Urban Mountain Gathering Place

213 Bailey Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15211
412-381-8647


MISSION

Business Mission: To provide first class event and meeting space to business, agencies, and individuals with state of the art presentation technology, staff support, free parking, and a spectacular view of Pittsburgh from atop Mt. Washington.
Social Mission: To benefit the vulnerable children and youth of Mt. Washington and Duquesne Heights.


CURRENT PROGRAMS

For the past three years, in anticipation of sustainability, the Board has been setting $1 per client aside to live into its commitment of concern. The $3,000 has been used to sponsor Washington Heights Athletic Association summer softball teams (shirts, signs, etc.); to establish a small fund through the Mt. Washington Community Development Corporation (MWCDC) for families with children in emergency need; to assist with the community’s Halloween Parade and Party; and to collaborate in sponsoring “Club DMK2” (Dads, Moms, and Kids Together), one Friday night a month for family fun (movie nights, game nights, readers’ theater, etc.)

In addition, with sponsorship from the Birmingham Foundation, Dr. Stone (President of UMGP) supervised a four month feasibility study of the need for after-school programming for middle school and senior high youth. With the closing of Prospect Middle School in June 2006, local after-school activities ended. On the basis of our study and with the hard work of many community volunteers and the MWCDC, the Birmingham Foundation made funds available for YouthPlaces Inc. to begin their after-school recreational program at our newly-reopened Ream Community Center in September, 2007.

The UMGP is also partnering with the Presbyterian Church of Mt. Washington and the Bower Hill Community Presbyterian Church to sustain a Neighborhood Tutoring Program in Reading and the Arts. This eight year program tutors 2nd and 3rd graders in reading, 4th and 5th graders in the arts. The children in this program attend Whittier Elementary School, Grandview Elementary School, and Bishop Leonard-St. Mary of the Mount Academy. A planned expansion of our tutoring program will assist middle school students with their reading and math skills as they prepare for the annual Pennsylvania System of Schools Assessment (PSSA) tests.


HISTORY

The Gathering Place began as a vision of a few far-sighted, community-minded individuals in the spring of 1999.  An Advisory Committee brainstormed new uses for the unused third floor of the Presbyterian Church of Mt. Washington’s educational building located on the bluff of Mt. Washington.  Opaque glass casement windows—originally designed in 1929 to obscure a smoky city—opened out over the now-spectacular Pittsburgh skyline.

The Gathering Place began operating as a fully marketed, nonprofit social enterprise in spring 2004.  This conferencing suite with concierge service and a spectacular view has now served over 3,000 clients, with extraordinary customer evaluations.


PROFESSIONAL STAFF

The Rev. Bebb Wheeler Stone, Ph. D., President; .Ms. Lora Peretik, Manager


OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONGREGATIONAL OR INDIVIDUAL INVOLVEMENT

Volunteers are needed to assist in our tutoring programs.


INFORMATIONAL PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

Speakers are available and tours can be arranged.


VISIT US ON THE WEB

www.umgp.com