Manchester Youth Development Center

MYDC Community, please join us in congratulating Shawna Patterson on her graduation from the Leadership Development Initiative (LDI) yesterday, a program of Leadership Pittsburgh Inc.!

LDI is a highly respected regional leadership program designed for high-performing emerging leaders across the business, nonprofit, government, and civic sectors. Through cohort-based learning, community engagement, network-building, and leadership development, participants gain deeper insight into the issues shaping Southwestern Pennsylvania while building relationships with leaders across industries and communities.

Shawna’s completion of this program is a meaningful accomplishment and a direct benefit to MYDC. Her experience in LDI strengthens the leadership capacity within our organization, expands MYDC’s connection to a broader regional network, and brings new ideas, perspectives, and partnerships that can support our work with youth, families, staff, and the Manchester community.

As Director of Youth Programs, Shawna plays an important role in shaping the experiences of our young people each day. Her continued investment in leadership development reflects her commitment not only to her own growth, but also to the growth, stability, and long-term impact of MYDC.

We are proud to celebrate this milestone with Shawna and grateful for the care, dedication, and leadership she brings to our community.

Congratulations Ms. Patterson

If you’re looking for a warm, supportive preschool program, Training Wheels offers a strong foundation for learning, friendships, and confidence. 💛

We currently have spots available in our preschool class (to be eligible, students must turn 3 by September 30th).

There is a waitlist for PreK (4-and 5-year-olds).

Register online now at www.mydc.org/trainingwheels/

We will be closed on Monday, May 25th, in observance of Memorial Day.

Did you know? Black service members have fought in every American conflict, dating all the way back to the American Revolution.

During World War I, one of the first U.S. regiments sent to France was the all-Black 369th Infantry Regiment, better known as the “Harlem Hellfighters.” They spent an incredible 191 days in combat—longer than any other American unit in the war.

When people are considering whether to donate, they really have one question: Will this make a difference? At Manchester Youth Development Center, we believe the answer should be clear, concrete, and measurable. That’s why we openly share that 92% of all donations directly fund programming for youth. This number is a reflection of how we think about responsibility and community trust, as well as the kind of impact we want to have.

Read more on our latest blog.

Why 92% of Donations at MYDC Go Directly to Programming - Manchester Youth Development Center Nearly every dollar in donations to MYDC goes directly to programming.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms, grandmothers, and caregivers in our community 💐

We are so grateful to partner with you in your child’s growth, learning, and discovery. Thank you for trusting us to be part of your journey.

The Draft Day 2 MYDC Youth crew was just as awesome as the Day ones!!!

Day one of the NFL Draft and our young people jumped right into it.

Through our partnership with Riverlife, they were out on the ground interviewing visitors from across the country, leading with a simple but powerful question: What’s your impression of Pittsburgh and our rivers?

This is part of a larger effort to give our youth real-world learning experiences where they’re not just learning, but actively engaging, building confidence, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of our city in the process.

They showed up with intention, curiosity, and professionalism. Proud of how they represented themselves and our community while having fun.

More to come.

A quick reminder that MYDC will be closed April 22–24 due to the NFL Draft.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming everyone back soon!