BTC Center, Inc. (BTCC) seeks contributions to support the continuation of its mission to improve the health and quality of life for those in need, through the enhancement and expansion of current programming and the launch of new critically needed services and programs. The issues resulting from disparities in the communities served by BTCC were exacerbated by the pandemic and now by inflation. Over four years later, the communities' needs are still pronounced due to people loss and grief, job loss, anxieties about family sustenance, reduced or changed government support programs and coping concerns - all leading to increased stress within the family and, thus the community. A mandate of our mission is "Building the Community". All BTCC programs support healthy living. Two of the key programs of BTCC work to reduce hunger and address the nutritional and other needs of community residents. Food Pantries: BTCC is located in Homewood which is a food desert (lacking access to grocery stores). Also, in the other communities served by BTCC, many clients do not have easy access to a grocery store due to financial constraints and transportation needs. Thus, BTCC's monthly Food Pantry distributes food and paper supplies on the fourth Saturday of each month to about 150 clients. In addition to the clients of the Food Pantry, BTCC partners with Lifespan, Inc. and Highmark PALS to deliver Food Boxes to seniors, in need. BTCC has made significant impact with its monthly food pantry. Nonetheless, the community demand for food continued to increase and BTCC recognized the need to grow in capacity. An emergency food pantry (EFP) was launched in April 2024 to provide non-perishable food and supplies, to bridge food needs between the monthly food pantries. A weekly schedule is set for emergency food distribution with 2 co-leaders and 8 volunteers overseeing the distribution. Additionally, the EFP can be opened off hours when needed (a hot line is in operation) and food delivery can be arranged. Although just started, the last food distribution date served over 70 clients. Our clients regularly express appreciation for the safety net provided by the Food Pantries. BTCC hopes to expand the services of the Food Pantries in 2024-2025. To that extent, it is actively seeking volunteers as well as funding. Community Garden: Another key BTCC program is a community garden, called Planted in Homewood (PiH), which serves to provide gardeners (of all ages) with access to fresh foods, exercise, knowledge of gardening and tips on healthy food preparation. The Garden has served to transform a vacant lot into an urban green space, creating community pride. Eating locally produced food and having access to green space can significantly restore the well-being of a community. The Garden in the past harvested an assortment of greens, peas, garlic, tomatoes, eggplant, okra, mushrooms, carrots, beets and herbs, and met our goal to provide healthy organic food to families in the community at no cost. The Garden's Project Leader and volunteers seek to answer residents' questions and encourage residents to begin home gardens. Residents express thanks and appreciation that the Garden is not only providing food but is beautifying the neighborhood. Community residents have taken increasing pride and ownership of the Garden. The Garden, however, was not active in 2024 due to the resignation of the project leader. More importantly, however, encroaching drug activity in the area prevented the garden's full use. We found the the garden was being used in the night for drug use and illicit gatherings. Thus, the garden became cluttered with drug paraphernalia and other litter. In fact, a youth activity was cancelled due to safety. We now find ourselves in need of funds to better secure and light the garden as well as to do critical maintenance to repair planting boxes and storage units. Funds are sought to restore and secure the garden so that it remains an important community resource. As a reminder of the importance of the garden, please see the following paragraph that describes the garden's achievements in past years: The Garden is Autism Friendly and has engaged with over three hundred persons in various activities. Besides providing garden produce to a regular set of gardeners and neighbors, some of the Garden programming and events made possible by your donations and grant funding include: • Distribution of eighty vegetable pots to senior citizens in the community and to senior citizen residences. • Collaboration with Faison Elementary School (grades 1-3) in providing 50 students with bookbags that included seeds, soil, grow pods and gardening information for students. • Sixty-Three bags of vegetables were distributed to the community through the BTCC monthly Food Pantry. • Participants from the 1st Step Recovery Home (which serves men in substance recovery) visited the Garden to experience urban gardening and learn about healthy eating choices. • Our 3rd annual free community dinner made in part with produce from the Garden was served on Memorial Day, serving 80 community residents. • BTCC partnered with Grow Pittsburgh to have a group of teens volunteer at the Garden for hands on learning. • Thirty children and adults participated in a second 'Playdate for Autism' event. In this event certified therapists guided participating children in sensory specific garden activities. Computer Training for Seniors: The pandemic revealed that many seniors not only did not have access to the internet but lacked the basic skills necessary to operate a computer. BTCC has offered computer literacy classes for seniors since April 2021. The classes instruct on basic skills, provide guidance in how to research the internet to access information and instruct on how to use the meeting platform Zoom. Additionally, guidance is provided on how to avoid scams and phishing. The computer classes fill a deficit that must be erased for seniors to cope with the growing use of virtual services. Further, we believe that the use of a computer can serve to connect seniors to the community despite any isolation caused by the continued pandemic and reduced contact with family and friends. Such isolation is exacerbated by the disruption