C O N T E N T S 3
From the President
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Business After Hours, Connections Schedules, and Marketplace Lunch Meetings
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Member of the Month Chatham University Women’s Business Center Dress for Success
Jim Boltz President
JBoltz@PghNorthChamber.com
For more information on the Chamber’s program of work, please contact:
Annie Cairns Glade Run Lutheran Services Bethany Christian Services
Director of Marketing & Events ACairns@PghNorthChamber.com
Melissa Leedy Director of Business Development
Legalities of Medical Marijuana
MLeedy@PghNorthChamber.com
Heather Schwartzbauer The Lighthouse House Foundation Ready Yourselves Youth Ranch
Membership & Digital Media Coordinator HSchwartzbauer@PghNorthChamber.com
Amy VanAtta Executive Assistant
Small Business: Tips for Ensuring Financial Success Alzheimer's Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy, Inc. Pittsburgh Mercy Health System Living in Liberty NexTier Bank Nonprofit Spotlight
AVanAtta@PghNorthChamber.com
Chamber Headquarters
5000 Brooktree Road, Suite 100 Wexford, PA
Cranberry Twp. Office
2525 Rochester Road Cranberry Township, PA P: 724.934.9700 F: 724.934.9710
From the There are a number of different ways that you get a return on investment you’re your Chamber membership. One way is to take advantage of our affinity programs. What is an affinity program? It is business partnership that the chamber has formed in which a company offers special rates or services to a chamber's members. We have several programs that can help you save money for your company AND your individual employees. (All employees of your company can take advantage of programs that we have in place. Last month, I detailed the Chamber Choice group of affinity programs. They include healthcare coverage, energy and business insurance. This month, I will detail the rest of the programs that are available to you.
Jim Boltz President
Did you ever need your will updated or need a living will or medical power of attorney? Receive a speeding ticket or had your teen receive one? Sign a contract of some type without having an attorney look at it? Have an emergency after 5 PM that the advice of a lawyer would have helped? Become a victim of a large company data breech? Need legal advice for your business? Have money owed to you that you could not collect? Need to remove something from your credit report? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, LegalShield and IDShield can help you. They offer a dedicated law firm, contract review, will preparation, speeding ticket assistance, IRS audit assistance, residential loan document assistance civil trial defense and so much more. Through the Chamber, every employee of your company can get these services at a discount by signing up with Legal Shield. By the way, there is no cost to the company to sign up to offer these programs. Does your company take credit card payments? Do you think you’re paying too much? Are you unhappy with the level of customer service from your current provider? Do you want to update to the current technologies? Direct Payment Consultants can give you a free analysis of your services. They have a non-nonsense approach to bank card processing that eliminates the unnecessary fees. And best of all, they are a local company. Have you ever wanted to advertise your services to new businesses coming into the area? North Pittsburgh Greeting Company will offer welcoming service benefits that advertise the business of Chamber members to new non-Chamber business members in person on their site. It is a great way to get in front of a multitude of potential new customers. Are you a golfer? Have you been thinking about joining a country club but felt that it was probably too expensive? You will be surprised to know that it probably is not as expensive as you think. Treesdale, one of the area’s finest country clubs, has several packages that will match your lifestyle. As an employee of a chamber member company, you can receive special substantial incentives to join.
As you look for the “return on the investment” with the Chamber, I encourage you to look at our Affinity Programs and how they can support your business, save you money and time and allow you to get back to growing your bottom line! Sincerely,
Jim Boltz President Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
PghNorthChamber.com
November 2019
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UPCOMMING EVENTS November 4
November 6
Meet & Move Luncheon
Max & Erma’s
Pittsburgh Marriott North
936 Sheraton Drive, Mars
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
5:00 - 7:00 pm
REGISTER ONLINE TODAY November 11
December 4
Health & Wellness Fair
Giving Tree Celebration
Cranberry Township Municipal Center
Glade Run Lutheran Services Dining Hall
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
11:30 am - 1:30 pm
www.PghNorthChamber.com
CONNECTIONS
Marketplace Lunch Meetings
Daily networking events for business leaders throughout our Pittsburgh North region.
