On Thursday, September 18, the Jefferson Community Collaborative gathered at Commonwealth Charter Academy in Homestead for a meeting focused on the theme: Strengthening Our Voice: Community, Collaboration, and Civic Connection.
The discussion centered on the growing needs of residents, the declining availability of resources, and the increasing importance of civic engagement. Nonprofit partners explored effective, nonpartisan approaches to voter engagement, highlighting ways organizations empower and amplify community voice.
Nonprofit Panel: Amplifying Voices, Engaging Voter
Dr. Trisha Gadson, President & CEO of Jefferson Regional Foundation, welcomed attendees, emphasized the importance of outreach and engagement, and introduced the nonprofit panel:
- Ruth Quint, Co-President & Webmaster, League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh
- Khara Timsina, Executive Director, Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh
- Randi Vega, Community Engagement Manager, Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh
- Jasiri X, Founder & CEO, 1Hood Media
Facilitated by Dr. Gadson, the panel addressed the significance of collaboration, strategies for engaging local officials, obstacles and lessons learned, the dangers of misinformation, and more.
The Collaborative Message Board: A New Space for Nonprofit Collaboration
Following the panel, attendees participated in an interactive session to provide feedback on the new Collaborative Message Board. It is a platform for nonprofit partners to share events, requesting partner support, and exchanging resources. The tool, inspired by the May 2025 Collaborative Meeting, drew valuable suggestions for future enhancements.
Foundation Updates
The meeting continued with Foundation updates:
- Kelleigh Boland, Director of Grantmaking and Strategy, shared the 2025–2026 grantmaking timeline and key application dates.
- Steve Ankney, Grants, Evaluation, and Data Manager, provided updates on Community Snapshots.
- Isaiah Warfield, Communications Coordinator, introduced social media initiatives—Grantee Spotlights and Unified Voices. (Contact: isaiah.warfield@jeffersonrf.org to learn more.)
- Danny Vereb, Community Engagement Manager, welcomed new Vision Council
Community Shares and Final Remarks
The morning concluded with community shares, resource announcements, and networking time for partners.
The Collaborative continues to serve as a space where nonprofit leaders and community partners come together to exchange ideas, foster collaboration, and strengthen civic connections that drive lasting impact.
Save the Date: The next Collaborative Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 9:00–11:30 AM.