Pittsburgh Organizations to Host Back-to-School Supply Events in August

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July 30, 2025

Pittsburgh Organizations to Host Back-to-School Supply Events in August

Parents and teachers seeking back-to-school supplies have numerous options in August in the Pittsburgh region.

Back to School Blast Off

JADA House International and the Hazelwood Cafe will hold a Back to School Blast Off from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16. The event will take place at Mill 19, located at 4501 Lytle St.

The back-to-school event will include backpacks, school supplies, free haircuts, a DJ, Legacy Arts, a spoken word performance by Devontae Butler, free food, resource tables, the Thomas Wendy Trio Jazz Band, and children’s activities. The backpack giveaway begins at 4:15 p.m.

Other Events

Other back-to-school events will be held across the city in August. 

Events in the East include:

  • Lean on Me: Back-to-School Drive (Saturday, Aug. 16 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 1 Memorial Park Lane, Penn Hills Township); for more information, call 412-337-3001
  • Back-to-School Bash (TBD at the Latino Community Center, 5750 Baum Blvd.); for more information, call 412-335-7446 or email info@latinocommunitycenter.org. 
  • Free Kids Clothing program at Thriftique (119 51st St. in Lawrenceville); for more information, call 412-742-4951
  • Backpack Bash (TBD at Salvation Army Homewood-Brushton Worship & Service Center, 8020 Frankstown Ave.); for more information, call 412-242-1434; event will include clothing, food, haircuts, Christmas sign-ups; registration is required

Events in the South include:

  • KidsLinked Pittsburgh-South-Hills Children’s Festival (Saturday, Aug. 16 from noon to 3 p.m. at AHN Sports Complex at Cool Springs, 3001 Cool Springs Drive)
  • SHIM Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway (1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 2601 South Park Road, Bethel Park; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 14 at Family Center at 1400 Lebanon Church Road, Pittsburgh; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 15 at the Bethel Park location); for more information, call 412-854-9120
  • Backpack Block Party – (Friday, Aug. 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The South Church Pittsburgh, 1922 Pennsylvania Ave., West Mifflin); for more information, call 412-927-5111 or email info@sourcechurch.com; register early – first come, first served
  • Back-to-School Bash with the 4:12 Foundation (Saturday, Aug. 2 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 2419 State Ave., Coraopolis); for more information, call 412-758-5188. The first 300 children will receive a free backpack with school supplies.

Events in the North include:

  • PPS Back to School (Monday, Aug. 18 at North Shore). Backpack and school supply distribution for all Pittsburgh Public School students. For more information, call 412-529-4357.
  • North Hills Community Outreach (distributed in August); for more information, call 412-487-6316, ext. 3143; registration required
  • Glade Lutheran Services (multiple locations); for more information, call 742-452-4453, exts. 1083 or 1084

CitiParks Will Open Cooling Centers in August for Temperatures Above 90 Degrees

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CitiParks Will Open Cooling Centers in August for Temperatures Above 90 Degrees

CitiParks will open its cooling centers for Pittsburgh residents to cool off if the temperatures rise above 90 degrees in August.

Currently, cooling centers are scheduled to remain open only through July 30 to provide a cool space for residents during recent heat waves.

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CitiParks operates cooling centers at six Healthy Active Living Centers in the Pittsburgh region. The centers provide residents with a safe, air-conditioned environment to cool off between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The centers are located in:

  • Beechview (1555 Broadway Ave.)
  • Brighton Heights (3515 McClure Ave.)
  • Greenfield (745 Greenfield Ave.)
  • Homewood (7321 Frankstown Road)
  • Sheraden (720 Sherwood Ave.)
  • South Side (12 & Bingham Streets)

All residents are encouraged to take precautions during periods of extreme heat, especially older adults, young children, and those with underlying health conditions.

