Our office is collecting toys for Tree of Hope, which provides an annual Christmas meal, party, and toys for area children impacted by gun violence. Adrienne Young (above left) founded the organization in 1999, after her son was shot and killed while on a holiday break from college.

We have made an excellent start, thanks to Toys for Tots and wonderful community volunteers. If you would like to participate, please bring new, unwrapped gifts to our district office, located at 501 Braddock Ave. in Braddock, by Dec. 17.

Our office is collecting for the Socks for Seniors Program benefiting Braddock seniors. If you would like to participate, you can drop off new socks to our 501 Braddock Ave. office. We will be collecting socks through Dec. 31.

Last week, our office joined Wilkinsburg School District Superintendent Dr. Jocelyn Artinger (above left) and state Sen. Jay Costa (above right) at the ribbon-cutting for the newly renovated and expanded Kelly Primary School in Wilkinsburg. Visit this page to learn more about the renovations.

It was great to see Anne Gingerich, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (above, third from left) at the Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership 2025 Summit and to hear about all the great work our local nonprofits are doing on behalf of our community. Anne presented information based on 2022 data showing that nonprofit groups statewide drove nearly $140 billion of the PA economy!

If you need health insurance, please be aware that open enrollment in Pennie – the state’s health insurance marketplace – is going on now until Jan. 15. If you enroll by Dec. 15, your coverage will begin on Jan. 1. If you enroll between Dec. 16 and Jan. 15, your coverage will begin on Feb. 1.

Visit this page to compare plans and enroll. For help signing up, call 1-844-844-8040 or visit www.pennie.com/connect.

This is a reminder that the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is now open and can provide income-eligible households with cash and crisis grants – which do not need to be repaid.

Cash grants between $200 and $1,000 are available based on your household size, income, and fuel type. This one-time payment is sent directly to your utility provider or fuel company to be credited on your bill.

If you are experiencing an emergency related to your household heat, you might also qualify for a crisis grant. Visit this page to learn more and apply. You can also contact our office for help applying.

Rivers of Steel is hosting a community conversation on Tuesday, Dec. 9 to discuss proposed development plans for the Carrie Furnace site. The meeting will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Braddock Carnegie Library, 419 Library St., Braddock. Click on the image above for more details.

The Borough of Wilkinsburg is inviting residents to a public input meeting on the development of a new comprehensive plan – a long-range vision for land use, housing, transportation, economic development, public spaces, and more. The plan will serve as a roadmap to guide decision-making and investment over the next decade.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 605 Ross Ave. (Doors will open at 6 p.m.) Visit this page to register for the event.

Don’t let scammers steal your identity or gain access to your personal information. Our office is co-hosting a Virtual Scam Prevention event in partnership with the state Attorney General’s Office on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m. You’ll learn how to spot scams and avoid identity theft, how and why to freeze your credit report, and more. Please visit this page to register.

Join the Woodland Hills Impact Center and other community organizations for Holiday Light Up Night in Rankin. The event will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 235 4th Ave. and will feature Santa’s giveaway, holiday movies, crafts, food, and a toy drive.

A Very Braddock Light Up Night will take place on Friday, Dec. 12, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Braddock Civic Plaza. The event will feature free photos with Santa, music, hot chocolate, and fun crafts.

Braddock’s Battlefield History Center is hosting a free Community Christmas Party from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the center, located at 609 6th St. The event will feature “Meet Santa,” crafts, and hot chocolate.

Please be aware that registration for the toy distribution is closed, but you can sign up for the wait list by visiting this page.  

Join Braddock Borough and community partners to help design a new park for 714 Washington Ave! Share your ideas and experiences with other parks. The event will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Braddock Carnegie Library, 419 Library St., Braddock. Free dinner will be provided. Please visit this page or scan the QR code to register. 

Please remember that our office can help you with a wide range of state-related matters, from filing for a Property Tax/Rent Rebate to obtaining a Senior ConnectCard, to navigating state benefits – and much more. Contact us to see how we can help.

If you’re searching for a state grant, you can find a list of the latest program openings here and a state grant-finding search tool here.

You can read my e-newsletter in a way that’s preferable to you by visiting my legislative website here and clicking on the accessibility icon in the lower right corner.

District Office

501 Braddock Ave.
Braddock, PA 15104

(412) 273-3400

Pennsylvania State Capitol

123-B East Wing Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 783-1914