Summer starts in January: How providers prepared for the season ahead
For local agencies that offer summertime out-of-school experiences, planning began back in the chilly days of January with support from United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. On Jan. 29, United Way, in partnership with Allegheny Partners for Out of School Time (APOST), hosted its second annual Summer Provider Convening held at Commonwealth Charter Academy in Homestead.
This full-day event at Commonwealth Charter Academy in Homestead brought together dozens of enrichment providers, agency partners and vendors — all united by a common goal: to make this summer fun and meaningful for every child.
Attendees heard from Will Tolliver of the Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative as he presented findings from data collected by United Way about food and transportation needs — key barriers that many providers face during the summer months. The data provided learnings from 2024 Welcome Back Summer grantees, recommendations on budgeting best practices and how to find local meal providers, including school districts utilized by summer programs.
For providers like Sterling Stone, youth and family activity coordinator at Rankin Christian Center, the convening was a moment to reflect on how his organization can overcome logistical hurdles and do more for the kids they serve.
“We want to go beyond just providing the bare minimum,” he explains. “Can we offer meals that introduce youth to new foods and flavors, that are made locally and aren’t processed? Food can be a powerful way to spark curiosity and build healthy habits.”
Amy Burrows, assistant director of after-school programs for Propel Schools, echoed the need for more thoughtful meal planning and reliable transportation.
“We currently partner with an organization to provide small meals, but the feedback is clear: our campers need more satisfying meals to stay energized through the day,” she explains. “A van for daily transportation would also make a huge difference. It would make access to camp and our partner sites a lot easier.”
Another United Way provider convening held last August, following the conclusion of summer programs, brought together more than 50 agency leaders and staff.
Kahlil Darden, Jr., founder and CEO of Young Black Motivated Kings & Queens (YBMKQ), has attended several of these United Way summits. His organization offers students an array of summer programming, including STEAM and drone classes, computer coding, the Citizen Science Lab and African Dance Ensemble.
“Partnering with United Way allows YBMKQ to scale our impact, ensuring that we can provide the resources and opportunities necessary for young people to realize their full potential and contribute positively to their communities,” Darden says.
A natural networker, Darden appreciates that the summits offer collaboration and training in social and emotional learning and other skills. “Through these training sessions, we’ve built meaningful partnerships,” Darden continued. “We’ve partnered with Hope for Tomorrow to conduct group staff training sessions and regular check-ins. These connections increase our visibility and strengthen our impact on youth in Allegheny County.”
Darden says forums like these “enhance our ability to raise awareness about pressing issues like gun violence, disinvestment and lack of youth engagement, and amplifies our message of hope, safety and empowerment.”
Beyond presentations, this year’s convenings created space for connection. Providers explored vendor tables featuring organizations that offer everything from program enrichment to essential summer resources. A panel discussion featuring agency partners shed light on best practices for supporting students with disabilities and equipping staff with inclusive training.
As summer inches closer, these conversations are helping to shape engaging experiences. By coming together early in the year, providers laid the groundwork for problem solving and building a network they can lean on when challenges arise.
As the school year winds down many providers are looking forward to opening their doors for another season of safe and fun opportunities for local youth.