We help individuals attain ownership and design their future.
Providing entrepreneurial education, training, and workshops.
Owning and operating a business or enterprise
Developing life and leadership skills
Exposing youth to technology and innovation
About Us
Advancing Youth Initiative
The Advancing Youth Initiative (AYI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship (PHCSE) and Dominus High School to help students discover pathways for lifelong success. As the philanthropic arm of PHCSE and Dominus, AYI operates exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, and seeks to provide free and affordable opportunities to families.
Our mission is to support the health, welfare, and educational interests of PHCSE, Dominus, and other organizations that share our educational values. We believe that every student deserves access to quality education and resources, and our work is crucial to ensure that no student is left behind.
By accepting donations and resources, we can help students reach their full potential and discover the pathways for lifelong success. Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of students and families throughout the Pittsburgh region.
Join us in our mission to create a better future for our community. With your help, we can provide the necessary support for our students to succeed and thrive.
What We Do
Program and Initiatives
Adult WorkshopSeries
The Adult Financial Workshop Series is offered to support parents, families and community stakeholders regarding financial wellness, generational wealth and entrepreneurial development. Workshops are offered on a quarterly basis and industry experts host sessions such as Homeownership, Credit Restoration, Business Taxes, Savings and much more.
Soaring Shark Tank PitchCompetition for Youth
The Soaring Shark Tank Pitch Competition is an event that gives 7th & 8th-grade student-innovators across the greater Pittsburgh region the opportunity to showcase their life changing business ideas in front of Sharks (judges) for cash prizes.
The Garden of Entrepreneurship
The Garden of Entrepreneurship is a community garden space where students expand their entrepreneurship learning to a real-life scenario. Through a community garden and Farmers market, students rent out garden spaces to neighbors in the surrounding community, and host farmers markets to sell produce grown at the location.
Meet Our Team
Our Board of Directors
Get to know the talented individuals behind our organization.
This is the heading
President
Global leader for Co-Creation & Human Centered Design Enablement, Kyndryl Vital
Derrick Tillman
Vice President
Founder & President, Bridging the Gap Development, LLC
Charles Thomas
Treasurer
Debbie Hickman
Secretary
Joshua Pollak, Esquire
Legal Counsel
Leon Ford
Founder
Leon Ford Speaks
CEO
Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship
Allen Zeolla, AAMS
President & Owner
Dominus High School
At Dominus High School, students will be engaged in a career ownership focused curriculum that will equip them with the knowledge and skills to become successful leaders. Our entrepreneurial pathways give Dominus students professional industries to explore. All courses at Dominus are aligned with Pennsylvania common core standards to ensure students are college and career ready.
Donate
Many Paths for Giving
Whether you are a business looking to support the future success of youth, an alumni wanting to give back, or a citizen who wants to make a difference, the Advancing Youth Initiative is a 501(c)(3) and accepts gifts in many ways.
500+ Students
|
2 Schools
Helping youth attain ownership and design their future.
Your contribution will benefit our mission by providing real-world experiences for our scholars. AYI seeks to generate sponsorships and donations to support the future growth and sustainability of Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship and Dominus High School. For information about partnership opportunities, visit: https://phcharter.org/partnership-opportunities/.
Your gift supports:
$50:
Supplies to support the launch of one student business markup
$500:
A half of a year of intern and consulting services offered
$1,000:
A year of adult financial literacy programs
$5,000:
Development of prototypes and business sustainability efforts for five student business startups
ADVANCING YOUTH INITIATIVE
Other ways to give
Make Checks Payable to:
Advancing Youth Initiative
Mail to:
Advancing Youth Initiative
7336 Saltsburg Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15235
Phone: 412-793-6471
Email: info@ayifoundation.org
Advancing Youth Initiative is an approved to receive Educational Improvement Tax Credits (EITC) as an approved Educational Improvement Organization. EITC-EIO contributions support our youth entrepreneurship programs.
We are also approved to receive Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credits to provide need-based tuition scholarships to graduates from Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship and Dominus High School.
Contact:
Dr. Wayne Jones
wayne.jones@phcharter.org
P: 412-793-6471 ext. 238
Corporate Community Partner Impact Opportunities are available. Learn how your corporation can make a difference at Advancing Youth Initiative here.
Many companies or corporations will match employees’ philanthropic contributions. Check with your employer to see if they offer matching gifts. It is as simple as filling out the company’s matching gift form and sending it to us with your gift. For information on corporate support and partnerships please contact Dr. Wayne Jones, at 412-793-6471 ext. 238 or wayne.jones@phcharter.org
If you have a donor advised fund, DAF Direct enables you to recommend grants to Advancing Youth Initiative, directly from your DAF (as long as your DAF’s sponsoring organization is participating).
Mentors offer guidance and support to our youth business owners and employees as they develop and grow their life changing ideas. Being a mentor to our scholars is crucial to helping them succeed in the real world. We encourage entrepreneurs and business leaders to visit our school and share their story and career path as a means to inspire.
If you would like to be a mentor or guest speaker please contact:
Dr. Wayne Jones
wayne.jones@phcharter.org
P: 412-793-6471 ext. 238
You can support Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship by shopping at smile.amazon.com.
When you do your back to school shopping or any shopping at smile.amazon.com/ch/27-3920298
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