November 26, 2025 • 26 mins
Our mission is simple - we provide a one-stop "hub" for our community.
Here you'll find access to a variety of resources: a library with computers and internet access, support services such as a food pantry and counseling center, and enriching youth programs. Through the efforts of our volunteers and the support of our neighbors in West View, we are striving to give our patrons a place where they can enjoy themselves, enrich their lives, and find help when they need it.
https://www.westviewhub.org/
Here you'll find access to a variety of resources: a library with computers and internet access, support services such as a food pantry and counseling center, and enriching youth programs. Through the efforts of our volunteers and the support of our neighbors in West View, we are striving to give our patrons a place where they can enjoy themselves, enrich their lives, and find help when they need it.
https://www.westviewhub.org/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
And welcome in. This is a public affairs program. I'm
shedding the light on the interest, issues and concerns of
the greater Pittsburgh area. Good morning, My name is Johnny
Hartwell in studio. Guests Scott Pablett of West U Hub.
Good to see you, Scott.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
How are you hey? Doing great? Johnny, good to see
you too. Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
So this is the holiday season, this is the season
of giving, and if you're thinking about giving to an organization,
I can't imagine a more deserving organization than the West
View Hub. What Scott does, his team and his organization
is amazing. And what they do, it's kind of difficult
to explain because they do so much for the area. So,
(00:41):
first and foremost, thank you for all the hard work.
Thank you for everything you do for the community. Now
let's explain exactly what you do, because you guys do
a lot. Okay, So tell us the start of the
history of the West U Hub and what you're all about.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
So, the Westview Hub really was born out of a
lot of loss, a lot of personal loss in my
family as well as my career. At the age of
fifty five, I was put into force retirement and was
looking for a new way to give back because I
had a good career, and so I had the idea
of creating what I called a HUB, or actually I
(01:15):
called it a Community Life Enrichment Center. Was going to
be the initial name, but it was too long to
put on a postcard, so we went with HUB. And
basically we chose wes Viue because wes U is underserved.
It's a lovely community, highly strapped in terms of taxes
and a lack of taxes, I should say, and so
(01:37):
they have a real need for services. So we put
in a library, which had a food pantry in a
back which has now expanded to a major food pantry,
and we put in an immersive arts center. And throughout
all that runs a theme of just doing whatever the
community needs. We identify need rapidly, we implement programs rapidly.
(01:59):
We have a strong core of volunteers, and we're very fortunate,
we're blessed to be able to do this. You know
that you started with the library, and the library started
to people said, hey, you know, what could you offer?
Maybe computer classes? And you said, well, let's see what
we can do. And next thing you know, you're offering.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Computer classes and then different programs, and I'm going to
pull up your calendar on your website. By the way,
I think everybody should check out westwhub dot org because
their calendar is insane. You have something virtually every day
of the month.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
You guys keep so busy.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
You have like at nine point thirty on a random Tuesday,
you have a mindfulness and movement which is what is that?
Speaker 2 (02:46):
It's some sort of yoga class. Well, it's a combination
of I wouldn't call it yoga, and I have to
be careful because my girlfriend runs this class. I'll say
it's a wonderful class and everybody should enjoy it. No,
the next day you offer robotics, right, and actually we
have a robotics team that won first place in a
competition last weekend. And then a Girl Scout troop. On
(03:10):
a random Monday, we have three Girl Scout troops. They
utilize the Hub. And then you have a school hangout
Saturday night jam sessions. What is that? So at the
Hub Works, which is our art center, one of our staffers,
John Sholkowski, who a lot of Pittsburghers know, holds a
jam night and people drop in and they just jam
(03:32):
and so it's free to the public though, right, everything
we do is free to the public. All right, I'm
not done, because what is this? This is Tempest shadow
puppetry performance. You have puppet shows. Well, Steel City Shakespeare
is one of our partners. Yeah, and they put on
the Tempests, which is a show, and they ran out
(03:54):
of the course of a couple of weekends and had
good attendance. And again it's bringing Shakespeare into any that
would otherwise probably not even look at Shakespeare. Curiosity Club,
what is that? Curiosity Club is just what it says.
It's a group of folks. Anybody can drop in and
you'll just pick a random topic. Last week the topic
(04:15):
was thankfulness and people talked about what they're thankful for
and how that's impacted their lives, and then it goes
off onto different tea engines. It's always interesting.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
So you started out as a library and the things
that kind of normal what libraries do. And then talk
a little bit about the food pantry, because you had
a small pantry initially, and then during COVID that's certainly
expanded and now you've even expanded that part of the hub.
So tell us more about what the community you serve.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
With that, Okay, So the food pantry has become an
important part of the hub. I don't want to say
it's our primary identity, but it's probably the most consistently
active part of the hub, and i'd say consistent two
days a week. We do food distribution Tuesdays and Thursdays.
