Faces & Places: New Castle Prism Initiative one-year anniversary block party

Photo by Jeff Freedman.

The New Castle Prism Initiative celebrated its milestone one-year anniversary with a block party and vendor fair at the Third Independent Presbyterian Church in New Castle, Pennsylvania, on Sunday.

Running from noon to 5 p.m., the family-friendly event brought the community together with local vendors, food trucks, games, and music. The celebration offered vital resources, including free on-site HIV/STI testing provided by Central Outreach. The successful event helped sustain the initiative’s essential, year-round LGBTQ+ outreach services in Lawrence and surrounding counties.  They offer services such as their in-house food pantry and the Pauly Likens Memorial Sanctuary community closet, which provides gender-affirming clothing, hygiene products, and care items.   

Photos by Jeff Freedman.

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Jeff Freedman (he/him) is a Pittsburgh native celebrating his fourth decade of LGBTQ+ community volunteerism. A co-founder of the Steel City Softball League in 1981, Jeff has remained a dedicated advocate ever since. His leadership includes serving on the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission for LGBTQ Affairs, chairing Pittsburgh Pride celebrations from 2005 to 2007, and currently serving as the Pittsburgh Pride March & Parade Co-Chair. In recognition of his lifelong dedication, Jeff was named the 2025 Pittsburgh Pride Grand Marshal. Regular parade-goers will recognize him as the enthusiastic voice on the megaphone organizing the march participants. Jeff looks forward to sharing his best stories—at least the printable ones—with the QBurgh community.