Lawrenceville announces new six-year partnership

The Lawrenceville Corporation and Lawrenceville United are proud to announce a six-year, $1.2 million partnership with UPMC Health Plan, Duquesne Light, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, and Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Developed through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Partnership Tax Credit Program (NPP), the work of the partnership will be directed toward four primary areas of community need: Authenticity and Health of Place, Safe and Convenient Transportation and Mobility Infrastructure, Healthy and Active Living, and Clear Pathways to Education and Employment.

While Lawrenceville continues to lead in creating and representing best practices in comprehensive community development, finances do limit the reach of programming.  “This partnership brings incredible and sustained financial strength to organizations that are making positive change in the Lawrenceville community,” said Lawrenceville Corporation executive director, Matthew Galluzzo.

“There are significant gaps that exist in neighborhood infrastructure that need to be addressed in order for the neighborhood to realize its true potential,” noted Lauren Byrne, executive director of Lawrenceville United.  Byrne cited unemployment and lack of coordination among school-aged children as issues where sustained support must be directed in order to ameliorate those conditions.

Scott Lammie, Chief Financial Officer, UPMC Health Plan and Senior Vice President, UPMC Insurance Services Division added, “Our connection with UPMC and with Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC naturally connects us to Lawrenceville.  The new Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC has provided many people with a reason to ‘rediscover’ Lawrenceville and they have embraced it.  In so doing, they have glimpsed at what we have always known:  Lawrenceville is one of Pittsburgh’s historic and iconic hometown neighborhoods; a very special place where we can live, work, play and support each other with an abundance of schools, churches, healthcare service providers, parks, libraries, restaurants, arts, culture and hospitality venues.”

All parties believe that communities benefit when resources are shared among key partners to advance a common agenda.  The Lawrenceville NPP partners are bringing together all these vital tangible and intangible resources to further strengthen and advance our Lawrenceville community.