of social services and other community services. In 2024, BTCC offered two sets of computer classes on site at the Bennett Place, a senior citizen residence located in Homewood. Most of the participants were beginners; others were not confident about their command of the computer. All participants received a textbook for their continued learning and skill development. BTCC hopes to continue and expand the computer classes for seniors in 2025, directing services to several senior citizen residences for on-site classes as well as providing a class locally for those who do not reside in a senior citizen residence. We believe that the classes are a critical support for seniors and are committed to continuing them for beginners as well as more advanced learners. Healthy Living Learning Opportunities: To encourage healthy living from various approaches, we are excited about an upcoming vaccination clinic, health screening and health education event to be held in September 2024. We decided to partner with certain health organizations and to devote our time and resources in 2024 to hold a full community health fair this year. Some of the activities expected to occur during the event are: - Bethany Community Ministries will provide; covid vaccines, flu shots, pneumonia vaccines, shingles, and tetanus shots. - UPMC will provide - mammogram screenings, colorectal education, diabetic education, pediatric education, CPR/Stop the Bleed and Silver Sneakers exercise sessions. - The UPMC Mobile Van unit will perform additional screenings, such as BMI height and weight, bone density/osteoporosis, blood pressure screenings, cholesterol and glucose screenings. - Giant Eagle has been asked to provide their mobile van so that participants can purchase foods and produce at a reduced price. Other partners are being sought as well as additional funding to assure that the event produces the most health value for the participants. Additionally, the following free classes and webinars were offered in 2023-2024: a webinar on Medicare Enrollment Information and Tips provided by a Medicare specialist, Valda Braziel and a webinar on Imaging Technology Options for Breast Cancer Screening, which was held with the Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Sorority. With the partnership of Delta Sigma Theta, this webinar reached hundreds of residents that learned of BTCC and its services. As a note, the following free webinars were held in 2021 - 2023. Most were virtual sessions. Public Health: Dr. Michael Forbes, M.D. facilitated a three-part virtual health education series. The first topic that Dr. Forbes spoke about in the series was Personal and Public Health with a focus on vaccine hesitancy in the Black Community. The second topic was a discussion of Diet, Lifestyle and Health Intersection. The final session in this series was a program exploring mental health considerations in the continued COVID pandemic. We were delighted to welcome Dr. Forbes, one of our most popular speakers, back to speak on palliative and hospice care and the differences between the two. Participants acknowledged that they never knew the differences and felt better prepared to make decisions for themselves and loved ones. Lastly, Dr. Forbes presented on the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) which can be serious for infants and seniors, lessons learned from the pandemic and tips for prevention. Domestic Violence/Women: Rev. Dr. Lawana Butler, PhD facilitated a session for women only on the topic of Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence. This October 2021 program was in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Participants received community resource information, for those who may need services and support beyond the session. Clinic: A Health Screening Event and COVID & Flu Vaccination Event offered community residents flu and COVID vaccination and booster shots, as well as blood pressure screenings. Community partners for this event included Alma Illery Health Center, Bethany Christian Ministry, Allegheny Health Network and Rite Aid. COVID: Dr. Rhonda M. Johnson, M.D., MPH facilitated a session on the topic of Surviving COVID-19. Content covered in this educational program included the changing landscape of COVID-19, symptoms, transmission, prevention, and an overview of COVID variants. Domestic Violence/Men: Reverend Clayton Walker facilitated a session on the topic of Men and Domestic Violence. This educational program was for men only and addressed the psychosocial dynamics and cultural and gender issues in addressing domestic violence. Grief: Reverend Dr. DeNeice Welch facilitated an in-person Grief Workshop for the community with a focus on outreach to people who have lost loved ones due to community violence. Arthritis: Michele Andwele, Senior Director Arthritis Foundation facilitated a presentation sponsored by the national organization on Arthritis Is Not Color Blind-Heavy Burden, Powerful Solutions for Communities of Color. The program content included a review of the following topics: common types of arthritis, diagnosis, self- management strategies in pain control and use of non-drug therapies, partnering with health care providers, symptom management and health goal setting in managing arthritis. Important Documents: Operation Better Block presented on Wills and Other Important Documents as part of its outreach to community residents rising from a partnership with Duquesne University's School of Law Pro Bono Program. An offer was extended to all participants who needed a will or power of attorney to contact the Operation Better Block for a referral. Funeral Pre-Planning: Mr. Roland J. Criswell of Coston's Funeral Home presented on funeral pre-planning tips and steps for planning for burial when a loved one passes. The program was very well received and many questions were asked and answered. Important Documents/Notary: Gail Brown, a licensed Notary Public, highlighted important legal documents such as wills, trusts, affidavits, and power of attorney documents, and advised on notary services and the importance of a notary in the witness and signing of important documents. Mrs. Brown was accompanied by an attorney to respond to any legal questions.