Honoring and recognizing the Philadelphia Youth Network ("PYN") as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Honoring and recognizing the Philadelphia Youth Network (“PYN”) as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Youth Network (“PYN”) was established in 1999 with a visionary mission to address the significant challenges facing young people in Philadelphia, including high youth unemployment and disconnection from education and the workforce; and WHEREAS, A coalition of dedicated leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors came together with a shared belief in the vital importance of empowering the City’s youth for their future and for the future of Philadelphia. This coalition recognized that providing meaningful opportunities for youth was crucial to fostering their growth and success; and WHEREAS, Co-founded and initially directed by Dr. Stacey Holland, who is now the Executive Director of Elevate 215, PYN has achieved national acclaim as a leader in positive youth development and career-connected learning. The organization has successfully connected over 260,000 young people, ages 12-24, to year-round internships, training programs, and out-of-school time opportunities; and WHEREAS, Through its efforts, PYN has injected more than $90 million into the local economy via youth wages and incentives, demonstrating a profound impact on both individual lives and the broader community. From 2003 to 2023, PYN served as the City’s summer youth employment program intermediary and continues to offer direct service delivery, adapting to the evolving needs o…