Welcome Gordon Manker to the WCDC
Gordon joined the WCDC in late March as a program coordinator

Please welcome our newest staff member, Gordon!
A former Wilkinsburg business owner, our newest staff member, Gordon Manker, previously served 30 years in the  PA Army National Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserves. 

Bringing extensive small business and veterans affairs knowledge to our office, Gordon now serves as a program coordinator. In this role, Gordon will work closely with our small business community, building on our work to revitalize Wilkinsburg's business district and encourage more business development and growth.

Prior to joining the WCDC, Gordon most recently worked at the Micro-Business Institute and the Environment & Energy Community Outreach Center (EECO), both programs of Pittsburgh Community Services Inc. 

Please join us in welcoming Gordon to the WCDC! 
In the News: Wilkinsburg Bounces Back
Thanks to Keystone Edge & Pop City for sharing our community's news

Penn Ave. at Wood St., Downtown Wilkinsburg.
?Jeff Lovett
Keystone Edge and Pop City recently ran a feature article, Wilkinsburg bounces back with development plans on the horizon, which highlights some of the exciting things happening in Wilkinsburg these days.  From the article: 

" From a  Main Street designation , to a proposed  liquor license referendum , to the renovation of its historic train station, Wilkinsburg is abuzz with business and development...

"Founded in 2008, the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation has been working toward improving downtown Wilkinsburg and bolstering business. Since the organization's office officially opened in 2010, 33 business district properties have sold, 10 vacant storefronts have been filled, and 22 vacant properties have become viable homes or commercial properties through the Vacant Property Recovery Program."

 

Many thanks to Keystone Edge and Pop City for featuring our community! Find out what else we've been up to in Wilkinsburg -- Read More
Last Call: Youth & Education Mini-Grant
Applications will be accepted through TOMORROW, April 10

Youth participating in Wilkinsburg Baseball Assoc., last year's awardee. ?Martha Rial
We are currently accepting applications for the WCDC Youth & Education Initiative Mini-Grant Program. Through this program, we award funds to organizations that support the academic and/or civic endeavors of Wilkinsburg youth. 

If you work with an organization that fits this description or know of a group that would be eligible, please share this opportunity.  Applications are being accepted through TOMORROW, April 10!
#CleanAllOver: Spring Cleaning in Wilkinsburg

Help us keep Wilkinsburg clean, green, and safe

 
Students pick up litter during last year's "Pick Up With PUCS" event in Wilkinsburg.
April 13: This coming Monday, 4/13, we'll kick off our spring cleaning with a quick sweep  of the business district from 8:30  to 10 a.m. Please meet us at Wilkinsburg Beverage -- 601 Penn Ave. To volunteer, contact Marlee Gallagher, WCDC, at  (412) 727-7855 or   marlee@wilkinsburgcdc.org .

 

April 25: On Saturday, 4/25, the borough will host a borough-wide clean up from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration will be from 8:30-9 a.m. at the Wilkinsburg Borough Building -- 605 Ross Ave. To volunteer, contact Larry Focareta, Wilkinsburg DPW, at (412) 244-2934 or lfocareta@wilkinsburgpa.gov.

 

May 8: On Friday, 5/8, Pittsburgh Urban Christian School (PUCS) will hold their annual "Pick Up With PUCS" clean-up in Wilkinsburg. This fundraiser is in partnership with the Nine Mile Run Watershed Association. To learn more and to support this event, visit bit.ly/1GHJFFM. 

 

Stay tuned to our emails, Facebook, and Twitter for more opportunities to volunteer in our community!
Community Events & Meetings

Wilkinsburg Tree Planting with Nine Mile Run Watershed Association
Saturday, April 11, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Parking lot between Nancy's & Tip Type - 609 South Ave.

Wilkinsburg Business District Clean-Up
Monday, April 13, 8:30-10 a.m.
Wilkinsburg Beverage - 601 Penn Ave.
Email marlee@wilkinsburgcdc.org to volunteer

Stream Sweep with Nine Mile Run Watershed Association
Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Frick Park - Fern Hollow parking lot, at the bottom of Lancaster Ave.

Dream City Art
Saturday, April 18, 12-5 p.m.; Gallery Reception, 6-9 p.m.
Various locations throughout Wilkinsburg

FREE Business Financing Workshop
Monday, April 20, 6 p.m.
Community LIFE - 301 Meade St.
Email info@wilkinsburgcdc.org or call (412) 727-7855 to RSVP

Public Meeting: Wilkinsburg Liquor License Referendum
Wednesday, April 22, 6:30 p.m.
Wilkinsburg Borough Building - 605 Ross Ave., 2nd Floor
Email marlee@wilkinsburgcdc.org or call (412) 727-7855 to RSVP

Intro to Organic Gardening
Bob Madden, Garden Dreams Urban Farm & Nursery
Wednesday, April 22, 6:30 p.m.
Carnegie Library of Homewood - 7101 Hamilton Ave.
This event is FREE; call (412) 242-3598 to RSVP

Celebrate Wilkinsburg: 12th Annual Wilkinsburg PSO Community Concert
Thursday, April 23, 7 p.m.
Wilkinsburg High School Auditorium - 747 Wallace Ave.

3rd Annual Ladies Who Network
Friday, April 24, 6 p.m.
Hosanna House - 807 Wallace Ave.
Email yourclassicevent@gmail.com or call (412) 723-2414 to learn more

Wilkinsburg Borough Clean-Up
Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Wilkinsburg Borough Building - 605 Ross Ave.
Email lfocareta@wilkinsburgpa.gov to volunteer

Wilkinsburg Chamber of Commerce Meeting

Third Thursday each month, 8 a.m. 

Borough Building, Council Chambers - 605 Ross Ave., 2nd Floor

 
 
Have an event or meeting coming up? 
Send the details to  marlee@wilkinsburgcdc.org , and we'll include it in our next newsletter .
 
Want to learn more about borough commission & authority meetings?
1001 Wood Street
Wilkinsburg, PA 15221
(412) 727-7855 (o) 
(412) 871-3149 (f)