“Thanks for making civil discourse cool again!” said Douglas Florey, executive director of the Laughlin Children’s Center. He was one of nearly 100 hosts who held dinners, inviting guests of his choosing, as part of the 200 Dinners bicentennial event organized by Vibrant Pittsburgh and Next Pittsburgh on May 14, 2016. Hosts included Mayor Peduto, the Ace Hotel, and the East End Food Coop, as well as private homes and restaurants all over town, gathering hundreds of guests with one purpose in mind: to engage in a community-wide discussion about how we can improve our city.
This year’s event, Welcome, Neighbor!, focuses on getting to know the people who live around us. Hosts are encouraged to reach out to neighbors (especially those that are new to the region or those coming from a different culture or background) inviting them to dinner on Saturday, November 11, 2017. Conversation topics will focus on building community in our neighborhoods, getting involved in neighborhood life, and welcoming those that are new to southwestern Pennsylvania.
Organizations and individuals will register to host dinners around the Greater Pittsburgh Area. Each host will be given a “Host Kit”, which includes downloadable, ready-to-print invitations to pass out to prospective guests, along with conversation-starters and other ideas.
Want to attend a Welcome, Neighbor meal? Check out these opportunities to connect with the community!
Welcome, Neighbor! Dinner
Date and Time: Saturday, November 11, 2017 | 7:30pm
Address: 40 W North Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15212
Attendance Capacity: 12 guests
To RSVP: Call 412-226-9740 and reference the Welcome, Neighbor! Dinner; guests are responsible for the cost of their meal.
Welcome, Neighbor! Afternoon Tea
Date and Time: Saturday, November 11, 2017 | 1pm -5pm for touring, 2pm – 4pm for afternoon tea
Address: 618 Washington Ave, Carnegie PA 15106
Attendance Capacity: 35 guests
To RSVP: Email Megan Turak at atonementcarnegie@gmail.com or call Megan at (412) 531-1978 and reference the Welcome, Neighbor! Afternoon Tea. In keeping with its English roots, Church of the Atonement will be offering a variety of teas, tea sandwiches and sweets.
Hello Neighbor Dinner
Date and Time: Tuesday, November 14, 2017 | 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Address: City-County Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh PA 15219
Attendance Capacity: 150 – 200 guests
Denny Street Welcome, Neighbor! Dinner
Date and Time: Saturday, November 11, 2017 | 8pm
Location: 3616 – 3610 Denny Street, Pittsburgh PA 15201
Attendance Capacity: 8 guests (no children, please)
To RSVP: Email Ryan at thechampyryan@yahoo.com.
Welcome, Neighbor! Dinner
Date and Time: Saturday, November 11, 2017 | 7:30pm
Address: 1150 Smallman St, Pittsburgh PA 15222
Attendance Capacity: 12 guests
To RSVP: Call 412-201-5656 and reference the Welcome, Neighbor! Dinner; guests are responsible for the cost of their meal.
Welcome, Neighbor! Dinner
Date and Time: Saturday, November 11, 2017 | 5pm – 7pm
Address: 700 Trumbull Drive, Pittsburgh PA 15205 website: https://www.globallinks.org/
Attendance: 35-40 guests
To RSVP: Email lwest@globallinks.org or call 412-361-3424 ext. 214; please indicate if you have any food allergies.
Kirby Family Welcome, Neighbor! Dinner
Date and Time: Saturday, November 11, 2017 | 6:30pm
Location: Friendship
Attendance Capacity: 7 guests
To RSVP: Email jkirby@msa.com for more information. Dinner will be vegetarian.
Welcome, Neighbor! Dinner
Date and Time: Saturday, November 11, 2017 | 7pm – 10pm
Address: 5618 Kentucky Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15232
Attendance Capacity: 35 guests
To RSVP: Email Bedrettin Tokgoz at bedrettin.tokgoz@peaceislands.org; guests will be provided with a full-course Turkish dinner.
Welcome, Neighbor! Dinner
Date and Time: Saturday, November 11, 2017 | 6pm
Address: 1720 Lowrie St, Pittsburgh PA 15212
Attendance Capacity: 10 guests
To Attend: Scratch f&b is choosing Welcome, Neighbor! Dinner participants via a nomination process plus five “golden tickets” distributed “Willy Wonka style” to brunch guests at Scratch f&b on Sunday, November 5. Be sure to look at the bottom of your plate and/or glassware for the golden ticket! For more information, contact Scratch f&b at (412) 251-0822. Scratch f&b’s free Welcome, Neighbor! dinner will include a salad, Cacio e Pepe and a dessert; guests are responsible for the cost of their beverages.
Welcome, Neighbor! Dinner
Date and Time: Saturday, November 11, 2017 | 7pm
Address: 302 South St. Clair Street, Pittsburgh PA 15206
Attendance Capacity: 12 guests
To RSVP: Email Jeremie McKnight at jmckonsults@gmail.com; guests are responsible for the cost of their meal.
Welcome, Neighbor! Dinner
Date and Time: Saturday, November 11, 2017 | 7:30pm
Address: 5847 Ellsworth Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15232
Attendance Capacity: 12
To RSVP: Call 412-362-5656 and reference the Welcome, Neighbor! dinner; guests are responsible for the cost of their meal.
Welcome, Neighbor! Brunch Social
Date and Time: Sunday, November 12, 2017 | 11am – 2pm
Address: The Children’s Institute, 1405 Shady Avenue (Multipurpose Room), Pittsburgh PA 15217
Attendance Capacity: 20
To RSVP: Contact Eveline Young at info@shuc.org or call 412-422-7666.
Welcome, Neighbor! Potluck Dinner
Date and Time: Saturday, November 11, 2017 | 6:30pm
Location: Crafton Heights
Attendance Capacity: 20
To RSVP: For more information, call Lori Beth at 814-229-3393 or email at bambi_beth@yahoo.com.
CLICK HERE to register as an individual host.
CLICK HERE to register as an organization host.
Interested in hosting but unable to host on November 11? Have questions about the hosting process? Contact Lora McKnight, Director of Program Operations, at loram@vibrantpittsburgh.org.
Welcome, Neighbor! is brought to you by three Pittsburgh organizations who are committed to the city’s diverse future. Vibrant Pittsburgh is building a thriving and inclusive Pittsburgh region by attracting, retaining, and elevating a diversity of talent. Next Pittsburgh has created an online community focusing on the cool people, projects and places taking Pittsburgh to the next level as a place of creativity and innovation – to figure out what’s next, who’s leading the charge and where we’re all headed. The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh is the leading forum to ensure that the Pittsburgh region has a dynamic international presence.Share your thoughts, share your table! Register today to be part of this movement!