Andre Young with Betty Lane and Donna Jackson of the Larimer Consensus Group. The Larimer community nominated Young on behalf of the great work he does.
LandCare Contractor Andre Young Receives Volunteer of the Year Award
On May 23, 2019, Andre Young of Chatman Properties received the Volunteer of the Year award at the Clean Pittsburgh Commission's Annual Meet N Greet Mixer, recognizing his active role in the Larimer community.
Young has been a contractor for the URA LandCare program since 2017 (the second year of the program). After voluntarily cleaning and maintaining vacant lots in the Larimer neighborhood, Young contracted with the URA initially under a smaller LandCare contract, and then additionally took on a larger one in 2019. Chatman Properties maintains all the URA-owned vacant land in Larimer, in addition to properties in the east and south Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
This past year, Young presented with the URA and Grounded at the National Environmental Justice Conference in DC to showcase our partnership on this innovative model of localized property maintenance services through investment in community-based contractors.
“The URA is proud to work with Andre and his team. They go above and beyond to support neighbors, act as a mentor to other LandCare contractors, and participate in additional cleanup of lots through neighborhood volunteer events,” said URA Data and Project Specialist Tim Dolan.
Here are just a few of the kind words supporters are saying about Young:
"Andre is there lending his time, expertise, and equipment to make sure the job gets done. Beyond that, he will continue to monitor these newly transformed sites and provide ongoing care and maintenance. He gives so much to Larimer and has taken on the responsibility for many, many vacant lots and projects and makes sure that green investments continue looking gorgeous long beyond a one-time volunteer day."
"He takes the time to help maintain the lovely arched entrance to the African Healing Garden, hand-rubbing the entire structure with linseed oil to prevent rust. Andre Young has made a huge difference in this community, and he should be recognized for his generous spirit and willingness to help make this corner of the world a better place."
"When one travels through the Larimer neighborhood in Pittsburgh's East End, the many vacant lots are noticeable. It used to be they were weedy and unpleasant, but thanks to the tireless work of Andre Young, many of these lots are mowed and have become little oases of green, providing a restful and clean appearance to the neighborhood."
