ABOUT US
MISSION
In 2008, the Allegheny County Health Department reported that nearly 2,000 babies were born to single mothers 19 years of age and under. Unfortunately, because it is very difficult to be both a full-time parent as well as a full-time student, many feel that they must choose between school and childcare. More than two-thirds of the teen mothers who keep their babies never finish high school. In addition, the number of young single fathers trying to raise children on their own has continued to increase making the dream of completing an education increasingly harder to come true.* Due to lack of alternatives, these young mothers and fathers often seek public assistance or take only low-paying jobs, becoming trapped in a cycle of poverty.
Angels' Place, Inc. offers hope along with an opportunity to escape financial dependency. At the three locations in Brookline, Swissvale, and North Side, student parents receive a comprehensive program of free services including child care, tutoring, support groups, counseling, support groups and informal classes in parenting, nutrition, child safety, and life skills. With this type of care, concern, and compassion these young parents can create brighter futures for themselves and their children.
We are committed to providing student parents with the help needed to complete their education, secure satisfying employment, establish careers and become self-sufficient and responsible citizens. Through programs of excellence that embody best practices of education and family development, Angels' Place provides the loving, nurturing, safe and healthy environment that every parent and child deserves. In a family-like setting the staff and Board support, encourage and guide both generations toward realization of their full potential. Angels' Place is truly a place to grow for parents, children, staff, volunteers and Board members.
*Source: The Annie E. Casey Foundation, KIDS COUNT Indicator Brief: Reducing the Number of Disconnected Youth produced by Dr. Rima Shore, July 2005
HISTORY
The welcoming doors to Angels' Place, Inc. first opened in 1984. We then opened a second center in Swissvale in 1989 and a third center in North Side in 1998. It has remained a beacon of hope for two generations of young people - student parents and their children. Angels' Place, Inc. provides a dedicated family of loving and supportive staff members and volunteers!
| 1984 | Beginning of a great journey! Opened a temporary location in the Brookline area of Pittsburgh in the Brookline Boulevard Presbyterian Church. |
| 1986 | Found a permanent home on Fordham Avenue in Brookline for our first center. |
| 1989 | Opened our second center in the Swissvale area of Pittsburgh and began renovations in the former school building. |
| 1991 | Began the strategic planning process. |
| 1991 | Swissvale renovations completed. |
| 1992 | Began Brookline expansion renovations. |
| 1993 | Brookline renovations completed. |
| 1995 | Launched 21st Century Campaign to establish a third center. |
| 1997 | Opened third center in the North Side of Pittsburgh. |
| 1998 | Renovated North Side Center. |
| 1998 | Successful completion of the 21st Century Campaign! |
| 2004 | Twenty Years of Making Dreams Come True! |
| 2006 | NAEYC Accreditation of Brookline and Swissvale, Four Stars. |
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2007 |
Approval to receive Educational Improvement Tax Credit dollars from businesses which then receive state tax credits. |
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2007 |
Four teachers advance to the next higher level of education. |
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2007 |
Stakeholder's Picnic |
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2007 |
Addition of two new full time positions:
Assistant Executive Director - Michelle Smith Tipton
Director of Marketing - Lauren Rudenko |
| 2008 |
Founding Director Mary Winter retires. Michelle Smith Tipton becomes Executive Director.
North Side center is NAEYC accredited. |