased over the past three years, as a result of the mitigation of

the national foreclosure crisis.

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As a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Intermediary, MVI provides HUD grant funding to its national

network of housing counseling agencies. These core operational funds then provide agencies with the

leverage they need to obtain funding from additional supporters.

From 2013-2015, MVI directed the completion and submission of grant applications for 26 network

agencies. Because MVI has primary HUD grant compliance and oversight responsibilities, management

staff of member agencies are able to devote more time to delivering services. Additionally, each member

agency can seek the advice and expertise of staff from other network agencies, maximizing resources

to ensure that all agencies have the greatest possible impact.

16,562

8,748

2,711

3,430

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Participants Receiving Pre-Purchase Counseling

Homeless Participants Served

Participants Counseled on Rental Housing

Participants Counseled in Home Maintenance and Homeowner Financial Management

Participants Counseled in Resolving or Preventing Mortgage Delinquency

HUD Intermediary

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Nyesha’s Story

The Housing Counseling Team measures their success not only through statistics but through success

stories, such as this one:

Nyesha, a single mother of four, wanted to explore her ability to purchase a home of her own and was

referred to MVI’s Housing Counseling Program. At the time of her referral, Nyesha was making rent

payments of $600 per month, yet realized she and her children were out-growing their small apartment.

She felt secure in her employment and was determined to work towards homeownership. As the main

provider for her family, she had already learned how to manage her credit and debt load, but she knew

that she could not afford to let her expenses spiral out of control.

When Nyesha arrived at MVI, her credit score was reasonable, but she learned that it could improve.

MVI’s Housing Counselor noted a number of accounts on the credit report that needed to be corrected

and Nyesha quickly took action to resolve those issues. Additionally, the Housing Counselor identified

that the biggest obstacle for Nyesha would be to find a way to save money while providing for her family.

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Together they worked to devise a realistic budget.

A few months later, Nyesha contacted MVI again. She had resolved the problems with her creditors, her

credit score was showing improvement, and her tax refund was on the way. MVI’s Housing Counselor

helped her to review mortgage options. Nyesha was successful in obtaining a pre-approval for a mortgage

and began looking for a home that would fit the needs of her family. When she found the home that met

her budget and had the amenities she desired, (which happened to be an MVI Rehab for Resale home),

MVI’s Housing Counselor also assisted her in obtaining a combination of public and private financial

assistance to make the home even more affordable.

After a little more than one year since beginning to work with MVI’s Housing Counseling Program,

Nyesha had become a homeowner. The home was already fully renovated with updated energy-

efficient mechanicals, a finished basement, and plenty of room for her kids. Nyesha’s persistence and

commitment paid off for her and her family as they now enjoy their new home.

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MVI’s Workforce & Business Development Program has been helping job-seekers find

employment since the Team was established in 2000. While helping individuals to “land the

job” has always been the top priority, it became apparent early on that many of the participants

could also benefit from tapping into other services and programs to help stabilize their overall

financial position. Over the years, the Team has worked with participants to identify programs

and partners that could offer other types of assistance (beyond employment services) to

complement the direct support offered by MVI. The combination of these services has provided

the boost needed to help individuals move closer to reaching their personal goals.

With the Workforce & Business Development Program already embracing this broader approach

in the delivery of career development services, MVI was excited to learn of the opportunity

to apply to be recognized as a Financial Opportunity Center (FOC). In collaboration with

Neighborhood Allies and with support from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), MVI

became one of three new local FOCs. FOCs are career and personal financial service centers

that focus on the financial bottom line for low-to-moderate income individuals. This means

guiding individuals to change their financial behavior by making a long-term commitment to

increasing income, decreasing expenses, and acquiring assets.

FOCs provide families and individuals with services across three areas: employment services,

financial education and coaching, and access to public benefits. These core services are

offered in an integrated way to provide a comprehensive approach to employment, financial

capability, and personal wealth building.

Workforce & Business Development – Financial Opportunity Center

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The FOC Process

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By the numbers...

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Southwestern Pennsylvania Re-Entry Coalition (SPARC)

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Re-Entry Coalition (SPARC) was formed through collaboration amongst

agencies in Southwestern Pennsylvania as an effort to coordinate resources for individuals whose criminal

record creates barriers to self-sufficiency.

In the last three years, SPARC has hosted events including “How to Get and Clean Up Your PA Rap Sheet,”

various “Lunch and Learn” sessions, and the “Life Without Bars” conferences. Through these events,

job seekers learn how to obtain their record, determine what can be corrected or expunged, and how to

address their criminal record with potential employers. Agencies attending these events learn about the

critical issues that face formerly-incarcerated individuals and discuss innovative strategies to address

them. To increase collaboration, the “Life Without Bars” Conference brings agencies who contribute to the

prisoner re-entry process together with job seekers going through that process, providing strategies and

solutions to effectively re-integrate individuals with criminal backgrounds into Southwestern Pennsylvania

communities. At the conferences, participants learn about resources for transportation, establishing good

credit, and re-unifying families. Also, employers provide perspectives on hiring individuals with a criminal

background. In 2015, over 100 individuals attended each day of the two-day event and the program

concluded with a resource fair with over 20 service providers participating.

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Jerry’s Story

Jerry had been unemployed for over a year when he

learned about MVI while visiting a local job fair. He

quickly contacted MVI and enrolled in the Workforce

& Business Development Program in February 2015.

Jerry was a veteran and a Commercial Driver’s License

(CDL) Driver by trade, but he had trouble finding

work because of his criminal record. Jerry’s financial

situation had reached a critical point, and he was

serious about finding employment. He was present

for every Job Club, on-site employer presentation,

and training program that MVI offered. He was always

dressed professionally in a suit and tie because he did

not want to miss any opportunity. Jerry also worked

hard at learning how to explain his criminal record to

employers and perfected his interviewing skills.

