PNRC Days of Caring

By: Carolyn Keller (Curio412) , Sheila Talarico (Glade Run Foundation) and Cat Miceli (Gateway Rehab Services)

Last year, the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber launched our Days of Caring, a program designed to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism and demonstrate commitment to strengthening our communities and region. Coordinated by the Community Outreach Committee, the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber organizes multiple Days of Caring each year that connect volunteers in the beautification of our Chamber's footprint and support of our nonprofit partners.

When we think about volunteerism, we understand that creating purposeful opportunities to connect with the community can be a powerful asset for local businesses of all sizes. Since both consumers and employees often identify with a company’s commitment to the community, volunteering has the ability to boost employee engagement and retention as well as enhance company reputation. Not to mention, the impact that individual and organizational generosity has on making our communities a better place.

Each week, through Connections Meetings, Nonprofits North, Ribbon Cuttings, and so much more, the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber encounters wonderful businesses and nonprofits doing great work. We are committed to providing unique ways to bring these organizations together so that our region can build resilience and support one another. Through Days of Caring, Chamber members are able to give back, engage in employee team building, and network with other businesses.

The Community Outreach Committee organizes several events each year, providing members of the Chamber and the community with a satisfying volunteer opportunity. In 2022, the Chamber committed to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Adopt a Highway program as the core element of Days of Caring. Chamber members and volunteers clean and beautify a two mile stretch of roadway located along Route 910 in Wexford/ Pine Township from North Chapel Road to Pearce Mill Road.

This year's remaining Adopt a Highway event is scheduled for October 6, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Volunteers meet at New Community Church and all supplies and safety equipment are provided. This year's Adopt a Highway Days of Caring are sponsored by Curio412. An additional Day of Caring event was held on July 28, 2023 in collaboration with PNRC member and nonprofit organization Gateway Rehab. Due to intense weather conditions, volunteer efforts were moved to indoor projects, with the anticipated outdoor volunteer efforts to promote campus beautification for patient experience enhancement being postponed for a future event. Please watch your email for the opportunity to sign up to participate in any of this year's Days of Caring!

Presenting Sponsor:

Upcoming Days of Caring: October 6

All Days of Caring are scheduled 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Interested in participating in Days of Caring this year? Be on the lookout for signups on the Chamber website and social media!

Which Educational and Career Paths Make the Most Sense forYou?

Authored by : Dr. Ryan Kociela, Director, Cranberry Center, Butler County Community College

Are you thinking of your next college or career move? Did you recently graduate from high school? Are you unhappy with your current job and career track? Are you looking to transfer or move on from your current college/university? Do you know someone who is struggling in their job or with their educational pathway? So where do you begin? What do you ultimately want to do? What makes the most sense given your situation? HELP!!! Unfortunately, the answers to these questions are not quick and easy. Post-COVID-19 implications in the workplace and in higher education have further complicated the ability to determine the “right” educational pathways to meeting your career goals.

Think practically! First, consider the options. Are you best suited for the workforce, military, technical school, community college, four-year college/university, advanced degrees? Which of these options best positions you for your destination career, provides opportunities for advancement, and makes the most financial sense? Consider the cost, anticipated career earnings, career goals, your comfort levels, and the potential challenges associated with achieving a degree, certificate, or credential.

In today’s job market, the need for employees has adjusted the required educational levels for many job postings. The New York Times notes that “in the last few years, major American companies in every industry have pledged to change their hiring habits by opening the door to higher-wage jobs with career paths to people without four-year college degrees.” In Pennsylvania, according to a press release, Governor Josh Shapiro “eliminated the requirement of a four-year college degree for the vast majority of jobs in the state government, a change similar to one that Maryland and Utah made last year.” Current job qualifications should be a guiding consideration in determining what level of education is needed to meet your career goals.

Choosing the right educational pathway may be one of the most critical financial decisions you ever make! Post-secondary education can be extremely expensive, but now may be a good time to “shop” for the right college for you. Many colleges are currently in need of enrollment and merit-based scholarships and financial assistance have become more prominently awarded than in previous years. Forbes encourages that “having multiple schools vying for your enrollment gives you the edge when negotiating your scholarship award.” Need-based financial aid, based on your family’s financial situation, may also help to offset costs for college. When financing education through student loans, be very cautious of the type and amount of loans projected to be accrued throughout your time in college. US News and World Report cautions that “of the nearly 18 million high school students enrolling in college this year, their college education will likely be the most consequential investment they make.”

