Opportunities for Success

1. Access to affordable, high-quality education and workforce development opportunities for all children and adults.
2. Equitable access to individual, community, and financial support for education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
3. A competitive business environment that fosters job creation and innovation by employers that support equitable opportunities and good paying jobs.

These are a few of the projects PUMP is actively involved in to ensure the Pittsburgh region has more equitable opportunities for success for all. Check out our community calendar for additional events and activities to get involved in these and other key regional issues.

1. Family Care Act – PUMP supports the Family Care Act, bipartisan, statewide legislation that would establish a paid family and medical leave insurance fund for all Pennsylvania workers. The legislation would help employees care for themselves or loved ones during times of need and is business-friendly. The Family Care Act campaign is led by the Women & Girls Foundation and Pathways PA.
2. Education Funding and Equity – PUMP is a supporting organization of Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA, which advocate for increased funding for early learning in Pennsylvania from ages 0-3 and from ages 3-4, respectively. PUMP also testified at the Pittsburgh Public Schools 2018 budget hearing regarding a committed focus on equity.
3. PUMPed to Run – PUMPed to Run is a weekday morning running group composed of residents of local homeless shelters and volunteer mentor runners. Through the leadership of PUMP staff and an Advisory Council, the program seeks to encourage sportsmanship and a team mentality to help set physical running goals, promote confidence, and encourage self-sufficiency.
4. All for All Summit – PUMP serves as a sponsor for the All for All Summit which convenes professionals to discuss immigrant integration in their work.
5. Vote School Board First PGH – PUMP is a member of Vote School Board First PGH, a campaign to educate and engage voters around Pittsburgh School Board elections. In 2019, there were election in School Board Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8.
6. Allegheny County Children’s Fund – PUMP was a Steering Committee organization for Our kids. Our commitment., which in 2018 advocated for the Allegheny County Children’s Fund, a ballot initiative to support programs proven to ensure the wellbeing of kids: early childhood learning, after school programs, and nutritious meals. Although it did not pass, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald convened a working group to examine the possible creation of a children’s fund. The working group’s recommendations, which PUMP supports, are for a new county department for early learning and out-of-school time programming.
7. Welcoming Interactive + Welcoming Economies Convening (WIE) – PUMP was part of the local host committee for the 2019 Welcoming Interactive + Welcoming Economies Convening, which took place in Pittsburgh from May 15-17, 2019. WIE is a national conference organized by Welcoming America and the WE Global Network that brings together more than 400 community leaders from across the US to address immigrant inclusion.
8. A+ Schools Changemakers Celebration – PUMP serves as a sponsor of A+ Schools Changemakers Celebration which honors education innovators, student leaders, parents, teachers, and volunteers in Pittsburgh’s education community.