Cultural Enrichment

Our enrichment program engages children and families in a variety of hands-on learning activities that foster their creativity and critical thinking skills. Through partnerships with Pittsburgh’s leading cultural, artistic and educational organizations, we are able to meet the need for quality out-of-school-time learning opportunities for children served by homeless housing agencies in Allegheny County.

Impact:

Stress Reduction:

By tapping into children’s sensory and kinesthetic skill sets, our programs provide a healthy outlet for stress.

Increased Self-Esteem through Skill Building:

Students take pride in discovering new interests and developing skills in activities that are not found in the course of a typical school day.

Family Bonding:

Enrichment workshops are an opportunity for families to spend time learning and creating together.

Enrichment workshops are offered year-round to children at our partnering homeless housing agencies. Programming is flexible and can be scheduled as an after-school workshop series, summer camp, or drop-in. Classes are led by highly-skilled educators and artists from the following contracted partners:

  • Allegheny Land Trust
  • Andy Warhol Museum
  • Art Expression, Inc.
  • Center of Life
  • The Citizen Science Lab
  • Drafting Dreams
  • Janelle Burdell’s Rhythm Games
  • LabRatz Science Club
  • Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: Trust Arts Education
  • Pittsburgh Yoga Therapy
  • Saturday Light Brigade Radio
  • STEM Coding Lab
  • Sydelle Pearl, Children’s Author & Storyteller
  • 1Hood Media
participated in enrichment programs - including science, visual arts, music, and storytelling workshops - at 17 agencies.
children & teens

What Our Partners Are Saying:

“The children are constantly asking when the next LabRatz or Hip-Hop day will be. The families are always thankful that their children have the opportunity to take part in activities they are unable to involve them in themselves.”
Homeless Provider
“Not only has it been fun and educational, the visits have helped in the self-esteem department for both moms and children.”
Homeless Provider
“I think this process helped them build confidence in their own abilities and allowed them to see how taking time to on something over a long period of time can make a great result.
Summer Camp Counselor

For more information, contact HCEF’s Afterschool & Enrichment Director.