PwC Launches Leadership Development Program for Neighborhood Academy Students

PITTSBURGH, March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- PwC US today announced the launch of a new program for students of The Neighborhood Academy in Pittsburgh, PA.  The program, named 'Pathway to Promise,' is aimed at helping students increase their financial literacy skills, build leadership tools through hands-on experience, and obtain mentoring guidance from local business leaders.

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"The staff and the students at The Neighborhood Academy are extremely excited about the 'Pathway to Promise' program," said Sheila Rawlings, Development Officer for The Neighborhood Academy. "PwC's network of support will provide our hard-working youth with indispensable, hands-on training in career development and financial literacy, while providing graduating seniors with the ability to earn scholarships for textbook expenses. Thanks to the enthusiastic partnership of PwC, our students will grow into career-oriented, ambitious young men and women with the confidence to thrive among their peers in college and in the workforce."

The first event was held on March 13th, 2012 in the Pittsburgh office.  PwC Partners and staff helped facilitate the first session regarding financial literacy career exploration for The Neighborhood Academy's students and alumni.  In addition, PwC interns visited the school and helped students with math tutoring. As part of the partnership, PwC is donating funds for book scholarships to graduating seniors to help with college textbook expenses.

"We are excited about our new program for The Neighborhood Academy," said Bob McCutcheon, Managing Partner for PwC's Pittsburgh office.  "In keeping with PwC's workplace culture, the 'Pathway to Promise' program demonstrates our great desire to give back to the community and support a range of volunteer programs, including this kind of local mentoring project which helps to foster young scholars' appreciation for career opportunities in accounting. We have helped build a unique program here, which will introduce these students to today's new world of opportunity, as seen through the eyes of PwC's seasoned professionals and a host of other Pennsylvania business and community leaders." 

About The Neighborhood Academy
After successful completion of its $10 million Forging Futures Capital Campaign, The Neighborhood Academy moved onto a state-of-the-art campus in Stanton Heights in September 2011. As an independent high school designed to help low-income youth become first-generation college students, the school provides foundational support during its extended school day. Its holistic set of programs includes three meals a day, group counseling, a required after-school program and summer school, and college advisory services that begin in the 8th grade. In The Neighborhood Academy's 11th academic year, it continues to have 100% of graduates accepted to four-year colleges and universities, 90% of whom have graduated within five years or are currently matriculated.  To learn more about The Neighborhood Academy, please visit http://www.theneighborhoodacademy.org/.

About the PwC Network
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SOURCE PwC US