Board Candidate Bio for Jason Lucarelli
Name: Jason Lucarelli
Neighborhood: 10th Ward (Upper Lawrenceville)
What years have you lived in Lawrenceville? Pittsburgh
Why did you move to Lawrenceville? Pittsburgh
Current Job Title (if employed): Allegheny County Office Of Children, Youth and Families. Child protective service caseworker. August 2017- Present
Why do you want to be on the LU Board? What would you like to work on within the neighborhood? I am an extrovert in every sense of the word and thrive in being part of a community of like minded people. I also have an extensive history of community organizing, civic engagement, social outreach and advocacy that I believe is very conducive to the mission and vision of LU. One of the long-term goals that I have as a social worker and county employee is to progress to work in which I have the ability to impact change at the policy level so service with LU would be not only advantageous to those endeavors but also an opportunity to give back to my community as a resident.
Please list Volunteer, Non-Profit, or Board Experience: Allegheny County DHS LGBTQIA Champion Committee August 2018-Present; PFLAG Pittsburgh (2017-2019) Advocacy Chair; PITT’s MSW Student Executive Council (Vice President) 2021-2023; MOGI (Marginalized Orientation and Gender Identities) PITT’s Graduate LGBTQIA+ Student Organization (Vice President of Internal Affairs); Allegheny County CYF Wellness Champion Committee Member. 2019-Present; Habitat for Humanity: Volunteer, 2014-2018; GLSEN Pittsburgh: 2014-2015: Coordinated a youth led conference for gender and sexuality alliances in secondary schools across the pittsburgh Public Schools; PERSAD Center: Volunteered in youth programming under the mentorship of Lyndsey Sickler: 2013-2019; Albert Schweitzer Fellow for Life: 2016-Present Wesley Family Services: 2022-2023; Foster care intern and community organizer East Liberty Presbyterian Church: Youth programming, outreach and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ congregation members and Justice Committee member 2019-present
What makes Lawrenceville unique? Why? Where to start? Lawrenceville has probably more amenities within such a small geographical location than any area on the East End. Within walking distance, there are small businesses, a grocery store, restaurants, a gas station, a bus line, a hardware store, just to name a few. Unlike other areas such as Bloomfield and South Side, where there has been a considerable exodus of long-term residents, there are still many residents who grew up in Lawrenceville and that pride is something that makes me enjoy being a resident here. Also, Lawrenceville is unique in the sense that it has been one of the neighborhoods that has not succumbed to some of the failed initiatives that other areas have experienced, that have had long-term negative consequences (e.g. East Liberty, North Side, The Hill District, etc.) This is very important given the level of gentrification that Pittsburgh is experiencing; Lawrenceville can very much be a model on how our neighborhoods in the Pittsburgh region can function without excessive corporate developments.
One of LU’s core values is equity and the organization has recently embraced anti-oppression trainings to support our work in this area. What’s one idea you have for how LU should live out its commitment to equity? As a social worker, pursuing licensure through the NASW, my code of ethics requires that I identify actionable steps that I can take to address oppression. Personally I find data to be the most helpful tool to address oppression both quantitative and qualitative. What kind of demographics that we have in Lawrenceville? How have those figures changed over the past ten years? What is the perception that outside residents have of Lawrenceville? Do we consider ourselves a diverse neighborhood in terms of racial and ethnic minorities? Do queer people feel safe here? These are questions that can only be answered with applied research and stakeholder identification and engagement that I feel compelled to a part of finding and presenting.
How are you involved in the Lawrenceville community? I am a member of Lawrenceville United, I support all of the local businesses, I am close with many of the residents in the area. I love actually seeing children playing in the community and engage them to the best of my ability. As volunteer opportunities become available I participate when I have the free time. I am involved in many closed groups on social media that are specific to Lawrenceville.
What would you bring to the LU Board (e.g. experience, skills, perspective, network, etc.)? Community organizing, grant writing, social media moderation, stakeholder identification and engagement, minute taking and documentation, public speaking, diversity and inclusion trainings, curriculum development, computer skills, crisis intervention, diplomacy,
What is one fun fact that others might be surprised to know about you? I am Allegheny County CYF”s Premier, openly gay, calories conscious, married, Golden Girls Enthusiast.