Remaking Classroom A

Bringing New Learning Opportunities to Our Community

In 2019, HSC Mon Valley was selected as one of 16 finalists to participate in Remake Learning’s Blueprint for Learning grant opportunity, with support from The Grable Foundation. The process allows grantees to redesign their spaces in a way to better engage 21st-century learners. Classroom A is consistently used by our youth programs, and often hosts events of the Mon Valley Providers Council and our tenant agencies.

Finalists attended several design sessions in the Fall of 2019, where Remake Learning coordinated design teams that included the National Design Alliance and Reimagine America’s Schools.

After the Remake Learning sessions, HSC Mon Valley was paired with Pfaffmann + Associates architects who donated their time and expertise to further develop design plans and concepts. Construction began in 2021 and our beautifully renovated Classroom A was ready to welcome back youth during our KOOL Summer Program. Our new flexible space has allowed youth in our programs to participate in healthy eating classes, tech coding classes, and reading programs.

In addition to remodeling our Classroom A, we also upgraded technology at our Center. Our computer labs are fully stocked with new desktop computers, and we have new, portable computer tablets. This has allowed us to expand the STEM education opportunities we are able to offer to the youth enrolled in our KOOL Summer Program and Youth LIFE After-School Program. Students can practice and improve their reading and math comprehension using the Study Island software and also practice computer coding.

Our Thanks

This renovation was made possible thanks to the generous support of the following funders and agencies:

Remake Learning and The Grable Foundation for our Blueprint for Learning Classroom.

National Design Alliance and Reimagine America’s Schools for the kid-friendly and adaptable design.

Pfaffmann + Associates for bringing our colorful classroom to life.

Eden Hall Foundation for new computers in two labs, portable computer tablets, and new playground tables and benches.

The Howard and Nell E. Miller Foundation for the portable computer tablets.

Thank you also to the following funders for their continued support of our youth programs:

United Way of SWPA, Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Richard King Mellon Foundation, Eden Hall Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, McElhattan Foundation, Steel Dynamics Foundation, Kennywood, and Sandcastle.

Thank you to the United Way of Southwestern PA for support of our programming.