New Community-based research project aims to empower Homewood residents

Over the past decade, communities in Pittsburgh's East End have seen new development projects that have impacted residents and their quality of life. While some of these projects may be examples where residents, planners, and developers worked together, many others are not. The Strengthening Resident Civic Engagement on Behalf of Equitable Development: Partnering for Community-Based Participatory Research in Homewood  project aims to engage thirty youth and adult Homewood residents as leaders in understanding the indigenous definition of civic engagement and insight into the community's desire to act strategically in ways that foster equitable development.  The project is led by School of Social Work Associate Professor Dr. Mary Ohmer and Dr. Shannah Tharp-Gilliam, Director of the Office of Research and Evaluation at the Homewood Children's Village. In addition, there is a plan to form a Community Advisory Board for the project to ensure robust community input. Funded by a two year $160,000 grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service: Community Conversations Research, this participatory research will explore what residents consider civic engagement, development, and equity; gain insight on what perceived power the residents have to tackle these issues; and empower residents to develop an action/advocacy plan to influence development and neighborhood change in their community. The researchers are partnering with Pitt’s new Homewood Community Engagement Center a project through Pitt’s Office of Community Engagement. The Community Engagement Centers (CECs) are physical facilities that will help Pitt to be a better partner in the community and realize its place-based strategy. CECs create space for neighborhood partners, community-based organizations, and University students and faculty to collaborate and make big things happen together. The Homewood CEC Grand Opening and Neighborhood Celebration will be held October 18, 2018 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at 622 N. Homewood Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15208. RSVP here.