Oday Abushaban first heard about Pitt Bio Outreach when his older brother mentioned a summer program where students could learn about microbiology and participate in research labs. As a high schooler, Abushaban wasn’t sure what career he wanted to pursue, but knew working in a lab would be the best way for him to decide what areas of science interested him most.

So, he joined the Gene Team. Founded in 2006, the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Biological Sciences program teaches high school students in the Pittsburgh area about biological sciences and provides college preparatory mentoring. It is part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) INCLUDES Alliance and was one of six STEM PUSH Network precollege programs to earn a first-of-its-kind accreditation from Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools for broadening STEM opportunities for Black, Latino and Indigenous students. 

Through the program, Abushaban taught people about what microbiologists do at festivals and events like STEM Day at the Carnegie Science Center, outreach he says is critical to engage students in science. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as a peer mentor and helped guide students through microbiology experiments while quarantining at home. 

“It is awesome to see the faces of kids getting excited to engage in science, as those same kids will be the doctors, engineers and mathematicians of the future,” Abushaban said.

Now a junior in the Swanson School of Engineering, Abushaban says it was through Pitt Bio Outreach that he was able to connect with organizations like the Learning Disabilities Association of Pennsylvania, where he was hired to make lab procedural videos to help students follow along with the experiments, as reading instructions poses a barrier for some kids. 

While microbiology is far from computer engineering, Abushaban says their shared scientific method aspects remain crucial to his writing and research. He credits Pitt Bio Outreach director Rebecca Gonda with bringing him to Pitt — and he wants to continue giving back.

“Pitt Bio Outreach has truly taught me a lot about microbiology, but more so about encouraging others out there to explore science and get involved.”

— Angie Judson, photography by Rebecca Gonda

The STEM PUSH Network is operated by the Broadening Equity in STEM Center (BE STEM) at Pitt and was originally funded by the Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES Alliance of The National Science Foundation. STEM PUSH is a partnership of researchers, educators and practitioners that leverages the deep expertise of faculty and staff from Pitt’s Dietrich School, School of Education, School of Computing and Information and School of Medicine, along with two academic centers: The Learning and Research Development Center and The Center for Urban Education.

Source: Pittwire

Although summer is a time for relaxation and fun, at Gwen’s Girls, summer camp is also a time for empowering girls ages 8-13, through gender-specific programs, education and experiences.

For young girls, summer can bring hours of unstructured activity. Gwen’s Girls’ Summer Program is an excellent alternative. Each year, the curriculum for our eight-week summer camp, Camp Destiny, is developed around a theme that addresses the 4 Life Domains.  Previous themes include Health & Wellness, approached from a cross-cultural perspective that focused on a variety of wellness workshops and fun, healthy activities, and Civic and Cultural Awareness, which gave the girls an opportunity to advance their principles of leadership and culture and experience active learning and community service. Of course, what would a summer camp be without the usual summer favorites? Our field trips include:

• Kennywood
• Sandcastle Water Park
• Wave Pool
• Bowling
• Laser tag

Due to the comprehensive package of summer fun and the weekly activities, Gwen’s Girls may charge an activity fee. Please call to inquire about activity fee.

Contact

A little about Gwen's Girls

Gwen's Girls is dedicated to the transformation of girls. 

42% girls in the United States now live in low-income families, and 1 in 5 below the poverty line (State of Girls 2013). Growing up in a low-income home increases a girl’s likelihood to encounter physical, emotional and behavioral hurdles. They are a higher risk for

• violence
• abandonment and family dysfunction
• sexist, racist or homophobic messages
• abuse and exploitation
• teen pregnancy
• negative peer influences
• academic failure
• low self-esteem

Few services exist to help these girls. Without support, it seems like these girls’ futures are predetermined – and they are part of a cycle that is doomed to repeat.

Gwen’s Girls offers holistic, gender-specific programs, education, and experiences for Allegheny County’s at-risk children and young adults. More importantly, we offer a safe space where girls and young women can form relationships, build self-esteem and gain resiliency.