July Recalls on Children’s Products

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July Recalls on Children’s Products

Below is a list of July recalls from the following federal agencies: the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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  • Tropicale Foods recalled certain Helados Mexico and La Michoacana products due to undeclared milk. Although the products include “cream” in the product ingredient lists, the common name “milk” is not declared. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
  • Mondelez Global LLC recalled four carton sizes of Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker sandwiches due to labeling errors. The affected cartons include individually wrapped packs that may be incorrectly labeled as cheese variety, even though the product may be a peanut butter variety. People with allergies or severe sensitivity to peanuts may be at risk of serious allergic reactions by consuming this product.
  • SNLN recalled party supply toys that pose a risk of ingestion hazard. The supply toys violate the mandatory standard for toys containing button cell batteries because the compartment that holds the batteries can be easily accessed and opened by children, posing a deadly ingestion hazard. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, they can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns, or death.
  • Jeriflyer recalled its pool drain covers due to risk of serious injury or death from entrapment. The recalled drain covers do not conform to the entrapment protection standards of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, posing an entrapment hazard to swimmers and bathers.
  • Creekliybear recalled its play yard mattresses due to risk of serious injury or death from entrapment. The aftermarket play yard mattresses violate the mandatory standard for crib mattresses as they exceed thickness requirements and may not adequately fit certain play yards, posing a threat of entrapment. Babies can suffocate in gaps between an undersized mattress, or extra padding, and side walls of a product, especially when the infant’s face becomes trapped against the side and the mattress, preventing the child from breathing.
  • WLIVE recalled its fabric dressers due to risk of serious injury or death from tip-over and entrapment hazards. The dressers are unstable if they are not anchored to the wall, posing serious tip-over and entrapment hazards that can result in injuries or death to children.
  • SPPTTY recalled its children’s bicycles due to lead poisoning risks. Multiple components of the bicycles contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban, posing a lead poisoning hazard to children. Additionally, the black paint on the bicycle pumps contains lead that exceeds the federal lead paint ban. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children.
  • Braided crib bumpers were recalled due to risk of serious injury or death by suffocation. The bumpers violate the federal ban on crib bumpers because the padded crib bumpers can obstruct breathing, posing a serious risk or injury or death to infants. 
  • AUGNORYE recalled its padded crib bumpers due to risk of serious injury or death by suffocation. The crib bumpers violate the federal bumper ban because they can obstruct an infant’s breathing, posing a suffocation hazard. 
  • Dearlomum recalled its retractable safety gates due to risk of serious injury or death to children by entrapment. The gates violate the federal standard for expansion gates and expandable enclosures because a child’s torso can fit through the opening between the gate and the floor.
  • Diamond G Forest Products recalled turpentine bottles due to risk of child poisoning. The bottles contain turpentine, which are required to be in child-resistant packaging. The products’ packaging is not child-resistant, posing a risk of serious injury or death by poisoning.
  • LED Gloves were recalled due to risk of serious injury or death from battery ingestion. The gloves violate mandatory standards for toys containing coin batteries because the compartment that holds the batteries can be easily accessed and opened by children. The spare coin batteries provided with the toys are not in child-resistant packaging and do not have warnings required by law. A child can suffer serious injuries, internal chemical burns, or death if they swallow the batteries.
  • Creekwood Naturals recalled its 100% Natural Pure Gum Spirits of Turpentine bottles due to the risk of child poisoning. The bottles do not contain child-resistant packaging as required by law and pose a poisoning hazard to young children.
  • Innovative Designs recalled its Minecraft Light-Up Slap Ruler Bracelets due to the risk of children ingesting its button cell batteries. The battery compartment of the bracelets can be opened easily by children, allowing access to the button cell batteries. If a child swallows a button coin battery, it can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns, or death.
  • Aiho recalled dressers that pose a risk of serious injury or death to children from tipping over and entrapment. The dressers are unstable if they are not anchored to the wall, posing tip-over and entrapment hazards that can result in child injury or death.
  • LIVACTI recalled its retractable safety gates due to entrapment hazards. The gates violate mandatory standards for expansion gates and expandable enclosures because a child’s torso can fit through the opening between the gate and the floor, posing a risk of serious injury or death due to entrapment.
  • Primark recalled its DTR Stitch 4-pack Scented Highlighters due to risk of phthalate exposure. The highlighters, which resemble cups with straws, contain phthalate, which can be toxic if ingested by young children.

Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup recalled certain above-ground pools that are 48 inches and taller due to drowning hazards. Five million of the pools have been sold since 2002 and nine deaths have been reported. The compression strap that surrounds the outside of the pool legs may create a foothold, allowing a child access to the pool, posing a drowning risk.

Increase Giving to Trying Together Through Double the Donation

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July 29, 2025

Increase Giving to Trying Together Through Double the Donation

Those looking to maximize their donation to Trying Together can now do so through Double the Donation, a company that helps nonprofits raise more money from corporate matching gifts. 

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Double the Donation aims to inform donors about matching gift programs offered by their employers, effectively doubling or even tripling the impact of their donations.