November 6 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Monte Cello’s at The Hampton Shoppes 4655 William Flynn Highway Route 8, Allison Park
Wexford: Ever y 2nd an d 4th Tu esday 8:00am Chamber Headquarters 5000 Brooketree Road, Wexford Warrendale: Ever y Tuesday 11:30am DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh Cranberry 910 Sheraton Drive, Mars Cranberry Twp.: Ever y 1st an d 3rd W edn esday 8:00am Rose E Schneider Family YMCA 2001 Ehrman Road, Cranberry Twp. McCandless; Ever y Thu r sday 11:30am Fairfield Inn & Suites Pittsburgh North 901 Providence Blvd., Pittsburgh
November 25 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Family Bowlaway Fun Center 540 Fairground Hill Road, Butler
Valencia; Ever y Fr iday 8:00am Crystal Conservatories-St. Barnabas 100 Conservatories Court, Valencia
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For a complete listing of programs and events and to register, visit us at www.PghNorthChamber.com
PNRC Member Jim Logan, Pgh Repair LLC Jim Boltz, President of the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber said, “Jim has always been there to help us by volunteering to work at our events. This year, for the Taste of Cranberry, he outdid even himself. He was in charge of finding volunteers for all the help we needed for the event. He started comprising his lists in August. Because of his efforts, we had all the volunteers that we needed. The event was a tremendous success and even though attendance was up over 40% from last year, it went off without a hitch. A big reason for that was Jim’s efforts. Thanks, Jim” Annie Cairns of the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber said, “Jim Logan is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to organizing Volunteers for events like Taste of Cranberry. You can tell he is super passionate about gathering people in one place and getting the job done. If it weren’t for Jim, I would have needed a clone to help me organize and keep the Volunteers on track at Taste of Cranberry! Having Jim as our Volunteer Lead allowed me to focus on other aspects of the event and saved me a lot of stress!”
2019 Board of Directors Executive Committee Philip J. Scolieri, J.D.– Board Chair Scolieri Law Group, P.C.
Gary Basilone—Foundation Chair Basilone Executive Search & Staffing
Andrew Chiapusio—Chair-Elect First National Bank
Steve Diffenderfer—Treasurer Community Bank
Tracy Armstrong– Vice-Chair North Pittsburgh Greeting Company
Mark Prentice—Secretary Healthy Environments, LLC
Ann Gatty, Ph.D.—Past Chair Strategic People Solutions
Jim Boltz—President Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
Board of Directors Elizabeth Blakely Link to Visibility
Jim Logan Pgh Repair LLC
Kim Tosadori Petroleum Technical Services
Bruce Goodman CHROME Federal Credit Union
Alyssa Marsico Alzheimer’s Association
Lisa Heller Heartland Payment Systems
Tiffany Nolan i.e. Insurance
John Tubridy Franchise Network of Pittsburgh
Gregg Hill Dollar Bank
Jan Stevens Coldwell Banker
Kathleen Kuznicki The Lynch Law Group
Cynthia Stirling Strawberry Ridge Golf Course
PghNorthChamber.com
November 2019
Rakesh Unnithan WesBanco Bank Nicky Voynick Sechler Law Firm, LLC
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If you Believe in yourself Anything is possible Chatham University Women’s Business Center
“Phenomenal. So empowering.” Earlier this year, Chatham’s Women’s Business Center (CWBC), part of the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship (CWE) at Chatham University, was selected by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as the 2018 Women’s Business Center of the Year. We look at why. BACKGROUND In 2015, the SBA district office invited CWE to apply for a five-year grant to start a Women’s Business Center. “It was a great opportunity—though we had been offering events including training and networking, we hadn’t been able to offer formal oneon-one counseling services,” says CWBC Director Anne Flynn Schlicht, MBS. In April 2016, they won the grant. Since then, the CWBC has: • Offered 101 training programs, serving over 1410 women entrepreneurs with 217 training hours • Provided 987 hours of counseling to 468 clients, which has directly contributed to 82 new businesses and $3.8M in raised capital “We’ve exceeded our goals each year we’ve operated, which is what I think led to us getting the award. The Administration was impressed with the amount of training and counseling we do and also our metrics in terms of business starts and access to capital,” says Schlicht.
