Those living in the Homewood neighborhood and surrounding areas are set to benefit from improved learning and career development opportunities through the Verizon Community Forward Homewood-Brushton Adult Learning Center, which will open on Aug. 22 following a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
This initiative, in collaboration with Neighborhood Allies, focuses on enhancing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) education opportunities while addressing digital disparities. It will be based in the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) Homewood-Brushton Center, and it is designed to provide free advanced technology resources for STEAM learning and career development aid for adults.
"Verizon’s investment and partnership with Neighborhood Allies bolster the collective unwavering commitment in ensuring equitable access to the region’s emerging and high-demand STEAM careers," Evon Walters, president of CCAC’s northwest region, said in a prepared statement. "It is about inspiring learning while expanding credentialing opportunities in preparing our community’s learners."
The Verizon Community Forward initiative, which is a national program from Verizon, aims to revitalize community spaces across the country. Verizon tapped Pittsburgh as a pilot city for this initiative, which has since led to the establishment of two centers; the aforementioned Homewood-Brushton Adult Learning Center and the Verizon Community Forward Homewood-Brushton Youth Learning Center, which opened next door in May 2023 at the Homewood-Brushton YMCA.
"Neighborhood Allies is excited to deepen our partnership with the CCAC Homewood-Brushton Center, a trusted and innovative community anchor that will now house new learning pathways for adults looking to enhance their digital skills and seek workforce opportunities in STEAM fields," Neighborhood Allies President and CEO Presley Gillespie said in a prepared statement. "Through Verizon Community Forward, we are able to continue working towards bridging the digital equity gap in Pittsburgh and creating healthy neighborhoods of opportunity for all."
