State Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Your District 38
Update

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*Upcoming Events**

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*My office is now scheduling AARP Tax-Aide
appointments!*

We are scheduling taxpayer appointments at the
Shaler Undercliff Fire Company and the Ross Township Community Center
locations for the AARP Tax-Aide Program again this year. This program
provides free tax assistance and tax preparation services to low- and
moderate-income taxpayers, with an emphasis on those 50 or older. To
schedule your free appointment, please call the office at
412-364-0469.

For more information and to find other AARP Tax-Aide
sites, visit AARP Tax-Aide Allegheny County, PA
(taxaide-pittsburgh.com) [link 2].

If you can't make it to one of
the AARP Tax-Aide sites, you may qualify for the IRS's Volunteer
Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)
programs. These programs offer free basic tax return preparation to
qualified individuals all over Allegheny County, including:

-
People who generally make $67,000 or less;

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Persons with
disabilities; and

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Limited English-speaking taxpayers.

To
learn more about VITA or TCE tax preparation services, you can view
their website [link 3].

You can find a VITA or TCE location near
you at Get Free Tax Prep Help [link 4] and schedule an appointment
with United Way by calling 2-1-1 or online at VITA - Free Tax
Preparation - PA 211 [link 5].

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*Monthly
Office Hours at the Kingsley Association*

*Friday, February 7,
2024, from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM*

My office hosts monthly office hours
on the first Friday of every month at the Kingsley Association. Stop
by and say hello to our staff between 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM and get
access to all of the services that our District Offices
provides.

Free notary service is also available. Please contact our
office to schedule with a notary at our Community Office Hours, or in
one of our District Offices:

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412-364-0469 (Ross)

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724-224-2131 (Harrison)

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*Sharing
the Warmth*

Hampton Township's Social Services Department is
holding a Valentine's Day blanket drive to benefit local nursing
homes, and we're excited to offer our District Offices as collection
sites!

Drop off your new blankets now through Wednesday, February
12th:

Ross Township Office

5000 McKnight Road, take the elevator
to the fourth floor!

Pittsburgh PA 15237

(412)
364-0469

Monday-Friday 9-5pm

Harrison Township Office

1826
Union Avenue

Natrona Heights, PA 15065

(724)
224-2131

Monday-Thursday 9-5pm

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*Good
News**

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[link 6]*

*Universal School Meals "4 the Record"*

Join me on
WTAE-TV Pittsburgh "4 the Record" on Sunday, February 9 to talk school
lunches and Universal School Meals legislation!

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*Making
New Friends, While Keeping the Old*

This week, we welcomed Girl
Scouts from across the state to Harrisburg! These incredible young
women kindly extended the invitation for legislators to join Troop PA,
an honorary Girl Scout Troop that gives us a chance to connect with
scouts and inspire them to pursue a career in government.

I am so
proud to have been a Girl Scout growing up, and I'm proud to be a
member of Troop PA today!

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*Welcoming
our Students to Harrisburg*

I was proud to welcome three PIAA
Championship teams from the North Allegheny School District to
Harrisburg this week! Congratulations to the students, coaches, and
families of the Boys Golf, Boys Water Polo, and Girls Volleyball teams
for all of your hard work this season!

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*Our
New Judges*

I want to congratulate Alyssa Cowan, Esq., on her
confirmation by the full Senate as a Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas of Allegheny County. Ms. Cowan handled pointed questioning by
members of the Senate Judiciary Committee with grace and ultimately
received bipartisan support without compromising her values.

Ms.
Cowan has devoted her career to protecting children, ensuring their
well-being, and advocating for them during their most vulnerable
moments, giving them a voice in the legal system. I can think of no
better qualities in a judge--someone who is compassionate, fair,
impartial, and deeply aware of the impact a judge's decisions can have
on people's lives. She will make an excellent addition to the bench
here in Allegheny County.

In addition to Alyssa Cowan, the Senate
confirmed Simquita Bridges, Esq., an exceptionally qualified and
compassionate addition to the Allegheny County bench.

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*Supporting
Our EMS Agencies*

I'm grateful to all the EMS agencies from across
the County who took the time to meet with legislators last Friday to
educate us on the crisis they are facing, including staffing
shortages, lack of training centers, and rising costs.

