Monthly Newsletter

August 2023 Edition

Meals on Wheels America Conference

in Phoenix, Arizona

Staff from Macedonia FACE attended the Meals on Wheels America Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona this month. Justin LeWinter, Adult Services Program Director and Kevin Jones, Supervisor of the FACE Meals on Wheels program were there to learn and network with other Meals on Wheels providers from across the country. 

The 2023 gathering theme was “Meeting of the Minds” – an opportunity for Meals on Wheels providers and partners to come together to gain consensus around what it will take to ensure we are meeting the evolving and complex needs of older adults and expanding our capacity to ensure no senior is forgotten. 

This year’s event focused on: 

• Reaching unserved older adults 

• Integrating nutrition and health 

• Collaborating at all levels



Macedonia FACE is a member of the Meals on Wheels of Greater Pittsburgh (MOWGP), a collaborative of six local Meals on Wheels providers who work together to improve the access to the home delivered meal program for area seniors. As an added honor, MOWGP was invited to present at the conference sharing how our collaborative is improving the quality of the home delivered meal program in Allegheny County. 

Housing Transformation Project

at Bedford Dwellings

Bedford Dwellings is the oldest public housing complex in Pittsburgh, having been built on the authority of then President Franklin Roosevelt in 1938. Thanks to a $50 million Choice Neighborhoods grant from the U.S. Department (HUD), the neighborhood will be revitalized with the construction of 823 housing units replacing the 411 existing apartments. 

“The people in Bedford Dwellings will be assured improved living conditions and quality housing and long-term affordability,” said Marimba Milliones, president and CEO of the Hill CDC. “That is extraordinarily important considering what’s going on in the market,” which is seeing studio apartments rent for $1,900 a month, she said.



While the ultimate result of the project will mean a significant improvement for residents, transitions can be difficult. Macedonia FACE is one of the partners on the People Team for the Choice Neighborhoods project along with Neighborhood Resilience Project. Together, two trusted, supportive service agencies. will work with residents to reduce disruption to their lives, assist with moving transitions and other related needs or concerns such as education, emotional well-being and stress, and financial planning. FACE’s commitment to the Hill District Community makes this project particularly meaningful and we look forward to the long term impacts of this project.

Terri Baltimore currently works at Macedonia FACE’s Active for Life Senior Center. She has been with FACE since 2019, serving in various capacities. During the pandemic, Terri answered calls for FACE’s Lifeline program responding to families experiencing hardship, helping them to access housing, utility, and food support. 

Terri’s passion for the Hill District of Pittsburgh is unmatched. She is an encyclopedia of knowledge about the history, art and culture of the region. She loves the vitality and curiosity of the seniors at the Senior Center, and she considers it a privilege to listen to the elders of the Hill community and their stories. Her favorite part of her job is exploring new spaces with seniors on the Hill and beyond that they have not experienced before.

Besides being kind and compassionate, Terri is a people connector! She has amazing vision and sees ways that people with similar interests can be woven together to create synergy and magic. 

"Since Terri’s move to working at the Senior Center, she has expanded the calendar of events and activities to include African Dance, storytelling, food demonstrations, and virtual reality programs, to name a few."

— Justin LeWinter, Adult Services Director 

September 28, 2023, at the

August Wilson African American Culture Center

You don’t want to miss it! Macedonia FACE’s annual event, Jazz for HOPE promises to be uplifting and toe tapping! 

The new venue at the August Wilson African American Culture Center will be the perfect backdrop for Performances by Tania Grubbs and Ensemble and the Hill Dance Academy Theatre. Patrons will enjoy delicious food by Bistro to Go. 

Tanis Grubbs is a four-time recipient of the Ready for Life Grant, created by the Heinz Foundation, working with young children through music and movement. She has also been a featured vocalist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Civic Light Opera, Pittsburgh Cultural trust JazzLive Series and the Pittsburgh Jazz society. 



Reviews of her latest album, “Live at Maureen’s Jazz Cellar” by the Tania Grubbs Quintet have called her singing “effortless”, cited her “expressive style” and “warm voice and honest emotion”, and noted her “superb, great intonation and expression.”

The Hill Dance Academy Theatre (HDAT) company will add inspiration to the evening with their interpretation of HOPE. HDAT was founded in 2005 by Ayisha Morgan-Lee, Ed.D. to train students ages 3-18 in various styles of concert dance, fitness and nutrition, and leadership skills. 

The summer is moving quickly, and it will soon be time for children to return to school. FACE Staff will be returning to the schools too, ready to support youth to have an enjoyable and successful school year. FACE is also here to support parents. Helping children prepare for the change in schedules from summer to the school year, with earlier bedtimes and waking times, and also obtaining school clothes, shoes, uniforms, and supplies, is an adjustment for the whole family that may lead to tardiness or absenteeism.

If you know a family that needs support in preparing for the start of school, please contact FACE at 412-281-2573. 

Jordan Morris is the Community and Schools Director at Pittsburgh Milliones University Preparatory School (UPREP), one of the schools where FACE places on-site support staff. Mr. Morris reported that they are moving to project based learning this year and that this model Is designed to “make it real” for students that all of the things they learn have a practical application to their lives. Mr. Morris says, “We want to make sure that students understand that their education doesn’t stop at the end of school. Parents, teachers, and school partners like Macedonia FACE all have the same mission to help youth become positive and productive members of society.” 

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