Larimer Community Group Expands Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Charlise Smith
(412) 573-9217
charlise@waveoflife.org

LARIMER COMMUNITY GROUP EXPANDS SERVICES
APPROVED PHFA & HUD AGENCY

PITTSBURGH, PA (PittsburghNewsWire.com) — State Representative Ed Gainey and other partners will be on hand Thursday, December 5, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. to salute the Willissae’s Agency for Vision and Empowerment (WAVE). The organization recently became an approved Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency as well as a Housing and Urban Development Housing Counseling Agency. The event will take place at the Ecco Center located at 200 Larimer Avenue.

“Home ownership is a dream for many Americans and having the approvals from PHFA and HUD just makes it easier for us to make that dream become a reality for residents of Larimer and the city of Pittsburgh, and Allegheny County” said WAVE founder and CEO Charlise Smith. The approvals classify WAVE as a recognized state and federal certified housing counseling agency enabling them to provide professional housing counseling and services to individuals.

Founded in 2012, the organizations’ philosophy is that building resiliency in people helps to bring about neighborhood change. Their aim is to empower individuals facing barriers to discover and reach their potential. WAVE’s programing consists of Home ownership, Credit Management, Case Management, Social Services, Education and Entrepreneurship.

Throughout its history WAVE, named after the founder’s mother Willissae who was brutally murdered has serviced approximately 75 clients.

ABOUT WAVE:
WAVE is a Non-Profit Organization that empowers and changes the mindset and long-term well-being of individuals who have been afflicted by violence and trauma. The purpose of WAVE is primarily to promote and enhance the personal well-being and health of individuals residing in subsidized housing in the greater Pittsburgh area who have experienced violence in their lives through education, counseling, social services and long-term support.

ABOUT THE FOUNDER:
Charlise Smith is a victim of childhood trauma from the murder of her mother and has experienced trauma herself as an adult. She has worked in low-income communities and has been in the Real Estate industry for over 15 years. She holds an Associates Degree in Computer Management and is a Real Estate Broker of Record in the State of Pennsylvania. She is Certified Occupancy Specialist and Certified Credit Compliance designated. She also has her certification in Public Housing Management. Her experience in living in low-income housing along with a personal family background with domestic violence inspires her desire to combine her personal and business expertise to give back to the community.

FOR INTERVIEWS OR MORE INFORMATION: (412) 573-9217 chaise@waveoflife.org