It's time
for the legislature to stop saying that we support first responders
and to actually give them our support. I'm looking forward to working
on legislation that will create a statewide EMS fee schedule. This
will require insurers to pay at a fair rate, protect consumers from
significant out-of-pocket expenses, and ensure that EMS agencies are
paid
directly.

www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pittsburgh-ems-agencies-discuss-challenges-lawmakers
[link 7]

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*Legislative
Update**

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*Celebrating
Women and Girls in Sports*

This Wednesday marked National Women and
Girls in Sports Day, which celebrates girls being physically active
and recognizing their power. This includes trans girls who deserve the
same opportunities for teamwork and community sports provided as cis
girls.

Sports were incredibly important to me in high school. Even
though, like the majority of our student-athletes, I wasn't ever going
to go pro or even be a competitive college athlete, being able to be
physically active and participate with my teams was a huge part of my
life.

Participating in sports gave me confidence, time management
skills, and the ability to work collaboratively, which enabled me to
run for office.

And absolutely nothing about having another student
participate on those teams, consistent with their gender identity,
would have taken those things away from me. Having them as teammates
and competitors would likely only have enriched my experience. All
girls deserve to grow, develop, play, and learn with other kids.

I
will always oppose any legislation introduced that excludes or
discriminates against trans kids and any children that don't fit the
mold of gender stereotypes. To our trans youth: I stand with you
loudly and proudly, and I will always have your back.

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*Black
History Month**

February is Black History Month, and over the next
four weeks, we will highlight some of Pittsburgh's most influential
figures from its vibrant history.

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*First
Black Woman Professionally Trained as a Librarian*

February is
National Library Lovers Month, so we're beginning our Black History
month features with Virginia Proctor Powell Florence, the first Black
woman in the United States to earn a degree in library science. Born
in Wilkinsburg, Virginia graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio in
1919 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. Despite her
qualifications, she struggled to secure a teaching position upon
returning to Pittsburgh. Undeterred, she turned to library science and
earned a Bachelor of Library Science degree from the Carnegie Library
School (now the University of Pittsburgh School of Information
Sciences) in 1923, becoming the first Black woman to achieve this
milestone in the U.S.

Virginia went on to work at the New York
Public Library and served as the school librarian at Seward High
School in New York, later moving to Cordoza High School in Washington,
D.C. In recognition of her groundbreaking contributions, the American
Library Association honored her by ranking her 34th on their list of
the 100 most influential leaders of the 20th century. Virginia Proctor
Powell Florence's legacy continues to inspire both Black history and
the history of librarianship, solidifying her place as a trailblazer
in both fields.

For more information on Virginia Powell Florence's
life go to Virginia Proctor Powell Florence - Wikipedia [link
8].

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*Pittsburgh's
First Black Librarian*

Did you know that the first Black librarian
in Pittsburgh was Vivian Davidson Hewitt? Born in New Castle, she
developed a deep love for books early on--reportedly getting her first
library card as soon as she could write her name. Vivian graduated
from Geneva College in 1943 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science
in Library Science in 1944 from the Carnegie Library School at the
Carnegie Institute of Technology (now known as Carnegie Mellon
University). After graduation, she became the first Black librarian at
the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, where she made history serving the
community.

She later moved to Atlanta, where she worked at Clark
Atlanta University and went on to become the first Black president of
the Special Libraries Association. Vivian, along with her husband John
Hewitt, became renowned art collectors, spending over 50 years
curating what is considered to be one of the finest collections of
African-American artwork. In 2016, she was honored by Queen Elizabeth
II with an appointment to the Venerable Order of St. John as a Dame, a
testament to her lifelong contributions to the arts and culture.

In
her honor, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh began the Vivian
Davidson Hewitt Initiative [link 9] in 2024. The goal of this
Initiative is to honor the work, legacy, and leadership of Vivian Ann
Davidson Hewitt by increasing CLP's resources and capacity related to
the following:

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Celebrating Black culture and the legacy of
Black librarianship;

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Cultivating a welcoming and supportive
environment for BIPOC staff and community members;

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And
co-creating with community practices that increase accessibility to
the library and the field of librarianship.

The Vivian Davidson
Hewitt Initiative also includes an annual lecture series held during
National Library Week in April. Look for more information on this
year's lecture coming soon!

