A safe and healthy home is our top priority, but when extreme heat strikes, homes without air conditioning can quickly become dangerous. The National Weather Service has issued a severe Heat Advisory for our area from Tuesday, June 30, through Friday, July 3, with heat indexes expected to reach 102 degrees.

Because overnight temperatures will remain high, homes may struggle to cool down. Please take this seriously—extreme heat can become dangerous very quickly, even for those who are young and healthy.

If your home becomes dangerously hot, please do not try to tough it out. There are places across our district where you can cool down.

Find Immediate Relief: Call 2-1-1

The fastest way to find the closest cooling center or cooling station is to dial 2-1-1 or search the United Way summer resources using your ZIP code online. Because locations and hours can change as local governments respond, always call to confirm a location is open before leaving home.

Local Cooling Centers

The following CitiParks cooling centers are scheduled to remain open from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily through Thursday, July 2:

• Beechview Healthy Active Living Center: 1555 Broadway Ave, 15216
• Greenfield Healthy Active Living Center: 745 Greenfield Ave, 15217
• Homewood Healthy Active Living Center: 7321 Frankstown Ave, 15208
• Sheraden Healthy Active Living Center: 720 Sherwood Ave, 15204
• South Side Healthy Active Living Center: 12th and Bingham Streets, 15203

These centers are open to the everyone (not just older adults) and will hae food, drinks, and snacks available.

Allegheny County Resources

Older Adults: Call the Allegheny County Senior Line at 412-350-5460 for help finding a safe place to cool down.

Adults Experiencing Homelessness: Visit the Second Avenue Commons Engagement Center (700 Second Ave, 1st Floor, 15219) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Phone: 412-775-9001.

Westmoreland County Resources

Select libraries are serving as cooling spaces during normal operating hours (please call ahead to confirm):

• Norwin Public Library: 100 Caruthers Lane, Irwin (724-863-4700)
• Penn Area Library: 2001 Municipal Court, Harrison City (724-744-4414)
• Trafford Library: 416 Brinton Avenue, Trafford (412-372-5115)

Older Adults: The Jeannette Center for Active Adults (211 Gaskill Ave) may be available. Call the Area Agency on Aging at 724-830-4444.

Know the Signs of Heat Illness

Pay attention to what your body is telling you, and check on your neighbors—especially older adults, people with disabilities, and anyone living alone.

Heat Exhaustion

Signs: Heavy sweating; headache, nausea, or dizziness; weakness; muscle cramps; extreme thirst; pale/cool skin.
Action: Move to an air-conditioned area, loosen clothing, apply cool wet cloths, and sip water. Seek medical help if symptoms do not improve.

Heat Stroke (Medical Emergency)

Signs: Confusion or slurred speech; fainting; seizures; very hot skin (dry or sweating); dangerously high body temperature.
Action: Call 911 immediately. Begin cooling the person with cold water or ice while waiting for help. Do not leave them alone.

Protecting Your Home, Family, and Pets

Keep the heat out: Close blinds and curtains during the day. Avoid using your oven or large appliances.

Hydrate: Drink water regularly before you feel thirsty.

Cool down: Take a cool shower or bath. Remember that fans do not protect against heat illness in rooms hotter than 90 degrees.

Protect your pets: Keep pets indoors with AC and fresh water. Walk dogs in the early morning or late evening. If the pavement is too hot for the back of your hand, it will burn their paws. Note: If you need a cooling center, call 2-1-1 first to confirm their pet policy.

Work safely: If you work outdoors or in a hot building, take frequent shaded breaks, drink water, and use a buddy system.

Power Outages and Utility Help

If your power goes out, report it directly to your electric utility and stay at least 30 feet away from any downed lines (call 911 to report them).

Duquesne Light: 888-393-7000
West Penn Power / FirstEnergy: 888-544-4877 (or text OUT to 544487)

If you are struggling to afford the cost of keeping your home cool, contact your utility to ask about customer-assistance programs, or call the PA Public Utility Commission at 1-800-692-7380.

