Urban Impact Foundation

The vision of Urban Impact Foundation is to bring holistic transformation to our community by impacting one person, one family, one block at a time who, in turn, can make a positive impact both locally and globally. As such, our mission is to fulfill our part in serving the North Side of Pittsburgh by investing in the lives of at-risk youth and their families to develop productive and responsible members of society and their communities, based on Christian principles.

Urban Impact Foundation seeks to meet the needs of over 2,300 children and youth each year through holistic programs housed within our four departments - Athletics, Education, Options, and Performing Arts. To achieve true transformation, we believe in the power of relationships and living where we serve. As such, our staffing model is largely based on a support-raising structure through employees called Urban Missionaries. To sustain employment opportunities, our Urban Missionaries are required to raise approximately 80% of their cost to the company and to reside on the North Side.
The Urban Missionaries all serve within one of our four departments:

The Athletics Department focuses specifically on the physical needs of the children and youth. Because we believe that healthy competition and exercise are vital to the mental and physical health of our youth, we offer several different programs to encourage their involvement in sports. Our Athletics Department offers varying programs in baseball, basketball, soccer, swimming, and hosts a football clinic.

The Education Department serves the academic needs of our youth, addressing both math and reading deficiencies in children on the North Side. Due to an often-inadequate supply of school resources, additional support is necessary to equip students toward a successful future. The programs are designed to ensure that students K-12 on the North Side have the additional support they need to achieve academic success. Programs take place in and out of Pittsburgh Public Schools on the North Side.

The Options Department is focused on helping Urban Impact students transition through and from high school. The Options program seeks to ensure that students launch successfully into one of five post-secondary tracks, providing mentorship and assistance throughout the process. Options works with a range of 7th through 12th grade students. Programs take place in and out of school with and a resource center offered at Pittsburgh Perry High School on a weekly basis.

The Performing Arts Department serves as a creative and artistic outlet for our youth. The initiative was founded on the belief that fostering a student's artistic gifts can improve self-esteem, creative thinking, and positive emotional expression. Within the department is the Performing Arts Academy which offers courses in vocal and instrumental music, theatre, dance, and visual arts. Programs take place in and out of Pittsburgh Public Schools on the North Side.