PITTSBURGH — PPG has completed a COLORFUL COMMUNITIES^® project at Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending homelessness among veterans in Pittsburgh. The project brought together approximately 130 of PPG’s senior leaders who spent a combined 325 hours revitalizing the facility’s transitional housing units and deck as part of a leadership team building activity. 

The Colorful Communities program provides PPG volunteers and paint products along with financial contributions to bring color and vitality to communities where the company operates around the world, such as in Pittsburgh, PPG’s global headquarters city.

 “At Veterans Place, we’re dedicated to ending homelessness among veterans in the Pittsburgh region by offering a safe, supportive and renewing environment as these men and women gain the necessary skills to face real life challenges, secure permanent housing and lead productive and self-sufficient lives,” said Marlon Ferguson, Executive Director, Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard. “We’re grateful to PPG and the PPG Foundation for equipping us with their employee volunteers and paint products to make a lasting impact for local veterans who depend on our programs.”

Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard was established in 1996 by Sidney Singer, a member of the Jewish War Veterans, Post 718, to provide a safe haven for military Veterans to continue their recovery from chronic mental illness. Singer’s larger vision was to build a community for homeless veterans that would provide temporary housing and the services needed to help them overcome the barriers to productive, self-sufficient lives. Today, the organization serves more than 300 homeless veterans annually.

PPG provided approximately 145 gallons (549 liters) of PPG PAINTS™ products to complete the revitalization project. The PPG Foundation provided an additional $2,500 to help support the organization. 

 “As a PPG employee and veteran, I’m extremely proud to work alongside my peers to support members of our military and this community who rely on the services of Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard,” said Jaime Irick, Vice President, PPG Architectural Coatings, U.S. and Canada (AC USCA).