WayFinders Program

The Pittsburgh Scholar House created the WayFinders Program to thoughtfully engage our target population and support them on their journeys to higher education and financial sustainability. The WayFinders Program provides socially supportive services to Pittsburgh Scholar House families seeking to complete degree programs designed for adult learners with parenting responsibilities.

Through our WayFinders Program, the Pittsburgh Scholar House provides a comprehensive level of 2GEN support and guidance to economically compromised single-parent families aspiring to create a better quality of life for themselves and their children. Our program gives participating families an on-ramp to achievement, helping them leave poverty behind. Cohorts are offered on a bi-annual basis and positions participating adults as the leaders of their families, capable of making decisions that improve economic security and help every family member succeed. Rather than taking the Pittsburgh Scholar House taking the lead, we allow participants to act as “first movers” in their success. Pittsburgh Scholar House simply helps each family across the finish line by providing educational opportunities and other supportive services to help them develop valuable life skills.

How do I get involved?

Wayfinders program applications for new cohort members are released in October and April.

Parties  who are interested in using our program to achieve their goals are encouraged to become a part of the PSH Connect Community which will ensure you are notified when applications are opened is re-opened.

WayFinders Program has three key components

Economic Empowerment

As participants increase their income, they need to know how to manage their finances effectively. WayFinders Program promotes financial literacy by teaching single parents how to budget, manage their expenses, build social capital and make wise financial decisions.

Academic and Career Stewardship

We help single parents every step of the way along their academic journey – from connecting them to college readiness programs, to applying to schools or applying for financial assistance. We also assist participants in completing their degrees by offering tutoring, one-on-one academic coaching, and other support services.

Family Enrichment

Although WayFinders Program offers a broad array of services, each participant also receives individual support based on their unique needs. We help single parents improve their physical health and psychological well-being, positioning them to achieve their educational goals while strengthening their leadership abilities. As part of our two-generational approach, we also address the needs of each child, creating stronger family units.

By graduating from WayFinders Program, participants demonstrate that they are motivated and committed to doing the work necessary to break the cycle of generational poverty. We encourage them to stay motivated by moving them fully into Pittsburgh Scholar House, where they have access to additional resources to help them along their journey to financial independence.

Applications for the 2023 Cohort

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions About WayFinders Program

WayFinders Program provides economic empowerment, academic engagement, and family enrichment, strengthening of family bonds and gives participants the tools they need to break the cycle of generational poverty. Staff members are still finalizing program details, but economic empowerment may come in the form of WayFinders Program scholarships, housing location assistance, monthly cash transfers, housing gap stipends, and subsidized transportation to make it easier to get to work.

We know that college students are more likely to succeed if they have ongoing academic support. That’s why the WayFinders Program offers tutoring, connects each parent with an academic success coach, and promotes the development of supportive peer relationships. Participants also have access to externships, professional networking opportunities, and work-study programs. To make it easier to access higher education, we also provide assistance with completing the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) and connect participants with college recruiters as needed.

When single parents and their children lack access to comprehensive wellness resources, they may miss work or school due to illness or struggle with their mental health. That’s why the WayFinders Program also provides family enrichment and wellness services. Participating families have access to parent leadership training, wellness coaching, healthy lifestyle support and high-quality childcare. Pittsburgh Scholar House has also arranged for free admission to Gelfand Center, the Carnegie Museums, and other enrichment opportunities, giving participants the opportunity to expand their horizons and build social capital.

WayFinders Program is a new program, so we are eagerly awaiting our first graduates. That said, we expect the first cohort to have six to eight single parents focused on completing their two-year degrees and an additional four to six single parents focused on completing their four-year degrees. Currently, Pittsburgh Scholar House staff are focused on conducting surveys, focus groups, and interviews to finalize their programming decisions and come up with best practices for implementing the cohort model.

Pittsburgh Scholar House has partnered with local experts in human services, financial management, and other important topics, giving participants the opportunity to develop valuable life skills. As we learn more about each cohort’s needs, we may offer educational sessions on the following topics:

  • Succeeding in college as a parent with family responsibilities
  • Strategies for saving money
  • Budgeting strategies
  • Breaking the psychological chains of poverty
  • Careers in technology, finance, and health care
  • Stress management
  • Being a good steward of financial resources

At Pittsburgh Scholar House, we believe that an uninterrupted poverty loop is the result of multiple factors, including trauma, codependence, poor health outcomes, and a lack of financial literacy. We aim to give participants a firmer financial foundation by teaching them to build social capital, providing educational opportunities to help them qualify for rewarding careers and offering access to family wellness resources that promote health equity and improve individual health outcomes.

We put participants on a wealth-building trajectory by educating them on financial management, teaching them how to budget effectively ,and promoting the benefits of consistent, systematic saving. The end result is improved cross-generational economic mobility and financial stability.