MVI Honors Partners Who Help Move the Mon Valley Forward
Mon Valley Initiative (MVI) welcomed community members, elected officials, nonprofit and government partners, and sponsors to the McKeesport Palisades Event Center on October 15 for its Annual Dinner & Community Awards ceremony. The event marked MVI’s 38 years of service and recognized the people and organizations who contribute to moving the region forward.
The annual event gives attendees a chance to reflect on the work underway in Mon Valley communities and to discuss new ways to collaborate. The evening emphasized the value of working together across municipal lines to deliver results despite limited funding and resources.
MVI honored six awardees, including two regional recipients chosen by the MVI Board of Directors. Carla E. Frost received the H. John Heinz Award for her long-standing advocacy for community development in the Mon Valley. She has played a central role in securing funding for MVI projects in North Braddock, Clairton, and Charleroi. Heritage Community Services received the Regional Partnership Award for its work in transportation, education, and nutrition across the region. Its fixed-route transit service and Courtesy Card Program have given participants in MVI’s workforce program free transportation to access job opportunities, healthcare appointments, and more.
Additional honorees, nominated by community members, were recognized for their service at the local level. The full list of awardees is as follows:
H.J. Heinz Award for Community Service, awarded to an individual that has worked diligently to promote and further the resurgence of the Mon Valley region: Carla E. Frost
Regional Partnership Award, awarded to an individual/organization that has made a commitment to working with MVI on a program, project, or issue: Heritage Community Initiatives
Community Partner of the Year Awards, awarded by fellow community members for outstanding community service:
Braddock Youth Project, Braddock
Germaine Patterson, Clairton
Steven Williams, East Pittsburgh
Swissvale Area Gardening Enthusiasts (SAGE), Swissvale
In the evening’s program book, Chief Executive Officer Laura R. Zinski wrote, “Through changing times and tighter funding, we have not just remained, but we have kept growing, because of hard work and the broad support of people across the region, including in this room. That support lets us work across municipal borders and act as a bridge, connecting larger funding and priorities to real impact at the local level. Thank you for being part of that bridge, and for standing with the Mon Valley. Your partnership makes it possible for MVI to be a steady voice for the region.” The full event program, including full bios of each awardee, is available online here.
Mon Valley Initiative’s work throughout the year, including the dinner itself, depends on the generosity of our financial supporters. MVI would like to thank the dinner’s presenting sponsors, BNY, PNC Bank, and Disaster Restoration Services, along with all who supported the event.
Thank you to everyone who attended, and congratulations to this year’s awardees!
Learn More About MVI’s Work
To learn more about Mon Valley Initiative’s mission and programming — including Housing Counseling, Workforce Development & Financial Coaching, Real Estate Development, and Community Development — click here.
If you would like to become a one-time or monthly donor to support MVI’s work in the region, click here.