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Experienced, Forward-Focused Nonprofit Leader Will Guide EECM’s Restructuring, Enhanced Community Presence, & Expanded Donor Relationships   January 23, 2025, PITTSBURGH – The Board of Directors of East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM), a mainstay of Pittsburgh’s human services safety net for more than half a century, today announced Diona Jones as its new president and chief executive officer.  Jones was formerly the Executive Director of Focus on Renewal (FOR) in McKees Rocks Borough.   “We are fortunate Diona Jones was available at this time and interested in tackling an expansion of the reputation, community connections, and donor relationships of East End Cooperative Ministry,” said David J. McAllister, EECM’s Board Chair. “Diona has every qualification the Board was seeking in a leader for the organization’s purposeful growth and change, including strong educational credentials, broad proficiency in human services administration, and recent, successful experience as a nonprofit chief executive familiar with the most pressing issues of this region and the Commonwealth.  The Board could not be more pleased to welcome Diona as our new leader.”   Jones was selected for EECM’s top role following an extensive regional and national search conducted by the organization’s Board in collaboration with Nonprofit Talent, a Pittsburgh executive search boutique serving nonprofits and businesses in the mid-Atlantic states. The position had been vacant since Rev. Darnell Leonard, former CEO resumed full-time leadership of  EECM’s Children and Youth Services Programs.   “It is an honor to join EECM at this pivotal point in its history,” Jones said.  “The organization has accomplished a great deal in its illustrious history, but the need to help local individuals and families facing the impacts of poverty has unfortunately never been greater. Safe, affordable housing, for example, is a problem that increasingly demands creative solutions and more and better integrated community resources; food insecurity continues to rise with devastating lifelong consequences; and too many East End children and youth are not yet on a path to achieve academic or occupational success. With so much to be done and so little time to do it, I am eager to develop new community partnerships and resources, and promote the attainment of permanent, sustainable, and positive changes in Pittsburgh’s East End.”   Jones became Focus on Renewal’s Executive Director in November 2023, after serving as its Deputy Director for more than two years, and as its Director of Community Services for two years before that.  During her tenure at FOR, she was responsible for advances in several key areas, including the implementation of successful violence prevention programs promoting community safety and well-being; the expansion of FOR’s community housing program, providing more residential opportunities for individuals and families in need; and the promotion of art and culture in fostering community engagement through a popular after-school initiative.   Jones was known for an exceptional dedication to community development, coupled with outstanding strategic vision, and the ability to raise and manage the financial resources needed to fuel FOR’s growth and sustain its forward momentum.   Jones’ educational credentials include an earned doctorate in Community Engagement and Leadership Development from Point Park University; a Master of Science in Professional Counseling from Carlow College; and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work   from University of Phoenix.   Jones will work with three Vice Presidents at EECM: Reverend Leonard as Vice President of Children and Youth Services/Congregational Liaison/ and Special Projects; Nicole Harrington, Ed.D., as Vice President of Community Programs; and Jerry Parfitt as Vice President of Finance and Administration, including Human Resources.   About East End Cooperative Ministry   Founded 55 years ago with a mission of changing the lives of residents of Pittsburgh’s East End neighborhoods facing the impacts of poverty, East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) has provided opportunity, transformation, and hope to those experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, educational challenges, and barriers to employment in the decades since. Today, the organization provides Housing & Employment Services, Community Food Services, and Children & Youth Services to meet these needs.   Support for EECM’s programming is provided by federal, state, and local government grants and contracts; foundation and corporate grants; individual donations; and in-kind services and supports. On a daily basis, the organization engages a small army of volunteers to ensure local residents obtain the resources they need. For more information about EECM’s services or to donate or volunteer, visit www.eecm.org .

