Coatings World - January 2017

world. The program increases PPG’s commitment to invest in communities by adding $10 million to support efforts made during a 10-year period.

In addition to providing renovation assistance, PPG offered program grants of $10,000 for each Pittsburgh organization to enrich programming related to science, math and technology learning.

More than 60 Pittsburgh-area PPG employees will volunteer
to paint and refurbish classrooms and corridors at four sites
served by United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania:
• YWCA Homewood-Brushton Child Development Center,
•Propel Pitcairn charter school,
•Jeron X. Grayson Community Center in the Hill District,
• Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania.

According to Sue Sloan, PPG executive director of corporate
global social responsibility, “Each of these places is essential to
young people, providing a setting where they can develop cre-
ativity, build self-esteem and learn responsibility.”
The Pittsburgh projects are among 30 planned around the
world in 2016 as part of the company’s commitment to give
back to communities where its employees live and work.
Approximately $750,000 is budgeted for Colorful Communities
projects this year, including $50,000 to refurbish and support
the Pittsburgh sites.

“We’re excited to expand this initiative, which brings smiles to our employees and our neighbors.

The main goal is to beautify the neighborhoods we
call ‘home’ by investing in them, especially where the
need is great,” Sloan said. “Additionally, the projects encour-
age volunteerism, which builds our employees’ morale and
empowers them to create positive change in their communi-
ties. And because these Pittsburgh-area sites all offer after-
school programs, we are acting on our priority of supporting
educational efforts by giving young people brighter, more en-
gaging environments in which to learn and grow.”
United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania teamed with PPG
on the Pittsburgh-area projects based on their long-standing re-
lationship and because the Colorful Communities program fits
the nonprofit organization’s goals of making communities bet-
ter for everyone and addressing issues for people in need. The
United Way funds programs at each of the four sites.

“Offering support to families and young people is a large part of what we do,” said United Way Chief Volunteer Engagement Officer Lois Mufuka Martin. “We know how volunteering benefits the people involved and their communities. For example, United Way’s Next Generation drive encourages millennials who want to make an impact by helping their neighbors. They know that community involvement leads to more fulfilling careers.”