Council proclaims Center for Employment Opportunities Day; praises riverfront cleanup partnership

Pittsburgh City Council declared Jan. 28, 2025, to be Center for Employment Opportunities Day and recognized the nonprofit’s local work linking people returning from incarceration to transitional and permanent employment.

The proclamation, presented in council chambers by Councilwoman Barbara Warwick, noted CEO’s Pittsburgh location opened in February 2016, has enrolled more than 500 participants, recorded more than 300 job placements, and currently works with more than 50 local employers. The proclamation also cited CEO’s collaborative work with the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, the Department of Public Works and other local partners to provide contracted and volunteer opportunities.

Councilwoman Barbara Warwick said the group had partnered with city departments and other nonprofits on weekly riverfront cleanups and occasional larger cleanups over the past nine months, and that the group’s work has helped supplement the city’s Department of Public Works crews.

Josh, a representative of Center for Employment Opportunities’ Pittsburgh location, told council the recognition was “a really wonderful honor” and thanked Warwick and the full council for the partnership. Sawamura, identified in the meeting as a national CEO Works representative, said the collaboration allowed CEO to serve returning citizens while giving back to the city in which it operates.

Council members and CEO staff gathered for photographs after the presentation. The proclamation does not create any binding city policy; it is a formal recognition of CEO’s local work as described in the text read into the record.

The council approved the proclamation by voice vote during the Jan. 28 meeting.