Blog

This July, the 412 Youth Zone celebrated a major milestone, 10 years of making an impact in the lives of young people! We kicked off a week full of celebration with a tie-dye event, where participants created their own Youth Zone 10th Anniversary T-shirts, followed by a splash-filled pool party at the Kingsley Association, where 20 young people came together for an afternoon of fun in the sun. 

To honor the partnerships that have helped shape the Youth Zone over the years, we invited current partners and potential new collaborators to join us for themed activities throughout the week. The Youth Zone is dedicated to connecting young people with new opportunities and experiences as they navigate their journey into adulthood. During our celebration week, from mental health awareness to cultural exploration, members participated in African drumming sessions and wellness activities, including mini massages designed to help them recognize where they carry stress and discover healthy ways to release it. 

The celebration continued with our Annual Kennywood Picnic, where 51 young people took on the thrills of the amusement park, enjoyed plenty of sweet and savory treats, and spent the day building connections and making memories together. We officially wrapped up our 10-year celebration with a special Friday event featuring live interactive painting and performances by We Rock. The celebration also welcomed notable speakers, including Marc Cherna, former Director of DHS, and a former Youth Zone participant who shared their inspiring story of personal growth and reflected on the role the Youth Zone played throughout their journey. 

As we celebrated 10 incredible years, the week was a reminder of just how much the Youth Zone has grown and how many meaningful connections have been made along the way. We’re excited to carry that same energy, community, and commitment to young people into the next 10 years and beyond!