Coro Fellows Share Stories of Innovation and Collaboration in Sto-Rox

By Coro Fellows, Events, Partnerships
On August 14th, the 2015-16 Coro Fellows in Public Affairs welcomed local residents to the Father Ryan Arts Center for a luncheon highlighting stories of innovation and collaboration in the Sto-Rox community. Fellows gathered these stories as part of their first “Civic Strategy” Week, a process of inquiry in which they explore multiple perspectives on a social issue through direct interviews with leaders working in the field. Fellows immersed themselves in the Sto-Rox community and interviewed more than 20 leaders over the course of a week.

Marking the beginning of future engagement in Sto Rox, the week exposed the Fellows to the challenges, opportunities, and assets present in Sto-Rox. By identifying examples of successful partnerships, the Fellows hoped to spark further collaboration and encourage community members to build upon or look to existing efforts.

From the many examples of success found, the Fellows identified three broad areas where all the stories of innovative collaboration could be placed within: economic development, civic engagement, and health.

  • After Sto-Rox witnessed the departure of industry, its selection as the site of a new intermodal terminal offers potential for new jobs and additional investment. Collaboration from local, regional, and state actors is helping ensure that adjoining development holds benefits for the entire community.
  • Successful collaboration on the individual level requires strong, long-term relationships between residents, and community-based organizations play a vital role in encouraging these relationships. Reaching Out and Uplifting District Youth (ROUDY), for example, is a group of involved parents and volunteers in the Sto-Rox school district. By hosting events like the community cotillion, ROUDY members work together to increase opportunities for youth.
  • Access to quality, affordable food is one way Sto-Rox stakeholders are ensuring the overall health of residents. Fresh food trucks, food pantries offering food delivery, and planned produce stands are among the ways leaders are working to close the existing food gap in the absence of accessible grocery stores.

During many conversations shared before, during, and after the luncheon, the sentiment from community members and Fellows alike was hopeful. With a history of successful collaboration, and the potential for future partnerships, the momentum in Sto-Rox was best summarized by one resident who said, “This community is a step away from bursting through – what will be that spark?”

Thank you to all those who made the Civic Strategy Week possible – and a special thank you to our interviewees and those who attended the luncheon. The Fellows, a cohort of young leaders who will spend the next nine months immersed in Pittsburgh and working to catalyze social change in the region, are looking forward to building on the lessons learned in Sto-Rox, as they will remain involved in the community throughout the fellowship.

 

  • Design Center Pittsburgh - Chris Koch
  • Father Ryan Arts Center - Victoria Quiroz
  • Focus on Renewal - Sister Sarah Crotty, Father Regis Ryan, Adrienne Roberts
  • Hollowood Music & Sound - Don Hollowood
  • MAD DADS - Tony Little
  • McKees Rocks Borough Council - Paul Krisby, Wanda Jones Dixon
  • McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation - Taris Vrcek, Jeb Feldman, Maribeth Taylor
  • McKees Rocks Fire Department - Chief Nick Radoycis
  • Pierogies Plus - Helen Mannarino
  • St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Fr. Timothy Tomson
  • Sto-Rox Family Health Center - Joanne Andiorio
  • Sto-Rox High School student - Myori Law
  • Sto-Rox School District - Marlene Banks, Maurice Wigley
  • Sto-Rox School District Volunteer - Sarah Harvey
  • Sto-Rox School Board - Kathy Evich
  • Stowe Township Board of Commissioners - Ray Puskar
  • Trinity Development - Craig Rippole
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