As you mentioned during COVID, Yeah, when we started, we
(05:10):
had fifteen to twenty families that came in during COVID
that probably raised to about two hundred families. Over the
last several years, with inflation and the economy the way
it's been, that number raised went up to over one thousand.
Now today we're up over twelve hundred, and a lot
of that is due to, you know, the shutdown that
(05:34):
occurred a few months ago. A couple months ago really
had a strong impact. And the influx of people that
were signing up is insane. I mean, we probably signed
ten to fifteen new families per week. So I mentioned
at the top of the show that this is the
season of giving. I don't want to get too far
away from you know, one of the reasons why you
(05:55):
came in today is that you need to raise funds.
Like you said, you're the amount of people that you're
servicing on a daily basis is not getting smaller, it's
getting bigger. Oh that means there's more. You have to
do more with the financial resources that you've been given.
But that's difficult and you need people, you need champions
(06:19):
to help you out right. And this Tuesday is Give
Big Pittsburgh. Okay, what is that? That's an annual event
where folks can go online to Give Big Pittsburgh and
actually pledged donations. You'll find Westview Hub. You'll find a
lot of different organizations that register put the west View
Hubs in there, and if you donate there, we have
(06:42):
matching funds available. They'll actually accelerate the impact of the
donation you make.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
So Tuesday, December second, you can make your donation to
the Westview Hub go even further. Every dollar helps to
provide free programs, community meals, tutoring workshops, and a welcoming
space for our neighbors.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
That's according to your website.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
By giving through the Give Big Pittsburgh platform, your contribution
could be boosted by matching funds and prizes, so your
support makes an even bigger impact. So if you want
more information, you can go to the website, which is
Westview hub dot org. Have you done this program in
the past and has it helped. Yeah, this will be
(07:22):
our third year and it has helped.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
And every year we get more publicity and we receive
more donations, and that's absolutely wonderful. The outpouring from the
community during this time has been just absolutely remarkable. For Thanksgiving,
for example, we had a gentleman come in with five
hundred dollars worth of turkeys. No, never mind the fact
(07:48):
that they were live. Oh really no, oh.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Scott, next thing you know, he is going to be
a WKRP where they're dropping from helicopters.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
That's right. But I had over one hundred and fifty
families request Thanksgiving boxes, oh jas, and so we had
turkeys and all the trimmings, and so many different organizations
rallied around this cause that we have enough stuffing, for example,
probably to feed half of the North Hills. We're really
(08:19):
stuffed with stuffing. Well, that's that's my go to. Yeah,
when it comes to like holiday meals, there's nothing better
than stuff. I know it's a fan of turkeys.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
But so when it comes to your services and what
you are able to provide, how many full time employees
do you have for the West View Hub?
Speaker 2 (08:40):
So I have six part time employees, okay, and one
full time employee. Is that you No, I don't consider
myself an employee. Okay, gotcha, I'm there. Probably I'm putting
at least forty or fifty hours a week into this project.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
I'm sure, I'm sure. And so how much how much
time is devoted to all these programs and so like
the logistics of coming up with the programs and then
offering the programs to make sure the programs are maintained,
it's got to be. It's got to be quite an undertaking.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
It is quite an undertaking, and a lot of it
is through community input. You know. We strive to understand
what the needs are in the community, because it's not
impactful if you come from outside the community and say, oh,
I think this would be good or I think this
would be good. You need to receive the feedback, and
we do, and we see it firsthand. We receive it firsthand.
(09:40):
We offer folks the opportunity to get involved. If you
see a need and you feel you can fulfill it,
we'll help you. We'll set the stage, we'll give you
the resources, we'll give you the space. We'll get you
the audience. Come in and teach a class, come in
and offer a program.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Let's dig a little deeper because we've shared these stories before,
but give us some examples of somebody saying, Hey, I'm
interested in providing this, you know, maybe like a Shakespeare
class or something like that.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Well, Still City Shakespeare wanted to do a Shakespeare class,
and now they do that every winter. They help students
in the area get ready for the competition down at
the Pittsburgh Public I think, and I think that occurs
in February or January February every year, so we offer
that for free. The kids come in, they learn their lines,
(10:31):
they practice their scenes. Yeah, that's one example. We've had
musicians come in and want to teach them music lessons, guitar, ukulele, keyboard.
I know you're a musician. Do you do you offer
any classes yourself? Now I'm a bassist. You know, bassist
are always just in the background. We're the eye candy
(10:52):
of the band, but we really don't. Yeah, that's what
I've heard. Can you imagine a room for bass players?
How awful that would be.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
So but in addition to the musicians, you also, have
you have a recording you have a recording studio as well?
