When you think of a “neighborhood group,” you might think of advocacy or action. But in the East Hills of Pittsburgh, they chose a different word: Consensus.

In the second episode of our Neighbor to Neighbor podcast, we had the privilege of interviewing Diane Daniels, the Executive Director of the East Hills Consensus Group. Diane isn’t just a leader; she’s a storyteller, a former journalist, and a fierce advocate for a community she describes as “an urban community with a rural feel.”

More Than Just Repairs

At Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, our mission is to ensure our neighbors are safe and healthy in their homes. But as Diane points out in our conversation, a house is only as stable as the community around it.

We discussed the critical intersection of:

• Senior Stability: Helping long-time residents—some who have been in their homes since the 1970s—age with dignity and pass their legacy to the next generation.

• Quality of Life: Why Diane prefers the word “quality” over “affordable” when it comes to the standard of housing every Pittsburgher deserves.
• The Power of Partnership: How the Consensus Group acts as a “voice of voices,” bringing together smaller organizations to speak loudly to city officials and funders.

“We are a conglomeration of different groups… if you have a group in East Hills, you should be a part of the consensus group because we all have to work together.” — Diane Daniels

Looking to 2026

One of the most inspiring parts of our chat was Diane’s vision for the future. She isn’t just looking at the houses; she’s looking at the 80 vacant lots in the community. Her goal for 2026 is to transform these spaces through clean up and redevelopment, revitalizing the neighborhood’s physical footprint.

From the beautiful “Sankofa Bird” art installation at Dornbush and Bricelyn to the millions of gallons of water managed by new rain gardens, the East Hills is a neighborhood on the move—and it’s doing so by remembering its past while building its future.

Listen Now

• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Amazon
• Read the transcript

How to Get Involved

Diane is always looking for “gifts and talents.” Whether you’re a resident who can help with social media or a supporter looking to fund new initiatives, the East Hills Consensus Group wants to hear from you.

• Meetings: Third Thursday of the month at Petra Ministries (6:00 PM).
• Email: EastHillsConsensusGroup@gmail.com
• Follow: East Hills Consensus Group on Facebook

At Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh (RTP), we believe that a safe and healthy home is the foundation of a thriving life. But a home is more than just a roof and four walls—it’s the place where families gather to share meals and find security. This year, we are thrilled to celebrate our continued partnership with Giant Eagle, a collaboration that is making a profound difference for homeowners across our community.

A Champion for the Community

Our journey with Giant Eagle reached an incredible milestone in 2025 when they championed our selection for the WQED Community Champions Award. This prestigious recognition highlighted our shared commitment to improving the lives of our neighbors in need.

Beyond the accolades, Giant Eagle showed up in the most direct way possible: through hands-on service. Throughout 2025, their dedicated volunteers traded their storefronts for tool belts, joining us on-site to complete critical home repairs. Their energy and hard work transformed houses into safer, more accessible spaces for the seniors, veterans, and neighbors we serve.

Beyond Repairs: The “Rebuild and Refill” Initiative

As we step into 2026, Giant Eagle is taking their support even further. Recognizing that many of our homeowners face food insecurity alongside housing challenges, they have launched a generous “fill the pantry” initiative.

This winter, Giant Eagle has sponsored dozens of gift cards to ensure our homeowners can stock their shelves with fresh, nutritious food. Even more moving is their commitment to “Rebuild and Refill” full pantry restocks. This initiative recently came full circle at the very home where Giant Eagle volunteers worked to make repairs last year. Not only is that home now safer, but the pantry is full—providing the homeowner with true peace of mind.

Partners that Care

Reflecting on the impact of this collaboration, Giant Eagle Community Relations Specialist, Shannon Lynn had this to say,

“For us at Giant Eagle, teaming up with Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh has just felt really good. It’s given us a chance to show up for neighbors who could use a little extra help in a real, hands on way. Being out in the community, addressing direct needs —it’s the kind of support that feels personal, and RTP makes it easy for us to be part of that. They are so deserving of the Community Champion title.”

Partnerships like this are what make RTP’s mission possible. By combining home repairs with essential grocery support, Giant Eagle is helping us address the “whole home” needs of our neighbors.

When asked about the partnership, RTP’s Operation and Communication Coordinator, Lisa Fitchwell said,

“We were truly thrilled to have Giant Eagle select our organization as the 2025 Community Champions. Receiving this recognition was meaningful on its own, but Giant Eagle went above and beyond to make an even bigger impact. Giant Eagle volunteers went the extra mile with respect and smiles that truly made a positive impact. In addition, they also provided Giant Eagle gift cards as an extra benefit for our served homeowners. Many have reached out to express their gratitude, and the food was needed at a rough time.”

We are incredibly grateful to the entire Giant Eagle team for being true Community Champions. Together, we aren’t just rebuilding houses; we’re restoring hope and nourishing our community.

To learn more about our 2025 Community Champion recognition, visit WQED’s Community Champions.