The Community Technical Assistance Center (CTAC)–which was formed in 1980 to boost capacity in Pittsburgh’s community organizations and played a prominent role in shaping the nascent community-based movement–announced yesterday, that the organization has ceased operations and has formally dissolved, effective March 31, 2016.
With the sun-setting of CTAC, Neighborhood Allies will assume the role of providing technical assistance to any CDBG-eligible communities formerly served by CTAC.
“We will continue to build upon the principles of CTAC, while creating a stronger and more productive community development system. Community capacity building is about igniting the passion, commitment, skills and resources in our neighborhoods. We look forward to leveraging the CDBG funding with private funding to inspire, strengthen and expand our community’s capacity to build, deliver and sustain inclusive neighborhood change agendas.”
-Presley Gillespie
The Neighborhood Allies Community Capacity Building Program supports the growth of residents, associations, and institutions striving to create and maintain thriving neighborhoods. For the full details on our capacity building and technical assistance resources, visit our website.
There are three major ways we work to build community capacity:
1. Offering Community Development Trainings and Workshops
Elevate the role of residents, associations, and organizations in creating equitable community revitalization through providing skill and awareness-building opportunities.
2. Convening Responsive and Collaborative Networks
Bring intermediaries, organizations, associations, and residents together in ways that build relationships and respond to community concerns, share knowledge and skills, and collaborate for impact.
3. Identifying and Sharing Community Resources
Research, collect, identify, and share resources — toolkits, information, workshops, trainings, consultants — in community development for residents, organizations, and networks.
We will also support and honor ongoing CTAC projects in the community including:
Neighborhood Allies recognizes CTAC’s capacity building work with Casa San Jose and North Side Public Safety Council are ongoing and not yet completed. For this reason, we will continue to support the growth of these organizations until the end of the CDBG contract. At the end of the contract, we will work with the organizations to determine the best next steps for their continued growth and sustainability.
For more information, contact Shikha Jerath, Community Leadership Fellow at shikha@neighborhoodallies.org.