Speaker 2 (11:08):
We do. We have a very nice recording studio. It's professional,
sixteen track, it's got a separate, you know, sound room,
and it's professional. Yeah, but how did that? How did
that come about? Selfishly? I wanted one for our band
to practice in. But you play in a band, do
(11:28):
you do? You play on the Saturday Sessions? Ever, I
don't play all right now, you know, I'll just I'll
just share I'm temporarily compromised due to a stroke. So
as I get stronger from the stroke, I'm doing better
with the bass. We did play a couple of gigs
and you know, I cheat a little bit. I don't
hit all the grace notes, and so I'm not where
(11:49):
I want to be or need to be. But I'll
get there. So once I get there, I'll go down
and you know we'll rock out on GM night. But
I'd be a little embarrassed too.
Speaker 1 (11:59):
Right now, we're talking about Scott Patla of the Westview Hub.
Get more information at westviewhub dot org. And as I
said at the top of the show, and I'll repeat
myself because I think it's worth noting, is that this
is the season of giving, and if you're thinking about.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
An organ if you're looking for an organization.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
To contribute to, I can't imagine that there's a better
organization to contribute to than the Westview Hub, because at
its heart, it's it's something new, it's something different, it's
something that gives back to the community in such a
joyous way. And I think that's why I love talking
(12:38):
to Scott, is that he's he's always coming in with
enthusiasm and always coming with a certain amount of passion,
which I really appreciate. And he truly cares about the community,
and he cares about this project and the people who
who run it, who go to it, and it's something
that I this holiday season and this is the season
(13:02):
to be thankful, and I am thankful for everything that
you and your organization.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
Does you.
Speaker 1 (13:10):
Do you get the same kind of Do you get
that kind of gratitude? Do people are they? Do they
realize how much you do.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
For the community? Oh? Yeah, it's funny, you know, Yeah,
the work we do, I mean there's two levels, right,
there's broad brush. Yeah, we're providing food, we're providing programs,
but it's the fine brush work where you really get
their gratitude and you see the impact that you have.
You see children improving in school, You see families coming
(13:39):
around and now have coats to wear for the wintertime. Yeah.
Nothing grandiose in terms of big splashes, but very impactful.
And you know what I've learned. You know, this whole
thing started with a lot of personal trauma for me.
But it was difficult in that moment to be thankful
(14:02):
when you know, when I was into forced retirement after
losing my wife and a lot of my family. But
looking back, I am very thankful because it's put in
a place that I never would have been, and it's
an opportunity to really help a lot of folks. And
it's not just me, it's your organization. Yeah. I always
(14:24):
say I'm the catalyst that got has started, but the
Hub has a life and a heartbeat of its own,
and it's just a marvelous thing to be a part of.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
And I'm sure that the people who are your part
time workers or your volunteers really appreciate, you know, the
fact that you get these kind of reactions that you're
able to provide these kind of classes and the library
and the food pantry, which I don't want to get
too far without really providing the opportunity for.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
The community to give back to you.
Speaker 1 (14:58):
We talked a little bit of about this earlier, but
I think it's worth mentioning the give big Pittsburgh is
coming up on Tuesday. Now tell us a little bit.
This is your third year, Yes it is. You have
a goal on a mount that you're hoping to get or.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
We're hoping to get fifty thousand this year. Okay, and
that's pretty ambitious. That's a lot more ambitious in the past.
But the demand is just so incredible for services for food,
for out of school learning, and I should mention we
received a grant from Pennsylvania to do out of school
(15:33):
learning for two hundred at risk students, and that program
is finally underway. It was tied up with the federal
budget and the state budget, but yeah, now that's underway,
and it's putting a strain on our resources too, because
you know, we need to be able to stand up
and deliver those within the school district.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
But this is on top of everything else you do. Yes, yeah,
there was a need. We pursued it and pursued the
grant and we received it. So big give how tell
us how we can give back to the Westview Hub.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
So if you go to our website, you'll see a
QR code and you'll see a splash for Give Big Pittsburgh.
And that's the easiest way. Or you could go to
their website search for Westview Hub and you'll find it there. Yeah, okay,
I'm on it right now. Mark your calendars. Give Big
(16:29):
Pittsburgh is almost here Tuesday, de Summer second where you
can make a donation to the Westview Hub go even further.
Every dollar helps provide free programs, community meals, tutoring workshops,
and a welcoming space for all our neighbors. By giving
through the Give Big.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Pittsburgh platform, your contribution can be boosted by matching funds
and prizes.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Tell us more about that. I don't know where the
prizes came from. Maybe it's an eight x ten yes,
signed colossy of me. But I have a foundation, Community
Life Enrichment Foundation. We'll do dollar matching help to a
certain level.
