Vulnerable populations Archives - Page 8 of 23 - Pittsburgh's Public Source

Eric Miskovitch, seen from behind in a black and grey shirt, looks through a window of the former State Correctional Institution Pittsburgh on Thursday, May 18, 2023, in Marshall-Shadeland. Miskovitch used to be incarcerated at the institution, and he’s now pitching that the vacant building could be part of the solution to the housing crisis. (Photo by Stephanie Strasburg/PublicSource)

Why I want to get back into a prison I left some 20 years ago — and then open it up to those in need

by First-person essay by Eric Miskovitch, as told to Rich Lord June 9, 2023November 5, 2025

A person waits across the street for the Smithfield United Church of Christ shelter to open for the evening on May 8, 2023, in downtown Pittsburgh. (Photo by Stephanie Strasburg/PublicSource)

Allegheny County previews plans for users of Smithfield Street shelter, but operator warns of calamity

by Eric Jankiewicz May 30, 2023June 12, 2023

Talia Paone, 27, sits on a red and white gingham blanket in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in the Spring Hill–City View neighborhood on April 4, 2023. Since the beginning stages of her transition as a transgender woman, Talia frequently drove up to the cemetery to look at the view of the Downtown skyline and ponder about life — and death.

GENDER & IDENTITY

‘I’m living a life I never knew I was supposed to live.’ Pittsburgh’s trans community embraced ‘radical optimism’ in the face of opposition.

by Amaya Lobato May 5, 2023November 13, 2024

Polk State School & Hospital, later renamed Polk State Center, in Polk, Venango County, in an undated photo. (Historic American Buildings Survey/Library of Congress)

50 years ago this month, we exposed a state institution. It’s finally closing.

by First-person essay by Robert Nelkin April 28, 2023April 30, 2023

Melissa Wilson stocks a produce refrigerator in between guests at the Wilkinsburg Community Ministry food pantry. Reed has seen an increase in people using the pantry since SNAP benefits were cut back in March. (Photo by Stephanie Strasburg/PublicSource)

Points of Pride Wilkinsburg

‘We share food’: Wilkinsburg Community Ministry works to address hunger, food insecurity through pantry

by Betul Tuncer April 26, 2023April 26, 2023

Jam Hammond stands for a portrait on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2023, in downtown Pittsburgh. (Photo by Stephanie Strasburg/PublicSource)

SELVES NEWSLETTER

A hateful anti-trans radio ad brought flashbacks to dark moments and places — but also motivation

by First-person essay by James “Jam” Hammond February 24, 2023February 23, 2023

Police carry a casket to a hearse from the Destiny of Faith Church on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, in Brighton Heights. The funeral of John Hornezes Jr., one of the victims in the Cedar Avenue shooting on Oct. 15, was taking place as multiple shooters shot into the crowd gathered outside the church, hitting six people. (Photo by Stephanie Strasburg/PublicSource)

Rising violence draws $50 million public health commitment from Allegheny County

by Amelia Winger February 21, 2023April 5, 2023

PA eased telehealth regulations during the pandemic. What happens if the waiver expires?

by Jourdan Hicks June 9, 2022June 1, 2023

Nick Ripley llustration on a stylized background

FROM THE SOURCE PODCAST

Nick’s community practice | S3, Ep. 6

by Jourdan Hicks February 9, 2022February 9, 2022

Sade Swan sits next to the thermostat in the Homewood North duplex she has rented since August 2020. Her landlord told her to move out and failed to fix the furnace, but has not started the legal eviction process. (Photo by Jay Manning/PublicSource)

Economy & Housing

Steady rise in eviction filings shows stresses in the Pittsburgh-area rental market

by Rich Lord January 10, 2022January 10, 2022