YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh

The Thelma Lovette YMCA is a castle on the Hill!! It is an awesome representation of the mission of the YMCA. Come check it out; it’s less than 5 minutes from downtown and close to Shady Side, Squirrel Hill, and East Liberty. I’d be happy to coordinate a tour. It is in such a convenient location but is still a hidden gem. Full gym, beautiful pool, mission-oriented people, and plenty of impactful programming.

Loved watching our YMCA Youth in Government advocates in action as we visited with elected officials in DC today. Pittsburgh Obama junior, Sean Gaines, impressed Congresswoman Summer Lee as he spoke on legislative priorities that will strengthen our communities. #Yadvocates #Yadvocacy Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs YMCA of the USA Amy Haralson Kienle Greg Supianoski YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh

Thank you Anna Keilly from the office of Senator John Fetterman, for meeting with us during Y National Advocacy Days. We appreciate the Senator’s support for child care funding. #YAdvocacy #Yadvocates #CCDBG #chronicdiseaseprevention #charitableact #NMTC #BCBA Nathan B. Amy Haralson Kienle Greg Supianoski Shannon Vargesko, SHRM-CP

This week, 2 dozen PA YMCA professionals and 2 amazing youth advocates joined staff and volunteers from around the country to share our legislative priorities and lift up the important work we do in the communities we serve.

At The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, Lifeguarding is not a seasonal job- apply today to be a part of our Aquatics teams! With year-round indoor pools at the Thelma Lovette YMCA (Hill District), Sampson Family YMCA (Plum), Spencer Family YMCA (Bethel Park), and the Baierl Family YMCA (Sewickley) there is sure to be a location close to home. We offer flexible hours, monthly in-services, and continued Lifeguard education to keep your skills sharp while serving and protecting your community. Follow the link below to our hiring portal: https://lnkd.in/ee2s-h8T

The Thelma Lovette YMCA in the historic Hill District neighborhood was constructed in 2013 and is just a short walk away from the former Centre Ave YMCA. Who was Thelma Lovette, and why did the YMCA choose to dedicate the branch with her name? Thelma Lovette was a fierce advocate for racial equity, community service, and women’s rights- her name carries a legacy of achievement and service that reaches far beyond the walls of our YMCA branches and the city of Pittsburgh. Thelma Williams Lovette was born on February 28, 1916, the fifth of eleven children who grew up on Wylie Avenue in the Hill District. For as long as she can remember, the YMCA has been a part of her life. Thelma's parents taught her early on that service to others is a way of life- as much as a duty and a calling. During her many years of faithful service to the YMCA, Mrs. Lovette started a club for her high school girls know as the Sequoires Tri-HI Y Club. Under her leadership, the girls performed volunteer activities throughout the area. Mrs. Lovette's example inspired her daughter to start a Y girls' club for the elementary school. Mrs. Lovette also began a Healthy Living Group at the Centre Avenue YMCA for stroke victims, and continued to be involved in developing programming for girls. She also served as the first Black female board member for the Centre Avenue Y and years later, for the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh. In 1996, the Centre Avenue Y Director nominated Mrs. Lovette as a Community Hero for the Olympic Torch relay. She was chosen to run a segment of the race, and the torch she carried is now hanging in the Thelma Lovette YMCA. Every day, the Thelma Lovette YMCA strives to carry on her legacy of service. Through multiple community and fitness programs they are working to make a better world for our youngest and oldest generations, and everyone in between. Through partnerships with The Miller School they are providing supplemental reading and math support for K-5 students through The Literacy Project. Macedonia Family and Community Enrichment partners with the Thelma Lovette YMCA to provide seniors with meals, exercise, and fellowship. Their swim lessons allow children and adults to learn life-saving skills, no matter your age. Through these programs and connections we honor the spirit of Thelma Lovette in the best way we know how- service to our community. To learn more about her life through her own words, follow the link below to Pittsburgh Quarterly: https://lnkd.in/eVep4CEM #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM #YMCAForAll

We were honored to host Governor Josh Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis and Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis at the YMCA-Duquesne University Child Development Center this afternoon. The Governor hosted an informative roundtable discussion on workforce development challenges in childcare. Staff, parents and teachers spoke about the positive impact of the proposed childcare investments in the Shapiro-Davis FY25-26 budget. Thanks for your leadership and commitment to #gettingstuffdone!

