Swissvale Resident Dedicated to Revitalization, Economic Growth

JoEllen Welsh is investing in Swissvale by taking pride in her neighborhood, volunteering and creating ways to make the community a better place to live, work and play.

As secretary of the Swissvale Economic Development Corporation and a member of the Swissvale Rotary Club, Welsh has been active in the community for about 10 years, whether it’s volunteering at Community Days, Night of Lights, a Taste of Swissvale and other annual events.

“I am invested in the community because I own a home and along with that comes a neighborhood,” said Welsh. “I want property values to grow and things to get better because that helps everyone who lives in Swissvale.”

Welsh, 48, originally of West Mifflin, worked in fundraising and community outreach at Braddock Hospital before being laid off in June after it shut down. She worked there for 15 years.

Welsh was voted “Volunteer of the Year” by SEDCO for 2010 and said she enjoys volunteering with the local organization because there is only one agenda – improving the community for residents and making a brighter economic future for the entire neighborhood.

“It’s such a wonderful group of people and the energy is so positive,” Welsh said. “Everyone has the same goal and that’s making Swissvale a better place.”

She said she was surprised and honored when she received the award last year.

“I think everyone is ‘Volunteer of the Year’ every year at SEDCO,” she said.

SEDCO works with the

MVI formed about 21 years ago with the demise of the steel industry as many communities faced similar economic challenges. With a mission to strengthen neighborhoods through a coalition of volunteer-led community development corporations, MVI now partners with 10 CDC's serving 12 communities – including Swissvale, which began its major efforts in 2007.

Swissvale Mayor Deneen Swartzwelder described Welsh as a “burst of energy.”

“She says she is doing something and she does it,” Swartzwelder said. “She brings lots of enthusiasm and generates good things. If you want something done, you give it to JoEllen.”

Welsh said she looks forward to the improvements SEDCO will continue to initiate in the community in the future.

“We see this as doing the best thing for the community,” she said.

SEDCO meets at the Word of God multi-purpose room at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of every month.