Applications are available for the City’s Civic Leadership Academy (CLA), a free 10-week course designed to educate residents about local government in the City of Pittsburgh.

Beginning September 12, and ending November 14, up to 25 participants will attend 10 weekly sessions on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m. to learn how different City departments work to ensure a safer, more livable City.  Session topics include city organization and vision; budgeting processes; city planning and economic development; public works and parks services; the protection of water and rivers; public safety efforts, and more. City directors will develop their sessions to include tours, hands-on demonstrations and fun activities to provide an up-close and personal view of how their department helps to operate the City. At the conclusion of the course, the Mayor will lead a graduation ceremony where participants will be awarded certificates.  To date, five classes totaling 95 residents have graduated from the Civic Leadership Academy.

At the end of each class, graduates undertake a service project based on what they have learned.  Past projects by CLA graduates have included planting native plants at the Larimer Community Garden, launching a recycling awareness campaign at community festivals across the City, revitalizing a parklet in East Carnegie, supporting the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s efforts to improve neighborhood business districts, and beautifying Arsenal Park in Lawrenceville.

Applicants to the program must be at least 18 years old and live within Pittsburgh City limits and/or be a business owner who operates within Pittsburgh City limits.  Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, August 13. For more information and to apply for the Civic Leadership Academy, visit cla.pittsburghpa.gov.

The Civic Leadership Academy is supported, in part, by Corporation for National and Community Service and AmeriCorps VISTA program.  It is one of seven signature initiatives within Mayor Ravenstahl’s servePGH initiative.