Speaker 1 (17:04):
Okay, So you can make your contribution go even further
by donating three Give Pittsburgh also a big plug to
GBU Life, who also is part of this organization and
that's an organization who also gives back to the community.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
So big shout out to them, So big give Big.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
Pittsburgh is December second from it looks like twelve am
to twelve am.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
So twenty four hours.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
They're looking to help organizations here in Pittsburgh, and you're
one of the organizations. So for those who aren't familiar
with the Westview Hub or didn't hear the beginning, once again,
kind of tell us everything that we need to know
about the Westview Hub.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
Okay, so the Westview Hub is a barrier free organization.
By barrier free, we're not what I mean is we're
not constrained by really anything in terms of what we
can offer. So we have a full service library, we
have a technology center, we have a food pantry, we
have an immersive art center. We do theater, we do
(18:02):
art classes, we have a recording studio, music lessons, we
do out of school act education. We have things like
girls who Code, We do yoga classes or mindfulness and
movement classes.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
I should say, and really the only thing that limits
us is our imagination. I mean, if it's there and
we can dream it. If there's a need at office
space and oh yes, space you would think with all
the things you do, this is this and you know,
a massive building, you do a lot with what you have.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
Yeah, and I'll reiterate, stuffing is like literally coming out
of the ceiling. We have.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
So literally for the food panter you've got, you got
it stacked up everywhere.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
There's a lot of stuffing. Yeah, we always need other food.
So what are some of your goals for twenty twenty six?
For six, I'd really like to focus on more out
of school learning outside of the grant that we got
from the state. The state grant limits us to one
school district, but there's a need across many that we serve,
(19:14):
So I'd like to take the infrastructure that we've built
and the lessons that we've learned from the state grant
and apply them internally to a wider audience across these
other districts. I would also like to beef up our
music programs and beef up our art classes, and then
continue just to keep a solid ear to the ground,
(19:36):
listening for the drum beat within the community, to react
to needs as they develop.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
What's the last thing somebody asked you to, you know,
ask you say, hey, can we do this? And you said, yeah,
we'll give it a try. What's do you remember? You
know that might be the movie nights we do. We've
had a series of Pittsburgh based movie Oh really that
we've been premiering or showing down at Hubworks on Sunday
(20:04):
nights and that's been pretty successull.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
You would consider any kind of suggestion, right, Well, Flash
Dance was one of the movies. I was filmed here
and that was actually an extra in Flash No really? Yeah? Yeah,
were you one of the dancers? No, you don't want
to see me dance?
Speaker 1 (20:20):
All right, we only have a couple of minutes left,
so let's reiterate the fact that Give Pittsburgh Give.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
What is it? It's Give Big Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
The platform is coming up on Tuesday, so that can
have a huge impact.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
You have some lofty goals.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
You want to raise fifty thousand dollars, So this is
this is something that this is an opportunity for the
Pittsburgh Greater Pittsburgh community to give back.
Speaker 2 (20:42):
So tell us what we need to do. If you
go to our website, you'll see a QR code and
that's the easiest most direct route for a giving Forgive
Big for us. But if you go to their website,
look up our organization Westview Hub dot to org and
you can make your donation right there. And again we
(21:03):
have matching funds available to make your donation go further.
Speaker 1 (21:06):
All right, So again the website is Westview Hub dot org.
Tuesday from twelve am to twelve am. By giving to
the Big Give Big Pittsburgh platform, your contribution could be
boosted by matching funds. They mentioned prizes, so I imagine there's
a prize. I don't know if it's a glossy picture
of you Scott or not. But again, everything that the
(21:30):
Hub does, they do such an amazing job. They're a
food pantry, they are a library, a computer lab, so
many different programs for a variety of different ages too.
It's not just you know, elementary kids. You have high
school things. You have so many things that.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
Preschool through seniors. Wow, you've got it all.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
So they're dedicated to improving intellectual, physical, and the spiritual
life within the Westview community. But I think your influence
is beyond Westview, So I wish you all the best
for Give Pittsburgh. Please again, if you'd like to make
a contribution, go to the website Westview Hub dot org.
Please do that especially on is December second, the Impact Day.
Speaker 2 (22:12):
That's the Impact Day, but the program runs through the
month of December. Okay, good, that's good to know.
Speaker 1 (22:17):
And I, you know, Scott, I just cherish our conversations
and I really appreciate everything that you do for the community.
And it's always a pleasure. Thank you so much. Well,
thank you, Johnny. It's always a pleasure here too.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
As always.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
If you have any comments, concerns, or an idea for
our future program, please email us from this radio station's website.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
I'm Johnny Hartwell, thank you so much for listening.
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And welcome in. This is a public affairs program. I'm
shedding the light on the interest, issues and concerns of
the greater Pittsburgh area. Good morning, My name is Johnny
Hartwell in studio. Guests Scott Pablett of West U Hub.
Good to see you, Scott.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
How are you hey? Doing great? Johnny, good to see
you too. Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
So this is the holiday season, this is the season
of giving, and if you're thinking about giving to an organization,
I can't imagine a more deserving organization than the West
View Hub. What Scott does, his team and his organization
is amazing. And what they do, it's kind of difficult
to explain because they do so much for the area. So,
(00:41):
first and foremost, thank you for all the hard work.