Matching gifts are a type of corporate philanthropy in which companies match their employees’ donations to nonprofit organizations. After an employee donates to a nonprofit, they can submit a matching gift request to their employer and the company will make an additional donation to the nonprofit.

By submitting a matching gift request, donors can significantly increase the impact of their donation. Those interested in donating to Trying Together should check if their employer participates in a matching gift program today.

Donors can now use the Double the Donation widget on the Give Now page to search prior to making a donation.

How Double the Donation Works

Once a donor makes a donation to Trying Together, they will be prompted to check for matching gift opportunities

The donor then enters their employer’s name into Double the Donation’s database, which uses an autocomplete feature to suggest companies. Double the Donation’s database identifies if the donor’s employer has a matching gift program and if the donor is eligible.

If eligible, the donor is guided through the process of submitting a matching gift request to their employer, often directly through the Double the Donation platform. 

Former PA Governors Tout Importance of Pre-K in Op Ed

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Former PA Governors Tout Importance of Pre-K in Op Ed

Five former Pennsylvania governors wrote an op ed that was published this week on Penn Live that extols the virtues of pre-k.

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Former governors Tom Ridge, Mark Schweiker, Ed Rendell, Tom Corbett, and Tom Wolf wrote the editorial, which was published on Penn Live on July 29.

In the editorial, the governors wrote that for years meaningful steps have been taken to grow access to Head Start and Pre-K Counts, and that votes to do so typically crossed party lines. The editorial notes that to let that progress slip away would be a major mistake.

“Research has long shown the importance of investing in high-quality pre-k education for young children to improve short- and long-term outcomes in academic achievement and even lifelong success,” the governors wrote. “This is especially true for children in low-income families, children of color, and others facing barriers to achieving academic success throughout their school years.”

The governors cite a poll that found that 98% of Pennsylvanians believe that early childhood education is important to help children lead healthy and productive lives. An additional 73% support increasing state funding, so more children can have access to pre-k.

“Pennsylvanians should be proud of how far our commonwealth has come in providing pre-k to our youngest learners with more than 66,000 three- and four-year-olds having access,” the governors wrote. “However, this represents only 44% of eligible children, leaving almost 85,000 children on the sidelines each year.”

The entire editorial can be read on Penn Live’s website.

PA Promise for Children Lists 10 Books for Children About Doing Laundry

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PA Promise for Children Lists 10 Books for Children About Doing Laundry

PA Promise for Children has released a list of 10 books for children that feature the theme of doing laundry.

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PA Promise for Children’s Learning is Everywhere newsletter recently focused on the theme of laundry and listed activities for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners that have to do with the household task.

For babies, it was suggested for parents to play peek-a-boo with them using clothes hanging on the line, while it was recommended for toddlers to help their parents separate clothing by colors or types of clothing.

Parents were encouraged to teach their preschoolers  to develop their language skills while sorting laundry by using possessives – for example, “mommy’s” or “my” shirt. For kindergartners, it was suggested to have a discussion about why we wash our clothes or where the water comes from that fills the washing machine.

OCDEL’s list of 10 books on the topic include:

  • Wanda’s Washing Machine (Anna McQuinn)
  • Llamas in the Laundry (W.H. New)
  • Stinky Clothes (Joanna Emery)
  • Knuffle Bunny (Mo Willems)
  • Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash (Sarah Weeks)
  • Henry Helps with Laundry (Beth Bracken)
  • Dirty Laundry Pile (Paul B. Janeczko)
  • The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash (Trinka Hakes Noble)
  • Laundry Day (Maurie J. Manning)
  • Smelling Sunshine (Constance Anderson)

View the list on PA Promise for Children’s website.

Resources for August Observances

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Resources for August Observances

Various organizations, states, and nations recognize a number of observances each month. Resources can help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and identify them.

Here is a list of resources for August observances.

Month-Long Observances

Summer Sun Safety Month

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM)

Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

Back to School Month

National Breastfeeding Month

Weeks of Recognition

Aug. 3 – 9 is Exercise with Your Child Week

Days of Recognition

Aug. 5 is National Night Out

Aug. 9 is National Book Lover’s Day

Aug. 15 is Back to School Prep Day

Aug. 26 is Women’s Equality Day

Thriving Kids Newsletter Discusses How to Promote Good Behavior in Children

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July 28, 2025

Thriving Kids Newsletter Discusses How to Promote Good Behavior in Children

The Child Mind Institute recently kicked off its Thriving Kids newsletter with the topic of how to promote good behavior in children.

