The annual grant is a part of the Homeless Education Network
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2026
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kristin Wenger
media@homelessfund.org
412-523-9362
Gigi Saladna
media@pghscholarhouse.org
Pittsburgh, Pa – Homeless Children’s Education Fund (HCEF) announced at The I AM GALA presented by Dollar Bank on June 13 that its annual Homeless Education Network (HEN) Collaborative Impact Grant of $15,000 was awarded to Pittsburgh Scholar House.
The Homeless Education Network (HEN) is a mighty group of schools, community organizations, out-of-school time and government agencies brought together by their commitment to eliminating youth homelessness in the Greater Pittsburgh region.
“It was our pleasure to award the Pittsburgh Scholar House the 2026 HEN Collaborative Impact Grant of $15,000,” said AJ Jefferson, president and CEO. “The only way we will make an impact in eliminating the cycle of homelessness for students is through collaboration. Working with like-minded organizations, such as the Pittsburgh Scholar House, is the inspiration for our Collaborative Impact Grant.”
The $15,000 will support Pittsburgh Scholar House’s Wayfinders program, which serves unstably housed, single-parent students pursuing postsecondary education, through stable housing, structured incentives and individualized case management. Funds from the HEN grant will enable the Wayfinders program to:
• Offer family stipends to incentivize postsecondary attainment.
• Provide additional early learning activities for young children in the program.
• Address housing, childcare and other basic needs costs as they arise for program participants through emergency funding.
As a long-standing HCEF partner, Pittsburgh Scholar House’s team has endlessly pursued this project, and HCEF is honored to help them realize a new space and educational supplies for their students and families.
“Too many single-parenting teens and young adults face barriers that make higher education feel out of reach, particularly when housing instability and financial hardship are part of their daily reality,” said Dr. Daren Ellerbee, chief executive officer of Pittsburgh Scholar House. “This grant from the Homeless Children’s Education Fund will help us provide the support, stability and encouragement these young families need to stay enrolled, earn their credentials and create a stronger future for the next generation. Together, we are investing in both parents and children, helping families move from crisis to opportunity.”
The HEN Collaborative Impact Grant is awarded annually to an agency seeking to develop or expand upon an educational project that meets the needs of students experiencing homelessness as defined by the McKinney-Vento Act.
As a part of the Grant evaluation criteria, each of the 10 applicants were required to include a plan for interagency collaboration, ensuring that projects were strengthening ties between service organizations, as well as effectively serving the youth.
For more information on HCEF, visit https://homelessfund.org.
About Homeless Children’s Education Fund
The mission of the Homeless Children’s Education Fund (HCEF) is to advance the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness in Southwestern Pennsylvania, guiding them to be productive, empowered citizens. The HCEF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1999 to support the educational needs of children experiencing homelessness in Allegheny County. Over the years, HCEF’s role in the community has developed and expanded to meet these needs. HCEF relies on support from community foundations, corporations and individuals and does not receive governmental funding.
About Pittsburgh Scholar House
Pittsburgh Scholar House is a pioneering nonprofit organization dedicated to building generational prosperity for single parents and their children through post-secondary education and housing support. By combining affordable housing with comprehensive support services, including academic advising, workforce development, and child development programs, PSH empowers families to build brighter economic futures. We are committed to fostering a community where education and housing stability can ensure long-term economic mobility and a higher quality of life for the families we serve. More information is available at www.pghscholarhouse.org.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating in the Pittsburgh region, we help participating families achieve their educational goals, access employment opportunities, and develop the knowledge and skills needed to maintain their physical, mental, and financial health.