Why the Y?
Why the Y?
The Collegiate YMCA develops cause-driven leaders while connecting campus to community–and that’s what we’ve been doing on Pittsburgh college campuses for more than 100 years.
What makes us different?
Unlike what many think of when conjuring images of the local Y, a pool, gymnasium and health and wellness center, our branch has programming that reaches beyond the boundaries of four walls and into the fabric of the Pittsburgh community. We’re student centered and dedicated to developing cause-driven leaders.
What makes us strong?
Many things–dedicated cause-driven college and high school volunteers who served more than 30,000 hours last year working toward a common goal in the community, people helping each other, a strong sense of values and the feeling that we all belong. Every day, the Y works side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
Collegiate Chronicle Global Newsletter
Get Involved
Get Involved
The YMCA needs committed, connected volunteers to lend us support in any way they can. In particular, the Collegiate Y seeks enthusiastic and upbeat students to make a positive impact in the local community as well as globally.
Apply Now!
Hear a Volunteer’s Story
Clearance Instructions
Internships
YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh Internship Program is looking for qualified, capable University students seeking hands on, real world experience during the summer, fall and spring semesters. The Collegiate YMCA places students in locations across the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh Association to work with professionals in order to gain valuable skills and experiences in their field.
Executive Council and Program Leaders
Join the Collegiate Y as part of the Executive Council and Program Leaders of the student organization, housed at the University of Pittsburgh. Council members and leaders organize monthly projects in the Pittsburgh area to promote healthy living, social responsibility and youth development. With many positions available, it is easy to join and make a commitment based on the time you have available and your area of interest.
AmeriCorps
The Collegiate YMCA at University of Pittsburgh’s campus is looking for dedicated leaders to serve as AmeriCorps volunteers. Positions as Community Fellows and Scholars in Service are available for the 2013-2014 academic year. AmeriCorps volunteers commit 300 or 450 hours of service and receive an Education Award of $1100+. Work study positions are available.
AmeriCorps volunteers with The Collegiate YMCA work with at-risk K12 youth in schools and after-school programs. You will have to work in nearby communities like the Hill District, Homewood, Hazelwood, Lawrenceville and Friendship. AmeriCorps volunteers support academic achievement and Healthy Eating & Physical Activity (HEPA) programs.
Check out our Fact Sheet for quick info on what it means to be an AmeriCorps member.
How to Become an AmeriCorps Member:
1. Fill out this simply online application here. Applications are accepted until June 5th, 2013.
2. Submit your resume and cover letter, including 2 references, to collegiate@ymcapgh.org , please put “AmeriCorps” in the subject line.
3. Attend a group interview. Students should complete the online application before their interview.
4. Accepted applicants will be notified by email.
5. Once you have been accepted, complete either the Community Fellows Enrollment Packet or the Scholars in Service Enrollment Packet. Please fill the packet out online and then print the entire packet, single sided. You will also need to apply for Pennsylvania Criminal Registry Check, ChildLine Child Abuse Clearance, the National Sex Offender Registry Search and FBI Clearance by June 14th, 2013. Please use these Clearance Instructions (if you already have any of these clearances, they will be accepted if dated after August 22, 2012).
Tutors and Mentors
Connect campus to community with the Collegiate Y in our tutor and mentor program. By working with youth in the Pittsburgh area, volunteers provide the support and resources the students need to learn, grow and thrive. This rewarding experience helps volunteers build new relationships and interpersonal skills.
Work Study
Need work experience during the school year? The Collegiate Y offers students the opportunity to gain work experience while bettering their community. Work study is open to any local university student in good academic standings who is willing to make a time commitment of 10-20 hours per week.
Required Background Checks if Volunteering with Children:
- PA Criminal History Background Check
- Childline Child Abuse Clearance
- FBI Background Check
- National Sex Offender Public Registry Search Results
Day Camp
Oakland YMCA Day Camp
June 10 – August 23, 2013
Monday through Friday
7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Located at the First Baptist Church of Pittsburgh 159 N. Bellefield Avenue at Bayard Street in Oakland. Rising grades K-7 or ages 5-13.
The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh camps provide an excellent setting for your child to build friendships and to grow, learn and play. You’ll find our experienced Camp Counselors offer children a variety of imaginative activities that nurture children’s spirits, challenge their minds and strengthen their bodies. Camping activities reinforce the values of caring,
honesty, respect, and responsibility and are age appropriate. They include swimming, arts and crafts, healthy active play and field trips. Our weekly themes provide a basis for activities that help children learn about themselves and the world around them.