Before long, Jerry attended UPMC’s on-site

recruitment event at MVI, and the UPMC Human

Resources (HR) Manager was extremely impressed

with him. Jerry was dressed for the part, and he confidently explained his legal history and qualifications

for the position that he was interested in pursuing. The HR Manager asked Jerry’s MVI Workforce

Development Specialist/Financial Coach to email him Jerry’s resume and other information. The following

week, Jerry was called in to UPMC for an interview, and within one week he was hired as a shuttle

driver, earning $12.00 per hour. Jerry was grateful to MVI and continues to come back as a speaker at

Orientation sessions to offer a story of hope and success to other job seekers in our program.

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MVI Financials

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Thanks to Our Corporate, Foundation, and Government Contributors

Corporations FoundationsBenevity Community Impact FundC. W. Benedum FoundationG. C. Murphy FoundationPOISE FoundationPNC FoundationRoy A. Hunt FoundationStandard Charitable FoundationThe Heinz EndowmentsThe Pittsburgh FoundationWagner Family Charitable Trust

Government

Air Technology Inc.BNY MellonCitizens BankCommunity Design CenterDisaster Restoration ServicesDollar BankDowntown West Newton, Inc.Dundee ConstructionDuquesne LightEnterprise Zone Corporation of BraddockEQT CorporationFifth Third BankFirst Niagara BankHighmark CorporationHuman Services Center CorporationLGA PartnersLhormer Real Estate AgencyLocal Initiatives Support CorporationMcGee, Maruca & Associates P.C.Mistick ConstructionNeighborhood AlliesNETCOPlummer Slade PNC BankSteel Valley Arts CouncilThree Rivers Workforce Investment BoardTotal Development ConceptTurtle Creek Development CorporationUnited Way of Allegheny CountyUnited Way of Allegheny County Maurice Falk

Endowment FundWells FargoWesBanco Bank

Allegheny County Economic DevelopmentAllegheny County Department of Human ServicesPennsylvania Housing Finance AgencyRedevelopment Authority of the County of WashingtonU.S. Department of Housing & Urban DevelopmentWestmoreland County Department of

Planning & Development

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Anonymous Edith AbeytaSharon & Skip AlbertsLeanne AurichLinda BabcockJohn BachettiGail BachyNancy BakerEric BaldwinMary Kate BartleyEvelyn BenzoSilvia BessonartBarata BeyJohn BixlerDale BizubBethany BloiseCynthia BloiseDaniel & Deborah BookerChristina BostickJohn BottiJefferson BrooksScott BrownAnthony BubaAlethia BushMarlena ButerbaughCheryle CampbellRick & Annette CappAnita CioppaStephanie CiprianiTimothy CloughertyRichard & Lorraine ConleyBarry CoursonMaureen CusackSharon CusackFrancis & Nancy DaleyPatricia & Dennis DamicoLarry DavisTina DooseCharles & Deborah DrummondDr. Martin DudasMichael EichlerJanet ElderStephanie EsonGeorge FausoldColleen FedorJeb FeldmanMark FeldmanMegan Finnerty

James & Jane FlahertyJoseph P. Flynn, Jr.Regis FordSharyn GallagherAlix GarlitzLora GasiewskiBill GattiDavid GibsonDavid GillilandCourt & Sherri GouldDeborah GrassDavid & Nancy GreenJohn HammerJohn HarhaiCarey HarrisRon & Leslie HartmanJudith HarveyDonn & Lorraine HendersonCharles & Melanie HendrixSusan HockenberryDana HodgeApril & Josh HooverHarold & Tina HribalThomas & Priscilla JackmanJoel JenkinsDaniel JenkinsPeter KellarColin KelleyMary Carol KennedyEllen KightVon Kim Do TrinhSara Mae KruzanBarbara LaFacePatrick LaniganVeryl LawsonLarry & Claire LevineBob MaceyWalter Malich, Jr.Benjamin MarkleJanice McMannisHarold & Sharon MillerRobert MistickJay & Suzan MohneyPatricia MoyerSamson MurageZinat Naderi Aaron & Meredith NelsonKerry O’Donnell

Doris & Lawrence PatchelLinda PatchelGeraldine PergolaWilliam PfoffMike & Mandie RadichKenneth & Judy RagerDarrell RappCurtis & Tracey ReavesDavid & Marie ReeseDonald & Sherlyn RichesonErica RogersChrista RossGinger RumphJoy SablDaniel SantoroBeth SavageRicardo SavidoLen SchocklingHenry & Lori SchultzPatrick & Tamara ShattuckPaul & Gwendolyn SimmonsStacey SimonSidonia SimsicMichael & Mary SolomonF. Charles SpenceSteve TaylorSonya TilghmanArthur TintoriMichael TobiasJason TogyerEdward Trdina, Jr.Victoria VargoGina VelarRichard & Susan WallaceTim & Terry WardMallory WatkinsJonathan WeaverMark WesselJo Ellen WelshJohn WerlingGladys WheelerSheila WhiteDale YoungMatthew & Marlene YurkovichAnthony ZabiegalskiRonald & Laura Zinski

Thanks to Our Individual Donors

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CONNECT WITH US!

@MVInitiative

Mon Valley Initiative

Mon Valley Initiative Homestead

Mon Valley Initiative

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“Working together to unite the communities and restore the

economic vitality of the Mon Valley.”

305 E. Eighth AvenueHomestead, PA 15120(412) 464-4000www.monvalleyinitiative.com