Are you interested in finding out what it's like to be a Pittsburgh police officer? Do you ever wonder how Pittsburgh’s firefighters train for emergencies, or how the City takes care of its parks and streets?

The Mayor's Youth Civic Leadership Academy is your chance to explore these things, and more! Apply now for the free, 6-session program!

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today announced the 24 recipients who will receive funding through the fourth round of his servePGH initiative's "Love Your Block” grant program – bringing the total number of projects to 64. From Garfield to Elliott, and Beltzhoover to Spring Garden, resident volunteers will partner with the City to transform blighted lots into community assets. Learn more here!

Congratulations to the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of Autism Speaks for receiving the Mayor's Citizen Service Award! Their outstanding efforts to serve those affected by Autism here in the Pittsburgh region have truly impacted local residents and communities and we thank them for their service! 

The Love Your Block season is set to start on Saturday, April 27th, 2013 with two great community service projects. Join volunteers as they plant trees in Highland Park with the group Tree Pittsburgh and join the Southside Chamber of Commerce as they love the 1100 block of East Carson Street by planting and installing flowerboxes as well as cleaning up their block on the Southside! 

 On April 9th, 2013, over 800 bipartisan mayors across the country took the time to recognize the impact of national service in their cities and thank those who serve. Currently, there are more than 1,600 AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers that serve in the City of Pittsburgh, providing vital support to residents and improving quality of life. To read more about the impact of their service here in Pittsburgh, Click Here.

On Wednesday, March 20th, Mayor Ravenstahl and his servePGH team were joined by volunteers and community members to celebrate the 2nd Anniversary of the servePGH Initiative! Volunteers spent the morning in Elliott helping to prepare a garden for spring planting. 

Today Mayor Ravenstahl announced that applications are now available for his spring 2013 Edible Gardens program, an expansion of his successful Green Up Pittsburgh program and servePGH initiative. Volunteers in 10-15 City neighborhoods will transform vacant lots into community gardens to grow, maintain, and harvest nearly one ton of fresh produce!  

In 2012, Cities of Service engaged StoryCorps, an independent nonprofit dedicated to helping Americans preserve and share their stories, to help capture the experiences of Cities of Service.

Click here to listen to an audio montage featuring Mayor Ravenstahl and others speaking passionately about the power of service to impact our nation's most pressing challenges.

Congratulations to the Girl's Math and Science Partnerhsip for receiving Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's Citizen Service Award! The Girl's Math and Science Partnership, apart of the STEM programming in the Carnegie Science Center, strives to provide young girls with the resources to succeed in the historically male dominated arenas of math and science. Thank you for choosing to mentor our young residents and provide quality programming to assist them in succeeding!

In celebration of National Mentoring Month, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl recognizes the efforts of volunteers who have chosen to dedicate time to mentor young people, ensuring they have the support he or she needs to navigate life’s challenges, in the City of Pittsburgh on Thank Your Mentor Day.