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VOLUNTEERING

Michelle is committed to using her talents and expertise for the betterment of everyone around her. This goes beyond the professional realm, and has led her to personally enriching experiences through community engagement. These efforts work towards equity, justice, and interpersonal understanding for each and every unique individual in our world society.

Girls Hope of Pittsburgh provides a well-balanced, nurturing home and quality education through college for academically capable girls. They serve children who are at risk due to poverty, neglect or harmful neighborhood conditions.

 

Involvement:

  • Created workshops to introduce young women to architecture & engineering careers 

  • Ongoing mentorship for an individual student interested in architecture 

Women in Design of Pittsburgh is a newly formed community of women in the allied fields of architecture and design.

 

Involvement:

  • Developed and coordinated networking and volunteering events

  • Collaborated in strategizing program development for this newly formed organization 

The Power of Pro Bono: 40 Stories about Design for the Public Good by Architects and Their Clients is a first-of-its-kind book to document the growing pro bono movement in architecture. This is a project of Public Architecture, an organization aimed at putting the resources of architecture in the service of the public interest.

 

Involvement:

  • Edited, interviewed, & researched content for The Power of Pro Bono (2010)

  • Volunteer Spotlight Recognition 

PARK(ing) Day is an annual worldwide event where artists, designers and citizens transform metered parking spots into temporary public parks.

 

Involvement:

  • Designed and installed parks annually for various organizations over the past 5 years

Eco Constructores Oaxaca is a mission-based organization that aims to proliferate the use of building with natural materials by making these services available to a wide spectrum of the population.

 

Involvement:

  • Direct and extensive on-site construction participation 

  • Expanded knowledge of building with natural materials (i.e. adobe, wattle & daub)

Following are links to other organizations Michelle has contributed to through volunteering:

 

Bike Pittsburgh

Free Ride Pittsburgh

Quantum Theatre

Garfield Community Farm

False Profit Labs

Fundacion Roberta Felix

KALX 90.7 Radio

Youth Support Program

Students Organizing for Justice in the Americas

Campaign to End the Death Penalty

Families for Literacy

 

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