412-464-4000
For the past 30 years, planning and partnership have been the keys to the success of Mon Valley Initiative—and our most important partners have been people just like you.
Think of how far we’ve come as an organization—and a region—since MVI was founded on Dec. 1, 1988.
When rusty buildings and abandoned railroads lined our waterfronts, who would have imagined that new houses, stores and offices, not to mention recreational facilities, would take their place?
When the pain of factory closings was still fresh in our minds, who would have predicted that Western Pennsylvania would one day be held up as a model for other regions to emulate?
MVI has been proud to help coordinate the Mon Valley’s grassroots response to the displacement and dismay we felt in the 1980s.
With your support, we’ve been investing for three decades in the people of our community through career services, financial coaching and housing counseling; and in the physical landscape through rehabilitation of historic structures and construction of new housing. We’ve served thousands of people from all walks of life from throughout Western Pennsylvania.
Over the past few years, we’ve expanded our outreach further. We’re now supporting neighborhood business districts by developing commercial real estate. In 2018, we began offering services in Charleroi to better help people in the Mid-Mon Valley—and we expect to have a higher profile there in 2019.
But significant obstacles to the Mon Valley’s rebirth remain.
MVI still has much work to do and we need resources to do it. Your gifts provide a stable base of support and demonstrate to corporations, foundations and government agencies that the public appreciates our services.
If you’re able, please consider donating online at monvalleyinitiative.com/donate.
To donate using a check or money order, download the donation form here.
You can also make a contribution through the United Way’s Donor Choice program (our agency code is 3525).
It’s an honor to serve the Mon Valley, and we’re grateful for the many, many people and organizations who have invested with us over the past 30 years. You’ve helped support our growth as well as the transformation of our region. We hope to hear from you soon, and we wish you all the best in 2019!
Sincerely,
Mary Carol Kennedy
Chair of the Board
Laura R. Zinski
Chief Executive Officer
Educating new home buyers and creating smarter consumers is one important step towards preventing another housing crisis like the one that happened in 2008.
Over the past 12 months, MVI has provided housing counseling to more than 300 people. Of those, 65 families purchased houses — 39 in the Mon Valley, 13 in the City of Pittsburgh — with a total value of $7.2 million.
Over the past 10 years, MVI’s real estate projects represent more than $40 million in direct investment to participating communities, including 576 units of quality housing, with 46 more units under construction and another 51 units planned.
We’ve also expanded our efforts to include the development of strategic commercial spaces in business districts.
On average, communities that participate in MVI have a median home value 33 percent higher than that of neighboring municipalities.
MVI provides one-on-one job-search assistance, life-skills training and financial coaching to the unemployed or under-employed.
In the past 12 months, 268 people enrolled in our program. About 82 percent of those who enrolled completed the program, and more than 60 percent of those people now have new jobs with 108 different employers.
This map shows just a few of the areas where we made an impact in 2018—and where we expect to make a difference in 2019 and beyond, with your help.
Red: Home purchased after MVI counseling
Dark blue: Real estate and community development project
Orange: Person received employment & financial coaching
Light blue: Person obtained employment
Click here to make a secure donation online, using your credit card or PayPal