Scott nonprofit helps sports fan, artist and world traveler live his fullest
When it comes to sports, David Levine knows his stuff and is ready to talk about his favorite teams.
“I see you like the Pirates,” the Washington native said to a visitor who was wearing a 1960 World’s Champion-replica wool coat on an early spring day that more resembled mid-winter.
That prompted a conversation about hope, or lack thereof, for Pittsburgh’s baseball team in 2018. And of the Penguins possibly winning another Stanley Cup. And of course, the thoroughly disappointing conclusion to the Steelers’ season.
“They (gave up) 45 points,” David lamented about the Jacksonville playoff debacle, adding his concern about the earlier injury of linebacker Ryan Shazier: “I don’t think he’s ever going to play again.”
A 20-plus-year recipient of assistance offered by Mainstay Life Services, a Scott Township nonprofit that provides support for people who have developmental disabilities, David is retired and has plenty of time to pursue his variety of interests, including trips to Pirates’ games when the weather cooperates:
Mainstay Life Services offers a variety of living arrangements based on the desires and abilities of the people in need of the nonprofit’s services. Whether they remain at home with their families, live with host families or venture out on their own to experience greater independence, Mainstay helps fulfill their wishes.
Mainstay’s community services department provides supports throughout Western Pennsylvania, with residential services provided in more than 50 homes throughout Allegheny County.
Specialized support services include: advocacy, crisis support, medical care coordination, transportation services, diabetes support and sexuality counseling.
For more information, visit mainstaylifeservices.org.
“You can see the whole city when you’re at PNC Park.”
At his Dormont home, David lives semi-independently with support from Mainstay personnel including Gerard Case, a community living specialist.
“A typical week, we work on goals together. He’s doing a cooking goal right now, using a slow cooker. He’s been preparing beef and broccoli with rice, and it’s killer,” said Gerard, drawing knowing chuckles from David and other visitors.
Stored upstairs is David’s artwork, usually acrylic painting, which displays the type of skill his mother had. He didn’t know he had a similar aptitude until fairly recently.
“David comes to an art class that we have every Monday night,” said Alyssa O’Toole, Mainstay’s director of development. “That’s been going on for 12 or 13 years, and David has attended since the beginning. He was one of the first people interested. And that’s really where he discovered his talent.”
Two of his paintings, in fact, are featured in Mainstay’s 2018 calendar, for September and November. He also contributes to the prints and note cards created by Mainstay artists that are sold through mainstaylifeservices.org/art-prints-cards.
The organization helps him and others maintain their independence by providing some assistance with typical activities such as shopping and getting haircuts, and providing some special opportunities, like the annual Mainstay picnic at the Pittsburgh Zoo. David likes to check out the larger animals.
Speaking of big animals, he rode on the back of a camel during a trip to Israel and went whale-watching in California on some of his many adventures as a traveling enthusiast.
In Texas, for example, he joined his brother Stephen in pursuing the avocation of storm chasing, and David proudly displays his copy of Stephen’s book “Realizing Celestial Dreams: A Storm Hunter’s Journey Through Paradise,” featuring vivid photography of lightning flashes.
As far as photography, David likes to be in front of the camera. He enjoys showing visitors snapshots of himself, whether he’s wearing his Hulk costume for Halloween or is aboard the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney World.
“That’s me, wearing my Ben Roethlisberger shirt,” he’ll say.
He does enjoy his sports, after all.