MISSION The CWBC works across Pittsburgh and throughout Allegheny and surrounding counties. Counselors offer programming and counseling at the CWBC office at Chatham Eastside, and meet with clients and organizations in neighborhoods including Wilkinsburg, the Hill District, the North Side. Their mission is to serve especially women in underserved communities, such as minorities and immigrants. Along with one-on-one business counseling, the CWBC offers six -week entrepreneurial training programs; half-day workshops; webinars; and seminars on topics including financing a business, digital marketing, traditional marketing, accounting, exporting, certification, legal issues, hiring employees, veteran business ownership, and business startup, growth, and new product/ service development. “Entrepreneurs need not just money to start their business, but also to grow it, and that’s one of the biggest barriers for women,” says Schlicht. “Their businesses are often more service-based, so they might not have access to collateral. One of the aims of the SBA is that all businesses need access to capital to grow. That means they’ll hire people, create jobs, put more money back into the economy.” For additional information and highlights about Chatham University Women’s Business Center click here
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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
PghNorthChamber.com
November 2019
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Glamour Vans: Dress for Success Goes Mobile Chatham University Women’s Business Center By Stacey Federoff
Ebony Griffin wears a uniform every day for her job in security. Recently, however, she wanted to make sure she had an appropriate outfit for a business meeting or interview, in case one comes up. That’s how the 38-year-old Garfield woman became the first client for Dress for Success Pittsburgh’s clothing consultants at one of its new mobile boutiques. “They answered questions that I had; they were very helpful and knowledgeable about fashion,” she says. “They weren’t just telling you, ‘It looks nice.’” Two Ford Transit-350 vans are now lined with clothing racks, shoe racks and accessories for the nonprofit organization to provide free clothing consultations and career-readiness services on the move. Dress for Success Pittsburgh helps women achieve economic independence through support and employment readiness, in addition to free professional clothing. According to the organization, research shows the two largest barriers to employment for women in the region are childcare and transportation; 34 percent of clients say they rely on rides from family and friends as a primary way to get around. “One of the things our program focuses on is meeting women where they are,” says CEO Tanya Mallory. The mobile boutiques launched in late August; one will rove to events in Allegheny and Butler counties and the other will reach those in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties. After setting up the mobile boutique at Hosanna House in Wilkinsburg, the Dress for Success consultants advised Griffin about appropriate colors and patterns for interviews, what would be seasonally appropriate for fall and professional presentation during an interview. The Bloomfield-based affiliate, established in 2005, is one branch of the international Dress for Success organization. Dress for Success can be found in 154 cities in 28 countries. “[Seeing] the relationships between women through this work has really been an eye-opening experience for me,” says Mallory, who has led Dress for Success Pittsburgh for two of her six years with the organization. “That’s why I love this work.” Dress for Success operates four brick-and-mortar locations for consultations: its Pittsburgh headquarters, Butler, Uniontown and Washington. In 2018, the organization served more than 3,500 women, with about 600 — or 17 percent — visiting mobile events. Prior to establishing the mobile boutiques, the organization would stuff staff members’ personal vehicles with new and gently used clothes donated from professional women. “It was the clunkiest and least efficient process ever,” Mallory says. “But sometimes when there’s a need, you just get the job done.” Mallory says the launch of the mobile boutiques, funded in part by corporate sponsors and local foundations, will allow the organization to reach more women than ever before. “I’m really excited to see what comes next,” she says. “I was so pleased to see that every county that we serve saw the importance of what we do to help women and the services we provide.” Dress for Success clients can now find clothing for interviews and career-readiness services at convenient locations with the nonprofit’s new mobile boutiques.
Dress for Success 412-201-4204 To learn more information about ways to make an impact in the lives of local women, visit https://pittsburgh.dressforsuccess.org. Find this published article in Pittsburgh Magazine in the new November edition here
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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
Glade Run Lutheran Services Since 1854, Glade Run Lutheran Services (Glade Run) has been serving at-risk individuals in our communities. Founded in Zelienople as one of the first orphanages in our nation, today Glade Run provides educational, mental health, autism, and unique therapeutic offerings to children, adults and families. While programming has changed our 165 year history, our mission to link faith and service remains. Thanks to the generosity of our community, Glade Run is able to go above and beyond to meet the needs of the individuals we serve. Recognizing the challenges of dealing with mental health issues when basic needs are not being met, Glade Run has established a Good Neighbor Fund to assist with extraordinary needs including food, bills, access to therapeutic tools and activities, and more. Thanks to the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber's Angel Tree Drive, Glade Run has the resources to put basic and therapeutic items into needy hands. Glade Run is proud to provide the community with free access to our unique Sensory Playground, an outdoor park designed to meet the physical, sensory, and socialization needs of children with autism and their families. Glade Run Adventures, our therapeutic equine, animal and horticulture program, provides a number of services to children and adults in our community, including camps, therapeutic riding, and equine assisted learning. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, scholarships for these activities are often available for those in need. Glade Run also hosts a number of community events on our beautiful campus, including Seneca Valley North Soccer and a number of conferences and special events. Mission - Linking Faith and Services Vision - A Bridge to a brighter Future Through Lifelong Learning