For more information on Vivian Davidson
Hewitt's life go to Vivian Davidson Hewitt - Wikipedia [link 10].
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*Black
History at Carnegie Libraries of Pittsburgh*

Our Carnegie Libraries
[link 11] are the perfect place for curated book lists and events that
celebrate Black History Month's 2025 Theme: African Americans & Labor.
Go to Black History Month - Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh [link 12]
to get started!

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*News
You Can Use**

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[link 13]

*Public Comment on PA's Outdoor Recreation
Plan*

There's still time to share your thoughts on ways to improve
and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania!
Public comments on the Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources [link 14] draft of the 2025-2029 Pennsylvania Statewide
Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) are open through March
3, 2025.

-
Read the draft at 2025-2029 Pennsylvania Statewide
Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan [link 15].

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Submit your
comments at Outdoor Places, Shared Spaces: Pennsylvania's Statewide
Outdoor Recreation Plan [link 16].

Want to learn more before you
comment? Register for one of the remaining webinars on the draft
plan's five priority areas:

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*Supporting Equity and Inclusion* -
February 10 - 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

-
Register here [link 17].

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*Addressing Infrastructure and Maintenance* - February 12- 12:00 PM -
12:30 PM

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Register here [link 18].

-
*Progressing on
Sustainability and Climate Change* - February 19 - 12:00 PM - 12:30
PM

-
Register here [link 19].

States must have a comprehensive
outdoor recreation plan for federal grants that fund projects like
parks, historic sites, habitat conservation, and recreational
opportunities for activities such as hunting and fishing. Don't miss
your chance to influence Pennsylvania's recreational
priorities!

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*Report
Sick or Dead Wild Birds! *

The Pennsylvania Game Commission has
announced updated guidance regarding the Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu.
To protect the health of wildlife, domestic animals, and humans,
they're asking the public to assist their effort.

If you encounter
sick or dead wild birds, call 1-833-742-9453 to report them to the
Game Commission.

Learn more at this link:
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[link 20].

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*Free
Radon Test Kits Available*

The Allegheny County Health Department
is offering free do-it-yourself radon test kits to residents in
collaboration with the American Lung Association and the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Radon is a colorless,
odorless radioactive gas that can infiltrate homes and buildings
through cracks in foundations, posing a serious risk of lung cancer.
Given Pennsylvania's heightened vulnerability to elevated radon
levels, the DEP strongly encourages testing in all residential and
public buildings.

You can pick up your free test kit on weekdays
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Allegheny County Health Department's
Housing and Community Environment office on Sassafras Way in Polish
Hill. Kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a
limit of one per household while supplies last. Call ahead to ensure
availability at 412-350-4046.

For information on radon gas,
testing, mitigation, and mitigation grants go to Radon in the Home |
Department of Environmental Protection | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
[link 21].

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*LIHEAP Grants*

It's not too late to apply for
Pennsylvania's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)! The
2024-2025 LIHEAP season is open and accepting applications for
families living on low incomes who need help paying their heating
bills. LIHEAP is a cash grant program.

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Cash grants are
one-time payments sent directly to the utility company/fuel provider
to be credited on your bill.

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Grants range from $200 to $1,000
based on household size, income, and fuel type.

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Families may
also qualify for a crisis grant if they are in immediate danger of
being without heat.

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LIHEAP grants do not have to be
repaid!

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Application deadline is April 25, 2025.

Don't wait,
apply today, and keep your family warm all winter long! Ways to
apply:

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Call the LIHEAP Hotline: 1-866-857-7095.

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Online:
[link removed] [link 23].

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In person or by mail: 5947
Penn Ave. Floor 4, Pittsburgh or other local county assistance office
[link 24].

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Download an application in one of eight languages
here [link 25].

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Get more information:
[link removed] [link 26].

To read more
about LIHEAP click here [link 27].

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*Nominations
Open for Lowe's 2025 HOMETOWN Projects*

As part of its goal to make
communities better for all, Lowes is accepting nominations for the
fourth year of its Lowe's Hometowns program, a five-year, $100 million
impact program aimed at revitalizing community spaces. This year,
Lowe's will award $10 million in grants to fund 100 renovations across
the U.S.