Thank you for everything you do for the community. Now
let's explain exactly what you do, because you guys do
a lot. Okay, So tell us the start of the
history of the West U Hub and what you're all about.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
So, the Westview Hub really was born out of a
lot of loss, a lot of personal loss in my
family as well as my career. At the age of
fifty five, I was put into force retirement and was
looking for a new way to give back because I
had a good career, and so I had the idea
of creating what I called a HUB, or actually I
(01:15):
called it a Community Life Enrichment Center. Was going to
be the initial name, but it was too long to
put on a postcard, so we went with HUB. And
basically we chose wes Viue because wes U is underserved.
It's a lovely community, highly strapped in terms of taxes
and a lack of taxes, I should say, and so
(01:37):
they have a real need for services. So we put
in a library, which had a food pantry in a
back which has now expanded to a major food pantry,
and we put in an immersive arts center. And throughout
all that runs a theme of just doing whatever the
community needs. We identify need rapidly, we implement programs rapidly.
(01:59):
We have a strong core of volunteers, and we're very fortunate,
we're blessed to be able to do this. You know
that you started with the library, and the library started
to people said, hey, you know, what could you offer?
Maybe computer classes? And you said, well, let's see what
we can do. And next thing you know, you're offering.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Computer classes and then different programs, and I'm going to
pull up your calendar on your website. By the way,
I think everybody should check out westwhub dot org because
their calendar is insane. You have something virtually every day
of the month.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
You guys keep so busy.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
You have like at nine point thirty on a random Tuesday,
you have a mindfulness and movement which is what is that?
Speaker 2 (02:46):
It's some sort of yoga class. Well, it's a combination
of I wouldn't call it yoga, and I have to
be careful because my girlfriend runs this class. I'll say
it's a wonderful class and everybody should enjoy it. No,
the next day you offer robotics, right, and actually we
have a robotics team that won first place in a
competition last weekend. And then a Girl Scout troop. On
(03:10):
a random Monday, we have three Girl Scout troops. They
utilize the Hub. And then you have a school hangout
Saturday night jam sessions. What is that? So at the
Hub Works, which is our art center, one of our staffers,
John Sholkowski, who a lot of Pittsburghers know, holds a
jam night and people drop in and they just jam
(03:32):
and so it's free to the public though, right, everything
we do is free to the public. All right, I'm
not done, because what is this? This is Tempest shadow
puppetry performance. You have puppet shows. Well, Steel City Shakespeare
is one of our partners. Yeah, and they put on
the Tempests, which is a show, and they ran out
(03:54):
of the course of a couple of weekends and had
good attendance. And again it's bringing Shakespeare into any that
would otherwise probably not even look at Shakespeare. Curiosity Club,
what is that? Curiosity Club is just what it says.
It's a group of folks. Anybody can drop in and
you'll just pick a random topic. Last week the topic
(04:15):
was thankfulness and people talked about what they're thankful for
and how that's impacted their lives, and then it goes
off onto different tea engines. It's always interesting.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
So you started out as a library and the things
that kind of normal what libraries do. And then talk
a little bit about the food pantry, because you had
a small pantry initially, and then during COVID that's certainly
expanded and now you've even expanded that part of the hub.
So tell us more about what the community you serve.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
With that, Okay, So the food pantry has become an
important part of the hub. I don't want to say
it's our primary identity, but it's probably the most consistently
active part of the hub, and i'd say consistent two
days a week. We do food distribution Tuesdays and Thursdays.
As you mentioned during COVID, Yeah, when we started, we
(05:10):
had fifteen to twenty families that came in during COVID
that probably raised to about two hundred families. Over the
last several years, with inflation and the economy the way
it's been, that number raised went up to over one thousand.
Now today we're up over twelve hundred, and a lot
of that is due to, you know, the shutdown that
(05:34):
occurred a few months ago. A couple months ago really
had a strong impact. And the influx of people that
were signing up is insane. I mean, we probably signed
ten to fifteen new families per week. So I mentioned
at the top of the show that this is the
season of giving. I don't want to get too far
away from you know, one of the reasons why you
(05:55):
came in today is that you need to raise funds.
Like you said, you're the amount of people that you're
servicing on a daily basis is not getting smaller, it's
getting bigger. Oh that means there's more. You have to
do more with the financial resources that you've been given.
