Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education for Pittsburgh Scholar House

We empower single parents and their children to begin building a cycle of generational prosperity.

The Pittsburgh Scholar House (PSH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families build a cycle of generational prosperity. PSH supports single parents and their children in breaking the cycle of generational poverty by providing academic support, empowering single parents to improve their economic circumstances through post-secondary educational attainment, and offering enrichment services to strengthen family relationships. This three-pronged approach helps participating families thrive as they work to achieve their goals.

The Wayfinders Program is PSH's flagship cohort that consists of single parenting students on a path to their degree. To support these families, they provide holistic support in the following areas:
• Post secondary education
• Early childhood education
• Health and wellness
• Valuable connections
• Economic security
• Affordable Housing
• Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation

PSH uses Aspen's 2Genn Approach to support families within the program. As parents gain the knowledge and skills needed for work and civic life, they are equipped to ensure their children receive the necessary support to foster positive growth and development.

The organization carefully listens to identify each parent's "why" and determine what barriers might undermine their ability to complete a degree program. Based on that initial assessment, they look for effective ways to address each family's most pressing needs and create a customized road map to make the goal a reality.

The first PSH cohort has over 60 active active and highly motivated participants and currently 26 of these cohort members are enrolled in their degree program. The cohort began in January 2023, and parents have been provided with several workshops, scholarships, career path opportunities, enrichment experiences, and other services to fully realize the benefits of the Wayfinders program.

Testimonials

"Being a Wayfinder with the Pittsburgh scholar House has helped my educational journey by providing me with a scholarship. I have also attended Pittsburgh Scholar House events and I always leave feeling motivated and empowered. Hearing the other mothers' stories is inspiring. It feels good to be part of a community of parents pursuing their educational goals and facing similar challenges and obstacles as myself as a full time student and parent. I know we can and will all achieve our goals!" - Wayfinders Cohort Member

"The Wayfinder Pathway experience is such a resourceful and supportive help throughout this journey of building academic and personal success. I am most thankful to experience such genuine and caring staff at the PSH, as I often and truly reflect on the gift it is to be a part of the Scholar House." - Wayfinders Cohort Member