Core Values: Learning as a focus across all Glade Run’s programs as evidenced Program excellence and positive impacts Working with individuals and families in the most appropriate setting available Work environments that thrive on the seven commitments of Sanctuary Our Christian foundation To learn more information about Glade Run Lutheran Services visit https://gladerun.org
PghNorthChamber.com
November 2019
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Bethany Christian Services Together, We Can Change the World Through Family Today, 140 million kids don't have a permanent home. That's unacceptable. At Bethany, we witness what happens when people choose love. Not theoretical, unblemished love, but the real, messy, imperfect kind. Love that empowers vulnerable kids and families everywhere. Love is what led Tim and Michelle to say yes—112 times in six years—to children in foster care who needed a safe place to stay. “We couldn’t think of a reason to say no,” Michelle said. “The children had already endured so much.” Love inspired Jennie and Sean to invite their son’s birth father, Brandon, to celebrate Christmas with their family. Then birthdays. Then any opportunity to get together so Brandon could be part of his son Tate’s life. Thirteen years later, the bond Brandon shares with Tate, and his relationship with Jennie and Sean remains strong. “We don’t know what we’d do without Brandon in our lives,” Jennie said. “Open adoption has meant having a new family member to make memories with and to love.” And love is why Sandra opened her home to teen boys in foster care after her son, Jason, became permanently disabled in a car accident at age 13. “Everybody deserves a family,” she said. “If they come into my home, I’m gonna give them one.” All we do at Bethany flows from the belief that every child deserves to be loved, connected, and safe. For more than 75 years, our faith has inspired us to stand for children close to home and around the world. Through our core services and partnerships, we provide permanent, adoptive homes for infants and children; give children in foster care temporary, supportive homes to grow and heal; support women facing unintended pregnancy; and educate youth and families through innovative community programs. Everyone deserves to be loved. Together, we can make that a reality. Together, we can change the world through family. Contact: Missy Reeder Email: Mreeder@bethany.org Cell: 724-719-8093
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For more information about Bethany Christian Services visit https://bethany.org/
Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
Legalities of Medical Marijuana By Dr. Gene Gatty Legislative Are you aware some of your employees may now be using mediCommittee cal marijuana in your workplace? Are you prepared for the newCorner ly enacted legislation in Pennsylvania that now recognizes the legal use of medical marijuana? Employees are legally able to use medical marijuana for a large number of physical and mental conditions. The law also requires employers not to discriminate against employees who use the drug. The law forbids discrimination in hiring, compensation, terms or conditions of employment, location or privilege solely based on the use of medical marijuana. This does not mean that the employee can be under the influencer of the drug on the job. This is no different than being under the influence of alcohol or any other prescription drug while performing the duties of their job. The employee can be disciplined in the same manner as you would discipline any other employee. If you are using a pre-employment drug screening process, a person using medical marijuana will test positive. If he/she shows you a medical card that verifies that they are approved to use medical marijuana, you must treat them differently than the average applicant. If you refuse to hire the person based solely on a positive drug testing result, you are discriminating—and that is a “no-no.” Incidentally, you cannot inquire about the condition that permitted them to get the card. There are approximately 21 conditions that enable people to get a medical card, and the HIPPA law requires privacy be maintained. As if this is not enough to give employers headaches, Governors from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York met in New York recently to discuss legalizing recreational marijuana. Incidentally, marijuana is still illegal at the Federal Level, and the Pennsylvania State Police have a “no tolerance” regulation for driving under the influence. So, if an employer has an employee using medical marijuana driving a vehicle for work purposes, and gets stopped for a traffic violation, the employee will test positive and be arrested. The best advice we offer is that employers should not allow employees using medical marijuana to drive company vehicles. For these reasons, employers maintain an updated comprehensive employee policy manual. It is critical for businesses to stay in compliance with the ever-changing state and federal laws. Dr. Gene Gatty, Strategic People Solutions.
PghNorthChamber.com
November 2019
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The Lighthouse House Foundation The Lighthouse Foundation has been meeting the needs of impoverished individuals and families in northern Allegheny and Butler Counties for 34 years. Programs such as Food Pantry, Transitional Housing, Whole Life Ministries, and Community Auto Low Income Car Ownership provide hope and resources to those in need in our community. As part of its mission of encouraging others to find hope in Christ by meeting their immediate needs and empowering them towards self-sufficiency, The Lighthouse offers free educational classes to the community. Classes include Jobs for Life (job skill training), Faith and Finances (financial literacy), parenting class, and computer classes (Excel, Word, Basic Computer Skills). The Lighthouse believes education is a key component to families and individuals building confidence, regaining independence, and moving forward into self-sufficiency. The Lighthouse Foundation operates the largest food pantry in Butler County and is the sole provider of transitional and interim housing for young adults, single parents, and families in its service area. We promote individuals and families towards self-sufficiency through faith based job training, financial literacy for low income families, computer classes, and low income car ownership opportunities. Our goal is see lives transformed through hope and faith in Jesus Christ and by providing people with the resources they need to achieve self-sufficiency. The mission of The Lighthouse Foundation is encouraging others to find hope in Christ by meeting their immediate needs and empowering them towards self sufficiency. The Lighthouse Foundation delivers high quality programs and ministries which focus on relationship development. Our programs are designed to meet people's basic needs and help them obtain the resources and skills needed to improve their lives and become self-sufficient. For more information on The Lighthouse Foundation and its classes please visit www.thelighthousepa.org.