The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh has gone through many changes in its 100-plus-year history, but one thing has remained the same- we are making an impact in historically Black neighborhoods throughout the city. The Homewood-Brushton YMCA was founded in 1914 with its first meetings occurring at a church on the corner of Homewood Ave. and Bennett street. The first permanent location for the Homewood-Brushton YMCA was a house located at 7140 Bennett Street that was purchased by The Y. While the original building is no longer standing, the street address for the Homewood-Brushton YMCA remains the same over 110 years later. The Homewood-Brushton YMCA continues to thrive with youth-centered programs that encourage computer literacy, STEM education, and self expression through visual and audio arts via The Lighthouse Project. With our state-of-the-art Y-Creator Space and a fully equipped sound studio, the Homewood-Brushton YMCA is pushing the limits of what it means to be a community hub. In addition to youth programming, the Homewood-Brushton YMCA offers other community centered programs such as: in-house career and workforce development support; free tax preparation through our partners at the United Way; Partnerships with Stop The Violence Pittsburgh to bring awareness to gun violence and create safe spaces for our youth; free career development courses through our partners at Pittsburgh Catholic Charities; a new partnership with Cloud Collective Media to bring education about remote vehicle and drone operation, and so much more. #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM #YMCAForAll

Charles "Teenie" Harris, born July 2, 1908, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was a pioneering Black photographer whose work captured the vibrant life, culture, and struggles, and successes of Pittsburgh's Black community. Born and raised in the Hill District, Harris developed a deep connection to the people and communities that would later become central to his work. His entry into the world of photography started in the 1930’s, when he opened his own photography studio in the Hill District, where he began documenting the lives of everyday people. Harris became best known for his work with the Pittsburgh Courier, one of the most influential Black newspapers in the United States. As the staff photographer from the 1930’s through the 1970’s, he captured a collection of nearly 80,000 images that provided a vivid visual record of Black life during a transformative era in U.S. history. The Centre Avenue YMCA in the Hill District was a significant hub for the Black community during Harris's lifetime. It served as a space for social, cultural, and political activities, as well as a vital support system for Black Pittsburghers who faced systemic discrimination in housing and employment. Harris had a close connection to the Centre Avenue YMCA, both as a community member and as a chronicler of its history. Through his lens, he documented the YMCA's role as a cornerstone of the Hill District, capturing images of meetings, events, and individuals who frequented the building. He also volunteered as the basketball coach at The Y while not taking pictures. His photographs showcase the YMCA’s importance as a center of empowerment and unity for the Black community. Harris’s images of the YMCA reflect not only its physical presence but also its symbolic role as a place of refuge and opportunity in an era of segregation. Harris passed in 1998 at the age of 89. To view his work, follow the link below to the Carnegie Museum of Art’s online gallery: https://lnkd.in/eTahMAj2 #BlackHistoryMonth #YForAll #YMCABlackHistoryMonth Photographs by Charles 'Teenie' Harris, ? Carnegie Museum of Art, Teenie Harris Archive.

We are currently accepting participant registrations for our second cohort of LIVESTRONG? at the YMCA, a comprehensive cancer survivorship program for adults. This free 12-week program led by our team of LIVESTRONG? at the YMCA certified trainers is ready to help you take back control of your life after cancer. With our wholistic approach, each program participant will have a personalized plan to achieve your specific goals. Whether it is reclaiming a nutritious and healthy diet, getting your strength back to walk up a flight of stairs, or being able to bend down to tie your shoe- we will be with you for EVERY step. This program is available at our Sampson Family YMCA (next cohort starting in March) and Homewood-Brushton YMCA (next cohort starting in May). #livestrongattheymca For more information on how to enroll in the LIVESTRONG? at the YMCA program, give our team leads a call: Jennifer Werley, Sampson Family YMCA: 724-327-4667 Erin Evans, Homewood-Brushton YMCA: 412-243-2900