On November 5, 2020, the PAServes-Greater Pittsburgh network virtually celebrated its 5-Year In-Progress Review. PAServes was the second network created in our AmericaServes program. PAServes has been a mentor and role model for other community collaboratives across the country. This 5-year anniversary celebrates having 16,000 service requests and a network of 60+ supportive and invested community organizations in the network – a truly momentous occasion! This could not be done without the work and support of Pittsburgh Mercy Health System (PMHS) and the 368 community providers in the network.

The PAServes – Greater Pittsburgh Network has made great strides over the years. With the Pittsburgh Mercy Health System (PMHS) as the leaders of this effort, the vision to build better systems of care for veterans and military families in communities has become a reality. Their community-based care model has served over 5,000 military-connected families in Allegheny, Butler, and Westmoreland counties.

The national AmericaServes model is designed to facilitate cohesive community support of veterans to create a lasting and sustainable impact for military communities. For this reason, the network is ready to begin its next chapter!

The Veterans Leadership Program (VLP) will become the backbone for this next phase of the PAServes-Greater Pittsburgh network. VLP will become fully active as the Coordination Center on December 1, 2020. VLP will focus on continuing the network’s impressive level of performance and securing long-term, sustainable sources of funding.

The Institute for Veterans and Military Families is incredibly grateful for their partnership and confident in the longevity, impact, success, and sustainability of PAServes in support of veterans and military families in the Greater Pittsburgh area. IVMF, PMHS, and VLP will work side-by-side to ensure a seamless transition of roles and responsibilities, ensuring minimal impact to veteran clients and service providers.

When communities, like Pittsburgh, come together strongly in support of their veteran and military-connected neighbors, a self-sufficient network capable of meeting the needs of local veterans and military-connected residents is created– yielding seamless and easy navigation of services for those who have worn our nation’s uniform. That’s why AmericaServes proudly exists.