E. J. Strassburger’s legacy of leadership takes center stage at Branch fundraiser
Strassburger will be honored for his many contributions to growing the organization.
Pittsburgh attorney and community leader E. J. Strassburger will be honored May 8 at Breaking Down Walls, a fundraiser for The Branch, a Squirrel Hill-based organization that supports individuals with psychiatric, developmental, or intellectual disabilities.
The event, at the Energy Innovation Center, uptown, will have a casual theme, “Dinner, Dancing and Denim,” and is open to the public. Tickets are $75.
Strassburger will receive the inaugural Krause Award, which is named for the late Dr. Seymoure and Corinne Krause, a couple instrumental in establishing The Branch, formerly Jewish Residential Services in 1993, to provide housing options for people with mental health challenges.
As JRS programming expanded, the name was changed, according to Karen Oosterhous, director of development and marketing, “to reflect that, while are founded on Jewish values and remain culturally Jewish, we serve a wider community.”
A former Branch board chair, Strassburger will be feted for his many contributions to growing the organization. In 2006, he arranged a partnership between then-JRS and ACTION Housing to turn a 10-unit apartment building on Squirrel Hill’s Darlington Road into Jason Kramer Hall, an affordable, independent living facility for people with disabilities.
In 2012, Strassburger was pivotal in transforming the long neglected former Poli’s Restaurant site at Murray and Forward avenues into Krause Commons, a multi-use Branch facility.
Krause Commons includes Branch offices, 33 affordable apartments, half of which are set aside for people with disabilities, and the Sally and Howard Levin Clubhouse, which provides social, educational and recreational programming for adults living with mental illness.
For members like Jan Harris, of Beltzhoover, the clubhouse has been transformative.
Now 70, Harris first visited the clubhouse 12 years ago at the direction of doctors who were treating her for severe depression, and she became a regular, noting that the facility’s warm sense of community has helped put her on an even keel.
“It’s the love that’s here,” said Harris. “We know that the staff love us. When you are in that environment of love it becomes easy to grow.”
She takes part in a work-ordered day, which is designed to help members build self-confidence and meaningful relationships as they perform tasks such as cooking and cleaning. Birthdays and other holidays are celebrated. Members operate a thrift store to serve each other.
“I graduated from cleaning to doing dishes and gradually became more and more involved,” said Harris, who now considers herself a clubhouse leader. “On Christmas we socialize and eat together. We had a seder this year for 60. I have made some very good friends here.”
Harris and three other members will share what Harris calls “the understory” of their challenges at the May 8 fundraiser.
“In general, people don’t talk about it, because there’s so much shame and so much stigma,” Harris said. “Sharing our really deep stories — that’s what we want sponsors and donors to connect with … what brought us to the clubhouse, what brought us to our knees.”
Harris said she wants donors to see who is benefiting from their generosity. “I am very excited that we are going to be able to that.”
The fundraiser will mark the 25th anniversary of the clubhouse, and the 10th anniversary of the Dr. Solomon and Sarah Goldberg House, a residence for adults with disabilities.
Strassburger was chosen for the Krause award because he is “the consummate volunteer for us,” said Nancy Gale, Branch executive director.
“He has used both his professional talents and community connections to help us do some very important projects, like establishing Charles Morris Hall and Jason Kramer Hall.
He understood the real estate market, and did a lot of fundraising for the building we are in.”
“Running a capital campaign takes significant effort, and he has been involved in every big project we’ve have.”
Strassburger said the Krause award, which will be presented to him by his daughter-in-law, City Councilwoman Erika Strassburger, represents the success of “an entire proverbial village.”
“I had so many collaborators along the way — too many to mention — who contributed their time and talents, as well as incredibly generous believers, like Seymoure and Corky Krause, the Levin family and others, who contributed their money,” E. J. Strassburger said. “The wonderful result has been life-changing experiences for the clients of the Branch (née JRS), and their families.” PJC
Deborah Weisberg is a freelance writer living in Pittsburgh.
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