News

November 7, 2018

Children’s Fund Organizers Not Defeated by ‘No’ Vote

The Allegheny County Children’s Fund will not be enacted after falling short of receiving the majority of votes during yesterday’s election. The Our kids. Our commitment. Allegheny County Children’s Fund Initiative is thankful for the community’s support and willingness to engage in conversation throughout the campaign.

“Over the past six months, we had the opportunity to meet with thousands of community members, have conversations about proven programs for kids, and raise awareness about the challenges our community is facing. In our eyes, because of all of this, our campaign was still a success for our kids,” said Patrick Dowd, executive director, Allies for Children and steering committee member for the Our kids. Our commitment. Initiative. “Our work will not stop here. We know these services are needed for our kids, and we’ll continue working together to find a solution for Allegheny County.”

The initiative was led by local organizations who are invested in the wellbeing of Allegheny County’s kids: Allies for Children, Allegheny Partners for Out of School Time (APOST), Higher Achievement, the Human Services Center Corporation, The Mentoring Partnership, Pressley Ridge, PUMP, Trying Together, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh, along with numerous community-based partners.

“We are so appreciative of our entire community’s willingness to engage in conversations about our kids. This is the biggest effort I have seen to provide dedicated funding for these programs and that is certainly something to be proud of,” said Colleen Fedor, executive director of The Mentoring Partnership and steering committee member for the Our kids. Our commitment. Initiative.

In the summer, the Our kids. Our commitment. Initiative collected nearly 64,000 signatures. Throughout the campaign, with help from volunteers and supporters, they knocked on more than 13,000 doors, called over 64,000 voters, hosted and attended more than 100 community events, and reached nearly 900,000 people on social media in an effort to educate voters and raise awareness about the question.

“Throughout this entire process, we have stayed focused on running a positive campaign focused on our kids,” said Dave Coplan, executive director, Human Services Center Corporation and steering committee member for the Our kids. Our commitment. Initiative. “We cannot thank our community enough for being open and willing to speak with us and have discussions about what works for kids. We are ending this campaign on a high note, but we’re certainly not finished. We have to continue working together to find the best solution for Allegheny County, so we can make sure our kids gain access to these programs.”

More information about the campaign can be found at www.ourkidsourcommitment.org.

About Our kids. Our commitment.

The Our kids. Our commitment. Allegheny County Children’s Fund Initiative is an effort to change the way Allegheny County funds programs that are proven to ensure the wellbeing of our children across the county. For more information, visit www.ourkidsourcommitment.org.

News

November 6, 2018

Election Day: Vote Yes

Please join us and vote YES for Our kids. Our commitment.

Here are some Election Day tips to help you vote and get the word out to your family and friends:

Vote

  • Find your polling place.
  • Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • As long as you’re in line before 8:00 p.m., you can vote!
  • First-time voters are required to show a form of I.D.

Share & Promote

News

Vote Yes

The day is here! Please join us and vote YES for Our kids. Our commitment. Here are some Election Day tips to help you vote and get the word out to your family and friends:

 

Vote

  • Find your polling place.
  • Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • As long as you’re in line before 8:00 p.m., you can vote!
  • First-time voters are required to show a form of I.D.

Share & Promote

News

June 18, 2018

OKOC Petition Sign-On

You can be part of making history for Allegheny County kids.

Join Trying Together and other early learning advocates at Human Services Center Corporation:

  • Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Tuesdays, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

June 19 – August 7 and sign the petition to get the, “Our kids. Our commitment. Allegheny County Children’s Fund Initiative” on the November 6, 2018 General Election ballot.

Learn more about #OurKidsOurCommitment at OurKidsOurCommitment.org.

News

OKOC Petition Sign-On

You can be part of making history for Allegheny County kids.

Join Trying Together and other early learning advocates at Kennywood Park from 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. on June 28 and 29 and sign the petition to get the, “Our kids. Our commitment. Allegheny County Children’s Fund Initiative” on the November 6, 2018 General Election ballot.

Learn more about #OurKidsOurCommitment at OurKidsOurCommitment.org.

News

OKOC Petition Sign-On

You can be part of making history for Allegheny County kids.

Join Trying Together and other early learning advocates at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on June 22 and sign the petition to get the, “Our kids. Our commitment. Allegheny County Children’s Fund Initiative” on the November 6, 2018 General Election ballot.

Learn more about #OurKidsOurCommitment at OurKidsOurCommitment.org.

News

OKOC Petition Sign-On

You can be part of making history for Allegheny County kids.

Join Trying Together and other early learning advocates at the Carnegie Science Center from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on June 21 and sign the petition to get the, “Our kids. Our commitment. Allegheny County Children’s Fund Initiative” on the November 6 General Election ballot.

Learn more about #OurKidsOurCommitment at OurKidsOurCommitment.org.

News

OKOC Petition Sign-On

You can be part of making history for Allegheny County kids.

Join Trying Together and other early learning advocates at The Mall at Robinson from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on June 19 and sign the petition to get the, “Our kids. Our commitment. Allegheny County Children’s Fund Initiative” on the November 6, 2018 General Election ballot.

Learn more about #OurKidsOurCommitment at OurKidsOurCommitment.org.

News

Sign The Petition for Allegheny County Kids

The steering committee of, “Our Kids. Our Commitment.” believes that by giving Allegheny County kids every opportunity to succeed, the region will have a brighter future. Together, they will pursue legislation by using the voter referendum process to qualify a question for the November 6, 2018, General Election ballot.

Join Trying Together and other steering committee members to sign the petition on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh for the first sign-on event. More than 40,000 signatures need to be collected between June 19 and August 7, 2018. If the number of signatures is met, the question will go on the ballot, and if a majority vote, “Yes” on November 6, 2018, the measure will pass.

 Learn more at OurKidsOurCommitment.org.

News

June 1, 2018

Our Kids. Our Commitment. Launch Celebration

You can be part of making history for Allegheny County kids.

Join Trying Together and other early learning advocates at the Children’s Museum from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on June 19 and sign the petition to get the, “Our kids. Our commitment. Allegheny County Children’s Fund Initiative” on the November 6 General Election ballot.

WISH 99.7’s Street Treat Patrol will be there and admission will be discounted (if you’re an active PennAEYC member you receive $2 dollars off per person up to four people). More details are forthcoming. Learn more about #OurKidsOurCommitment at OurKidsOurCommitment.org.

Want to get involved? Those interested in a paid position to assist with the petitioning should e-mail their name and the best phone number to reach them at to jobs@ourkidsourcommitment.org.