But that's difficult and you need people, you need champions
(06:19):
to help you out right. And this Tuesday is Give
Big Pittsburgh. Okay, what is that? That's an annual event
where folks can go online to Give Big Pittsburgh and
actually pledged donations. You'll find Westview Hub. You'll find a
lot of different organizations that register put the west View
Hubs in there, and if you donate there, we have
(06:42):
matching funds available. They'll actually accelerate the impact of the
donation you make.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
So Tuesday, December second, you can make your donation to
the Westview Hub go even further. Every dollar helps to
provide free programs, community meals, tutoring workshops, and a welcoming
space for our neighbors.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
That's according to your website.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
By giving through the Give Big Pittsburgh platform, your contribution
could be boosted by matching funds and prizes, so your
support makes an even bigger impact. So if you want
more information, you can go to the website, which is
Westview hub dot org. Have you done this program in
the past and has it helped. Yeah, this will be
(07:22):
our third year and it has helped.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
And every year we get more publicity and we receive
more donations, and that's absolutely wonderful. The outpouring from the
community during this time has been just absolutely remarkable. For Thanksgiving,
for example, we had a gentleman come in with five
hundred dollars worth of turkeys. No, never mind the fact
(07:48):
that they were live. Oh really no, oh.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Scott, next thing you know, he is going to be
a WKRP where they're dropping from helicopters.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
That's right. But I had over one hundred and fifty
families request Thanksgiving boxes, oh jas, and so we had
turkeys and all the trimmings, and so many different organizations
rallied around this cause that we have enough stuffing, for example,
probably to feed half of the North Hills. We're really
(08:19):
stuffed with stuffing. Well, that's that's my go to. Yeah,
when it comes to like holiday meals, there's nothing better
than stuff. I know it's a fan of turkeys.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
But so when it comes to your services and what
you are able to provide, how many full time employees
do you have for the West View Hub?
Speaker 2 (08:40):
So I have six part time employees, okay, and one
full time employee. Is that you No, I don't consider
myself an employee. Okay, gotcha, I'm there. Probably I'm putting
at least forty or fifty hours a week into this project.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
I'm sure, I'm sure. And so how much how much
time is devoted to all these programs and so like
the logistics of coming up with the programs and then
offering the programs to make sure the programs are maintained,
it's got to be. It's got to be quite an undertaking.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
It is quite an undertaking, and a lot of it
is through community input. You know. We strive to understand
what the needs are in the community, because it's not
impactful if you come from outside the community and say, oh,
I think this would be good or I think this
would be good. You need to receive the feedback, and
we do, and we see it firsthand. We receive it firsthand.
(09:40):
We offer folks the opportunity to get involved. If you
see a need and you feel you can fulfill it,
we'll help you. We'll set the stage, we'll give you
the resources, we'll give you the space. We'll get you
the audience. Come in and teach a class, come in
and offer a program.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Let's dig a little deeper because we've shared these stories before,
but give us some examples of somebody saying, Hey, I'm
interested in providing this, you know, maybe like a Shakespeare
class or something like that.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Well, Still City Shakespeare wanted to do a Shakespeare class,
and now they do that every winter. They help students
in the area get ready for the competition down at
the Pittsburgh Public I think, and I think that occurs
in February or January February every year, so we offer
that for free. The kids come in, they learn their lines,
(10:31):
they practice their scenes. Yeah, that's one example. We've had
musicians come in and want to teach them music lessons, guitar, ukulele, keyboard.
I know you're a musician. Do you do you offer
any classes yourself? Now I'm a bassist. You know, bassist
are always just in the background. We're the eye candy
(10:52):
of the band, but we really don't. Yeah, that's what
I've heard. Can you imagine a room for bass players?
How awful that would be.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
So but in addition to the musicians, you also, have
you have a recording you have a recording studio as well?
Speaker 2 (11:08):
We do. We have a very nice recording studio. It's professional,
sixteen track, it's got a separate, you know, sound room,
and it's professional. Yeah, but how did that? How did
that come about? Selfishly? I wanted one for our band
to practice in. But you play in a band, do
(11:28):
you do? You play on the Saturday Sessions? Ever, I
don't play all right now, you know, I'll just I'll
just share I'm temporarily compromised due to a stroke. So
as I get stronger from the stroke, I'm doing better
with the bass. We did play a couple of gigs
and you know, I cheat a little bit. I don't
hit all the grace notes, and so I'm not where
(11:49):
I want to be or need to be. But I'll
get there. So once I get there, I'll go down
and you know we'll rock out on GM night. But
I'd be a little embarrassed too.
Speaker 1 (11:59):
Right now, we're talking about Scott Patla of the Westview Hub.
Get more information at westviewhub dot org. And as I
said at the top of the show, and I'll repeat
myself because I think it's worth noting, is that this
is the season of giving, and if you're thinking about.
Speaker 2 (12:15):
An organ if you're looking for an organization.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
To contribute to, I can't imagine that there's a better
organization to contribute to than the Westview Hub, because at
its heart, it's it's something new, it's something different, it's
something that gives back to the community in such a
joyous way. And I think that's why I love talking
(12:38):
to Scott, is that he's he's always coming in with
enthusiasm and always coming with a certain amount of passion,
which I really appreciate. And he truly cares about the community,
and he cares about this project and the people who
who run it, who go to it, and it's something
that I this holiday season and this is the season
(13:02):
to be thankful, and I am thankful for everything that
you and your organization.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
Does you.