Member Accolades Treasure House Fashions
Treasure House Fashions is with Sally Power and Tom Baker. 16 hrs · On behalf of Allegheny County Council, #CouncilmanSamDemarco and himself, #TomBaker presented our founder and Executive Director #SallyPower with the District1 #DifferenceMakerAward for her “humanitarian efforts and continued dedication towards serving the people and community around her... We commend her unwavering efforts in making a difference in her community.” Makes us proud! #MakeaDifference #ServingOurCommunity
Have an accolade to share? Email Amy with any exciting news your business celebrates!
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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
Ready Yourselves Youth Ranch VISION: To help every child experience redemption. MISSION: LOVE the child, SAVE the horse, enable children and their families to realize the HOPE they can have in Jesus Christ. Ready Yourselves Youth Ranch is a faith-based horse rescue with a youth mentoring program located in Beaver County on a 50-acre farm. We are free to children in crisis, ages 6-18. Times are uncertain, children are suffering in every way imaginable. They are experiencing death, verbal, physical, and sexual abuse, neglect, bullying, homelessness and poverty, just to name a few. They lack the support they need to deal with these adversities. For the average child, it can be nearly impossible to experience hope with all that surrounds them. And Hope is exactly why Ready Yourselves Youth Ranch was established. To mentor these struggling children by encouraging them during their times of adversity as well as celebrating their accomplishments and giving them hope of a future beyond what is seen here on earth. Hope that will change their attitude and perspective of life so they can be positive and encouraged. Positive attitudes can only serve to improve our community as a whole. We offer one-on-one mentoring, group mentoring and group day camps, with almost 50 volunteers and only one paid part-time staff. Here is what the parents/guardians have to say: “Less screaming and tantrums. Sleeps better after a tiring ranch day.” “Generally improved attitude - gradually improving interpersonal relationships (slow growth).” “He was very nervous at first. The only "horse" he thought he could lead was the mini donkey. Now he's riding Calvin!”
“She stands a little straighter. Will actually talk to people about the things she did at the ranch.” “My child loved helping the horses and taking care of them. She felt confident and useful. She's willing to try new things that she wasn't before like starting saxophone lessons at school.” “It seems to calm her down a lot. Volunteers to clean around the house, takes care of her pets more.” “Having a positive outlook and something to look forward too” “He is more cooperative and happier.” “She was so proud and excited to tell me about what she did and her accomplishments ("I learned how to trot!" etc.). She is very good at caring for the horses and riding without any previous experience so hearing all the praise and compliments really makes her feel good about herself. She has struggled to find any sports/ activities that she enjoys and is good at. She is learning to work before having fun.” “Love and respect for horses. Confidence, responsibility, and enthusiasm. Increase in responsibility overall. More confidence in school.” “Me and my child found acceptance at the Ranch, something she wasn't finding at school. Working with the horses and her mentors helped build her confidence and self-esteem. Here she found the right balance of challenge, friendship, and honest work. Thank you RYYR! And thank you Lord for all the volunteers who give their time and energy to make this place a home. - CM Reitz” “When my grandson mom passed away suddenly it was such a traumatic sad time. I was so worried about raising our grandson and his sister. The Ranch is so positive. The staff so caring. The setting so peaceful! It is one of the best things that we found to help with our healing. It is a true blessing!” “It has been one of the most influential programs we have been involved with.” To learn more about Ready Yourself Youth Ranch please visit www.RYYR.org
PghNorthChamber.com | November 2019
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Ribbon Cuttings The Chamber is very fortunate to celebrate the grand openings of new businesses into our growing region. On behalf of our members and Board of Directors, welcome!
The Chamber was excited to celebrate a Ribbon Cutting with The Exercise Coach on Tuesday, October 8. Stop by and visit them at 20120 Route 19, Cranberry Twp.