Gwen’s Girls recognizes, honors and nurtures the inner strength of our girls’ and their families’. This facilitates the development of each girl physically, emotionally and spiritually, creates strong family units and community bonds, and ultimately builds stable and productive lives.

The needs of our girls and families dictate Gwen’s Girls’ services. We acknowledge a society that is fraught with social barriers of race, class, and gender. We celebrate the uniqueness of the female spirit while advocating for positive changes for girls, families, and communities. And we embrace diversity of culture, perspective, and experience because we realize that differences define the richness and vitality of life.

Our educational opportunities and enrichment experiences will lead to economic self-sufficiency, quality of life and general well-being. But Gwen’s Girls is just one entity in a large system promoting the greater good. We also form collaborations and partnerships with individuals, communities, institutions, and social service providers on behalf of those we serve.

We use our financial and staff resources wisely, seek feedback from our stakeholders, and measure our results by holding Gwen’s Girls accountable for the effectiveness and stewardship of our mission.

Learn More about Gwen's Girls

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Teenspace is a welcoming neighborhood space where teens can explore their interests and build their own future without pressure or expectations.

Visit the Teenspace at Main Library or your neighborhood location to meet new friends, learn new skills, and be yourself.

The Teenspaces at several CLP locations—Allegheny, East Liberty, and Main—offer recording studio space in the form of recording booths or mobile recording stations. These resources are available to teens only (grades 6 – 12, ages 12 – 19) and participants must earn a Recording ‘badge’ before using the equipment.

Want to know more? 
Stop by the Library and ask one of our friendly Teen Specialists to show you around or email info.carnegielibrary.org.

Service Spotlight

Having trouble with classwork or homework? The Library is here to help! Explore a variety of resources for help with school projects and test preparation.

Featured Program

If you’re into hands-on projects, epic games, music, books and just chilling out, join us for Teen Time. See the full schedule.

Learn more about TEENSPACE

The mission of Gwen's Girls  is to empower girls and young women to have productive lives through holistic, gender-specific programs, education, and experiences.  Why Girls? It is reported that 

42% girls in the United States now live in low-income families, and 1 in 5 below the poverty line (State of Girls 2013). Growing up in a low-income home increases a girl’s likelihood to encounter physical, emotional and behavioral hurdles. They are a higher risk for various social challenges including:

violence

abandonment and family dysfunction

sexist, racist or homophobic messages

abuse and exploitation

teen pregnancy

negative peer influences

academic failure

low self-esteem

Few services exist to help these girls. Without support, it seems like these girls’ futures are predetermined – and they are part of a cycle that is doomed to repeat. 

PUM catches up with  Dr. Kathi Elliott, CEO of Gwen’s Girls to learn more about the various solutions Gwen’s Girls is offering, including holistic, gender-specific programs, education, and experiences for Allegheny County’s at-risk children and young adults. More importantly, the organization offers a safe space where girls and young women can form relationships, build self-esteem and gain resiliency.

PUM: Tell us more about Gwen's Girls, it's mission and how it is enhancing the lives of Black girls from the Pittsburgh region?

Dr. Kathi Elliott: For over 20 years, Gwen’s Girls has provided educational opportunities, emotional support and enrichment experiences that have improved the quality of life for at-risk girls in the Pittsburgh region. Our prevention and intervention programs have helped over 6,000 girls and young women transform their lives and achieve economic self-sufficiency. They also enable girls to realize their individual strengths and potential and – as a result – become contributing members of society.

 PUM:  Recently your organization was presented with proclamations from county Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey honoring Black Girls Equity Month and the contributions of Gwen’s Girls to raise awareness and address the systemic racial biases that contribute to the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.  Tell us more about how your organization is addressing the systemic racial biases in this region for Black girls.

