August 2021

Meeting the moment has been NCJW Pittsburgh’s strategy behind its work for 128 years.  Continuing that legacy, and informed by the 2019 strategic plan, this month we kick off the NCJW Realignment Project: An effort to “evaluate and make recommendations for NCJW’s approach to community service and impact in context of both the historic and current strengths & capacity of the organization and within a racial & gender justice framework.” 

A 17-member Task Force, chaired by Judy Cohen and Dr. Elizabeth Miller, will meet over the course of 6 months to explore key questions, including: 

• How do we shift NCJW Pittsburgh’s community service work so its primary goal is to change systems that perpetuate racial, gender, and other disparities and inequities?
• How do we move from a transactional to a relational model of community service/allyship?
• Should our work be driven/informed by programs and projects OR a few key issues?
• What is the role of volunteerism and direct service in today’s world?
• What is NCJW’s potential to build on its current strengths and within its current capacity?

Please reach out to me with any questions or ideas related to this work, and stay tuned for updates as we move through this process. 

With a faith in the future and a belief in action,

Sara Segel

Interim Executive Director

NCJW Pittsburgh Section

Virtual Engagement Opportunities
Everyone is welcome!

LinkedIn - Networking Strategies
Wednesday, July 28, 12-2pm 
Learn how to find new networking contacts on LinkedIn. This presentation will discuss and demonstrate how to find new connections at target companies and then take the next steps to develop a professional relationship. This session is best attended by using a PC, not a mobile device. Sign up here.

Managing Personal Credit with Dollar Bank and the Center for Women
Friday, July 30, 12-1pm 
Join to understand the basics of managing personal credit. Sign up here.

How Working Moms Can Become Instantly Good with Money
Friday, August 6, 12-1pm 
As a working mom, you are busy with work and family. You'd like to feel that you're also managing your money well, but you're just not sure how to fit that in along with everything else. You know that budgeting is the key to being good with money, but you just can't seem to figure out how to create a budget that actually works for you and is easy to use. In this webinar, you will not only learn the secret to becoming instantly good with money, but you'll also learn 7 easy steps to creating and following a budget. At the end of this webinar, you will have clarity, control and the tools you need to move forward powerfully and confidently to accomplish your financial goals. Sign up here.

Homebuyers Workshop with Dollar Bank and Center for Women
Friday, August 13, 12-1pm 
Join this free session to understand how to prepare for and manage homeownership. Sign up here.

Building Our Positive Intelligence (beyond IQ and EQ)
Thursday, August 26, 12-1pm 
Our ability to work successfully with others requires more than we think. Join this free session to acquire strategies to build positive intelligence. Sign up here.

For questions on the above programs, please contact Megan Rose.

Volunteer Opportunities

Help Us Spruce Up Our Home

Inspired by your own house projects during the year of pandemic living? Anathan House, NCJW's beloved headquarters, in the heart of Squirrel Hill, needs a makeover to prepare for more in-person events! We’ll be sorting, purging, cleaning, and beautifying our space (inside and out), but we cannot do it alone. Help us bring the shine back to this historic home. Work solo or with a friend. Contact Sarah Altomari with your interests and schedule, and we’ll find a project that works for you. 

Kids Community Closets Needs Year Round Support

NCJW works with 19 community organizations and schools to establish and stock year-round closets to provide clothing, winter jackets, and books to over one thousand children in grades K-5 throughout the year. Sign up here to be added to the 2021-2022 Kids Community Closet volunteer list.

Volunteer at Thriftique and Get a $15 Voucher

Are you or your kids on summer break and looking for something to do? Volunteer at Thriftique this summer and get a $15 voucher for your work! Bring a friend to make your time at Thriftique even more rewarding and FUN! Sign up here.

Donate Today!

Last year, as the pandemic raged, our donors ensured that the NCJW Back 2 School Store and Kids Community Closets programs could provide over 1,000 children with backpacks stuffed with school supplies and more than 1,250 children were provided clothing in neighborhood schools and partner agencies. But we can’t stop there! 

Given the hardships that many families have endured throughout this last year, the upcoming ‘21-’22 school year is the most important year yet. Please consider helping one or more children jumpstart their school year. Support the 2021-22 Back 2 School Backpacks and Kids Community Closets fundraising drive. Click HERE to learn how.

NCJW in the News

R.K. Mellon Foundation announces $2.6 million grants to stimulate 'new-economy' jobs locally

We are honored to have received a $100,000 grant from the R.K. Mellon Foundation to help continue our mission to help women, children, and families. Specifically, this generous grant will support the programming we provide through our Center for Women, where the key focus is helping to reduce the outflow of mothers from the labor force and support their efforts to return through programming, networking, and infrastructure.

The Thriftique and Pittsburgh Conroy partnership is back on track for the 2021-22 school year! 

Pittsburgh Conroy Education Center provides a range of services to students ages 5 thru 21 who have life skills support, autistic support, and multiple disability support needs. The community-based training program teaches work skills in a variety of community settings that help prepare students for their employment goals upon graduation. Thriftique will be working with students two days a week during the school year. Pittsburgh Conroy Assistant Teacher, Bria Westry accompanied two students, Na’zae (NeNe) and Trinnity to the store for their first day of work. They were such a great help to us with hanging clothing and keeping our store nice and tidy. Ms. Westry is a devoted teacher and caregiver. Please say hello to the teachers and students when you stop by the store!

Donation Drive at Anathan House, Squirrel Hill
Sunday, August 22nd, 9:00am - Noon

We want your stuff! At Thriftique, we accept new and gently used clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories and home décor items.  All items must be clean and free of excessive wear or damage in order to be considered for resale.  If you would lend it to a friend, we can use it. We have tax receipts for your donations on site.

We greatly appreciate your donations. They allow us to continue our mission of serving women, children and families in our community through community service, advocacy, education and philanthropy.

We are UNABLE to accept the following items:

Planning To Throw Out Your Old Newspapers? Give Them To Us Instead.

Thriftique is in need of your old newspapers to wrap delicate housewares for happy customers!  Please drop off your old newspapers at 125 51st Street, Lawrenceville, PA 15201.

Community News and Opportunities

Research Participants Wanted

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the financial situation of many Jewish households. The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is sponsoring research, conducted by Brandeis University, to understand the needs and perspectives of Jewish households experiencing economic instability. If you are currently experiencing economic hardship and are interested in participating in a confidential phone/Zoom interview, please contact the research team at pghstudy@brandeis.edu. Interview participants will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.

For more information or to see answers to some frequently asked questions, click HERE.

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