An Update from Jenna

“Hey everyone,

February was a tough month for our community. Like many of you, we’ve been grappling with the reality of increased violence and intimidation toward immigrants and refugees across the country and here in our own neighborhoods, and trying to assess what it means for the safety of the young people and families we work alongside. With guidance from trusted partners locally and across the state, we’ve returned to some of the tools we relied on during the pandemic, shifting parts of our programming to a hybrid model so we can meet both virtually and in person when it’s safe to do so, with additional layers of security in place. Our team has been adapting quickly—pivoting plans, staying in closer communication with parents, and making sure families have access to information about their rights and how to prepare for potential interactions with immigration enforcement. It has also meant paying closer attention to policy developments, learning as much as we can, and doing both short- and long-term scenario planning to ensure our programs remain steady and responsive.

At the same time, we are continuing the work that matters most: showing up for our students with honesty, care, and consistency. That means acknowledging the realities they are navigating while still holding space to celebrate life, play, learn, and support them in pursuing their goals. We remain committed to doing what we do best—being nimble in our work, thoughtful in our communication, and deeply present in our relationships.

And even in a month shaped by uncertainty, there have been many moments and opportunities that have us celebrating:

We accepted an invitation to be a partner with 59th Carnegie International where, alongside other inspiring organizations, we’re helping to shape how the exhibition can be a resource across communities
On Thursday, March 5th, one of our students, Bahati Wilondja, was recognized by the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh as this year’s Illuminate Youth Leader for her work as a young leader with Open Field and ARYSE
After their debut at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, two of our students who have formed a dabke group were invited to perform at 1Hood’s event: One Fair Wage and Next 250, a town-hall gathering for a national journey to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of United States, rooted in justice, belonging, and interdependence.
On February 23rd, the Turkish Cultural Center hosted our team for an iftar dinner to join them in celebrating the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan Mubarak to all who celebrate!

I hope you continue reading to hear more of these stories and moments of joy from our team. If you’re looking for ways to support organizations like ours who are supporting immigrant communities, we’re always grateful for your donations and willingness to volunteer. We are honored to do this work.

With gratitude,

Jenna Baron (she/her), Executive Director

The Beloved Community

The month of February is dedicated to honoring the triumphs, struggles, legacies, and contributions of African Americans throughout U.S. history, and we are so grateful that this year, we had the honor of celebrating the incredible legacy of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater annual event, this year titled: The Beloved Community.

Our students were invited to perform to honor the vibrancy of immigrant communities in Pittsburgh as well as to honor shared struggle and resistance across the globe. We were so proud of our two student performers who danced the dabke alongside youth from the Hill Dance Academy Theater. In addition to the show, the amazing artist and recipient of this year's Illuminate Youth Leader Award, Bahati Wilondja, had a table displayed with her art!

Thank you to our friends at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater for including our work and our students in this beautiful celebration of community, culture, and joy. And thank you to Randall Coleman from Redd Vision for sharing these beautiful photos with us!

Program Updates

After School Club

"After an overly snowy few weeks, After School Club was able to launch for the semester at the beginning of February. This month we spent time supporting students with their homework and building technology skills before we launched a unit focused on job-search skills. In response to many of the students’ goals set at the beginning of the school year, we have also offered individual support for students as they explore potential job opportunities and complete applications.

As the semester moves forward, we will continue to offer support and share opportunities as many of the students look for summer employment. In March, we will begin the next block of programming on career exploration and post-secondary options available to students after they graduate high school."

-Mike Sirera (he/him), Program Manager

Girls Art and Maker Group

"For our February session, Girls Group had a special overlap with Valentine’s Day! We spent this time checking in on how students were feeling and responding to any questions they had. For the first portion of the day Zuly led us through an exploration of community and love. We talked about the ways we show up for the people around us and the ever-expanding definitions of love. It was great to hear the ways that students take care of themselves and their preferences in the variety of relationships they have.

We finished the day making cards together that we could share with someone around us. I’m grateful for the continued collaboration of Zuly and happy we could remind students of their loving communities and the support network we are trying to build. I look forward to our next session and extend gratitude to all the volunteers, staff and students that make this possible."

-Erica Hughes (she/they), Program Manager

Youth Steering Committee

"This month, members of the YSC had a joint programming day with students in the Post-Secondary Mentorship Program! Together, we explored the topic of Anticipating and Overcoming Challenges in Education, which felt especially timely that week. Students had conversations about the personal assets, skillsets, and experiences that they can pull from to solve problems they encounter. We also talked about strategies for identifying and utilizing resources outside of ourselves (e.g., friends, family, teachers, community-based organizations). One of the most important takeaways from this session that I hope students had was that they are part of a network of people who are here to support them in reaching their goals – they are not alone.

I’m always grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with other program managers, especially Dakota, and especially in moments where so much feels uncertain. We are also excited to continue building ways to come together as we plan for our first student-organized Iftar dinner to celebrate Ramadan."

-Meg Booth (she/her), Youth Education and Advocacy Specialist

Post-Secondary Support

"Our joint session with YSC was a great way to feel connected—as a community of students, staff, and mentors—in spite of the feelings of isolation that winter and troubling times can often bring. This month, I’ve been especially grateful for the support of Tomi, our ARYSE Post-Secondary Ambassador, and Madeline, our social work intern, as they continue to brainstorm events and resources that keep students’ desires and experiences at the center of our work, as well as our many partners in the community (like PHEAA, the Pittsburgh Promise, and The United Way of Southwestern PA!) who are standing strong in expanding possibilities for students at ARYSE.

We wrapped up the month with a kick-off to our spring college and trade school campus visits, starting at the University of Pittsburgh. Big shout-out to Anthony from Admissions and the Pathfinders for giving us a warm welcome despite the windy day!"

-Dakota Rottino-Garilli (she/her), Program Manager

PRYSE Academy

"While winter is still hanging on in Pennsylvania, things at ARYSE are heating up in the best way! This past month has been all about connection, conversation, and continued growth. Our hiring season is officially underway, and we’ve been busy reviewing applications, hosting interviews, and meeting passionate candidates who are eager to make a difference this summer. There’s nothing more energizing than connecting with individuals who believe in the power of enrichment and youth development as much as we do.

Speaking of, we’ve been out in the community tabling at events, reconnecting with longtime partners, and sparking new conversations about collaboration and program development. Behind the scenes, we’re organizing materials and taking inventory to make sure we’re ready to hit the ground running when summer arrives. Preparation now means stronger programming later! The momentum is building and we’re grateful for every partner, applicant, and supporter who is part of this journey. As we look ahead, we welcome referrals for youth who could benefit from our programs. If you know a student who would be a great fit, please reach out - we’d love to connect!"

-Parag S. Gohel (he/him), Program Manager

February 2026 Recap