Our Programs

The J. Miles Youth Engagement Center offers a variety of programs designed to meet the diverse needs of young people and support their growth and development. Our programming encompasses a diverse range of daily support services and workshops. Each program focuses on a particular area, whether it’s creative expression, essential life skills, financial literacy, relationship building, or career exploration, giving youth meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed

Youth Arts

Youth Arts engages students in visual art, poetry, and spoken word centered on social justice, Black history, and personal inspiration, offered in seasonal rounds throughout the school year with workshops, public exhibits, and award ceremonies.

Culture Code

Offers year-round themed weekly sessions, Media Mondays, Cooking Tuesdays, Self-Care Wednesdays, Creative Thursdays, and Feel-Good Fridays, focused on skill-building, identity, healing, and cultural affirmation through seasonal cycles.

Building Us

is an 8-week relationship skills program using role-playing, journaling, guest speakers, and emotional intelligence workshops to promote healthy relationships, communication, and self-worth.

A woman sitting by her computer in a trading room

Secure The Bag Academy

is an 8-week financial literacy program that covers budgeting, saving, banking, credit, and investing through simulations, field trips, mentorship, and real-world financial experiences.

The Pirates Initiative

is a career exploration, mentorship, and stipend fellowship program with the Pittsburgh Pirates that offers behind-the-scenes tours, youth-led projects, apprenticeships, internships, and mentorship circles to provide exposure to sports industry careers, leadership, team building, and employment opportunities.

Life Track Program

At our Center, we support young adults ages 17–24 who are working to get their lives back on track by providing transportation assistance, help obtaining vital documents such as birth certificates, and guidance in exploring career opportunities in the trades or pursuing post-secondary education.