The Penn State Center Pittsburgh (PSCP) provides an urban platform to Penn State University in meeting its land grant obligation of transferring research based practices into community problem solving. We accomplish this via the resident knowledge of staff Educators, Program Managers, Management, and Support Staff along three business lines: community development; environment and horticulture; and quality of life delivered through youth development, healthfulness, and the arts. Modeled on the best practice of the Extension system, the Center is able to work with and across colleges and campuses within the University with core operations support provided by Penn State University offices of Outreach and Extension, the College of Agricultural Sciences and Allegheny County.
The youth development and education programs of PSCP target children, youth, and young adults, to help them explore new interests and prepare for careers. We particularly focus on helping young people improve their skills in STEAM, animal and agricultural science, while further developing their human capital. Many initiatives dovetail with our other programs, such as helping middle school students explore sustainability, or using vacant lots to create gardens that can serve as outdoor classrooms and community gathering spots. These are accomplished through the efforts of 4-H educators and volunteers.
4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization, empowering six million young people throughout the United States. Through America’s 110 land-grant universities and its Cooperative Extension System, 4-H reaches every corner of our nation, from urban neighborhoods to suburban schoolyards to rural farming communities. With a network of more than 6 million youth, 611,800 volunteers, 3,500 professionals, and more than 25 million alumni, 4-H helps shape youth to move our country and the world forward in ways that no other youth organization can.
We serve youth populations from ages 5-18 within 4-H, and up to 25 through PSCP young adult initiatives.
