Community Directory:

Youth in Allegheny County, particularly in historically under-resourced communities like East Pittsburgh, McKeesport, North Braddock, and Penn Hills, face persistent challenges that impact their health, well-being, and long-term success. These include high rates of poverty, limited access to mental health support, and ongoing effects of racial and economic segregation.

Educational inequities further exacerbate these issues. Youth in the Woodland Hills and Penn Hills school districts consistently score below state averages in academic achievement and face disciplinary disparities (PA Dept. of Education, Future Ready Index). These challenges directly affect mental health, self-esteem, and access to future opportunities.

Our summer program addresses these disparities by offering trauma-informed, community-based programming that supports healing, learning, and connection. By centering youth voices and fostering cross-community collaboration, we aim to create a stronger, healthier future for our region’s young people.