The article noted that while managing a child’s behavior can be exhausting, there are simple strategies that can be employed to make a big difference.

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Thriving Kids noted that taking time out of each day to do something with a child that they enjoy can contribute to a healthy caregiver-child relationship and promotes good behavior. Children appreciate getting attention, which can include everything from asking about their day on the drive home from school or taking part in an activity together.

Setting clear expectations about the type of behavior that is expected helps to guide both the caregiver and child when undesirable behavior occurs. Expectations should be realistic and discussed with the child.

When a child exhibits good behavior, it should be acknowledged and rewarded. This increases the chance that the child will repeat good behavior in the future. On the other hand, parents should initiate consequences for unwanted behavior immediately after it happens. Consequences should be brief and consistent.

Lastly, caregivers should take a moment to reset. It is normal to become frustrated or upset with a child’s behavior. It can be helpful to take a breath, and caregivers can share with a child that they are taking a moment to let go of frustration before having a discussion about the behavior.

8 Tips for Promoting Good Behavior

Thriving Kids also provided eight tips for promoting good behavior in children. These include:

  • Taking care of the relationship – connecting with a child is important to build a relationship based on trust and respect; try to spend time daily fully engaged with the child in an activity they enjoy.
  • Set clear and realistic expectations – go over expectations for how a child is expected to behave in certain situations and review them when a child needs to demonstrate that behavior.
  • Catch them being good – Use specific praise when a child behaves appropriately, which will increase the likelihood that they’ll repeat the good behavior in the future.
  • Be thoughtful about consequences – try to make consequences immediate, brief, and consistent; try to return to “normal” as quickly as possible once the consequence is completed.
  • Avoid harsh discipline – consequences don’t need to upset children to work; it’s more important that consequences are consistently applied when unwanted behavior occurs.
  • Take a moment – if you notice yourself getting frustrated or upset with a child’s behavior, take a moment to calm down before responding.
  • Be a detective – rather than focusing on the behavior itself, dig deeper to try to figure out what might be behind it; the reason is not always simple or obvious, so look for patterns.
  • Talk when they’re calm – don’t try to reason with children during a meltdown; wait until things calm down to have a discussion, during which you listen to one another and share feelings.

To learn more, read Thriving Kids’ article on how to promote good behavior in children.

Kidsburgh Article Encourages Caregivers to Talk to Children About Race

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Kidsburgh Article Encourages Caregivers to Talk to Children About Race

A new Kidsburgh article posits that not only is it beneficial to talk to young children about issues revolving around race – but it can be harmful not to do so.

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The article, Kidsburgh Guide: Talking with Your Kids About Race, notes that caregivers “teach children how to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’ to look both ways before crossing the street, and to be kind to their classmates.” But many parents find themselves unsure of what to say if a child asks them about another child’s skin color.

Medina Jackson, director of the University of Pittsburgh’s P.R.I.D.E. Program (Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education, told Kidsburgh that she helps families and educators to build the tools to answer such questions. 

Jackson noted that children are not colorblind and that waiting to discuss race with them can be harmful.

“Children are already having racialized experiences, receiving messages about race, and assigning meaning to those messages and experiences,” she told Kidsburgh.

Jackson said she defines positive racial identity as a child’s ability to feel good about themselves regarding their race and the collective racial family to which they belong. She added that for older children, a strong sense of racial and ethnic identity has been tied to higher self-esteem, better academic performance, and greater resilience.

In the article, Jackson makes suggestions for caregivers on how to talk to children about race and shares some resources for further reading.

She broke down the method for approaching the topic with children into three strategies:

  • Be proactive
  • Be responsive
  • Be reflective

To learn more about Jackson’s strategy, check out Kidsburgh’s article.

Trying Together Invites Community to Complete Survey

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July 24, 2025

Trying Together Invites Community to Complete Survey

Trying Together is asking for the communities it serves to take a survey to help the organization provide the best resources and opportunities. 

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The survey aims to collect up-to-date information for those it serves and includes such questions as:

  • Demographic and Identity
  • Preferred language
  • Necessary accommodations to participate fully in Trying Together events and activities
  • Dietary preferences or restrictions

It also provides the opportunity to sign up for seven e-communication subscriptions, such as the Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 newsletters and public policy alerts.

The survey only takes a few minutes to complete and those who fill it out will be automatically registered for a chance to win a gift card.

Take the survey now.