Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh works to revitalize neighborhoods and communities in Allegheny County through homeownership and home repair programs. HFHGP has developed housing in Pittsburgh neighborhoods including East Liberty, North Side, and the Hill District, as well as the broader Allegheny County in Braddock, Duquesne, Etna, Homestead, McKees Rocks, North Braddock, Rankin, and Wilkinsburg. Over the past three decades, HFHGP has built or rehabilitated around 80 homes in partnership with dedicated volunteers, local communities, and low-income families.
Chaska Yoder, the current PULSE fellow working at HFHGP, is involved in community outreach and communications. She is currently working to create a strategic plan for engaging faith communities in long-lasting relationships with HFHGP in the South Hills area.
Volunteer Coordinator Derek Morris elaborates on HFHGP’s partnership with PULSE:
JS: Why did your organization decide to work with PULSE?
DM: Working with the PULSE program is an opportunity for us to increase our organizational capacity through engaging talented, compassionate individuals in our mission in a meaningful way which we would not be able to afford to do otherwise.
JS: What do you like most about your current PULSE fellow?
DM: Our current PULSE fellow, Chaska Yoder, has brought a new sense of positivity and energy to our community outreach efforts, helping us to forge new partnerships in our service communities and increase our capacity to raise awareness about affordable housing and Habitat’s work in the Pittsburgh area.
JS: How has your partnership with PULSE impacted your organization?
DM: Partnering with PULSE for the past two years has helped our organization to expand our services into new communities and explore ideas and initiatives we may not have been able to test appropriately without the support we have received from our PULSE fellows.
JS: What is the most rewarding part of working with PULSE?
DM: It is so rewarding to be a part of igniting someone’s passion for serving the community and to watch them grow in confidence and ability throughout the year as they serve with our organization.
JS: What would you tell other Pittsburgh nonprofits about PULSE?
DM: I would say if you are looking for a dedicated, thoughtful, and creative person to assist your organization with a project or initiative, PULSE is an excellent way to do that.
Story by PULSE fellow Julia Smucker.
Read more stories about the Nonprofit Partner experience with PULSE. If you would like to learn more about a Nonprofit Partnership, please visit our Partner Page.