Shaler Undercliff Volunteer Fire Company received this
grant in 2024 which made long-overdue renovations possible. Shaler
Undercliff VFC was an ideal candidate for the Hometowns grant because
it is a central community space that hosts fundraisers, meetings,
elections, AARP Tax-Aide, and more.

Hometown grants are awarded to
nonprofit organizations that support community improvements, safe and
affordable housing, and many other causes. Any project involving a
community space's physical improvement or renovation is eligible. All
grants must go to a local nonprofit that is willing and able to take
on the project.

Helpful Links*:*

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Program Terms [link
28]

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Frequently Asked Questions [link 29]

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Past Projects
[link 30] (Shaler Undercliff is listed!)

*Nominate a community
project in your hometown* *through February 18* at:
[link removed] [link
31].

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[link 32]

*Upcoming State of Pittsburgh Water's Community
Presentations*

If you have questions about your water service,
consider joining Pittsburgh Water (formerly Pittsburgh Water and
Sewer) for their upcoming State of Pittsburgh Water updates.
Presentations will include current initiatives and open discussions
about:

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The reinvestment of ratepayer dollars back into our
water system

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Ongoing projects to improve water reliability and
protect public health

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Expanded Customer Assistance
Programs

-
Changes to your 2025 bill

-
Representatives from
our PGH2O Cares team will be on-site to answer questions about our
financial assistance programs. If you qualify, they can enroll you
into our programs on the spot.

Upcoming Meetings:

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*Thursday,
Feb 13, 2025, 5:00 - 6:30 PM, Zoom only*

-
*Monday, Mar 10, 2025,
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM, Vintage Center for Active Adults meeting at
Familylinks, Inc.*

Bring your questions and learn everything you
need to know about your water service!

For more information and a
list of all Pittsburgh Water events and meetings go
to:
[link removed] [link
33].

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*Distribution
Dates for Lower Valley Community Food Bank in Springdale*

Lower
Valley Community Food Bank has released their 2025 Distribution
Dates!

Distribution times are from 1 PM - 3 PM every 2nd and 4th
Thursday at the Springdale Boro Building: 325 School Street,
Springdale, PA 15144.

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February 13 & 27

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March 13 &
27

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April 10 & 24

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May 8 & 22

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June 12 & 26

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July 10 & 24

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August 14 & 28

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September 11 & 25

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October 9 & 23

-
November 6 & 20*

-
December 4 &
18*

*Denotes changes in distribution weeks to the 1st and 3rd
Thursday of November and December.

Visit
www.lowervalleyfoodbank.org [link 34] or Lower Valley Community Food
Bank 's Facebook page [link 35] for updates or closure due to
inclement weather.

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*Community
Bridge Program Community Meeting*

*Tuesday, February 11, 6:30 -
7:30 pm, Union Project 801 N Negley Ave, Pittsburgh*

If you are
interested in learning about an organization that's making a
difference for Pittsburgh's homeless population or know someone who
could benefit from their services, come to the Community Bridge
Program's community meeting on February 11 from 6:30 - 7:30 pm at the
Union Project. See graphic above for details.

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*Family Valentine's Dance Party in Morningside*

Grab
your loved ones and put on your best attire (or your PJ's so you can
dance til bedtime!) for City Squeaker's Family Valentine's Dance Party
on February 12, 6-8pm at the Morningside VFW, 1820 Morningside Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206.

Learn more and buy tickets at:
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[link 37].

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As
always, please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have
by phone at 412-364-0469 [link 38] (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 [link
39] (Harrison Office) or by email at
[email protected] [link 40]. My staff will return
your call/email within 24 hours (Monday-Friday).

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Senator
Lindsey Williams

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mailto:[email protected]

Contact
Information:

Website:
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Office Location:
District
Office
5000 McKnight Road
Suite 405
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone:
412-364-0469
Fax: 412-364-0928
Monday ? Friday 9-5

Harrison
Office
1826 Union Avenue
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Phone:
724-224-2131
Fax: 724-224-2145
Monday ? Thursday 9-5

Harrisburg
Office
366 Capitol Building
Senate Box 203038
Harrisburg, PA
17120-3038
Phone: 717-787-6538
Fax: 717-787-8625
By appointment
only


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