The Chamber was excited to celebrate a Ribbon Cutting with Catalyst Co-Working LLC on Thursday, October 17. Stop by and visit them at 5321 William Flynn Hwy Gibsonia
The Chamber was excited to celebrate a Ribbon Cutting with Anthology of McCandless on Thursday, October 24. Stop by and visit them at 8651 Carey Lane, Pittsburgh
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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
Small Business: Tips for Ensuring Financial Success ADVERTORIAL Can you point your company in the direction of financial success, step on the gas, and then sit back and wait to arrive at your destination? While you may wish it was that easy, the truth is that you can't let your business run on autopilot and expect good results and any business owner knows you need to make numerous adjustments along the way. So, how do you handle the array of questions facing you? One way is through cost accounting. Cost Accounting Helps You Make Informed Decisions Cost accounting reports and determines the various costs associated with running your business. With cost accounting, you track the cost of all your business functions - raw materials, labor, inventory, and overhead, among others. Cost accounting differs from financial accounting because it's only used internally, for decision making. Because financial accounting is employed to produce financial statements for external stakeholders, such as stockholders and the media, it must comply with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Cost accounting does not. Cost accounting allows you to understand the following: Cost behavior. For example, will the costs increase or stay the same if production of your product goes up? Appropriate prices for your goods or services. Once you understand cost behavior, you can tweak your pricing based on the current market. Budgeting. You can't create an effective budget if you don't know the real costs of the line items. Is It Hard? To monitor your company's costs with this method, you need to pay attention to the two types of costs in any business: fixed and variable. Fixed costs don't fluctuate with changes in production or sales. They include: rent insurance dues and subscriptions equipment leases payments on loans management salaries Advertising
Variable costs DO change with variations in production and sales. Variable costs include: raw materials hourly wages and commissions utilities inventory office supplies packaging, mailing, and shipping costs Cost accounting is easier for smaller, less complicated businesses. The more complex your business model, the harder it becomes to assign proper values to all the facets of your company's functioning. If you'd like to understand the ins and outs of your business better and create sound guidance for internal decision making, consider setting up a cost accounting system. For more informational articles click here PghNorthChamber.com | November 2019
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Chamber Connections Meetings Connections Meetings provide the opportunity to meet the business leaders that make up your Chamber membership in a casual networking meeting, Regularly scheduled in convenient locations within the operational footprint, Connections is the ideal way to engage with potential clients and customers.
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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
Alzheimer's Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our Vision: A world without Alzheimer's disease. Our Mission: To eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
The Alzheimer’s Association is excited to announce its 2019 Caregiver Conference, Giving Care and Taking Care: A Dementia Caregiver Conference. It will take place on November 19 th from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm at Doubletree by Hilton at Monroeville. This Conference is free to those caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or related dementia. Throughout the day, participants will hear the latest updates and trends in Alzheimer’s care and support while participating in a variety of fun activities. These activities include a guided meditation, caregiver panel and Alzheimer’s resource panel, all designed to have caregivers leaving rested and rejuvenated. We are excited to host our Featured Speaker, Shelia Collins, an expert on dealing with some of life’s greatest challenges. Collins will speak to our Caregivers on Avoiding Burnout Throughout the Long Goodbye. More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease – the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 16 million family members and friends provide care to people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Pennsylvania alone, there are more than 400,000 people living with the disease and 676,000 caregivers. Participants can register by calling our 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900 or they can visit htts:// action.alz.org/mtg/46113815. Space is limited and while registration is free it is required to attend the event. To learn more information about the Alzheimer’s Association please visit https://www.alz.org/pa
PghNorthChamber.com | November 2019
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Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy, Inc Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy, Inc. (RCTC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), volunteer-based organization dedicated to the development, protection, and promotion of hiking, biking, running and walking trails throughout western Pennsylvania. RCTC volunteers raise awareness of the benefits of trails by encouraging outdoor activities on the trails. We are named after the famous biologist and environmentalist, Rachel Carson, because our main trail passes in front of her childhood home and birthplace in Springdale, Pennsylvania. One of our goals is to enable people to experience the beauty of our region, which Carson encouraged in her book The Sense of Wonder.
We are the caretaker of more than 170 miles of trails. One of our principal volunteer activities is trail maintenance. We are always working to keep the trails in good condition so that the general public can enjoy them. Throughout the year we lead hikes that are open to the public and free of charge. Annually, we sponsor two, major events: The Rachel Carson Trail Challenge and The Baker Trail UltraChallenge. The Rachel Carson Trail Challenge takes place on the Saturday closest to the summer solstice and includes three distances from which to choose. Participants can opt for the 35-mile “Full” Challenge, the 18-mile “Homestead Challenge”, or the 8-mile “Friends and Family Challenge.” Regardless of distance, participants share a finish line and must complete their journey before sundown. There is a magnificent cook-
out for participants and volunteers at the finish. Registration opens March 1st and usually sells out quickly. The Baker Trail UltraChallenge is a 50-mile ultramarathon held on the 133-mile Baker Trail on the last Saturday of August. Unlike the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge, this is a footrace. The "challenge" is for you or your relay team to win, or finish the 50 miles within 14 hours. Registration is now open for our August 29, 2020, event. Donations, event proceeds and volunteer efforts are used to preserve, maintain and enhance our trail system. Our work is intended to get more people outside and among nature while simultaneously pre-
serving opportunities for future generations to connect with nature. If you would like to participate in a hike, an event or to find opportunities to do rewarding volunteer work visit our site at http://rachelcarsontrails.org/.
