Strong Women Strong Girls Inc. and Sarah Heinz House receive Enterprise grants

Two Pittsburgh non-profit organizations have been awarded $70,000 in local “ROAD Forward” grants from Enterprise Holdings through the Enterprise Holdings Foundation.

Strong Women Strong Girls Inc. and Sarah Heinz House Association will each receive $35,000.

The grants are made available to “advance social and racial equity,” according to a statement from the foundation.

“A commitment to the communities where we operate has been fundamental to our company since its founding in 1957,” said Enterprise Holdings Foundation President Carolyn Kindle Betz.

“ROAD Forward’s local grants will support the many outstanding organizations that are leading efforts to advance equity in their communities — and ultimately strengthen the areas where our employees live and work, one neighborhood at a time,” she said.

Strong Women Strong Girls Inc. is a mentorship organization founded in Boston in 2000 that expanded to Pittsburgh in 2006. Since then, it has encouraged girls and young women to be “leaders and changemakers,” according to a statement on the organization’s website.

Its programs are designed for girls in grades 3-5 on up to professional women.

The Sarah Heinz House was founded 121 years ago on Pittsburgh’s North Side. Today, the youth development organization serves more than 1,000 children from 90 schools throughout the city, according to the organizations website.

The children receive homework help and access to STEM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education programs. All members also participate in weekly fitness programs and are encouraged to make healthy life choices.

“ROAD Forward demonstrates our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in our communities,” said Enterprise Holdings chief diversity officer Errin Braddock. “This is a companywide priority, and through this initiative, as well as efforts inside our own walls, we are doing the work that is necessary to help our communities advance lasting change.”