Membership Highlight: Operation Better Block
1. Organization: Operation Better Block, Inc.2. Founding Date: 1971.3. Executive Director: Jerome Jackson.4. Current staff size and composition: 6 full-time staff members, 1 part-time staff member, 1 intern.5. Geographic Area Served: Homewood!6. Mission Statement: This mission of Operation Better Block, Inc. is to strategize, organize, and mobilize, block by block, to benefit the Homewood community.7. What is one project or program that you are really excited about?OBB is currently very focused on homeowner stabilization strategies; this entails working with current owner homeowners to secure their interest in their homes by getting the title in their name, current on property taxes, and free home repairs when they are eligible. This is vital for Homewood’s future and its current residents.8. What are some of your organization’s recent accomplishments?In June of 2015, OBB and Homewood residents completed an 18 month process that created a land use plan for the entire neighborhood. We were able to utilize this cluster plan as a basis to apply for Neighborhood Partnership Program funding through the Department of Community and Economic Development, which we were successfully awarded. These funds are already being utilized for implementation of the resident-driven cluster plan.
9. Tell us what you love about your neighborhood. What is one “must-see”/”must-do” when visiting your community? What is your neighborhood’s best kept secret? Homewood has a vibrant and meaningful history. In Westinghouse High School, you will find the Wall of Fame, which honors alumni of the school who have made it, whether that be in music, business, sports, politics, etc. Adding to this rich cultural history, is the Carnegie Library branch in Homewood. Not only is the structure itself beautiful and a welcome place for the community, but in the summer, Jazz on the Steps is an event you will not want to miss!10. What is a restaurant or business in your neighborhood that partners with your organization for events or has partnered with your organization in the past? Homewood is home to numerous quality caterers and restaurants. We are home to two excellent barbeques, Dream and Showcase, as well as a delightful bakery, Dana’s, and the soon-to-be-open café on N Homewood Ave.11. List an interesting fact about your organization, leadership, history, the area you serve, or other topic. OBB has one of the longest histories of any organization in the neighborhood. We were started informally over four decades ago and incorporated shortly after. Another interesting fact is that we were started by residents on a very grassroots level who were looking to take back ownership and pride in their community, much like what OBB still supports to this day.12. What are some of your upcoming events?
Operation Better Block, Inc. is proud to present ‘Fuel Up. Redd Up. Get Up for Homewood’. The first event in this series is ‘Fuel Up Homewood,’ a community dinner, on Thursday, April 14. It is followed by ‘Redd-Up Homewood,’ a day of service on Saturday, April 23, which is Operation Better Block’s semi-annual neighborhood-wide cleanup. The culminating event will be the Mile 18 Fluid Station and Community Festival on Frankstown Ave. on the Marathon route where Homewood residents and volunteers will ‘Get Up for Homewood’ and cheer on the runners. For more information see: http://www.fuelupreddupgetupforhomewood.org/.13. Contact information:
Name of contact person for further inquiries: Demi KolkePhone: (412) 731-1908Address: 801 N Homewood Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15208Website: http://obbinc.org/Twitter: @OBBlock