Center of Life to Mark 20 Years of Service to Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — Center of Life (COL) has announced it will mark 20 years of service to the Greater Hazelwood and Pittsburgh community with a special virtual celebration and everyone’s invited! On Friday, May 14, Center of Life will host an all-day, livestream event designed to commemorate the nonprofit’s “roots, rhythm, and the road ahead.” The celebration, which will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12 midnight, will feature exciting live musical performances, heartfelt stories from current and former program participants, throwback videos, and plenty of fun for all.

Pastor Tim Smith founded Center of Life in 2001 with the goal of addressing the unmet needs experienced within the Hazelwood community. But one need, in particular, stuck out to him — the lack of extracurricular activities for students. Beginning first in the basement of his home, and later moving to the Keystone Church building, Smith began conducting a youth jazz program. A musician himself, Smith began by teaching his students their very first lessons. Over time, Center of Life has grown to expand its cache of programming by providing families and youth with the life skills, education, training, and resources to make themselves and their communities stronger.

“Center of Life turning 20 years old is a testament of the impact we can have when people come together to help our community,” Tim Smith, CEO and Founder of Center of Life. “We ask those who are able to give to support Center of Life in its quest for another 20 years of service. We truly believe the best is yet to come!”

For the last 20 years, Center of Life has hosted a variety of programs that promote and inspire learning, health, and cultural vibrancy, and reach families through a broad portfolio of opportunities and resources — from registering people to vote to creating jobs, to establishing community partnerships, to promoting financial literacy, education, music, arts, nutrition, and mental and physical wellness.

“Center of Life’s KRUNK Movement [program] has been a life-changing experience for me,” said Philip Andrews, City Charter High School student. “When the pandemic began taking a toll on my mental health, the music program provided me with a creative outlet and the supportive environment I needed to get to a better place. Now, I’m volunteering with the younger kids at Junior KRUNK to teach them about music and dance.”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Center of Life has pivoted beyond its usual programming to support the community. In 2020, the nonprofit distributed more than 200,000 meals, more than 800 masks, and nearly 600 school supply packets to families in need. Staff members also operated a Community Learning Hub to provide students with in-person remote learning support and opportunities for safe socialization through the remote-only learning designation as decided by Pittsburgh Public Schools.

To RSVP for Center of Life’s 20th Anniversary Celebration, visit https://centeroflife.salsalabs.org/20thAnniversaryCelebration/index.html.