Picture This heads to the Mon Valley
Class is back in session, and so are we! After an amazing run at Vincentian Terrace Place, our Picture This Pop-Up Exhibition is now on campus at Penn State Greater Allegheny to welcome students for the fall semester. Stop by the Student Community Center through September 19 to explore photos and audio stories highlighting the power of intergenerational connection in our communities.
As part of our Year of Listening to inform our priorities, we’re pairing the Picture Thisexhibit with a quick survey for residents to share what makes their community a good place for all ages. Enter to win a Block Party Box, loaded with everything you need for a neighborhood gathering: $100 Giant Eagle gift card, party decor and supplies, games and Age-Friendly swag. You’ll even get a disposable camera (we’ll process the film!) to snap and share your memories.
McKeesport’s Age-Friendly leaders host city’s first annual Riverfront Festival
In just 3 months, LaLa Harper had an idea and brought it to life as the key organizer behind the McKeesport Riverfront Festival! Starting in May and working through July, she planned and pulled together people from every corner of the community to show what’s possible. The event drew residents to Gergely Park with live music, local vendors and free activities on the water.
“I have received such great feedback,” said Harper. “You have to believe that when you do things for the right reason, it all works out.”
Special shoutout to our Age-Friendly Neighborhoods leaders LaLa Harper and Alena Leggett, and the City of McKeesport for their continued work to support these initiatives. This collaboration has inspired the City of McKeesport to bring more events and activities to the previously underutilized park.
Age-Friendly joins Pittsburgh’s “Outdoors for All” celebration
What’s better than a summer afternoon in the park? One that everyone can enjoy! We recently joined more than 25 regional organizations at Allegheny Commons Park for the 3rd Annual Outdoors for All event. From birding walks around Lake Elizabeth to kayaking on the water and outdoor education, it was a beautiful reminder of how vibrant our green spaces are when they’re accessible to people of every ability. Special thanks to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for bringing us together.
Homestead’s Community LIFE hosts latest “Better Together” Healthy Cooking Demo
Our latest Better Together workshop took us to Community LIFE in Homestead where over 15 neighbors shared a home-cooked meal. Led by Chef Camille Bridges and her fantastic kitchen crew, they guided the group through yummy recipes and shared tips for how to make healthy, easy meals. The cooking demo was paired with dessert and a listening session, with residents sharing meaningful conversation about their perspectives on aging.
Week Without Driving 2026: Take the pledge with us
If you couldn’t drive for a week, how easy would it be to get to work, community spaces or the grocery store? For many older adults, youth and neighbors with disabilities, not being able to drive is a daily reality and having safe transportation options is essential to staying active and independent.
Week Without Driving is a nationwide movement that illustrates the challenges and opportunities for non-drivers and calls for change that improves mobility for all. We’re asking neighbors to commit to not driving for the week (or even just a day!), and spread the word about the need for more mobility options in your community. Local organizations can sign up to help build this movement and encourage their networks to participate. Individual residents can take the pledge below!
Donna Bishop, longtime Sharpsburg leader and Age-Friendly Neighborhoods ambassador reflects on her impact
“When you look at what we started with and now we’re planning all these wonderful things, I think it’s great for the community.” — Donna Bishop
Fifth-generation Sharpsburg resident Donna Bishop is wrapping up her term on the community’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Over the last 4 years, she helped bring back local holiday parades, installed a tiny tot playhouse at 16th Street Park and led the Age-Friendly emergency readiness initiative with the Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization. Now, she’s looking ahead and making room for a younger generation to carry on the work.