Speaker 1 (13:10):
Do you get the same kind of Do you get
that kind of gratitude? Do people are they? Do they
realize how much you do.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
For the community? Oh? Yeah, it's funny, you know, Yeah,
the work we do, I mean there's two levels, right,
there's broad brush. Yeah, we're providing food, we're providing programs,
but it's the fine brush work where you really get
their gratitude and you see the impact that you have.
You see children improving in school, You see families coming
(13:39):
around and now have coats to wear for the wintertime. Yeah.
Nothing grandiose in terms of big splashes, but very impactful.
And you know what I've learned. You know, this whole
thing started with a lot of personal trauma for me.
But it was difficult in that moment to be thankful
(14:02):
when you know, when I was into forced retirement after
losing my wife and a lot of my family. But
looking back, I am very thankful because it's put in
a place that I never would have been, and it's
an opportunity to really help a lot of folks. And
it's not just me, it's your organization. Yeah. I always
(14:24):
say I'm the catalyst that got has started, but the
Hub has a life and a heartbeat of its own,
and it's just a marvelous thing to be a part of.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
And I'm sure that the people who are your part
time workers or your volunteers really appreciate, you know, the
fact that you get these kind of reactions that you're
able to provide these kind of classes and the library
and the food pantry, which I don't want to get
too far without really providing the opportunity for.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
The community to give back to you.
Speaker 1 (14:58):
We talked a little bit of about this earlier, but
I think it's worth mentioning the give big Pittsburgh is
coming up on Tuesday. Now tell us a little bit.
This is your third year, Yes it is. You have
a goal on a mount that you're hoping to get or.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
We're hoping to get fifty thousand this year. Okay, and
that's pretty ambitious. That's a lot more ambitious in the past.
But the demand is just so incredible for services for food,
for out of school learning, and I should mention we
received a grant from Pennsylvania to do out of school
(15:33):
learning for two hundred at risk students, and that program
is finally underway. It was tied up with the federal
budget and the state budget, but yeah, now that's underway,
and it's putting a strain on our resources too, because
you know, we need to be able to stand up
and deliver those within the school district.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
But this is on top of everything else you do. Yes, yeah,
there was a need. We pursued it and pursued the
grant and we received it. So big give how tell
us how we can give back to the Westview Hub.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
So if you go to our website, you'll see a
QR code and you'll see a splash for Give Big Pittsburgh.
And that's the easiest way. Or you could go to
their website search for Westview Hub and you'll find it there. Yeah, okay,
I'm on it right now. Mark your calendars. Give Big
(16:29):
Pittsburgh is almost here Tuesday, de Summer second where you
can make a donation to the Westview Hub go even further.
Every dollar helps provide free programs, community meals, tutoring workshops,
and a welcoming space for all our neighbors. By giving
through the Give Big.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Pittsburgh platform, your contribution can be boosted by matching funds
and prizes.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Tell us more about that. I don't know where the
prizes came from. Maybe it's an eight x ten yes,
signed colossy of me. But I have a foundation, Community
Life Enrichment Foundation. We'll do dollar matching help to a
certain level.
Speaker 1 (17:04):
Okay, So you can make your contribution go even further
by donating three Give Pittsburgh also a big plug to
GBU Life, who also is part of this organization and
that's an organization who also gives back to the community.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
So big shout out to them, So big give Big.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
Pittsburgh is December second from it looks like twelve am
to twelve am.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
So twenty four hours.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
They're looking to help organizations here in Pittsburgh, and you're
one of the organizations. So for those who aren't familiar
with the Westview Hub or didn't hear the beginning, once again,
kind of tell us everything that we need to know
about the Westview Hub.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
Okay, so the Westview Hub is a barrier free organization.
By barrier free, we're not what I mean is we're
not constrained by really anything in terms of what we
can offer. So we have a full service library, we
have a technology center, we have a food pantry, we
have an immersive art center. We do theater, we do
(18:02):
art classes, we have a recording studio, music lessons, we
do out of school act education. We have things like
girls who Code, We do yoga classes or mindfulness and
movement classes.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
I should say, and really the only thing that limits
us is our imagination. I mean, if it's there and
we can dream it. If there's a need at office
space and oh yes, space you would think with all
the things you do, this is this and you know,
a massive building, you do a lot with what you have.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
Yeah, and I'll reiterate, stuffing is like literally coming out
of the ceiling. We have.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
So literally for the food panter you've got, you got
it stacked up everywhere.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
There's a lot of stuffing. Yeah, we always need other food.
So what are some of your goals for twenty twenty six?