For years, Kalve Gilbert’s life was defined by cycles of drug use and incarceration, a pattern that began when he was just 11 years old. After countless challenges, he finally made the decision to surrender and rebuild his life. Today, Kalve is a resident at EECM’s Recovery House, a transitional home designed to support individuals who have completed treatment at a certified addiction center as they work toward lasting recovery and stability. During his time at the Recovery House, Kalve has confronted years of trauma and taken meaningful steps toward healing. Through both group and individual therapy sessions, he has learned to open up and ask for help—something he had struggled with for most of his life. Once someone who rarely smiled or showed emotion, Kalve now exudes joy, warmth, and laughter, becoming a light for those around him. His transformation is a testament to his resilience and the support he has received. Kalve shared, "I dumped that last bit of powder in the toilet and called a program. When I made it to their doors, I cried for the first time in 15 years." EECM’s Recovery House has been a cornerstone for hundreds of people like Kalve who are seeking to break free from addiction and build a better future. The program’s dedicated case managers work closely with residents to help them find steady employment, secure affordable housing, access reliable transportation, and rebuild supportive relationships. These services are essential in helping individuals navigate life after treatment and create a foundation for lasting success. This holiday season, you can make a difference in the lives of people like Kalve. Your support of EECM can help provide the resources and care necessary to ensure that more individuals have the opportunity to lead healthy, happy, and fulfilling lives after treatment. Please consider giving to EECM and spreading hope and joy to those working toward a brighter future. “The staff at EECM, they don’t feel like this is a job. They really want to help. It gets no better than this,” Kalve said. This holiday season, support EECM and individuals like Kalve through Give Big Pittsburgh, a 24-hour online fundraiser hosted by Pittsburgh Magazine and presented by GBU Life. This platform connects donors with local nonprofits, making it easy to contribute to vital causes and help organizations achieve their missions. Donations will be accepted today only until 11:59 pm as part of our 2024 Give to Grow Pittsburgh campaign. Click here to contribute through Give Big Pittsburgh. Thank you for your generosity, both during this season and all year round. Happy Holidays to all!

Mayor Ed Gainey expected to attend between 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. November 18 | For Immediate Release Contact:        Emily Wentworth                         emilyw@eecm.org                        412-345-7121   From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 21, East End Cooperative Ministry will serve its annual Thanksgiving meal to the public at its Community House in East Liberty (6140 Station St., enter through entrance G).   Hundreds of people, including residents of our Emergency Shelter and Recovery House, homeless community members, and other participants of our various programs will receive a free meal complete with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. All are welcome to attend.   Mayor Ed Gainey will speak to those in attendance in EECM’s dining room at 6140 Station St. He is expected to speak between 11a.m. and 11:30 a.m.   For more information on this event, please contact Emily Wentworth at emilyw@eecm.org  or 412-345-7121.

"Food items like fresh produce, meat, milk, and bread are needed. At East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM), they said that their food pantry distribution has gone up 125% which means donations are needed." Watch the WXPI-TV feature by Talia Kirkland here.

"... Will a new facility address the homelessness crisis soon enough?" Read the rest of this Public Source article by Mila Sanina here.

Read the full article on EECM's Golden Gala by Patricia Sheridan of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette here!

Download the PDF below to read this wonderful article written by Deborah Weisberg for the March 2022 issue of Shady Ave Magazine.

Click the link here to read the full article by Joanne Klimovich Harrop of TribLIVE!

Click the link here to read an article on our very own chef Anthony Arca by Elizabeth Taylor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Pittsburgh Mayor-Elect Ed Gainey joined East End Cooperative Ministry’s volunteers and staff in serving the Annual Thanksgiving Community Meal. Gainey said, “I’m honored to be with EECM CEO Carole Bailey and others this time of year to make sure our homeless and food-insecure population is not forgotten. Pittsburgh has always been a generous city helping our neighbors and I’m privileged to serve. EECM was courageously on the front line as a shining light during the pandemic.” CEO Carole Bailey said, “It’s great to have our Thanksgiving meal in our dining room once again after having to do takeout last year because of the pandemic. We are so grateful to have Mayor-Elect Gainey and others join our dedicated volunteers and staff serving a delicious Thanksgiving meal to our community.” On May 21st, 2022, East End Cooperative Ministry will celebrate 50 years of community service with the EECM Golden Gala. Future announcements to come. Our Thanksgiving meal guests enjoyed turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and all the trimmings. And that includes pumpkin pie for dessert. We also thank Ali Doyle from the Governor’s office for serving as well. Another great success! Thank you all!

Check out what this local designer is making with the help of SewForward! Read Next Pittsburgh's article by clicking here.

"From food aid to day camps, this nonprofit had adapted to meet the needs of its community for more than 50 years" Click the link here to read the full article published by Bank of America.