Crystal Givner

Crystal Givner is a mother of four, Wilkinsburg native, community advocate, and In-Home Community Parent Coach whose life and work reflect resilience, compassion, and purpose. Her journey has not been without hardship, but every experience has helped shape her commitment to walking alongside children, families, and individuals with understanding, dignity, and hope.

At the age of seven, Crystal lost her mother to violence. Her father struggled with substance use, and she and her siblings were separated within the system. Raised by her grandparents, Crystal was given the love, structure, faith, and values that helped her keep moving forward. Their unconditional support became the foundation for her strength and her belief that even the most painful experiences can become a source of healing and purpose.

Crystal became a mother at 17 and faced the realities of young parenthood while continuing to pursue her education and future. Through determination and perseverance, she earned her high school diploma and later completed an Associate Degree in Office Administration. Her first internship at Turner Elementary School—the same school she attended as a child—sparked a passion for education and for helping young people recognize their own worth and potential.

For more than a decade, Crystal served the Wilkinsburg School District as a teacher’s assistant and administrative professional, building meaningful relationships with students, families, educators, and community members. Her work later expanded into child welfare, residential treatment, teaching throughout Allegheny County, and in-home family support. In each role, Crystal brought not only professional skill, but also lived experience, empathy, and a deep understanding of how trauma can affect a person’s life.

Driven by a desire to better understand people and support healing, Crystal earned a degree in Psychology from the Community College of Allegheny County in 2011. That same year, she experienced the loss of her grandparents, the people she knew as parents. Even through grief, she continued raising her children, furthering her education, and serving others with courage and compassion.

In 2022, Crystal founded The Givner Project, a nonprofit created to support families and individuals in need. With the help of six dedicated board members, the organization served the community through holiday toy drives, clothing donations for teens, food assistance, financial support, outreach events, and meals for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Today, Crystal serves as an in-home coach for Vision Towards Peace and is preparing to begin a Master’s degree program in Therapeutic Counseling at Geneva College. Her mission is to help individuals and families break cycles of trauma, build resilience, and rediscover hope. Crystal’s story is one of humanity, perseverance, accomplishment, and purpose—a reminder
that struggle does not have to define a life; it can become the foundation for healing, service, and lasting change.

Cris Givner ‍

~Breaking the Cycle ~ Represents Change~