Commentary: 'Invent Penn State' Rises to the Challenge

By Submitted Report
The Tube City Almanac
February 08, 2018
Posted in: Commentary-Editorial

Opinions expressed in editorials and commentaries are those of their authors, and are not those of Tube City Community Media Inc., its board of directors, volunteers, contributors or donors. Responsible replies are welcome.

Jacqueline Edmondson is chancellor and chief academic officer of Penn State Greater Allegheny.

“McKeesport Rising” is an ambitious project intended to address urban blight, joblessness, and morale in the city. Announced by Mayor Michael Cherepko in January 2018, this project invests in the city and will transform the landscape and opportunities for citizens in the region.

Similar efforts are underway in Braddock, Duquesne, and other Mon Valley communities. Penn State Greater Allegheny is playing a role in these important efforts by leveraging an Invent Penn State grant to address the educational and economic needs of the region.

Penn State Greater Allegheny is proud of its roots in McKeesport. The campus began in the 1930s as a center to develop workforce and labor education in the region.

The campus remains committed to serving the region, and Invent Penn State will further these efforts. This program provides $50,000 in grant funds to support the Penn State-McKeesport Community Center, located on Ninth Street in the former YWCA building.

Mayor Cherepko is an active partner in this collaboration. His office provides space for the Center, which includes two large classrooms, small office spaces, and access to multi-purpose room for larger events.

Currently, the Penn State-McKeesport Community Center offers community-based education programs and support for small businesses. It is intended to invest in people, and that investment will bring long-term change.

Current services are based on input from local business owners, city government, elected officials and the clergy. These programs are responsive to region needs and range from basic computer skills to resume building workshops, support for small business start-ups, and safety workshops.

Community outreach is also provided at the Center. In November, 50 families received supplies for Thanksgiving meals with donations from Sam’s Club, Jordan Banana Company, the Penn State Bookstore, and the Greater Allegheny faculty, staff, and students. In December, the Student Government Association held a toy drive for local children.

The revitalization of post-industrial communities requires strategic and coordinated effort across multiple institutions. Government agencies, educational institutions, health care providers, religious groups and a broad range of social services must pool resources, both human and capital, to address long-standing problems these communities face.

Penn State University’s support for the Penn State McKeesport Center will allow the Greater Allegheny campus to be an active partner in continuing dialogue and collaboration with institutions and leaders in the region.

This investment in people and place will be transformative as “McKeesport Rising” and similar projects in other Mon Valley communities take hold.

Tube City Community Media is committed to printing viewpoints from residents of the McKeesport area and surrounding municipalities. Commentaries are accepted at the discretion of the editor and may be edited for content or length.

To submit a commentary for consideration, please write to Tube City Online, P.O. Box 94, McKeesport 15134, or email tubecitytiger -at - gmail -dot- com. Include contact information and your real name. A pen name may be substituted with approval of the editor.

Originally published February 08, 2018.

In other news:
"Throwback Thursday: '…" || "Crime Stoppers Offers…"