Dr. Kathi Elliott: Gwen’s Girls, in partnership with the Black Girls Equity Alliance (BGEA) and the Gwendolyn J. Elliott Institute (GJEI), have been at the forefront of advancing systemic change around issues that affect Black youth – particularly Black girls. Gwen’s Girls has the expertise, mechanisms for convening stakeholders, and networks in place to reduce local racial and ethnic disparities in Allegheny County’s juvenile justice system. In Pittsburgh, where Black girls are 10 times more likely than their white peers to be referred to the juvenile justice system, Gwen’s Girls has created programming and community outreach that supports the unique needs of Black girls while providing the expertise to affect policy and create systems-wide change.

PUM: Black girls face tremendous challenges when it comes to Education, health, wellness and

 trauma-informed care, reproductive justice, comprehensive sex education, commercial sex exploitation, juvenile justice, and child welfare. Tell us more about how Gwen's Girls is helping to address these important issues through your various programs. 

 Dr. Kathi Elliott:  We know that our girls have limitless potential, but so many face obstacles that threaten to stand in their way. Many of our girls live in neighborhoods with high rates of poverty, crime and violence. Gwen’s Girls hopes to continue to put these girls on a level playing field by providing high quality, gender-responsive programs, education and experiences. Our programs at Gwen’s Girls are designed to help girls realize their individual strengths, transform their lives and become essential and valued members of society. We believe that, when given the opportunity, any girl can succeed.

In addition to our after-school and community-based programs and services, Gwen’s Girls has a number of specialized programs to support high-school aged youth:

The BGALA Program stands for Black Girls Advocacy Leadership Alliance.  BGALA is a program for our Gwen’s Girls that are in high school, ages 14 to 18 years old. The program allows our girls to express themselves in a positive and judgement free environment. BGALA teaches the girls how to develop skills and use their voice and advocate against things such as adultification, colorism, and other social injustices facing black girls today. BGALA also empower the girls to love the skin they’re in, to be leaders in their schools, and their communities.

The S.T.A.R.S. Program stands for Striving to Achieve Resilience & Success. This is a 12–15-week mentoring program that is strength-based, community-based, & youth-driven. S.T.A.R.S. assist court involved, and at-risk youth identify goals by creating a “pathway plan” and making action steps towards self-improvement & empowerment. By pairing the youth with a mentor that guides the youth according to their individualized needs and provide advocacy supports to meet goals and connect them to community resources.

The See the Best In Me program is a prevention, intervention and regional capacity building strategy focused on populations most vulnerable to and/or victims/survivors of sex trafficking in urban and rural communities, with a focus on Allegheny County and surrounding urban and rural counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. Three identified target populations include girls who are Black, involved in the child welfare system, and/or runaway/homeless.

Caring Connections- With the help of the United Way 2-1-1, Gwen’s Girls Caring Connections for YOUth support network has implemented a centralized call center ​that will provide assessment, ​intake, and a community-based referral process for youth 10-21 ​years of age to connect them to preventative and support services. 

PUM:  How is your organization living up to the legacy that your late founder Gwen Elliot, Pittsburgh Police Commander envisioned?  For you overseeing the organization as the CEO what would your mom think about how Gwen's Girls is positively impacting Black girls lives? 

 Dr. Kathi Elliott:  The inspiration for Gwen’s Girls came from my mother, Commander Gwen Elliott. She was truly a trailblazer, and her amazing achievements have inspired many others. I believe that my mother would be proud of the work we’re doing, and will continue to do, to make the world a better place for Black girls and young women.

PUM: Recently your organization hosted your 7th  Annual Black Girls Equity Alliance (BGEA) She Matters: Centering Youth Voice for Systemic Change Summit, what significant goals and information came out of this event? 

 Dr. Kathi Elliott:  By hosting our 7th Annual Summit, we believe we have raised positive awareness about our goal and mission to empower girls and young women to enjoy productive, successful and fulfilling lives. That was the driving force and purpose behind this summit, which is why the theme of the summit was She Matters: Centering Youth Voice for Systemic Change.

The Emerging Leaders from our BGALA program co-planned and co-facilitated the panel discussions and break-out sessions, as well as youth from other programs from across the country.

