Neighborhood YMCAs across Pittsburgh celebrated after school programs on national “Lights On Afterschool Day”

More than 1200 kids in the afterschool programs at local Y’s, parents, teachers, and diverse community leaders, including Jake Wheatley of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and representatives of The Hill House, Wireless Neighborhoods and Pittsburgh Public Schools.

YOUNG SUPPORTERS—Kids of many different grades and ages were in attendance to show their support for the programs. (Photos by J.L. Martello).

Members of the State House and Senate and Gov. Edward G. Rendell proclaimed Oct. 21, “Lights On Afterschool Day.” Ys across the city held open house events to celebrate the importance of afterschool programs and to raise awareness about funding shortfalls.

Ward Home helps teen­agers make the transition from the social services system to self-sufficient adult life.

Twenty-two foster teens—14 of whom are African-Americans, participate in “life skills training” programs operated by Ward Home, founded in 1905.

Nationally, only 50 percent of foster teens finish high school. However, this year, all 22 high school seniors in Ward Home programs graduated.

Better yet…21 are starting college in the fall, and the remaining teen will begin a career in the U.S. Army Special Operations.

Two years ago, LaWrene Robinson saw changes in her son Steven’s performance at school she didn’t like. So she pulled him out of the Steel Valley School District and enrolled him in the 4th grade at the Propel Charter School in Homestead. And the changes she’s seen since, she likes.

“I moved him because he was having behavioral issue and his grades were suffering. They went from As to Cs,” she said. “Here, he’s rebounded. He’s getting all As again, and he’s having fun.”

WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE—Propel Homestead Principal Bob Bischoff chats with kindergarten students on their way to lunch. (Photos by J. L. Martello)

by Derrick McCain Jr.

Urban Youth Action, Inc. and the Pittsburgh Project, recently sponsored a trip to Beijing, China, for 10 students to promote cultural exploration and encourage youth to keep their minds open in terms of the future.

FROM CHINA—The teens from UYA who visited China. From left: Nashanda Washington-Green, Darian Smith, Kacee Coffey, Kyle Wasler, Shealyn Williamson, Isiah Williams, Kenya Jordan-Jackson, Nyjel Brown, Atiya Irvin-Mitchell and Morgan Burton. (Photos by J.L. Martello).

“We have three objectives: global career exploration, cultural immersion and exchange and service projects,” said Benjamin Walker, program director of UYA. As both a student who traveled and an administrator for trips he went to in college, he brought ideas about traveling to UYA in 2007, and the plans started finalizing in 2008. With local companies, including Westinghouse Nuclear Energy, PNC and Alcoa, students were shown the business aspect from the home front and then were introduced to the branches that they were to operate in China.