Program History and its Mennonite Roots

Mennonite Voluntary Service

The Mennonite Church, a 480 year-old Protestant denomination, has taught and practiced that Christian faith calls adherents to care for the poor and to lift up the oppressed. University, seminary and advanced degree graduates have volunteered with Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Disaster Service, Mennonite Economic Development Associates and Mennonite Voluntary Service to serve for one to three years in the U. S. or international public service. These workers have lent their energy and skill to agricultural development, health promotion, community organization and conflict mediation, to name a few. Priority has been given to following directives that are locally established, to training local management and to using strategies and techniques that are locally appropriate. This approach to development has won acclaim in many parts of the world and has been powerful witness to God’s love for humankind. In return, Mennonite volunteers have received an invaluable field education and global perspective that has enriched their lives and has made of them responsible and compassionate global citizens.

The History of PULSE

The Mennonite Church has not directed the same energy and commitments to the cities of the United States. The Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience (PULSE), alternatively known as Mennonite Urban Corps, has blazed the trail in a new direction, lending the time and talents of the Mennonite young adults to the work of the city, and relying on the resources of the city to give training and direction to the participant.

The goal of this program is to mentor a new generation of urban leaders who understand and appreciate the importance of the city for the world’s future, who commit their lives to the work of transforming our cities into places of hope and compassion and who possess the skills and resources needed to do this work well.

Since its inception in 1994, nearly 100 PULSE participants have contributed some 135,000 hours to more than 80 Pittsburgh nonprofit agencies, churches, arts-based businesses and schools over the past sixteen years. Although few PULSE participants originally hail from Pittsburgh, at least two-thirds of PULSE alumni have continued living in the city often receiving job offers from their PULSE work sites.

These results reflect the original vision of PULSE founder, John Stahl-Wert, who in the early 1990s recognized that Pittsburgh was losing its young people at a rapid rate, contributing to the need for educated, skilled workers in the city’s social service sector. At the same time, Stahl-Wert observed that recent college graduates across the nation were struggling to find creative, meaningful employment, particularly in the arts. Stahl-Wert specifically noted the need for new service opportunities for Mennonite young adults who have a history of active involvement in postgraduate voluntary work.

Governance

PULSE is governed by an 10-member Board of Directors, which includes representatives of Pittsburgh Mennonite Church, community professionals and program alumni who live in Pittsburgh. While it remains in close dialogue with the broader Mennonite community, PULSE is financially and managerially independent. Under the auspices of the Board of Directors, PULSE is administered by one full-time employee. Work sites provide two-thirds of the operating budget. Staff and Board members raise the remaining funds through foundation grants, individual contributions and church donations.

Staff

Chris Cooke is the Executive Director of PULSE. After graduating from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, the California native moved to Pittsburgh. For the past ten years, he’s worked for the CCO, a campus ministry organization headquartered in East Liberty. Initially, he worked with Carnegie Mellon students out of Shadyside Presbyterian Church. He then transitioned to the main office to oversee training and staff support raising for the 200+ staff of the CCO. Chris loves the creative energy of young adults and is excited to see young people explore the possibility of this city through PULSE. You can contact Chris by calling the PULSE office (412-361-0124) or e-mailing him at info@pulsepittsburgh.org

Pittsburgh Urban Leadership and Service Experience
5615 Stanton Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
info@pulsepittsburgh.org