Youth Empowerment – Remake Learning

Mentoring Toward Queer Joy and Possibility with Dakota Rottino-Garilli is a training to build and strengthen your role as a mentor to queer and Trans youth.

At Dreams of Hope, we weave mentorship into the culture of the organization and look to our community for models of leadership and care across generations! Mentorship does not always have to be a formal relationship, but can inform how we share wisdom and experience with others.

This training is for new and seasoned mentors alike! It supports our work to engage community members in collaborative, trusting, intergenerational partnerships that focus on the expression and development of LGBTQIA+ youth.

Please prepare to attend the entire training. Refreshments and a break will be provided.

(If you are looking to be mentored or learn about peer mentorship, save the date for our youth training on May 21st, 2026 :D)

Please note: this event is available at no cost; however, space is limited. Please consider your registration a commitment. If you can no longer make it after registration, we ask you request a refund and/or let us know if you can no longer make it. Thank you!

Join us for the Pittsburgh Launch of Brittany J. Thurman’s new middle grade mystery, Opal Watson: Private Eye. Set in Chicago, this novel follows the story of a young sleuth using her detective skills to solve the mystery of who is sabotaging the renovations in her apartment building… With the help of her cousin Frank, her best friend Madison, her trusty cane, Pinkerton, and maybe even a new friend Ivy, will Opal solve the mystery and help save her beloved building from being bought out by developers?

Come and meet the author, learn more about the story, and celebrate this launch with us! Brittany will be joined in conversation by our very own Imogen. We’ll do reading, a conversation, and a Q&A!

This event is free and everyone is welcome. Brittany’s book will be available for purchase and signing at the event. We hope to see you there!

Ideal for ages 8+ but all are welcome!

Escape the Deep is a brand new production created and performed by theatriQ, Dreams of Hope’s queer and Trans youth performing arts ensemble.
In 2030, the beloved town of Mortimer Harbor is flooding. Communities are displaced, housing is scarce, and the government’s denial and resource hoarding only make things worse.

The displaced flock to The Lighthouse, “where the lights are always on for you.” But what was once a source of vibrance for the community has been left to the elements.

Two friends reunite while another pair feuds. Still, they must gather the Lighthouse’s past patrons and delve into its history to uncover what led to the unraveling. With the water on the rise and the authorities closing in, will they be able to escape the deep?

Join us for this brand new production created entirely by queer and Trans youth!

Step Inside the Advanced Manufacturing Industry at the 2025 STEM Summit! Are you ready to pull back the curtain and see what powers the future? STEM Summit: Forge the Future will take you straight into the heart of the advanced manufacturing industry! Experience the cutting-edge technology and innovation shaping tomorrow’s workforce in the Pittsburgh Region.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 2, 2025

TIME: 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM

WHERE: Kickoff and Hands-On Experiences: Digital Foundry at Penn State, New Kensington 855 5th Ave, New Kensington, PA 15068 Followed by Behind-the-Scenes Industry Tours

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Students in grades 8–12 with a curiosity for innovation! This is your opportunity to explore the tools, technologies, and skills that are revolutionizing the manufacturing industry.

Here’s what you’ll experience:

Exclusive Industry Access: Go behind the scenes with guided tours of advanced manufacturing facilities, where the future is being forged.

Inspiring Keynote: Hear from an industry leader about the incredible possibilities within advanced manufacturing.

Interactive Exhibits: Explore how the Digital Foundry at Penn State New Kensington is pushing boundaries and creating pathways to careers that shape the future.

This immersive experience will connect your unique talents, interests, and passions to career opportunities in advanced manufacturing. Learn how the combination of robotics, automation, and innovation is transforming industries, and how you can be part of it.

Unlock the secrets of advanced manufacturing and be inspired to build the future! Register today to secure your spot and get ready for an unforgettable experience.

Agenda:

Keynote:

Donta Green | Executive Director, Trade Institute of Pittsburgh

Donta Green is a visionary leader, strategic thinker, and elite culture creator who has transformed the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh (TIP) as its second Executive Director. Under his leadership, TIP has strengthened its impact, equipping individuals with barriers to employment with the skills, support, and opportunities needed to build sustainable careers. With an exceptional ability to inspire and collaborate, Donta fosters an environment of excellence, ensuring TIP continues to be a catalyst for workforce development and economic empowerment in Western Pennyslvania region.

Beyond his leadership at TIP, Donta is a dynamic motivator and mentor, serving as head football coach at his alma mater, Pittsburgh Westinghouse. His ability to build a winning culture was evident in 2019 when he led the team to its first city league championship in 26 years, and again in 2022 when they reached the state championship for the first time in school history. Donta and his staff has won five conference championships in his first six seasons at the helm. His program was nationally recognized in 2023 when DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation awarded Westinghouse its first-ever 75for75 Sports Matter Grant.

Deeply committed to community service, Donta serves on several boards, including the Homewood-Brushton YMCA and the Laurel Highlands Workforce Opportunity Center. He has been recognized as a leader among leaders, earning numerous accolades such as Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 Under 40, the Pittsburgh Business Times C-Suite Award, and the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year. In 2023, he was honored with the prestigious FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award. He was recognized in 2025 as the Emerging Leader Awardee by the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh.

Are you ready to elevate the voices of young people in Pittsburgh and help shape a community where everyone feels heard, valued, and engaged? Join us for a dynamic and interactive workshop led by the brilliant youth facilitators of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh!

This is an opportunity to learn effective youth-adult partnership strategies and examine ways to amplify youth participation in community discourse and decision-making. By attending, you’ll gain practical tools to amplify youth voices in your own work, build stronger intergenerational partnerships, and contribute to an equitable and vibrant civic environment across our region.

Learn from young leaders who are already making waves in our community. Meet Kenza, Natalia, Eva, and Morgan–dynamic youth facilitators who bring their passion for civic engagement to life–from founding community programs to making an impact on global issues, these youth leaders are reshaping the future.

Agenda:

4:30-5:00 PM: Arrival and Check-in
5:00-7:00 PM: World Affairs Council’s Youth Fellows and Board Members lead:
- Interactive simulation on power, decision-making, and systems change
- Presentation on amplifying youth voices and effective youth-adult partnerships
- Small group discussions and activities
7:00-8:00 PM: Mix and Mingle Reception

Why Should You Be There?

Because this is your chance to be part of a transformative moment where youth and adults work side by side to shape the future of our city. Come ready to engage, learn, and connect with others who are passionate about creating a more inclusive community. Let’s co-create a Pittsburgh where every young person finds their voice, sense of belonging, and purpose!

Don’t miss out – secure your spot now and join us for an inspiring evening filled with learning, connection, and community-building! Register Today!

This event is part of a series made possible by Moonshot Grant funding from Remake Learning, featuring the incredible leadership and insights of the World Affairs Council’s Youth Fellows and Board Members.