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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
Pittsburgh Mercy Health System More than 170 years after the Sisters of Mercy brought community-based service and a “feet on the streets” approach to care to our city, Pittsburgh Mercy continues that tradition as a transforming, healing presence in the community. At Pittsburgh Mercy, we offer help – and hope – to some of our community’s most vulnerable populations: people who have physical and behavioral health challenges; intellectual disabilities; and those experiencing addiction, homelessness, abuse, and other forms of trauma. Our 1,700 employees meet more than 33,000 individuals annually where they are in life, empowering them and placing them at the center of their care. Our colleagues and the people we serve often go above and beyond to give back to our community in a variety of ways, including: Dr. Jim Withers and Pittsburgh Mercy’s Operation Safety Net team provide medical care and social services under bridges, in camps, on the streets – wherever those experiencing homelessness are found. Providing persons who are street homeless with housing and wraparound support services reduces hospital stays and saves the overall health care system money. Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto presented Dr. Withers with the key to the city in October for his ongoing service to the community. Pittsburgh Mercy Parish Nurse & Health Ministry program reaches out with programs to emphasize the importance of networking, fellowship, learning, and peer support for faith community nurses and health ministers as they assist their congregations and local community to better whole-person health – body, mind, and spirit. A 2019 educational meeting was held in McCandless. Persons served by Pittsburgh Mercy Intellectual Disabilities Services and staff have volunteered at Carnegie Library for the Blind, a Bloomfield community garden, and at Allegheny Cemetery, placing flags on veterans’ graves for Memorial Day. Pittsburgh Mercy is piloting a program to provide food access and nutrition to persons served through the Pittsburgh Mercy Family Health Center. Pittsburgh Mercy provides pre-packaged, medically-tailored food boxes for its food pantry at the South Side campus. McAuley Ministries, the grant-making arm of Pittsburgh Mercy, prioritizes health and wellness, community and economic development, education, and capacity-building initiatives for nonprofit organizations which focus on the Hill District, Uptown, and West Oakland, communities historically served by the Sisters of Mercy, and support to organizations that are sponsored by and/ or affiliated with the Sisters. Grants address varied needs, such as food insecurity and affordable housing. Recipients include FOCUS Pittsburgh, which provides weekend meals to 300 students in the Hill District; Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh and Nazareth Housing, for making critical home repairs for lowincome seniors and veterans; and Oakland Planning and Development, for their Community Land Trust to preserve affordable homeownership in West Oakland.
Click the link for more information about Pittsburgh Mercy
PghNorthChamber.com | November 2019
Dr. Jim Withers receives the key to the city Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and a proclamation declaring Oct. 21 as “Dr. Jim Withers Day.”
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Living in Liberty Living in Liberty restores dignity, freedom and a new life to victims of commercial sexual exploitation by creating a safe, secure, loving, and nurturing community where healing occurs and a new life begins. Each of the four pillars of our program support this mission: Street Outreach, Safe Home, Awareness and Prevention, and the Repurposed Resale store. Street Outreach efforts our conducted in six areas of southwestern Pennsylvania by connecting with the women prostituted in the streets and providing them with the resources and support to exit their circumstances when they are ready.
Safe Home And when they are ready to leave we have a safe home where we provide transitional housing and support services to women as they make the exit from sex trafficking and start creating a new life. Awareness and Prevention We love raising and awareness with everyone so that we can help stop trafficking in Southwestern PA and training youth on how to avoid becoming a victim of sex trafficking by speaking in schools and to youth groups. Repurposed Resale Store- Our Repurposed store provides funding for the work that we do as well as provide opportunities for job training to our women. To learn more information about Living in Liberty visit http://www.livinginliberty.org
NexTier Bank Nonprofit Spotlight Pittsburgh Philharmonic
Pittsburgh Philharmonic Serves the Community The Pittsburgh Philharmonic is southwestern Pennsylvania’s premier volunteer orchestra with core traditions of education, affordability and accessibility. Its goal is to provide convenient and affordable access to orchestral music to the greater Pittsburgh community. Founded in 1975 as the North Pittsburgh Civic Symphony and known as the North Pittsburgh Philharmonic until August 31, 2007, the orchestra was created to afford local musicians the opportunity to play great works of classical music. The Philharmonic sought and obtained its nonprofit status in 1992.