The average federal student loan debt is $37,338 per borrower. Private student loan debt averages $54,921 per borrower. 20 years after entering school, half of the student borrowers still owe $20,000 or more (US News and World Report)

So, here’s one viable option (admittedly bias on my part) Butler County Community College:

• #1 ranked community college in the state of Pennsylvania 8 times in the last 8 years by various publications

• 70% of students leave BC3 debt free

• Many jobs now require an Associate’s degree instead of a four-year degree or higher

• Students can keep their local jobs while attending BC3

• Living at home significantly alleviates costs and helps to alleviate the challenges of independent living while in school

• Provides a stable and manageable transition to college

• Provides huge savings in tuition!!!

If you now have more questions and confusion than you did before you read this article, you are always welcome to meet with an adviser at Butler County Community College to discuss how best to achieve your professional goals. Whether your educational pathway ultimately runs through BC3 or not, we would welcome the opportunity to meet with you.

… “How Merit-Based Scholarships Work”, Forbes.com, December 20, 2022

… “Average Student Loan Debt”, EducationData.org, May 22, 2023

… “A 4-Year Degree Isn’t Quite the Job Requirement It Used to Be”, The New York Times, April 8, 2022

… “ICYMI: The New York Times’ Editorial Board Praises Governor Josh Shapiro’s Executive Order Eliminating College Degree Requirements for State Government Jobs”, Governor.pa.gov, January 30, 2023

Presenting Sponsor:

Alicia Photography

American Cancer Society

Armstrong

A.W. Beattie Career Center

Basilone Executive Search and Staffing

Baierl Auto Group

Borough of Seven Fields

Butler County Community College

Coldwell Banker - Jan Stevens

Cole Management Inc.

Concordia of Cranberry

CORE Environmental Services

Costco Wholesale

Cranberry Public Library

Cranberry Supply Co.

Cranberry Township

Creative Real Estate Development Co.

Alliance for Nonprofit Resources

AJ Technology Group

Best Buy– Cranberry

Chrome Federal Credit Union

Compass Self Storage– Allison Park

Cranberry Highlands Golf Course

Creese, Smith, Hune, & Co. LLC

Crisis Center North, Inc

Dillon McCandless King Coulter & Graham L.L.P.

Dollar Bank - Pine Twp.

Dollar Bank Loan Center - Cranberry

Dukovich & Associates

EZ Storage

First City Company - McIntyre Square

Fun Fore All Family Fun Park

Glade Run Foundation

Hill, Barth & King LLC

Holsinger

Huntington Bank - Wexford

CTR Payroll Services

Goddard School– Wexford Handel’s of McCandless

Heartland Payroll

Hope Lutheran Church

Masonic Villages of the Grand Lodge of PA

IMA |

Kawneer Cranberry - An Arconic Company Lifesteps

McCandless Corporate Center

Medicine Shoppe of Ingomar

Minuteman Press - Cranberry

MSA- The Safety Company

North Allegheny School District

North Hills Community Outreach

North Hills Monthly Magazine

Seneca Valley School District

The Chadwick

Three Rivers Paintball, Inc.

Tierra Realty Management

WesBanco Bank - Cranberry

WesBanco Bank - Perry Highway

Win-Son Inc.

North Star Buick GMC

Once Upon a Hero

Rogers School of Driving

Scolieri– Beam Law Group, PC

Signature Settlement Services

Wiest Asphalt Products & Paving Inc.

BMS Cat

Bobcat of Pittsburgh– Cranberry Twp

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh

Desmone

Fajita Pete’s– Pittsburgh

Fleming Insurance Associates

Last Mile Delivery Service

Levi Keller, LLC

MediLink Insurance, LLC

Northern Area Multi– Service Center of Allegheny County

TSS Photography

Velum Fermentation

2023 Board Of Directors

Lisa Hunt—Board Chair U$X Federal Credit Union

Mark Prentice Past Chair Valpak of Western Pennsylvania

Sheila Talarico Vice Chair Glade Run Foundation

Rakesh Unnithan Chair Elect WesBanco Bank

Carolyn Keller Foundation Chair Curio412, LLC

Kathleen Kuznicki Secretary The Lynch Law Group

Jada Lehman Treasurer JIL Solutions

Jim Boltz President Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

Board of Directors

Tom Baker North Hills Community Outreach

Niki Campbell The Flourish Group

Rich Coyner

Minuteman Press– Cranberry

Steve Diffenderfer Dollar Bank

Sherrie Dunlap Gallagher United Way of Southwestern PA

Ryan Kociela Butler County Community College

Perry Latimer Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau

Sally Power Treasure House Fashions

Craig Pritts My Benefit Advisor

Felipe Valdez Nothing Bundt Cakes

Bradley Wilkins Key Bank