E11: The Pittsburgh Project: 40 Years of Northside Youth Empowerment

16/07/2025 8 min Episodio 11
E11: The Pittsburgh Project: 40 Years of Northside Youth Empowerment

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Episode Synopsis

What makes Rick Mason with The Pittsburgh Project a good neighbor?  Every child deserves to feel loved, safe, and valued – that's the driving philosophy behind The Pittsburgh Project, a remarkable nonprofit that's been serving youth on Pittsburgh's North Side for 40 years. Executive Director Rick Mason brings us inside this vital community organization that offers summer camps, after-school programs, and leadership development opportunities for local youth. With a personal connection to the North Side spanning two decades, Mason shares how his journey from program coordinator to executive director has been fueled by his own experiences as a middle schooler navigating life's challenges. "Having positive adults in my life that influenced me, encouraged me, helped me make good decisions," Mason reflects, "was why I was excited to work with youth at this point in my life."The Pittsburgh Project's deep roots in the Perry South neighborhood have allowed them to build meaningful partnerships with local schools like Allegheny Traditional Academy and Perry High School. These connections create pathways for students to access their programs, where they receive much more than just supervision – they find mentorship, skill development, and a sense of belonging. As summer temperatures soar, Mason describes pools filled with kids seeking relief from the heat, while inside their facilities, young people participate in activities designed to prepare them for bright futures. Whether through their high school leadership programs focused on job training and college preparation or their year-round youth development initiatives, The Pittsburgh Project remains committed to its core mission: ensuring every child who walks through their doors discovers their inherent value.Want to learn how your family can benefit from these transformative programs or how you can support their mission? Connect with The Pittsburgh Project through their website at pittsburghproject.org or find them across social media platforms. After four decades of community service, they're just getting started in their mission to empower Pittsburgh's youth.To learn more about The Pittsburgh Project go to: https://www.pittsburghproject.org/The Pittsburgh Project(412)321-1678

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