YouthPlaces

What YouthPlaces does

YouthPlaces is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization founded in 1997 that delivers out-of-school programming to teens in underserved, high-risk communities across the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The organization operates a portfolio of five core programs—YP Learns (after-school academic enrichment), YP Ignite (8-week summer programming), YP Plays (sports leagues), YP Futures (college planning), and 1st Jobs (career exploration)—delivered through a network of 10 to 17 physical program sites spanning neighborhoods including Northside, Downtown, East, McKeesport, McKees Rocks, and Duquesne. The organization serves approximately 4,000+ youth annually, with a beneficiary profile of predominantly African American teens averaging 16 years old, 60% male, with nearly 50% residing in low-income or public housing and 72% having prior involvement in the human service system.

The underlying operating model is intentionally low-tech: programs are delivered through in-person engagement at physical community centers, with enrollment managed via online registration and scheduled facility tours. YouthPlaces does not maintain proprietary software, APIs, or technology platforms; its core delivery mechanism is human capital—site coordinators, engagement coaches, program managers, and a leadership team led by CEO Cynthia L. James and COO Uwe Calloway. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors with representatives from higher education, healthcare, civic leadership, and law enforcement, reflecting its positioning as a community-embedded social service institution rather than a technology-enabled business.

YouthPlaces' revenue model is exclusively nonprofit in nature, relying on charitable contributions processed through Network for Good, grants, and foundation funding. The Buhl Foundation is represented on the board as an honorary director, indicative of sustained institutional philanthropy. All programs are offered at no cost or subsidized rates to participants, with no fee-based pricing disclosed. The organization markets through community-based channels including social media, school partnerships, alumni word-of-mouth, and event-based recruitment (college fairs, sports leagues, summer programs), reflecting a community-led and event-driven go-to-market motion rather than a commercial sales approach.

Name

YouthPlaces

Legal name

YouthPlaces

Website

https://youthplaces.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Child and Youth Services (62411), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ), Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD), Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• After-school education
• College preparation services
• Community nonprofit programs
• Teen career exploration

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: YouthPlaces accepts donations through Network for Good, indicating reliance on individual and corporate charitable giving as a primary funding source. The organization appears to be funded primarily through grants, donations, and community support rather than program fees.
2. Grants and Foundation Funding: As a nonprofit established in 1997, YouthPlaces relies on grant funding from civic, community, and corporate leaders who founded the organization through the Youth Crime Prevention Council. The Buhl Foundation is listed as an honorary director, suggesting ongoing foundation support.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

YouthPlaces is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that delivers free out-of-school programs for teens, combining after-school academics, summer programming, sports leagues, college planning, and career exploration. Programming is offered at no cost to participants and is supplemented by community events such as financial literacy bootcamps, college tours, and back-to-school celebrations.

Product overview

YouthPlaces operates as a multi-site after-school and out-of-school time youth development organization serving Pittsburgh-area teens. The organization offers a portfolio of programs including YP Learns (after-school academic enrichment), YP Ignite (8-week summer programming), YP Plays (sports leagues), YP Futures (college preparation), and 1st Jobs (career exploration). These core programs are supplemented by special initiatives such as Finance Literacy Bootcamp, College Tours, YP Scare House, and community events. YouthPlaces functions as a nonprofit social service organization rather than a technology product company, with all programming delivered through in-person engagement at 10+ physical site locations across the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• YP Learns: After school program focused on project-based learning activities, field trips, hands-on learning and experiential activities.
• YP Ignite
• YP Plays
• YP Futures
• 1st Jobs

Products and services

• YP Learns After-school academic program for Pittsburgh teens providing structured learning support, enrichment, and academic preparation outside regular school hours.
• YP Ignite Summer programming for teens designed to keep youth engaged, learning, and active during the summer break.
• YP Plays Sports leagues for teens providing structured athletic recreation and team-based activity within the Pittsburgh community.
• YP Futures College planning program that helps teens prepare for postsecondary education through advising, resource fairs, and college tours.
• 1st Jobs Career exploration initiative that introduces teens to early work experiences and workforce readiness.

