Trade Institute of Pittsburgh

It’s graduation Friday! Please join us in congratulating Dejah and Kaden on graduating from the masonry program. Instructor Mr. Rich said they both worked hard, came in with a mission, and got it done. “I am very proud of Dejah and Kaden; they accomplished a lot.” When it was Dejah’s turn at the podium, she encouraged her fellow students to stay focused on their careers, “Listen to the staff! Get this certification so you can take off - your time is now!”

It's Graduation Friday! We had such an enthusiastic crowd that people heard our cheering three floors down. Please give it up for Aaron and Deondre, who started jobs with contractors the same week they graduated. Aaron and Deondre received praise for helping their fellow students and embracing change. A classmate said, “Seeing how you both changed was inspiring. It’s the turnaround that matters, and I look up to you!” Proud family members stood to offer congratulations and pride in their graduates, and our Life Coach, Mr. Chett, said, "Deondre and Aaron were not sure what they wanted when they arrived here except to be out of the place they were in. Both were determined to graduate." When it was Deondre's turn at the podium, he shared, "This program changed my outlook. When I arrived here, I had no direction. The TIP staff all have different jobs, but they work well together. What we learned here makes work out there so much easier. We are well prepared."

We are incredibly grateful to KeyBank for their generous investment to bolster our Advanced Masonry Pre-Apprenticeship Program (AMP). Vic Laurenza, KeyBank Western PA Market President, and Carla Frost, KeyBank Corporate Responsibility Officer, came by TIP to present a $450,000 check! AMP is a collaborative hybrid training model for skill development in the trade industries. The students enrolled in AMP receive the basic masonry training and holistic support that are characteristic of TIP, and they receive hands-on, skilled training with industry partners that accelerates their transition from training to employment. Our Executive Director, Donta Green, told students during the check presentation, "There are many people outside these walls who want to see each of you succeed - people like Carla and Vic from KeyBank. This investment from KeyBank will help us create more opportunities for the people we serve. This grant allows us to create more hybrid training models. We can focus on what we do well and allow our employer partners to play a part in the training of our students." “The Advanced Masonry Pre-Apprenticeship Program provides an opportunity to fill in-demand positions across greater Pittsburgh while building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities it serves,” said Vic Laurenza. "KeyBank is proud to support this program and the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh on their mission of removing barriers to education and training for our community members."

It’s Graduation Friday, and we are celebrating the carpentry grads from cohort 7-Seventeen (as they named themselves)! Congratulations to Charli, Laurentij, Devon, Nana, Dayjour, Eric, and Jason. We are so proud of their accomplishments and excited for their NEXT! Mr. Mark, who leads the carpentry program, shared that this group contributed their unique talents to the team and worked well together. We are grateful for their dedication to the carpentry and masonry programs and for choosing TIP. We learn as much from our students as they do from us, and this group was no exception. Please drop them a note of congratulations, and have a wonderful weekend, friends.

It’s Graduation Friday! Please join us in congratulating our four masonry graduates Makalya, Steven, Anthony, and Kijuan. With many cheering families in attendance, this festive graduation honored these “determined, talented, and focused” bricklayers. All four start jobs immediately and two are union apprentices! We are so proud of their hard work and excited for their NEXT! When Makalya took her turn at the podium, she said, “TIP staff fight hard for us. I appreciate the staff, fellow students, and my family -my support system. And, I just got the text that I start my job Monday!”

THANK YOU for the generous support we received during the #ONEDAY fundraiser. Because of your generosity, we can ensure our students receive excellent training, support, and careers where they can thrive. If you missed the chance to give during #ONEDAY, you can still contribute at tipgh.org/support-us. We are grateful to The Pittsburgh Foundation and Community Foundation of Westmoreland County for including us in the #ONEDAY Critical Needs Alert.

With your help, we can reach our #ONEDAY goal TODAY! The #ONEDAY Critical Needs online giving event supports organizations like ours that strengthen the safety net of essential human services: https://ow.ly/3Lo650SR7pK We are honored to participate in this tremendous fundraising initiative to help our students with trade skills, life skills, and career opportunities. Our team works with students to remove barriers to employment so they can secure good-paying jobs and thrive. Today only! Please contribute to The Trade Institute of Pittsburgh TODAY before 11:59 pm EST through our #ONEDAY page: https://ow.ly/bHqp50SR7r9 How your donation helps: $50 Two Weekly Bus Passes $100 Job Interview Clothing $200 Trade-appropriate Work Boots $250 Tools and Gear for Graduates Entering Workforce $500 Driver’s Education to License with TIP Case Manager Thank you to The Pittsburgh Foundation, The Community Foundation of Westmorland County, and their donors for including us in this fundraising opportunity.

TODAY is the Critical Needs Alert #ONEDAY online fundraiser to benefit area nonprofits like ours that provide basic needs and essential services to our region's residents: https://ow.ly/WI3G50SR6EL TIP addresses several of these critical needs: • Training and education: masonry, carpentry, financial literacy, job readiness • Support services: therapy, transportation, housing, tools, clothing • Job placement and job retention programs The majority of our students have multiple barriers to finding sustainable jobs. Insufficient funds for secondary schools, criminal record, unstable housing, and lack of transportation or a driver's license are among these challenges our students face. Our entire team works to address these barriers and put our students in the best position possible to be successful. Please contribute today, August 6, on our #ONEDAY page: https://ow.ly/WI3G50SR6EL Your $25 or more donation unlocks additional funding from an incentive pool provided by The Pittsburgh Foundation, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, and their donors. Thank you for your support - we couldn’t do it without you! "The carpentry program has given me all the skills to build a house and a better life." Shawn, 2023 Carpentry Graduate

TOMORROW, AUGUST 6, is the Critical Needs Alert #ONEDAY online fundraiser to benefit area nonprofits like ours that provide basic needs and essential services to our region's most vulnerable residents. Please contribute tomorrow starting at 8 am EST on our #ONEDAY page: https://ow.ly/n78750SQhyh Your $25 or more donation unlocks additional funding from an incentive pool provided by The Pittsburgh Foundation, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, and their donors. We couldn’t do it without you! Your contribution helps our students gain life skills, trade skills, and career opportunities. We believe every person should have the opportunity to have careers where they can thrive. Thank you to The Pittsburgh Foundation, Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, and their donors for including us in this tremendous fundraising opportunity.

We are honored to participate in the AUGUST 6 Critical Needs #ONEDAY online giving event to support basic needs and the safety net of essential human services in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties. #ONEDAY raises money from the public to help area nonprofits, like ours, that provide basic needs support to our neighbors. Please consider contributing to TIP on August 6 to help our students gain life skills, trade skills, and career opportunities. We believe every person should have the opportunity to have careers where they can thrive. Please SAVE THE DATE to contribute on AUGUST 6 on our #ONEDAY page: https://ow.ly/bTHw50SPvlV "When individuals and families can meet their basic needs, they experience less stress and anxiety, which supports overall well-being, provides stability and empowers them to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives." The Pittsburgh Foundation