Rosedale Block Cluster Inc

THE ROSEDALE BLOCK CLUSTERS (RBC) MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE IMAGE OF THE ROSEDALE-TIOGA COMMUNITY, ENHANCE FAMILY VALUES AND TO ASSRST IN SECURING SERVICES CONDUCIVE TO ENCOURAGING PROGRESS AND IMPROVING THE GENERAL WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY WHILE TRAINING OUR YOUTH LANDSCAPING

IN 1989, THE ROSEDALE-TIOGA COMMUNITY WAS KNOWN AS ONE OF THE HIGHEST CRIME AREAS IN THE HISTORY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH. THE ROSEDALE BLOCK CLUSTER A GRASS-ROOTS GROUP FORMED IN 1982 BY A GROUP OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT REFUSED TO ACCEPT THAT DESIGNATION. THE YOUTH WERE DYING VIOLENTLY IN THE STREETS. IN ADDITION, THE COMMUNITY HAD COUNTLESS ACRES OF OVERGROWN LOTS FILLED WITH TRASH,ABANDONED HOUSES AND CARS. THESE BLIGHTED AREAS WERE USED FOR DRUG ACTIVITES, PROSTITUTION AND OTHER CRIMINAL ACTS. THE RBC BEGAN HOLDING VIGILS ON CRIME-INFESTED CORNERS UNTIL THE MEMBERS DECIDED A MORE STRUCTURED MEETING PLACE WAS NEEDED. THE MEMBERS KNOCKED ON DOORS IN THE AREA TO INQUIRE ABOUT RENTING OR PURCHASING A BUILDING FOR THE ORGANIZATION TO MEET.THEY FOUND,PURCHASED AND CONVERTED 7810 TIOGA STREET AS THEIR COMMUNITY CENTER. THIS WAS THE FIRST ECOMONIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE COMMUNITY IN 30 YEARS. THE YOUTH HELPED REVERSE THE BLIGHT BY CLEANING AND GREENING COUNTLESS ACRES. NOW THE STRUCTURE WOULD HAVE TO BE DEVELOPED. RBC SHARED DOOR-TO-DOOR SURVEYS WITH THE ARCHITECT, GENERAL CONTRACTOR AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT TEAM MEMBERS, 75% OF WHICH WERE AFRICAN AMERICAN. THE COMMUNITY WANTED A PLACE TO MEET, EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SPACE AND TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE YOUTH. THE 11,454 SQ FT CENTER WAS DEVELOPED IN TWO PHASES. THE CENTER HAS A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN, EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, GYMNASIUM, AND COMPUTER LAB. THE FIRST PLAYGROUND BUILT IN 40 YEARS WAS INSTALLED. WHILE THE CENTER WAS BEING DEVELOPED, THE YOUTH CONTINUED TO CLEAN AND GREEN THE COMMUNITY. LIFE-CHANGING REFORMATION HAS BEEEN TAKING PLACE WITH THE YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY. RBC HAS INITIATED THE FIRST COMMUNITY URBAN FARM AND MODEL PLANT PRODUCTION ROOM IN A WAREHOUSE. RBC HAS CLAIMED 53,950 SQ FT OF PARCELS AND HAS CLEANED AND GREENED MANY MORE.PHASE III INVOLVED THE YOUTH TAKING THEIR LANDSCAPE SKILLS TO THE NEXT LEVEL.OVER 4,000 YOUTH HAVE TRAINED.