Quantifiable outcome

• YouthPlaces has demonstrated success in engaging at-risk youth and supporting their personal development as evaluated by The Office of Child Development
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Community College of Allegheny CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member Dr. Quintin B. Bullock serves as President of Community College of Allegheny County, representing an educational partnership that supports YP Futures college planning programs and pathway opportunities for youth.
• Coro Center for Civic LeadershipsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member Sabrina Saunders Mosby represents Coro Center for Civic Leadership, indicating collaboration on civic development and leadership programming.
• Pittsburgh Bureau of Police (Zone 1)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommander Christopher Ragland serves on the board, representing a community-police partnership supporting youth in high-risk areas.
• Alliance for Police AccountabilitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member Brandi Fisher leads Alliance for Police Accountability, indicating organizational collaboration on community accountability and youth advocacy.
• UPMCsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member James E. Taylor serves as Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at UPMC, potentially supporting health and wellness programming for youth.
• Carlow UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member Deanna Sieberkrob serves as Controller at Carlow University, an area higher education institution that may partner on educational programming.
• Riverside Center for InnovationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member Juan Garrett serves as Executive Director of Riverside Center for Innovation, indicating collaboration on innovation and economic development initiatives.
• Network for GoodsupportingTechnology or IntegrationOnline donation platform provider used for processing charitable contributions to YouthPlaces.
• The Pittsburgh ProjectsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member William Thompkins (retired) previously led The Pittsburgh Project, indicating collaborative relationships with other faith-based and community organizations.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Police Athletic League (PAL): National nonprofit network of police-affiliated youth programs offering sports, mentoring, and after-school programming in underserved communities. Comparable as a community-police partnership delivering youth development and recreational programming (YouthPlaces has a Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Zone 1 board partnership).
• YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh: Multi-branch YMCA serving Pittsburgh with after-school programming, sports leagues, summer camps, and teen development programs. Comparable as a regional multi-site youth services organization with similar target demographics and free/subsidized programming.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh-based affiliate of BBBS providing one-on-one mentoring for at-risk youth. Comparable as a youth development nonprofit focused on underserved teens in the same geographic region.
• The Pittsburgh Project: Pittsburgh-based faith-rooted youth and community development nonprofit serving underserved neighborhoods. Comparable as a regional community organization with overlapping board members (William Thompkins) and similar target population.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania: Regional affiliate of Boys & Girls Clubs of America serving Pittsburgh-area youth through after-school programming, sports, and college/career readiness. Directly comparable as a multi-site youth development nonprofit serving similar demographics in the same geography.
• Communities In Schools of Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh affiliate of Communities In Schools, a national dropout prevention network placing site coordinators in schools to support at-risk students. Comparable as a school-linked dropout prevention and youth re-engagement organization.
• Homewood Children's Village: Pittsburgh-based nonprofit providing wraparound services, education support, and college/career readiness for African American youth in Homewood. Directly comparable target demographics (underserved Black teens), program model, and Pittsburgh location.

Emerging players

• College Possible: National nonprofit providing college access coaching and support for low-income students. Comparable to YouthPlaces' YP Futures college planning program in mission, though delivered through coaching rather than physical community sites.
• KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program): National charter school network serving primarily low-income communities of color with extended school day/year programming. Comparable as an alternative education provider targeting underserved youth with college-preparatory focus, though delivered via formal schools rather than out-of-school programs.

Regional players

• Variety the Children's Charity: Pittsburgh-based children's charity funding youth programs, mobility equipment, and outreach. Comparable as a regional funder and advocate for underserved children and youth in the same geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/youthplaces
• Facebookfacebook.com/YouthPlaces
• Instagraminstagram.com/youthplacesyp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youth-places

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about YouthPlaces