COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES
Since the early 1990’s Richard Carrington, Sr. and Voices Against Violence (VAV) have been active in making positive change in the South Pittsburgh communities and throughout the city. As a front-line volunteer who was instrumental in organizing relief efforts with the Red Cross in some of the poorest and hardest-hit communities in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, Richard knows the importance of taking care of the community, especially those who are most vulnerable.
With the onset of the Covid-19 Crisis, Voices Against Violence has increased their community outreach efforts, with a focus on Seniors, the Disabled, Shut-ins, and families in crisis.
For Voices Against Violence Outreach COVID-19 Assistance in the South Pittsburgh Area, please Call or Text: 412-426-5664 OR email: rcarrington@vavpgh.org.
With the COVID-19 global pandemic, communities of color and those living with limited means have been at increased risk. Voices Against Violence is working six days a week collaborating with a variety of local organizations to assist with:
Delivering meals prepared at St. Paul AME Church to the Seniors and Disabled in the Beltzhoover-Knoxville-Allentown area. Chef Ulna Calloway, his daughter, Kasjah, members of St. Paul AME and community volunteers are doing an amazing job of preparing and delivering approximately 500 meals per week since late March.
Delivering meals donated by Eat n’ Park to area seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Preparing more than 1,000 meals each week and delivering hundreds of them to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families in need through the E.A.T. Initiative, led by Chef Claudy Pierre.
Picking-up and delivering prescriptions and essential grocery, hygiene, and cleaning supplies for Seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Working with Daddy's Hands, a local organization focused on fathers and their children, strengthening families, and building community, to pick-up and deliver School Bag Lunches and Homework Packets provided by Pittsburgh Public Schools for area students and their families.
Working with the Brashear Association food bank to bag and deliver essential grocery items. VAV has been providing assistance for those in need in Arlington Heights and St. Claire Village neighborhoods, in addition to the Beltzhoover-Allentown-Knoxville area.
Picking-up and delivering COVID-19-related SUPPLIES for the Arlington Heights Crisis Emergency Response Team (CERT); delivering masks and gloves to area organizations working to provide critical services.
Collaborating with Steel Smiling, a mental health outreach group, to have volunteer counselors riding along on runs to deliver lunches, hand sanitizer, and emergency information packets (COVID-19 Prevention information, masks, and gloves) for homeless in the South Pittsburgh area. Many of these homeless individuals are challenged by mental illness and are choosing to stay on the street and in tent cities, so are not receiving services through the shelters or other agencies, and do not have access to food or transportation.
Informing people gathering around the South Pittsburgh communities about the risks and importance of safety/distance, providing emergency information packets that include a mask and gloves, as well as U.S. Census and Voter Information.
