Pittsburgh is getting a new hub for social justice.
Tomorrow, the community development nonprofit Change Agency will open Impact PGH, a new pop-up exhibition, meeting and coworking space dedicated to social equity and community development.
“Impact PGH will reimagine how a coworking space can be both dynamic and inclusive by bringing together artists, professionals and entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds all under one roof,” said Annia Aleman, senior civic innovation specialist with the City of Pittsburgh. “This project presents a unique opportunity to fill a gap in service in Pittsburgh’s coworking ecosystem.”
Located at the Warrington Recreation Center on East Warrington Avenue in Beltzhoover, the project will run from March 15 through May 31 and feature a wide variety of neighborhood services and events.
First on the agenda: helping immigrants find homes.
From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. this Saturday, March 16, the nonprofit is diving right in with an Immigrant Housing Rights Resource Fair. Lawyers translators and organizations like Casa San José and NeighborWorks will be on hand to assist newly arrived Pittsburghers in navigating the often confusing housing market.
“Between credit checks, choosing a lender and closing, buying a home can be an intimidating process, despite home ownership being an important step in many people’s lives,” says Colin Kelley, CEO of NeighborWorks. “We want community members to know that wherever they are in the process, we are here to help.”
Impact PGH will also host a monthly Impact Market event featuring black, immigrant and refugee makers, as well as an artist-in-residence program featuring local musician, artist and activist Brittney Chantele.
The project is funded by a grant from the city’s Department of Innovation & Performance’s PGH Lab. If the next several months are successful, organizers hope to secure funding for a permanent location.