At The Education Partnership (TEP), we are proud to support young people and young adults across the Greater Pittsburgh area as they build the skills, confidence, and real-world experience needed to enter and succeed in the workforce.
Through our Teacher Resource Center, schools gain access to essential classroom materials that support hands-on learning and career exploration. From STEAM programming equipment and culinary supplies to automotive parts and creative learning tools, these resources help remove barriers for educators and open new pathways for students to explore future careers.
Our impact extends beyond classrooms to workforce development through structured, volunteer-based vocational training for individuals with special needs and at-risk youth and adults. These programs provide consistent, meaningful work experience in a supportive and inclusive environment where participants are treated as valued contributors.
Each week, a diverse network of workforce development partners brings their time, talents, and energy to The Education Partnership. Groups visit on a regular schedule, providing consistency and structure for participants. Saint Anthony School Program volunteers twice a week, while BCRC, LifeSteps, and ACTES join us weekly. ACLD Tillotson volunteers every other week, Pittsburgh Conroy visits twice each month, and St. Stephen’s Program joins us monthly. Together, these partners represent a broad community of young people and adults who are developing job-readiness skills through meaningful, hands-on service.
A teen student volunteer shared what they enjoy most about their time at The Education Partnership:
“I like organizing the bins and sweeping and mopping the areas. Keeping things organized is really interesting and fun to me. I also love helping others, so I am happy to get to do both.”
Participants range in age from teens to adults and include students with disabilities or behavior difficulties, as well as individuals navigating employment barriers. While volunteering, they strengthen essential workplace and life skills, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, and creative thinking. Tasks are intentionally structured to reflect real job responsibilities while remaining accessible, supportive, and confidence-building.
A teacher from one of our weekly volunteer groups said they bring their students to TEP because
“As a teacher, I want to give my students the opportunity to experience something new, learn real skills, and give back while they are helping others. The Education Partnership always has a lot of variety and something new and interesting for our students to do.”
These opportunities would not be possible without careful planning, consistency, and relationship building. Each group is supported with clear expectations, repeatable routines, and encouragement that allows participants to learn at their own pace while contributing meaningfully to our mission. Their work directly supports our programs while helping participants gain experience that prepares them for future employment and greater independence.
“These groups make our work possible. When people talk about what makes Pittsburgh special, this is it. This is a place for everyone to support education, and these students and adults show up week after week, ready to help. They clean our carts, organize and count supplies, restock snacks for teachers, and take pride in making sure the space feels welcoming. Because of their care and consistency, our Teacher Resource Center feels like a place where educators are truly loved and supported. Their work may happen behind the scenes, but it has a huge impact on our ability to show up for students and teachers across the region.”
— Kiki Reis, Advancement Director, The Education Partnership
We are deeply grateful for the dedication these individuals bring to The Education Partnership each week and for the partners who make this work possible. Workforce development programs like these create lasting impact by strengthening regional employment pathways, fostering inclusion, and ensuring that people of all abilities have opportunities to learn, contribute, and thrive within their community.
Author: The TEP Team