Please stay safe during this heatwave and be sure to check on your neighbors.

Warm up those vocal cords and clear your calendars!

We are thrilled to invite you to an unforgettable evening of music, community spirit, and impact. On Saturday, July 25th, we are taking over the Babylon Bar & Restaurant in Homestead for a high-energy Karaoke Night Fundraiser—and the entire community is invited!

Whether you are a seasoned performer ready to take center stage, a group looking for a fun night out, or someone who just loves to cheer on others from the crowd, this event has something for everyone. To make sure this night is as inclusive as possible for all our neighbors, the event is entirely free to attend. There are no tickets required—just bring yourself, your friends, and your enthusiasm!

Every dollar raised through our raffle activities during the evening will go directly toward funding critical, safe, and healthy home repairs for vulnerable homeowners in our local neighborhoods.

🎤 Event At-A-Glance

Date: Saturday, July 25th
Time: 8:00 PM – Midnight
Location: Babylon Bar & Restaurant | 879 Forest Ave, Homestead, PA 15120
Admission: FREE! No tickets needed.

An All-Star Lineup for a Great Cause

We are incredibly excited to announce that our soundtrack for the night will be curated by none other than Tammy Lee! A legendary, long-time Pittsburgh DJ, Tammy Lee knows exactly how to read a room, spin the best tracks, and keep the energy soaring all night long. With an extensive library of songs spanning every genre and era, she will be ready to back you up on whatever track you choose—from classic rock anthems and 90s pop favorites to modern hits and soul classics.

Sing Your Heart Out, Support Your Neighbors

While walk-in entry is completely free, we have plenty of exciting ways for you to get involved and support our mission throughout the night. Come prepared to participate in our event fundraisers:

• 50/50 Raffle: Take a chance to win big! One lucky winner will walk away with half of the cash collected, while the other half goes straight into our community repair fund.
• Gift Basket Raffles: We are assembling a fantastic lineup of themed gift baskets packed with local goods, experiences, and items generously donated by our community partners.

Every raffle ticket purchased helps us buy essential building materials, coordinate community revitalization projects, and provide vital home modifications—like accessibility ramps, plumbing fixes, and structural repairs—for low-income families, seniors, and veterans right here in our communities.

Let’s make it a night to remember. Bring your friends, family, and coworkers out to Homestead on July 25th. Together, we can sing, support, and rebuild!

Can’t Attend but Still Want to Help?

If you have prior commitments on July 25th but still want to champion safe and healthy homes, you can make a tax-deductible contribution directly through our online donation portal. If your company or corporate group is looking to make a hands-on impact, we also welcome corporate team sponsorships to help build out our upcoming seasonal repair projects.

For more information about the event, or to learn how you can support our mission, please visit our contact page or follow us on social media for live updates leading up to the big night. See you at Babylon Bar & Restaurant!

Are You Ready to Tee Off for a Purpose?

We are thrilled to announce that tickets are officially on sale for our annual event, TopGolf FORE Safe & Healthy Homes, Presented by Duquesne Light! This isn’t just a golf outing; it’s an evening dedicated to building a safer, stronger Pittsburgh, one swing at a time. On October 1st, join Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh (RTP) for a night of friendly competition, high-energy fun, and community impact. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or have never picked up a club in your life, TopGolf’s inclusive atmosphere ensures everyone has a blast while supporting a critical cause.

Event Information

Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET
Location: TopGolf Bridgeville
400 Presto-Sygan Road, Bridgeville, PA 15017

Why Your Participation Matters

At RTP, we believe that safe and stable housing is the foundation of a thriving community. Unfortunately, many low- to moderate-income homeowners in our region face daunting challenges. From urgent roof repairs to accessibility modifications and hazardous living conditions, these issues are often the result of decades of systemic inequities and disinvestment. This is where you come in. Every ticket sold and every point scored helps us provide zero-cost home repairs to the families who need them most. Your support helps elderly residents age in place safely, assists families in building generational wealth, and revitalizes the very fabric of our neighborhoods.

