County Exec, Bishop Visit Auberle Next Week

Zubik, Fitzgerald will help dedicate new emergency shelter

By Submitted Report
The Tube City Almanac
October 28, 2021
Posted in: Announcements

McKeesport-based Auberle will dedicate its newest family emergency shelter during its annual meeting on Wednesday.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and the Most Rev. David Zubik, Roman Catholic bishop of Pittsburgh, will join Auberle board members at the campus, located on Hartman Street, for the dedication during the organization’s annual public meeting.

Fitzgerald and Zubik are both expected to make brief remarks during the event at 2:30 p.m.

The theme of Wednesday’s meeting will be “Reimagining Essential Services During COVID.”

Auberle’s emergency family shelters were a crucial resource during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, said John Lydon, Auberle chief executive officer.

“The COVID pandemic created staggering needs across our region and the country, disrupting just about every aspect of daily life,” he said in a prepared statement.

“We had to reimagine our services — which remain essential to our clients — in order to really make a difference,” Lydon said. “In the midst of the COVID crisis, Auberle continued to operate 24/7, serving a record number of people in our 70-year history and launching nine new programs to meet the needs.”

Auberle is a non-profit organization that provides both residential and outpatient services to youth and families, including foster care, violence prevention, mental health and wellness counseling and homelessness prevention in McKeesport and throughout the Pittsburgh area.

The program served more than 4,000 people last year, a spokeswoman said.

In recognition of its ongoing support towards Auberle’s growth last year, the organization also will honor the Allegheny County Department of Human Services as an essential community partner.

“The Allegheny County Department of Human Services was a crucial partner with Auberle in anticipating where the disruptions would hit and being ready to meet the challenges,” Lydon said. “We want to recognize them publicly, as much of the impact of their work was primarily witnessed by those served.”

Lydon is scheduled to present the agency’s annual accomplishments to highlight the growth and innovation of its programs and services while also recognizing the support of all those who helped to make this happen, including Auberle’s staff.

“I have never been prouder of Auberle staff,” he said. “Their passion, creativity, and commitment were on display every day. Our work often requires face-to-face contact to make a difference for those we serve. With people being exposed to the virus, our staff worked safely and tirelessly to address many unmet needs. Auberle staff was the difference for thousands of people in the region.”

The public portion of the meeting will begin with a light reception. To register for the event, contact Ashley Bright, Auberle’s Director of Development, at ashleybr@auberle.org.

Originally published October 28, 2021.

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