PUM:  How can the public get involved with your organization? 

Dr. Kathi Elliott:   Anyone who is interested in volunteering or donating to Gwen’s Girls can visit our website at www.gwensgirls.org

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania (BGCWPA) is thrilled to announce the opening of a new Clubhouse at Aliquippa Junior Senior High School for the 2024-2025 school year. This exciting development is the result of a collaborative effort with the Greater Aliquippa Advisory Committee and aims to provide a safe, supportive, and enriching environment for the youth of the Aliquippa community.

The Greater Aliquippa Advisory Committee was established by a diverse collection of dedicated community leaders to guide this process. Members include Dr. Mitchel Nickols, Dr. Cheryl King, Dr. Melvin Steals, Dr. Phillip Woods, Joe West, Tina Price-Genes, Olivia Benson, Ed Palombo, Ed DeMailo, Tyrone Patillo, Mike Warfield, Michael Hauser, Genetha Short, Nora Lemon, Rob Jones, Sam Gill, Rick Shymoniak, Tamu Gilbert, Robert Digiovine Jr., and Salina Moreland.

The Aliquippa Clubhouse will serve students ages 10 through 18 offering both after school and summer programs as well as during school teen programs designed to support academic success, career and life readiness, character and leadership development, and healthy lifestyles. This initiative aligns with BGCWPA’s mission to activate and advance the potential of every child, especially those who need services the most.

“The kids of Aliquippa deserve every opportunity to thrive and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania is honored to be invited to serve this wonderful community,” said Christopher Watts, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania. “This new Clubhouse will be a safe, fun, and inclusive place for kids and teens and we are privileged to collaborate with the dedicated leaders of the Greater Aliquippa Advisory Committee and Aliquippa School District to turn this longtime vision into a reality.”

“Speaking on behalf of the Aliquippa Advisory Committee, I know we are making a big step for our community by bringing a Boys & Girls Club to Aliquippa,” said Dr. Mitchel Nickols, Chair of the Advisory Committee. “Having spaces for our kids to learn and thrive will have a tremendous impact across all of our community.”

“The ultimate goal is to inspire and motivate school-age children to embrace their potential, creativity, and individuality, and to encourage them to dream big and work towards their goals,” said Dr. Phillip Woods, Superintendent, Aliquippa School District.

The after-school program for ages 10-13 will follow the Pennsylvania Keystone STARS quality rating improvement system, ensuring a high-quality experience for all participants. Activities will include, arts, reading activities, math and reasoning activities, science and nature activities, and cultural awareness. Programs are designed to be engaging and inspiring, fostering a love of learning and creativity in a safe, inclusive environment. Youth enrolled in these programs are eligible for Child Care Works (CCW), making the programs accessible to families in need of financial assistance.

For Grades 9-12, the Teen Outreach Program (TOP) will be a cornerstone of the high school offerings during the school day. This evidence-based program focuses on building social-emotional skills, developing a positive sense of self, and encouraging community

engagement through service projects. Key components of TOP include skills building, self-learning and engaging with the community.

BCGWPA and the Greater Aliquippa Advisory Committee also announced the initiation of a fundraising effort specifically for the Aliquippa Clubhouse. Donations can be made via checks payable to “Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania” with “Aliquippa Clubhouse” specified on the memo line, sent to our headquarters at 317 East Carson Street, West Tower, Suite 238, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Contributions can also be made online at https://bgcwpa.org/give, specifying “Aliquippa Clubhouse” in the memo section.

Peoples, an Essential Utilities Company, made a gift through the Essential Foundation to support the Aliquippa Clubhouse to kick off the Clubhouse fundraising effort. “Peoples believes in making lives better through support of important community organizations, and we’re glad to work with Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania,” said Vice President of Reliability Ed Palombo. “Their Aliquippa Clubhouse will be a great asset to children and families in the area, and we look forward to seeing the growth that comes from this initiative.”

For more information about BGCWPA visit bgcwpa.org.