What to Expect

Your ticket is your all-access pass to an unforgettable evening:

• TopGolf Play: Three hours of play in reserved bays.
• Dinner & Drinks: A delicious spread of food and refreshing beverages.
• Prizes & More: Opportunities to win exciting items while networking with fellow community-minded leaders and neighbors

Thank You to our Generous Sponsors!

We are incredibly grateful to our event sponsors, who help to make this event both special and impactful!

Interested in Sponsoring this Event?

If you or your business would like to discuss sonsorship opportunities for this event, please reach out! We have many levels of support available to help you advertise your business. Details about sponsorships can be found in our new Sponsorship Packet, or simply contact us at lpeckyno@rtpittsburgh.org to learn more.

Community Transformation: A Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Look at Recent Home Repairs

We’re excited to share the progress happening across our communities! From crucial structural fixes to vital energy upgrades, we have been hard at work making homes safer, more efficient, and more beautiful.

Funding for these projects was provided by a variety of programs including:

💲Energize Pittsburgh
💲HEART emergency repair program
💲Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB)
💲Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED)
💲Urban Redevelopment Authority Lower Hill Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance program (URA LERTA)
💲Corporate Sponsors and Volunteers from Brentwood Bank and FedEx.

Here is a breakdown of the recently completed home repairs, categorized by project type and grouped by neighborhood.

Beltzhoover: 1 Home

• HVAC & Electrical: Installed a new heat pump with updated piping, a thermostat, and a ceiling fan
• Windows: Replaced a damaged window

Chartiers: 1 Home

• HVAC & Plumbing: Upgraded a home with a heat pump, a water heater, and a sump pump to address a sewer lateral issue.

• Interior & Finishes: Completed extensive interior work, including patching and painting the basement hallway, scraping and painting the bedroom ceiling, replacing drywall in the sunroom and living room, sorting and decluttering, removing chipped living room tile, and installing new plank flooring with trim in the kitchen and bathroom. Also installed a new bathroom shower rod and curtain.

• Exterior & Structural: Volunteers scraped and painted the front porch, power-washed the front porch awning, and installed two handrails on split-level landings for safety.

Clairton: 4 Homes

• Plumbing & Bathroom: Remodeled bathrooms, which included multiple tub-to-shower conversions, bathroom floor repairs, and subfloor replacements.

• Roofing & Exterior: Protected homes from the elements with full roof replacements, roof repairs, new vinyl siding, and repairs to soffits and fascia.

•  Interior & Finishes: Repaired basement leaks and updated interior flooring and walls. Kitchens also received needed repairs.

• Windows & Accessibility: Replaced windows (including one project with 7 new windows) and installed a new stairlift for improved accessibility.

Crafton Heights: 1 Home

• Plumbing: Replaced a water heater.

• Exterior & Structural: Built a new retaining wall, fence, and a deck.

• Windows: Installed brand new windows. 

East Hills: 4 Homes

• Electrical: Modernized power systems by upgrading 100 AMP services to new 200 AMP panels, replacing service drops, and installing solar panels. Added smoke/CO detectors and replaced multiple interior and exterior light fixtures, including garage, front driveway, and front porch lights.

• HVAC & Plumbing: Installed a new outdoor heat pump unit with a thermostat, completely renovated a bathroom with new plumbing and fixtures, and inspected and snaked a sewer line.

• Windows & Doors: Improved insulation and security by replacing over 22 windows (including 8 white vinyl double-hung units with proper trimming and caulking) and window wells. Replaced 8 interior/exterior doors, added a storm door, a screen door, and installed a fire-rated basement door and deadbolt.

• Interior & Finishes: Repaired or replaced flooring and baseboards across living rooms, dining rooms, hallways, bathrooms, and kitchens. Installed new kitchen cabinet hardware, a bathroom vanity, a dining room pantry, and dry-locked basement block walls.

• Exterior & Structural: Replaced roofs, gutters, downspouts, and fascia. Repaired exterior walls, painted the back porch, demolished and replaced driveway retaining walls and steps with a French drain, and safely removed three trees.

