Third Civic Leadership Academy

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced that applications are available for the City’s third Civic Leadership Academy (CLA), a free 10-week course designed to educate residents about local government in the City of Pittsburgh.

Beginning September 14, and ending November 16, participants will attend weekly sessions focusing on different City departments and the services they provide to make for a safer, more livable City. City directors will develop their sessions with tours, hands-on demonstrations, and fun activities to provide an up-close and personal view of how their department helps to operate the City.

The program consists of 10 consecutive sessions on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Session topics include city organization and vision; budgeting processes; city planning and economic development; public works and parks services; the protection of water and rivers; public safety efforts, and more. At the conclusion of the course, the Mayor will lead a graduation ceremony where participants will be awarded certificates.

Students are expected to participate in a group, participant-led service project at the conclusion of the course. This project will build on the knowledge gained in the sessions, address a need in the City of Pittsburgh, and be completed within six months of the graduation ceremony. Past service projects have included planting native plants at the Larimer Community Garden and launching a recycling awareness campaign at community festivals across the City.

Applicants to the program must be at least 18-years-old and live within Pittsburgh City limits and/or be a business owner who operates a business within Pittsburgh City limits. Applications are due by 5 p.m., August 3. For more information and to apply for the Civic Leadership Academy visit www.pittsburghpa.gov/servepgh/cla/.