Despite the rain and the chill, close to 100 volunteers showed up to help clean-up the park, playground, and I Care House Saturday. 

Comcast generously donated breakfast, materials, and labor and together we generated a refreshed face for this neighborhood community center.

The former I Care House was originally the initiative of a Professor at Slippery Rock University who had a vision for creating sustainable and substantial changes within the community by developing small, neighborhood-based community centers.  After budget struggles and cutting ties with SRU, the House has been sitting empty on the lower eastside for over a year now.

In March 2012, Cray Youth and Family Services, Inc. assumed ownership of the House and is seeking to resurrect and revitalize similar efforts for change in this community.  On April 21^st, 2012, Cray, in partnership with Comcast, hosted a kick-off clean-up of the park, playground, and house.  Throughout the summer of 2012, Cray, in partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, will be offering fun activities and free lunches to children, ages 18 and under, on a daily basis.  This fall, Cray has intentions to again open the doors of the House on a full-time basis and offer residents of the community social connections, educational opportunities, and coordination of development and revitalization projects.  The specific House activities will be led by resident interests and aim to assist in neighborhood stabilization and sustainability.