Member Highlight: GTECH Strategies
- Organization: Growth Through Energy & Community Health [GTECH] Strategies
- Founding Date: Our official “birthday” is April 16th, 2007.
- Executive Director or President: Andrew Butcher, Executive Director
- Current Staff Size: 9 full-time, 5 part-time, seasonal or intern/fellows.
- What geographic area do you serve? Allegheny County
- What is your mission statement? The mission of GTECH Strategies is to cultivate the unrealized potential of people and places to improve the economic, social and environmental health of vulnerable communities.
- What is one project or program that you are really excited about? The creation of Lots to Love! Lots to Love Pittsburgh is an online resource guide for those who have an interest in transforming vacant lots in their neighborhoods into community green spaces. The website provides resources that help for organizations and residents alike to build a successful project on a vacant lot. The interactive map on the website shows all vacant lots across the entire Allegheny County, and a user can click on a lot and instantly learn the lot’s unique identification number as well as ownership and tax delinquency status. Start loving a lot near you today!
- What are some of your organization’s recent accomplishment?
- This year, we published our first ever Annual Report- a huge milestone for our once scrappy startup. Check it out here.
- We have two ReClaim Ambassador programs that are breaking ground currently – one in Pittsburgh’s Northside neighborhoods and one in McKeesport. Together, we have 23 current ReClaim Ambassadors implementing 18 unique community greening projects on vacant land in Allegheny County. Visit our website for updates on Ambassador sites, and find out how you can get involved.
- What is your favorite thing about your neighborhood? The puppies! We are just down the street from the Animal Rescue League and all the wonderful volunteer dog walkers parade them right in front of our office on a daily basis.
- Are there any partner restaurants/businesses that your organization has worked with? Our office shares the street with East End Brewery, as a result, they play a significant role in our daily life – Nothing like growlers on a Friday afternoon to foster productivity in our office! We are also lucky to share the building with Grow Pittsburgh – forever a partner in the greenspace conversation and also A/E Works who is a supporting Social Capital Council Member.
- Interesting fact:
- GTECH received the 2014 Business Ethics Award through the Pittsburgh Society of Financial Professionals. We are the first nonprofit to receive this great honor.
- We believe in the “social entrepreneurial burrito” – unlikely ingredients coming together to make a delicious combination.
- Upcoming event(s):
- Contact information:
