Member Highlight: South Side Community Council

South Side Community Council is our August member highlight.  We sat down with Catherine Mitchell and Michael Clark to get the scoop on South Side.

1. Organization:South Side Community Council
2. Founding Date:1939
3. President:Catherine Mitchell
4. Current Staff Size:SSCC does not currently have full-time staff, but they are made up of 13 board members and 180 regular members.
5. What geographic area do you serve?South Side Flats
6. What is your mission statement?To maintain, improve, and protect the quality of life for South Side residents.
7. What is your organization’s proudest accomplishment?“In the recent past, we have been particularly proud of the action committees we’ve developed.  SSCC’s Graffiti Watch  has done a great job in removing and preventing graffiti in the neighborhood. Our Green N’at action committee, along with the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association,  transformed an unused baseball field located in the South Side Park into a 90 plot community garden known as the Community Garden at Bandi Schaum Field.  With the help of Grow Pittsburgh’s City Growers program, the community garden created bylaws and has its own committee which consists of members of both community organizations.  The garden has become a fantastic place for neighbors to meet each other and develop relationships.”   In addition, the garden is one of the best examples of what community organizations can accomplish when working together.
8. What is your favorite thing about your neighborhood?Cathy: "It's not really a thing...but it's the inclusiveness of the community.  I feel at home here.  The neighborhood is rich with people."Michael: "Oliver Bath House, Farmers Market, Closeness to City, Ornsby Park, the new Carnegie Library, and Phillips Elementary School.  The Phillips Elementary School is one of the best schools in the City, and it's one of the biggest draws for young families to move to the South Side."
9. What is one “must-see”/”must-do” when visiting your neighborhood?Cathy: "When friends and family visit from out of town, I love taking them to Games N'at.  They have older arcade games, pinball, and duck-pin bowling upstairs."
10. What is your neighborhood’s best kept secret?Michael: “One of our best kept secrets is the [Three Rivers Heritage Trail].  I think a lot of people don’t know about it unless you are a runner or cyclist who uses it regularly.”
11. What is your favorite restaurant or business in your neighborhood?Cathy: The movie theaterMichael: Double Wide Grill. We go at least twice a month, if not more.
12. Upcoming event(s):SSCC's 2nd Annual South Side Garden Tour is Sunday, August 18, 2013 from 10AM-2PM. Explore South Side's "Secret Gardens" during the 2nd Annual South Side Garden Tour.This self-guided tour features unique and beautiful gardens throughout the neighborhood. The gardens include courtyards, large lot gardens, rooftop gardens, and more! Come out and see traditional, modern, and “green” gardens. The tour is rain or shine.

    Check in and receive your tour map at 18th and Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203.

13. Contact information:Name:Catherine Mitchell
14. Phone:(412) 467-6735Address:South Side Community Council c/oBrashear Association 2005 Sarah StPittsburgh, PA 15203

1. Website, Facebook,
2. Twitter (@MySouthSidePGH)

[Source: Catherine Mitchell, South Side Community Council President, and Michael Clark, South Side Community Council First Vice President]For more information about PCRG membership, contact Katie Hale, PCRG’s Neighborhood Policy Manager, at katie@pcrg.org or (412) 391-6732 ext. 207.