Our swim lessons are closed for session I and session 2. Additionally, Day Camp weeks 1, 2, 3, and 6 are full!
In an effort to encourage healthy living from a young age, our day camp is soda free!
Day Camp Newsletters
Camp Forms
- Day Camp Enrollment Packet
- Day Camp Guide for Parents
- Day Camp FAQs
- Building Bridges Application 2013
- Clearance Instructions
- Swim Lesson Paperwork - Session 1 is closed, Session 2 is waitlisted – please contact the office to be placed on the waitlist.
Events
Calendar
2013 Calendar
Upcoming Events
Spring Clean
Spring Clean is the YMCA’s spring fundraiser. This service project recruits volunteers to serve at sites in the community to perform chores, yardwork, organizing or any other household tasks needed. Community members can register their home or site for Spring Clean at: tinyurl.com/YMCASpringClean. Sites donate $100 towards the Collegiate YMCA’s Building Bridges Campaign. This program helps send children to a summer camp in an effort to provide them with opportunities for growth and betterment at a tender age in a safe, controlled environment. Register for Spring Clean!
Spring Clean Printable Flyer
Give Back
FEELS GOOD TO DO GOOD
“The Y has added a new major to my college education: public service.”
Nicole Pawloski is a student at University of Pittsburgh and serves as a Student Leader and volunteer at the Collegiate Y. On January 4th-10th, she attended the YMCA Campus Partnership Conference in New Orleans. At the conference, Nicole experienced a deep revelation that opened her eyes to all the possibilities for her future in service.
“I’ve realized that we are all in this world together,” reflected Nicole. “We’re here to help one another, lend a hand where needed and support each other despite our differences. We are here to come together to make not just Pittsburgh—but the world—a safer, healthier and better place for every human being. For the rest of my life I want to continue to be part of a movement that works to make this possible.”
Each day the Y has a chance to make a difference in the lives of students like Nicole, but we can’t do it without you. Your gift helps fund programs so students can grow to their fullest potential.
Support from the Community
Want to get involved but don’t have much spare time? Busy schedules often prohibit people from being as involved in the community as they would like. The Y is always looking for personal or corporate donations whether they are monetary, material, or even food and drink for events. Don’t hesitate to contact us to find out how you can support our events, programs and branch development!
What One Gift Can Do
$1000
Allows 25 high school students to attend four diverse service events, providing the tools and support they need to breakdown race, geographic, and socio-economic barriers.
$550
Enriches the lives of 6 college students to prepare and sustain service to help 120 K-12 children improve their academic success, stay healthy and active.
$350
Provides a child or teen from a low-income family with a YMCA Youth Membership and two weeks of summer camp experiences, giving them a place to learn from positive role models—and a place to belong.
$150
Engages 10 children attending the International Festival, enhancing global and cultural awareness
$75
Gives training for 5 student program leaders and interns, becoming cause-driven leaders.
Support the YMCA and your community by donating today.
Contact Us
Address
311 Bellefield Hall,
University of Pittsburgh
315 S. Bellefield Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-648-7960
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YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh – Collegiate YMCA
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Staff
Lila de Klaver, Executive Director
Kaitlin Ewen, AmeriCorps VISTA
Global
Y-Story: Forming Bonds Abroad
Nicole has been serving in the Greater Pittsburgh Area with the Collegiate YMCA for two years. Throughout her time as an undergraduate, Nicole has volunteered in the Tutor/Mentor Program, held a position as a Y-Student Leader and completed two internships with the Collegiate YMCA. She is currently serving as an AmeriCorps.
After studying abroad at the University of Cape Town, Nicole was fortunate to have the opportunity to serve with the Cape Town YMCA. Along with three other American volunteers, Nicole and her team served a total of eleven weeks over the summer. These volunteers lived in the YMCA residence in exchange for service.
During their time at the Cape Town YMCA, Nicole and the other volunteers were given five tasks. These projects included painting the accommodation building, expanding on marketing tools, working with the Global Teen program, serve at numerous Y-Zones throughout Cape Town, and explore the culture of South Africa. Nicole recalls the experience as “humbling and eye opening.”
When Nicole returned to the United States, she wanted to continue her international service and was inspired to apply to the Peace Corps. Nicole is officially invited to serve in Mongolia with the Peace Corps as a Secondary English Education Teacher with a concentration in community development. “I feel extremely grateful for this opportunity and am excited to embark on this new journey! I am thankful for the skills and tools I have gained through my experience with the Collegiate YMCA to help prepare myself for service with the Peace Corps,” Nicole remarks. Through her work with the Collegiate YMCA, Nicole found her true passion, service.
