Community Corner
FUSE Fundraiser Celebrates Third Year of Supporting Wilkinsburg Youth
The after-school and summer program helps disadvantaged young people improve academically and advance college and career goals.
Local residents have a chance to support an organization that is supporting the educational needs of high school students in Wilkinsburg and the surrounding area.
A fall fundraiser benefitting FUSE Pittsburgh, Inc., is planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at the home of Dr. Amanda Godley and Dr. Ken Fisher, 1348 Denniston St. in Squirrel Hill.
FUSE Pittsburgh is an after-school and summer program helping disadvantaged young people improve academically and advance their college and career goals.
Christine Carnevali, a former Wilkinsburg High School teacher, founded FUSE and along with other volunteers, has been mentoring students and providing them with the tools they need to pursue a positive path forward in life.
According to the organization, Wilkinsburg’s public schools serve one of the poorest communities in the region and are consistently ranked among the lowest performing schools in the state.
Every senior who participated in FUSE this past year graduated and, with FUSE’s support, has gone on either to college or jobs.
FUSE students have been exposed to volunteers from all walks of life and programs in partnership with leading universities including the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon and Penn State.
FUSE programs also include the arts, environmental information, literacy and math tutoring. Students also receive help with their resumes and support as they seek summer internships and full time jobs.
“Many of the young people we work with live in circumstances that present serious challenges,” Carnevali, executive director, said in a news release.
“But they want to learn, they want to grow, they want to express themselves and be exposed to new things. Like all children, they should feel free to dream about their futures. With the right kind of support – which FUSE is trying to provide – they can rise above these circumstances and achieve those dreams.”
FUSE students will attend the fundraiser and mix with supporters, who will also be entertained by Miguel Sague and his Latin Trio and enjoy hors d’oeuvres donated by some of Pittsburgh finest restaurants.
Anyone wishing to attend the event can RSVP at www.tinyurl.com/fusefundraiser and donate online via PayPal.
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