In 1989, the Rosedale-Tioga community was known as one of the highest crime areas in the history of the city of Pittsburgh.   RBC helped to organize the community so that we could begin to address some of the challenges.  Some of the challenges would later provide opportunities.

Community residents especially our elders and youth, organizations, faith based Institutions, foundations, banks, local, state and federal authorities added their strength and faith to the movement. In 1991 we incorporated our organization and in 1992 we applied for and received our 501(c)(3) approval.

We needed a home to begin to address the multiple challenges that confronted our community.  While continuing to organize the community, we identified an 11,500 sq. ft. facility.  The elders put up the hand money to gain site control. In 1992, we partnered with several supporters that provided over a half a million dollars within eighteen months for RBC to purchase and renovate the site.

In December, 1993 we gained ownership.  In March of 1994 we identified community youth, and seventy-five percent minority subcontractors to initiate the first of two phases of the renovation process.  The center was the first economic development and entrepreneurial project to take place in the community in well over twenty-five years. We went door to door taking surveys to determine what the community felt were the primary needs.  Quality early childhood training and employment programs were overwhelmingly requested. 

In March, 1995, the Pittsburgh Board of Education’s Head Start Program, our anchor tenant, took possession of their newly renovated program space.  They provided developmental opportunities for 20 children three to five years of age and new jobs for community members of various ages. Also, our landscape training program that now helps to generate 23% of our annual budget evolved from our humble summer youth lot clean up program. Over 500 youth came through the project.  Our informal data through observation leads us to believe that over 75% of them have gone on to various fruitful opportunities both locally and throughout the country.