Homeless Children's Education Fund

10/15/2026

THEIR ART. THEIR STORIES. THEIR VOICES. 🎨

What happens when we give young people the space to show us what belonging means to them?

Something beautiful.

Join us for WHERE I BELONG, a special student art exhibit bringing together young artists from Pittsburgh Allderdice High School and the Homeless Children’s Education Fund.

Their artwork tells stories of identity, hope, and the universal desire to be seen, heard, and valued.

❤️ Come celebrate their creativity. Hear their stories. Show them their voices matter.

📅 Thursday, October 22 | 5:30 to 7:30 PM
📍 Pittsburgh City County Building, First Floor

RSVP here 👇

Bring a friend. Everyone belongs.

10/12/2026

Today, we honor Indigenous Peoples, their rich histories, enduring cultures, and the many contributions they continue to make to our world.

Their stories remind us why our work matters. Every child deserves to know they belong. Every voice deserves to be heard. Every history deserves to be told. And every child deserves a future where their identity is celebrated, their potential is recognized, and their dreams are possible.

In observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, HCEF offices are closed today, October 12.

10/09/2026

A STUDENT IS MORE THAN THEIR HOUSING STATUS.

They have dreams. Talents. Potential. And a future that deserves our attention.

But are we seeing the whole student?

Join us Tuesday, October 13, for a powerful conversation featuring:

• Santana Mitre, Student and Member, HCEF Collegiate Advocacy Committee

• Sabrina Lindsay, Director of Student Services, Pennsylvania Department of Education

• Ebony Taylor, Director, Student Support Services, Pittsburgh Public Schools

• Kaitlyn Nykwest, Vice President of Operations, HCEF

📍 Energy Innovation Center
🕙 10:00 to 11:30 AM

When we understand more, we can do more. YOU CAN!

🔗 RSVP: https://homelesschildrenseducationfund.salsalabs.org/youcan2026/index.html

10/07/2026

10/07/2026

PITTSBURGH SHOWED UP. 💙

120+ people.
One crisp Pittsburgh morning.
Three powerful minutes.

We held their faces.
We shared their stories.
We made visible what too often remains hidden.

And standing with us were Congresswoman Summer Lee, Mayor Corey O’Connor and Abigail Horn of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, who read the words of our young people from Echoes of Brilliance and joined us for our press conference.

To every person who came out to STAND UP for children and young people experiencing homelessness, THANK YOU.

This is what community looks like.

And we are just getting started.

GATHER. DONATE. ADVOCATE.
YOU CAN.

10/07/2026

PITTSBURGH SHOWED UP. 💙

120+ people.
One crisp Pittsburgh morning.
Three powerful minutes.

We held their faces.
We shared their stories.
We made visible what too often remains hidden.

And standing with us were Rep. Summer Lee, Mayor Corey O'Connor and Abigail Horn of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, who read the words of our young people from Echoes of Brilliance and joined us for our press conference.

To every person who came out to STAND UP for children and young people experiencing homelessness, THANK YOU.

This is what community looks like.

And we are just getting started.

GATHER. DONATE. ADVOCATE.
YOU CAN.

10/07/2026

10/05/2026

TOMORROW. THREE MINUTES. WILL YOU STAND WITH US?

We’re gathering at the City-County Building to make visible what youth homelessness too often hides.

A couch.
A motel room.
Someone else’s home.
Moving from place to place.

During our three minute demonstration, Rep. Summer Lee, County Executive Sara Innamorato and Mayor Corey O'Connor will share three stories from young people who have lived these realities. After that, we will transition to the press conference.

Because homelessness does not have one face. And thousands of young people in our community deserve to be seen.

Join us tomorrow, Tuesday, October 6.

Link Below 👇

GATHER. DONATE. ADVOCATE.
YOU CAN.

10/01/2026

We are incredibly proud. ❤️

HCEF President & CEO AJ Jefferson has been named one of the New Pittsburgh Courier’s 2026 Standout Nonprofit Leaders!

AJ is recognized alongside 24 extraordinary Black leaders whose work is strengthening communities across our region.

We see every day the heart she brings to HCEF and her unwavering belief in the brilliance of the young people we serve.

Congratulations, AJ, and congratulations to all 25 honorees and their organizations. We are proud to stand among you! ❤️