Driving Change and Transforming Lives Together
2023 Impact Report
Digital Inclusion
Verizon Community Forward Digital Learning Centers bring resources for STEAM programming and workforce development to Homewood residents.
Driving Change and Transforming Lives Together
2023 Impact Report
Digital Inclusion
Verizon Community Forward Digital Learning Centers bring resources for STEAM programming and workforce development to Homewood residents.
After years of work and collaboration, we were thrilled to bring two new digital learning centers to Homewood in 2023 — the Verizon Community Forward Homewood-Brushton Youth Learning Center, located at the Homewood-Brushton YMCA, and the Verizon Community Forward Homewood-Brushton Adult Learning Center, located at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) Homewood-Brushton Center.
Created in partnership with Verizon to remove barriers to Pittsburghers in under-resourced communities to accessing technology in an increasingly digital world, the centers promote STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) learning, support workforce development, and provide access to digital skills-building for all. Pittsburgh was selected as one of four pilot cities for the Verizon Community Forward Initiative, which aims to reinvigorate community spaces in cities across the country, providing access to free resources and enhancing hands-on learning with cutting-edge technology.
Images of the Digital Learning Centers at the YMCA and CCAC in Homewood. Photos by Kitoko Chargois, Photo by Kitoko.
Since opening, the centers have provided invaluable resources and expanded opportunities for community members.
At the Homewood-Brushton YMCA, the Verizon Community Forward Youth Learning Center has brought expanded programming and new connections with others in the technology sector. During the 2023-2024 school year alone, the YMCA has mentored 63 students ages 9-18 who used the space to explore their creativity while engaging in STEAM-based and Maker learning while continuing to receive guidance and support from YMCA staff.
“The Youth Learning Center is creating memories. Holding memory making at the center of our work, we offer holistic education experiences by co-designing programs that lend themselves to participants’ joys, minds, hearts, and hands. Our goal for the space is to continue our deep listening practice, shifting as our communities need us to shift, and holding our holistic education practice at the center of all that we do.”
Photos by Kitoko Chargrois, Photos by Kitoko
At the CCAC Homewood-Brushton Center, adult students of any age can pursue credit courses and certificates in cybersecurity, networking, and administrative networking. The Verizon Community Forward Adult Learning Center and support from Neighborhood Allies has helped the CCAC nearly double their course offerings in these areas. The CCAC has also partnered with other organizations to host workshops on topics such as computer basics and Excel skills, and worked with local schools to hold STEM programming in the space.
“It is invaluable to have programs like this because it allows people to have a fair chance at meeting their true potential.”
In addition to our partnership with the YMCA and CCAC, we also support STEAM programming through the University of Pittsburgh Community Engagement Center in the Hill District, the Homewood Children’s Village, Assemble, and Cloud Collective Media Productions, formerly Ocular Arcade, who teach drone technology to underserved youth.
The Pitt CEC Hill holds special courses for students, including STEM Saturdays, Girls Who Code, grant writing workshops, and more! Likewise, the Homewood Children’s Village uses their existing networks and connections with Homewood youth to deliver adaptive and innovative STEM programming to students as Faison, Westinghouse, and Lincoln Pittsburgh Public Schools.
“The kids really enjoy the activities we do with them. Neighborhood Allies help us to meet students where they are.”
Photos of STEAM Saturdays at the Pitt CEC Hill.
As of the end of 2023, 10,099 students of all ages have gone through STEAM programming delivered by one of these partners. We are so grateful for their work and impact!
To learn more about Neighborhood Allies’ Digital Inclusion work check out the Beyond the Laptops website.
Neighborhood Allies
429 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1900
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412.471.3727
www.neighborhoodallies.org info@neighborhoodallies.org