Three of Pittsburgh's largest mentoring organizations are preparing to move into a new co-working space in the Hill District.
"We
have been looking for a place that provides us an opportunity for a
co-working location where similar agencies with similar mission can be
in the space and do our individual work, but can also work together in a
way that can help make us stronger," says Colleen Fedor, executive
director of
The Mentoring Partnership, who expects to move into a 3,000-square-foot office in the 1901-1915 Centre Avenue building by March, along with
Amachi and
Strong Women, Strong Girls.
The
Mentoring Partnership, which recruits and trains mentors, has been
seeking a larger space to train its constantly growing number of
volunteers. Additionally, their current space on Smallman Street
downtown makes it difficult for trainees to find parking. The Mentoring
Partnership trains all of the volunteers for Amachi, an organization
dedicated to linking at-risk youth with nurturing adults, so the shared
office will allow for faster feedback between both groups. The Mentoring
Partnership frequently holds network education opportunities for Strong
Women, Strong Girls, an organization dedicated to empowering young
women by offering them successful role models. As an added bonus,
likeminded organizations,
The Pittsburgh Promise and
A+ Schools
are already located in the building, so it's safe to say that it's set
to become an amazing source in the fight to improve the lives of
Pittsburgh's young people.
Architect Milton
Ogot is currently reviewing plans with the three organizations in
preparation for the redesign of the office. Ogot has a history working
on the building, so Fedor expects the upcoming build-out of the space to
go smoothly.
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Writer:
John Farley
Source: Colleen Fedor, The Mentoring Partnership
Photograph copyright John Farley