The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center

The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center supports the early learning needs of young children, families, and early educators in the Homewood communities.

The Hub & Family Center offers:

  • developmentally appropriate activities for children from birth to age nine;
  • individual and group support for parents to set and meet goals for their family; and
  • professional growth opportunities for center-, family-, and home-based early learning programs, and relative-providers.

The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center is a community resource of Trying Together.

Location

The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center merged together with the former operations at the Homewood-Brushton Family Center and The Homewood Early Learning Hub under one roof at 7219 Kelly Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208. This change brings with it exciting new opportunities for serving the community in Homewood.

Families

A child’s home is the first and most influential environment in their development. Recognizing this, we collaborate in meaningful ways with families of young children to support this critical learning period in their lives.

As the lead organization for The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center, Trying Together helps to foster responsive and caring family-child interactions through innovative programming and strategies.

Groups

Please visit our events calendar to view information about upcoming sessions.

Story time at the Hub! is an interactive story time geared toward children birth to five years of age and their families!

  • Tummy Time | Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. (beginning 09/04/24)

Tummy Time provides caregivers and pre-walking infants an opportunity to socialize in a safe and welcoming setting.

Book Babies Story Time provides dedicated story time to for children as well as encourages play, nurturing, and such activities as crafts.

This bonding experience helps pre-walkers develop the muscles they need to strengthen their physical, emotional, social, and gross motor development. Families can also build a social network, providing an opportunity for caregivers to bond and support one another.

  • Drop-In Playtime | Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (11 a.m. – 1 p.m. beginning 09/04/24)

Drop-in play hours offer a fun and safe space for children to grow, learn, and play while building social skills. Caregivers must stay with their children. Hub staff are available for support.

Are you a parent or caregiver in need of self-care? Women’s Rap provides a safe place for communication, encouragement, and reflection. Join us for a group discussion to build your confidence, gratitude, and supportive relationships with other women.

For more information, contact Nicole Banner at nicole@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your networks.

Need a family fun Friday night? Join families at The Homewood Early Learning Hub and Family Center for a night of fun-filled games and activities. Parents and caregivers can explore ways to interact with their children to promote growth through play.

For more information, contact Nicole Banner at nicole@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your networks.

Buzzword

Buzzword excites children ages 0-5 and their families as they discover the words that are all around them. Through talk and play about math, science, and art, families can expand their young children’s vocabulary and conversation skills. The program engages families and community organizations in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood and the greater community.

The Buzzword collaborative consists of partner organizations with expertise in the arts and sciences. They provide interactive learning opportunities that encourage imagination, investigation, creation, and reflection for families. This initiative is supported by PNC Grow Up Great® and the Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

Please contact Katie Kohlmiller, Early Literacy Strategist, at buzzword@tryingtogether.org for information on participating in Buzzword.

Early Educators

High-quality child care is essential to early childhood development. Through our work with community partners, families, and local early care and education professionals at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center, we provide a place for the community to gather, learn, and play.

Homewood Child Care Alliance

Are you looking for an opportunity to receive support from other providers, access new resources, and increase the quality of your child care program? Join the Homewood Child Care Alliance (HCCA)!

Now recruiting family/group child care providers to participate in a supportive and dedicated community, the HCCA enhances child care quality through shared services and professional development. Together, we support positive child interactions and connect the provider community to expanded resources.

Benefits:

  • professional development hours;
  • shared purchasing options;
  • mentoring opportunities;
  • networking opportunities with other program participants;
  • curriculum and planning support; and
  • family engagement strategies and events.

For more information, please contact Jayme Jordan at jayme@tryingtogether.org.

Community

Homewood Early Learning Steering Committee

The Homewood Early Learning Steering Committee (HELSC) brings community organizations and individuals together in a shared vision of equitable opportunities for education, services, and resources that provide children a strong foundation for lifelong learning and development as engaged and empowered Homewood residents. The Committee leverages community strengths and collaborative partnerships across early learning, K-12 education, health and human services, financial literacy, and private sector initiatives to foster positive family outcomes and arm caregivers, educators, and other caring adults with the tools to support early learning in all community spaces.

For more information, please contact Toni Beasley at toni@tryingtogether.org.

Resources

Diaper Bank

Diapers in sizes one to six and wipes are available to families in Homewood and surrounding communities. Each family can receive up to two packs of diapers and/or pull-ups every 60 days. To schedule a time to pick up diapers and wipes, please complete the interest form. Once you have completed the form, a member of our staff will contact you to arrange a pickup. Please note that opened diapers and wipes may not be returned or exchanged.

Please share this flyer with your networks.

Formula Bank

The Homewood Early Learning Hub and Family Center is partnering with The Greater Pittsburgh Infant Formula Bank to provide formula to families in need. Families can receive 12 standard cans of infant formula per year with no more than two standard cans per visit. A visit is defined as one service within a 24-hour period.

Learn More

For more information about The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center, contact Toni Beasley at toni@tryingtogether.org, see our full list of staff contacts, and see our events calendar.

The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center is one of 27 Family Centers located in neighborhoods around Allegheny County. The Family Center network, first established in 1997, has recently been updated to invite a more inclusive definition of “family” to include children under 18 and their caregivers. Read more on the Family Centers website.

elementary aged young girl with face paint smiles and talks to a volunteer at an event