Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania Receives $500,000 in 2021-22 Grants Funding from RK Mellon Foundation
Funding will support STEM programming plus mentoring, social-emotional training and service-learning programming for teens to promote positive decision-making
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (July 22, 2021) — Boys and Girls Clubs of Western PA received funding in the amount of $500,000 from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to support STEM programming and Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program® (TOP®) in each of its clubhouses, school district partners and community-based partners throughout the region. TOP® is a national youth development program designed to promote healthy behaviors, lifestyles and a sense of purpose in youth ages 12–19.
“We are thrilled to partner with Richard King Mellon Foundation on this important work to expand our AI, Computer Science & Robotics programs to even more youth in the region and beyond as well as support healthy lifestyles through our teen outreach program,” says BGCWPA President and CEO Dr. Lisa Palmieri. “These programs are critical in promoting health and wellness with our teens as well as working toward true diversity in STEM technical roles in this region and beyond.”
The funding is part of the foundation’s ongoing investment in workforce development in the region. The initiative will train current and future workers for job readiness in tech fields such as robotics, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
BGCWPA expects to serve 300 additional youth through the TOP® program and plans to scale its STEM programming which includes artificial intelligence and computer science through the development of a learning management system.
Students and families interested in learning more about stand-alone clubhouse-based, school-based and online-based programs offered by BGCWPA throughout the region can find information at bgcwpa.org.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania (BGCWPA)
Since 1888, BGCWPA has served youth throughout Western Pennsylvania. Consisting of 14 Clubhouse locations and partner sites in Allegheny and Somerset Counties, a stand-alone workforce development academy (Career Works Mon Valley Center) and early Learning Resource Centers to assist families who qualify with Child Care Works (CCW) funding, BGCWPA serves thousands of youth annually. BGCWPA, the largest and most comprehensive provider of after-school and summer day camp programming in the region, is a licensed childcare provider, and offers scholarships to families in need. Programming includes academic literacy, STEM enrichment, sports and recreational activities and mentoring. Additionally, BGCWPA serves young alumni ages 18-24 through workforce development programming. Learn more at www.bgcwpa.org.
CONTACT:
Scott Koskoski, CFRE
Vice President for Advancement & Philanthropy
412-782-5710 ext. 121