Sharpsburg group encourages residents to join Rivertown Changemakers; program also open to Etna and Millvale

Lori Claus doesn’t live in Sharpsburg but that didn’t stop her from wanting to get involved in the small river town.

Three years ago, she stumbled upon a webinar offered by the Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization on how to implement community-minded projects.

It resulted in the O’Hara resident spearheading an initiative to install a playhouse at the 16th Street Playground. The space opened last summer.

Residents are encouraged to pitch similar ideas to make the neighborhood a better place and can learn how the process works during an upcoming workshop series.

Rivertown Changemakers is a mission to build civic engagement and support action, said Jodi Klebick, executive director of the neighborhood organization.

Meetings will take place this fall and are free to people 16 and older in Sharpsburg, Etna and Millvale.

“We want to build on the fact that there’s a lot of things happening in the community,” Klebick said. “How do we turn ideas into action? How do we work with government partners to use your voice?

“This is for people curious about how to work with council, engage with others and bring ideas to life.”

The program kicked off Sept. 10 and will continue with the next session from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the neighborhood organization’s office along Main Street.

A meeting in October will include a field trip to a council meeting at the borough building.

Claus said she was driven to volunteer her time in Sharpsburg because she has fond memories of her grandparents and parents living there. She recalled events at the Sharpsburg Eagles, swimming and hiking at Camp Guyasuta and decorating her bike for the borough’s annual Memorial Day parade.

She said that through the program, she learned comprehensive ways to become involved. Claus has since joined the borough’s parks and recreation commission, continuing to dive into community efforts.

“It was evident that the members of the commission take the concerns and interests of Sharpsburg residents to heart,” Claus said. “It has been very fulfilling to see the results of our teamwork positively impacting the community.”

Klebick said Claus’ experience is a model for how Rivertown Changemakers should work.

“This is about how people can contribute their ideas but also meet others and help with bigger efforts,” she said.

Child care and transportation can be arranged for workshop participants. For details, visit sharpsburgneighborhood.org.