CLASS Quarterly Newsletter | | | | |
Information & Referrals is Here to Help | Navigating life with a disability, or supporting a loved one who does, can be overwhelming. From housing and transportation to healthcare and education, the systems meant to help are often complex and difficult to access. That's where CLASS's Information & Referrals (I&R) Program steps in. | | |
This free, community-centered service connects individuals with disabilities and their families with the resources they need to thrive. Whether someone is seeking accessible housing, employment support, or disability services, the I&R team listens, guides, and connects people with community resources. We are working to empower people to make informed decisions about their own support options and help them navigate what could best meet their needs. While not case management or service coordination, this program fills a critical gap by offering guidance without barriers.
Every call, every conversation, and every referral is a step toward a more inclusive Pittsburgh. The I&R Program embodies CLASS's mission of Working Toward A Community Where Each Belongs, ensuring that no one is left to navigate alone.
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Right now, we are entering a period of uncertainty. Federal cuts to Medicaid and other essential safety net programs are threatening the stability of services that individuals with disabilities rely on every day. Without access to these supports, many face the devastating risk of institutionalization, unable to continue living in their own home and community.
The I&R Program at CLASS is more vital than ever. This service helps individuals with disabilities and their families with resource navigation in an increasingly complex system. This may include Medicaid waivers, disability supports, or other community resources. When services disappear or become harder to access, I&R becomes an important resource - we strive to connect people to what remains available and advocate for alternative resources. We strive to ensuring no one is left behind.
But we can't do it alone. Your support helps CLASS continue to guide people through these challenges, offering hope, clarity, and connection in a time of uncertainty. Together, we can protect the right to live, work, play, and belong in the community.
| | The 32nd Annual CLASS Community Heroes Awards Dinner is missing only one thing. | |
You!
Join us on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Rivers Casino as we celebrate four extraordinary advocates who are building a Pittsburgh Where Each Belongs. These awardees have shown unwavering dedication to creating inclusive communities - where race, gender, ability, income, religion, and identity are not barriers, but strengths.
By attending, you're not just honoring their work - you're becoming part of it. Your presence and support directly empower people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in our region. Together, we can continue building a future where everyone has a place and a purpose.
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Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh
is a beacon of innovation and inclusion, influencing how our region embraces aging. In a city where nearly 20% of residents are age 65 and older - the highest population among benchmark regions - Age-Friendly is leading the charge to ensure that older adults are not only seen but celebrated. Their work is rooted in the belief that aging is a strength, not a limitation, and their efforts reflect a deep commitment to building A Community Where Each Belongs.
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Through advocacy, education, and intergenerational collaboration, Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh is reimagining neighborhoods to be more inclusive and accessible for all ages. Their free, high-quality, age-inclusive stock photo library challenges stereotypes and uplifts the visibility of older adults. By fostering connections across generations and supporting aging in place, they align powerfully with CLASS's core values: that everyone deserves the right to live, work, and move how they choose. Their passion for equity and community shines brightly, making them a truly deserving recipient of the CLASS Community Heroes Award.
Learn More About Age-Friendly
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Bunny Bakes & Specialty Coffee,
founded by the Friendship Circle and named in honor of Bernita "Bunny" Bencher, is a sweet testament to what inclusion can look-and taste-like. Inspired by Bunny's vision of Pittsburgh as a city where everyone is valued and welcomed, Bunny Bakes brings people together - those with disabilities and those without - to create something truly special. In their welcoming kitchen, teamwork and mutual respect are the key ingredients, proving that inclusive employment isn't just possible, it's powerful. Their model shows how a supportive, accessible workplace can foster growth, pride, and delicious results for everyone.
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In their fully accessible, kosher-certified baker, Bunny Bakes employs adults with disabilities alongside skilled professionals, proving that collaboration and support can lead to excellence. Their team doesn't just bake - they advocate. Staff members serve as ambassadors for workplace inclusion, touring other sites and sharing their stories to inspire change. Bunny Bakes exemplifies the CLASS ideal of A Community Where Each Belongs, showing that when we invest in people and create spaces that meet their needs, everyone rises.
Learn More About Bunny Bakes
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Angela Reynolds, Ph. D.
has long been a transformative force in Pittsburgh's nonprofit and policy landscape. Before becoming Chief Executive Officer at YWCA Greater Pittsburgh in 2020, she led critical initiatives as Senior Director of United for Families and 211 at United Way of Southwestern PA - work that laid the foundation for her ongoing commitment to equity, access, and community empowerment. Her leadership has consistently centered on creating systems that support families, dismantle barriers, and promote inclusion.
| | | At the YWCA, Dr. Reynolds continues to champion the organization's mission to eliminate racism and empower women, with a particular focus on advancing educational opportunity and financial stability for girls and women of color. A native of New Haven, Connecticut, she holds both an M.S. in Statistics and a Ph.D. in Policy Analysis from Carnegie Mellon University. Her academic and professional journey - including her time as an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh - reflects a deep dedication to fair and affordable housing, and data-driven policy. Dr. Reynolds exemplifies the CLASS ideal of A Community Where Each Belongs, using her voice and vision to build a more just and inclusive Pittsburgh. | |
Brad Dicianno, M.D.
is a visionary leader in the field of assistive technology and disability-centered healthcare. As Medical Director of the UPMC Center for Assistive Technology, Director of the UPMC Adult Spina Bifida Clinic, and Medical Director and COO of the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL), Dr. Dicianno has dedicated his career to advancing health, mobility, and independence for individuals with complex medical disabilities. His work exemplifies the CLASS ideal of A Community Where Each Belongs, where innovation meets compassion to create inclusive solutions.
| | | In addition to his clinical leadership, Dr. Dicianno is a Professor, Endowment Research Chair, and Assistant Dean for Medical Student Research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. His research focuses on developing interventions - such as advanced wheelchairs, mobile health technologies, and preventative care programs - that improve wellness and quality of life. Whether mentoring future physicians or designing cutting-edge tools, Dr. Dicianno's commitment to accessibility and equality continues to shape a more inclusive Pittsburgh and beyond. | | Golf season may be over, but we are always ready to open our doors and have you join us for an event. Check out our calendar for the remainder of 2025. | |
- Holiday Craft Show - Day Program
- September 25, 2025
- 4:00pm-6:00pm
- Swissvale Headquarters, Ground Floor
- Community Heroes Awards Dinner
- October 28, 2025
- Buy Tickets Today!
- Girlfriends For Good Purse Bash
- November 15, 2025
- 12:00pm-3:00pm
- Divine Parish, Cranberry Twp.
- CLASS Annual Art Show
- November 20, 2025
- Swissvale Headquarters, Ground Floor
- Soup & Salad
- November 30, 2025
- A Recipe for Giving
- Holiday Themed Pittsburgh Cookie Table & TechOWL Showcase
- December 2, 2025
- Swissvale Headquarters, Ground Floor
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