Hazelwood: 1 Home

• Electrical: Converted two service lines to a single line with a new panel, added new circuits, and installed GFCI outlets.

• Appliances: Modernized homes with a new induction range and a heat pump dryer.

• Windows: Installed a new glass block window.

Hill District: 1 Home

• Accessibility & Structural: Replaced the front stairs and handrail, installed a designated electrical outlet, and fabricated and installed a curved stairlift.

• Doors: Installed a new front storm door.

Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar: 5 Homes

• Electrical & HVAC: Significantly upgraded power capacity with new 150 AMP and 200 AMP electrical panels, new service lines, circuits, and GFCI outlets. Installed new furnaces, outdoor heat pumps with thermostats, and various light fixtures and ceiling fans.

• Plumbing & Bathroom: Replaced hot water heaters (with expansion tanks) and added a main shut-off valve to water meters. Completed large-scale bathroom renovations, including framing walk-in showers with tile surrounds, new fixtures, and subfloor/flooring.

• Interior & Structural: Completed major interior overhauls, such as structural basement reinforcements (new posts and beams), moving and framing a new kitchen layout, and installing new cabinets, countertops, flooring, and appliances (refrigerator, microwave, induction stove). Demolished old paneling and plaster to install, prime, and paint new drywall and vinyl plank flooring.

• Roofing & Exterior: Addressed structural vulnerabilities by replacing roofs, soffits, fascia, gutters, and downspouts. Repaired chimney flashing and caps, replaced missing siding, demolished and poured new concrete walkways and front steps to code, and installed handrails. Further improved exteriors by parging foundations, removing vines/trees, and repairing cracks in front porches.

• Windows & Doors: Installed glass block windows, standard windows, storm doors, and reattached doors.

Manchester: 1 Home

• Roofing & Exterior: Deck removal, re-siding at rear of home

• Electrical: Electrical safety upgrades

Marshall-Shadeland: 2 Homes

• Roofing & Exterior: Completed extensive exterior overhauls including roof repair/replacement, replaced fascia, chimney flashing, chimney caps, vinyl siding, gutters, and downspouts. Also replaced a metal awning and porch railings.

• HVAC & Appliances: Upgraded efficiency by installing an outdoor heat pump unit with a thermostat and a heat pump dryer with a new service line.

• Windows: Replaced 9 windows.

McKeesport: 2 Homes

• Roofing & Exterior: Executed a full roof replacement, resurfaced a porch, installed a porch railing, and poured a concrete walkway with handrails.

• Doors: Improved safety and access by replacing an exterior door, a storm door, and installing a Bilco door.

• Structural: Removed and safely rebuilt unsafe basement steps.

That’s 23 people living in safer and healthier homes thanks to the support from our funders and volunteers!

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

The heart of Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh beats through our dedicated team. This month, we are shining a spotlight on Jarmele. From coordinating on the ground to ensuring our projects run smoothly, Jarmele brings unmatched energy and commitment to our mission every single day.

Q: When you think about the impact we have on Pittsburgh families and neighborhoods, what makes you feel the most proud?

When I’m asked why this work is important, my response is simple: because everyone deserves to feel comfortable and safe in their homes.

I grew up inspired by my mother and grandmother, who would give their last to make sure others never went hungry and had a roof over their heads. Today, as part of the Utilities Team, I carry that legacy forward. I work to ensure homeowners and renters have heat, clean air quality, and homes sealed against the elements. The calls of gratitude I receive after the work is done—knowing someone is finally warm and safe—are what make it all worth it.

Q: What is something about you that people can’t find on the internet?

One thing people may not know about me is that I love to cook and bake! I really enjoy experimenting with different ingredients to create new recipes.

One of my favorites is a quick peach cobbler roll-up. I take crescent roll dough, layer it with fresh peach slices, and roll them up in a baking pan. I top them with a mixture of peach syrup, white and brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon. After about 20 minutes at 350°F, they are delicious—especially with a scoop of ice cream!

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.