The Philharmonic has approximately 70 members, ranging in age from 15 to 80, and hailing from throughout the tri-state area. Numerous musicians have been members for over 20 years, including several from the orchestra’s earliest days. The musicians of the Pittsburgh Philharmonic, though volunteers, have notable credentials. Many teach music or play professionally, have advanced degrees in music, and are active members of the Pittsburgh music scene. All have talents that inspire others, like the hundreds of young people who have experienced our educational programs. Besides serving its members, the orchestra provides opportunities to younger musicians: The Summer Side by Side program offers instrumental students entering grades 8 -12 an opportunity to play side by side with the members of the Philharmonic as mentors for summer season concerts. In the summer of 2019, Side by Side students joined the Philharmonic at concerts in Zelienople, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland, Masonic Village in Sewickley, and the Succop Theater at Butler County Community College. The Young Artist Concerto Competition annually invites applications from high school musicians performing on piano, harp, strings, brass, or woodwinds. The competition winner is invited to perform in the Philharmonic’s March concerts and receives a $250 scholarship. The Pittsburgh Philharmonic annually invites submissions of compositions from residents of the Greater Pittsburgh Tristate Area. The Philharmonic performs the contest winner’s composition at the orchestra’s May concerts and the composer receives a $250.00 prize.
The Pittsburgh Philharmonic is committed to educational and community outreach — serving youth, partnering with local business initiatives, and performing numerous outreach events each year. Our musicians spend significant time performing at various events to promote our mission. The Philharmonic has provided music for local non profit events with organizations such as Carnegie Museums Pittsburgh, Phipps Conservatory, Millvale Community Library, the Tull Family Theater, and the Farina Foundation. To learn more about the Philharmonic’s outreach click here or to inquire about having musicians perform for your event, please contact the orchestra by email at info@pghphil.org PghNorthChamber.com | November 2019
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Thank you to our renewing members. We appreciate your support!
20 +Years
Basilone Executive Search and Staffing
The Garden Montessori School
Cranberry Community Management
Star Limousine Service Inc.
First National Bank - Wexford Flats
Co.
Vector Security
North Hills Family Dental
Terry's Plumbing, Inc.
Paracca Flooring
Wolfendale Inc.
A.W. Beattie Career Center
Thought Process Enterprises
TownePlace Suites
Pittsburgh Marriott North
Owl Cleaners Inc.
I-Clean, Inc.
Toplak & Associates
Advanced Controls and Distribution
Pittsburgh Philharmonic
Oxford Athletic Club
Pittsburgh Job Corps-Career
Summit Psychological Services Total Energy Resources, LLC
Transition Services
Karen L. Vidt, CPA Cranberry Eagle
Northwestern Mutual - Cranberry
Instant Imprints
Advance Sourcing Concepts, LLC
Family Bowlaway Fun Center and
The Brew House DBA KAMN
HouseMaster Home Inspections
11th Frame Bar and Grille
Holding Company
Trib Total Media
AAA East Central/North Hills
Kutchko Nursery Inc.
Junior Achievement of Western PA
Cranberry Physical Therapy, an MRS
Myers, Patsy & Associates, LLC
Physical Therap
The Pointe at Adams Ridge C. W. Howard Insurance Agency, Inc. California Pizza Kitchen
Symbiotries, Inc.
i.e. Insurance
JA Cost Engineers & Advisors
Construction Junction
Smorey Giger Law
UPMC Urgent Care- McCandless
Atria's Restaurant & Tavern Richland
Bonus Accounting, LLC
Welcome to those who have joined! Chefs for Seniors North Pittsburgh
Breathe Pennsylvania
Jacob Haglund
RH Marketing Group
Anna Shvach
Ian Fornal
Entercom
Emily Richie
Madeline Hennessey
Discover Your Dream, LLC
Felicity Moffett
Rachel Wakeman
Elite Custom Fitness
Gabriela Briceno
WallacePancher Group
Alyson Finnerty
Mascari Auto Body Inc.
Daniel Kline
Thank you for your referrals! Jessica Merolillo SSB Bank
Calvin Sales New York Life
Rick Diemert
Rich Coyner Minuteman Press
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Tracy Armstrong North Pittsburgh Greeting Company
Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber
PghNorthChamber.com | November 2019
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Thank you to our Valued Corporate Sponsors and Chamber Partners