For six, I'd really like to focus on more out
of school learning outside of the grant that we got
from the state. The state grant limits us to one
school district, but there's a need across many that we serve,
(19:14):
So I'd like to take the infrastructure that we've built
and the lessons that we've learned from the state grant
and apply them internally to a wider audience across these
other districts. I would also like to beef up our
music programs and beef up our art classes, and then
continue just to keep a solid ear to the ground,
(19:36):
listening for the drum beat within the community, to react
to needs as they develop.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
What's the last thing somebody asked you to, you know,
ask you say, hey, can we do this? And you said, yeah,
we'll give it a try. What's do you remember? You
know that might be the movie nights we do. We've
had a series of Pittsburgh based movie Oh really that
we've been premiering or showing down at Hubworks on Sunday
(20:04):
nights and that's been pretty successull.
Speaker 2 (20:07):
You would consider any kind of suggestion, right, Well, Flash
Dance was one of the movies. I was filmed here
and that was actually an extra in Flash No really? Yeah? Yeah,
were you one of the dancers? No, you don't want
to see me dance?
Speaker 1 (20:20):
All right, we only have a couple of minutes left,
so let's reiterate the fact that Give Pittsburgh Give.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
What is it? It's Give Big Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
The platform is coming up on Tuesday, so that can
have a huge impact.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
You have some lofty goals.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
You want to raise fifty thousand dollars, So this is
this is something that this is an opportunity for the
Pittsburgh Greater Pittsburgh community to give back.
Speaker 2 (20:42):
So tell us what we need to do. If you
go to our website, you'll see a QR code and
that's the easiest most direct route for a giving Forgive
Big for us. But if you go to their website,
look up our organization Westview Hub dot to org and
you can make your donation right there. And again we
(21:03):
have matching funds available to make your donation go further.
Speaker 1 (21:06):
All right, So again the website is Westview Hub dot org.
Tuesday from twelve am to twelve am. By giving to
the Big Give Big Pittsburgh platform, your contribution could be
boosted by matching funds. They mentioned prizes, so I imagine there's
a prize. I don't know if it's a glossy picture
of you Scott or not. But again, everything that the
(21:30):
Hub does, they do such an amazing job. They're a
food pantry, they are a library, a computer lab, so
many different programs for a variety of different ages too.
It's not just you know, elementary kids. You have high
school things. You have so many things that.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
Preschool through seniors. Wow, you've got it all.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
So they're dedicated to improving intellectual, physical, and the spiritual
life within the Westview community. But I think your influence
is beyond Westview, So I wish you all the best
for Give Pittsburgh. Please again, if you'd like to make
a contribution, go to the website Westview Hub dot org.
Please do that especially on is December second, the Impact Day.
Speaker 2 (22:12):
That's the Impact Day, but the program runs through the
month of December. Okay, good, that's good to know.
Speaker 1 (22:17):
And I, you know, Scott, I just cherish our conversations
and I really appreciate everything that you do for the community.
And it's always a pleasure. Thank you so much. Well,
thank you, Johnny. It's always a pleasure here too.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
As always.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
If you have any comments, concerns, or an idea for
our future program, please email us from this radio station's website.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
I'm Johnny Hartwell, thank you so much for listening.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
Wake up and text, Text and eat, Text and catch
the bus, Text and miss your stop.
Speaker 2 (23:02):
Wait wait wait, wait wait wait, Text and.
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Be late to work, sorry late, Text and work, Text
and pretend to work. Text and next surprised when someone
calls you out for not working. Maybe text and meet
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oh hood, Text and complain that they're on their phone
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(23:26):
you're on your phone the whole time. Uh, Text and whatever.
But when you get behind the wheel, give your phone
to a passenger put it in the glove box.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Just don't text and drive. Visit stop texts Stop.
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Rex dot org a public service announcement brought to you
by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and.
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The AT Council HI.
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I Ryan Blandy, a third generational race car driver, and
we dedicate a lot of our time to going as
fast as possible. My grandpa lose the reason why my
dad and I started racing, and I'm really proud to
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will always be with me. It's important to notice if
(24:10):
older family members are acting differently, experiencing problems with their memory.
Speaker 2 (24:13):
Or having trouble with routine tasks.
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Talking about Alzheimer's can be really tough, but if you
notice something, have a conversation with your loved one, encourage
them to see a doctor or offer to go with them.
Early detection of Alzheimer's can give your family time to
explore support services, make a.
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And access available treatments. The Alzheimer's Association provides care, support
and research to help you take control of the situation
with your family and manage the disease together. If you
or your family are noticing changes, it could be Alzheimer's
talk about seeing a doctor together. Visit alz dot org,
slash time to talk a message from the Alzheimer's Association,
and they add counsel.
Speaker 5 (24:48):
Wouldn't it be great if life came with remote control?
You know, you could hit pause when you needed to,
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