Resources and Links

Vital Signs would like to acknowledge the following agencies; organizations and causes who have been extremely beneficial in helping us to grow or are causes we support:

African American Chamber of Commerce of W.PA. 
http://www.aaccwp.com/
The African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania is an organization with a mission to continuously improve business and professional opportunities for African American Business Owners and professionals.  The Chamber offers programs and services, such as: Advances in Health Care, Ask the Expert Program, The Chamber’s Business Institute, Strengthening Your Business Acumen, Candidates Forum ( A program that allows the opportunity for the membership to ask questions with regard to what has been done to promote minority businesses), and How to do business with a major company, authority or organization.

Diversity Business Resource Center (DBRC)
http://www.dbrconline.org/
The DBRC is an invaluable non-profit resource which provides assistance to small, existing and start-up minority and women-owned businesses in Southwestern PA.  Clients can receive help in person, online or via telephone.  DBRC offers it’s clients resource referrals, networking events, and opportunities to meet with corporate, government and institutional buyers.
  

Duquesne University Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
http://www.sbdc.duq.edu/

The Duquesne SBDC offers no-cost, confidential consulting services and training workshops for small businesses and those considering the start of a business in SW Pennsylvania.  Services offered include: Management Consulting, International Business Operations, Environmental Management Assistance and Training Workshops.
 

Girls Going Places
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The Girls Going Places Entrepreneurial Award Program is an annual program developed by Guardian Life Insurance and offered locally by Hurley Associates.  The program is designed to reward the enterprising spirits of girls ages 12 to 18.  Guardian awards prizes to 15 girls who demonstrate budding  entrepreneurship; are taking first steps toward financial independence and make a difference in their schools and communities.  In addition to the cash awards offered by the Pittsburgh Girls Going Places Program, an annual Entrepreneurship Conference offers the teen participants a chance to interview and interact with a diverse group of women business owners.

Greentree Rotary Club
http://www.greentreerotary.org/
The Greentree Rotary Club (part of an international network of over 29,000 Rotary Clubs in 185 countries) is a service organization dedicated to making a difference in the Greentree, PA. region. The Greentree Rotary has helped numerous local organizations and people with such projects as academic scholarships, food bank drives and beautification projects.

Minority & Women’s Education Labor Agency (MWELA)
http://mwela.net/
MWELA is a non-profit program created for the purpose of providing increased opportunities for minorities and women in the Building Trades Industry.  MWELA offers two programs to their clients:  The Pre-Apprenticeship Program: Provides minorities, women and disadvantaged clients with education and training that is required to obtain entrance into the building trades, opening the door to new opportunities and building a career.

 
Also offered by MWELA, The Sheltered Bond Program: Provides opportunities for it’s minority, women and disadvantaged contracting companies to establish and increase their bonding capacities and financing opportunities.

Pittsburgh Small Business Association
http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/pa/pitt/index.html
The Pittsburgh Small Business Association is a resource established for the purpose of assisting small businesses to start, grow and prosper.  The Pittsburgh SBA offers training, counseling, business development, award recognition program, etc. and serves 27 counties in Western Pennsylvania.

 
  

Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center (SBDC) 
http://www.pittentrepreneur.com/sbdc/
The Pitt SBDC at the University of Pittsburgh is an organization offering consulting services and educational programs to assist in the establishment and growth of small businesses in Western Pennsylvania.  Seasoned experts provide business knowledge in many areas, such as: Market Research, Business Plans, Strategic Growth Plans, Government Markets, Foreign Markets, Effective Technology, Funding, Federal Research Grants, and more.

Robert Morris University/Fast Trac Program
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The Fast Trac Program offered by Robert Morris University offers various Entrepreneurial Education Tracks, each of which is designed to develop the entrepreneurial skills of it’s students.  Developed by entrepreneurs for aspiring entrepreneurs, the Fast Trac Program offers non-traditional, experiential learning with hands-on coaching sessions.  Fast Trac classes are offered for: New Ventures; Growth Ventures; Tech Ventures and more.

 

Washington County CASA for Kids
http://www.casawashingtoncounty.org/main_sublinks.asp?id=2&sid=8
CASA for Kids is a local non-profit organization that trains community members to become Court Appointed Special Advocates who will speak up for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the courts of Washington County, PA.

Western PA. Minority Supplier Development Council (WPMSDC) 
http://www.prmpc.org/
The Western PA. Minority Supplier Development Council (formerly PRMPC) is an organization established to create and develop business opportunities for minority business enterprises between corporations and public agencies.  The Council provides services to benefit Corporate Members and certified MBE’s (minority business enterprises) during the procurement and contracting process, such as: Certification, Loans, Training, Business Opportunity Fair, Networking, Matchmakers (corporate sponsored open houses), Awards and Social Events.

 

Women’s Yellow Pages of Southwestern PA
http://www.womensindependentpress.com/listings/index.php
The Women’s Independent Press (publisher of the Women’s Yellow Pages of SW PA.) is a driving force in bringing business women together in Southwest PA.  The Women’s Yellow Pages is a comprehensive resource highlighting a diverse array of women owned businesses, resources and Pittsburgh events.  The Women’s Yellow Pages is a wonderful desktop resource for corporations, agencies and individuals who wish to do business with WBE’s (women business enterprises) in the Southwest Pennsylvania region.