News

December 19, 2025

Celebrating Together

Each year, Trying Together recognizes April as the Month of the Young Child (MOYC) to uplift the incredible work of early childhood educators.

New this year, join us for Celebrating Together, an evening of formal events including a VIP Reception to present the inaugural Keystone Award for Early Childhood Advocacy, followed by the 30th Annual Celebration of Early Childhood Educators Dinner, with support from PNC Grow Up Great.

Celebrating Together is currently sold out and we have enacted our waitlist.

Visit the ticket page to be added to the waitlist. You will be contacted if tickets become available.

Join the Waitlist

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Details

DATE
Thursday, April 30, 2026

TIME
• VIP Reception | 4:45 – 6:00 p.m. (registration opens at 4:30) | Bridges Ballroom
• Dinner | 5:45 – 9:00 p.m. (registration opens at 5:30) | Event Center

LOCATION
Rivers Casino
777 Casino Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

NOTE: Dinner guests are requested to arrive and be seated for opening remarks by 6:00 p.m. sharp. As an incentive, guests who are checked in and seated by this time will receive extra register-to-win tickets.

VIP Reception

VIP Reception guests will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, signature cocktails/mocktails, and networking while supporting the work of early childhood educators. As this will be a brief reception, there will be a mix of high-top and seated tables. Please indicate any accessibility needs at the time of registration.

The VIP Reception will be held from 4:45 – 6:00 p.m. (registration opens at 4:30) in the Bridges Ballroom.

Individual Ticket: $350
Group of 5 Tickets: $1,400 (a $350 discount)

NOTE: VIP Reception tickets include complimentary admission to the Dinner immediately following; please indicate during registration whether you will also attend the Dinner. All registrants must provide a unique first name, last name, and email address for their guests. Placeholder information can be used temporarily at the time of registration for unconfirmed guests but must be by Thursday, April 16, 2026. Guests under 21 must have a designated chaperone and be able to provide their information at the time of registration.

VIP Reception Host Committee

Gregg Behr & Yu-Ling Cheng | Executive Director, Grable Foundation; Director, Kidsburgh
Christina Cassotis | CEO, Allegheny County Airport Authority
Rob Cherry | CEO, Partner4Work
Senator Jay Costa | PA State Senator
Dr. Roger W. Davis | President, Community College of Beaver County
Dan Debone | President & CEO, Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Karen Feinstein | President & CEO, Jewish Healthcare Foundation
Bobbi Watt Geer, Ph.D. | President & CEO, United Way of Southwestern PA
Dr. Kathy Humphrey | President, Carlow University
Sara Innamorato | Allegheny County Executive
Bill & Mardi Isler | President and CEO Emeritus, Fred Rogers Productions; Civic Leader & Lifelong Advocate
Dusty Elias Kirk | Partner, Reed Smith LLP
Phil Koch| Vice President, Policy and Community Impact, The Pittsburgh Foundation
Shujuane L. Martin | President & CEO, The Private Industry Council

Dan Onorato | EVP and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Highmark Health
Mayor Corey O’Connor & Katie O’Connor | Mayor, Pittsburgh; Principal, Jackson Lewis
Trenna Passalacqua | Chief Executive Officer, Blueprints
David Roger | President & CEO, Hillman Foundation
Kendra Ross, Ph.D. | Director of Social Impact, Duolingo
LaTrenda Leonard Sherrill | Board President, Trying Together
Jada Shirriel | CEO, Healthy Start, Inc.
Darrell Smalley | Office Managing Partner, Global Client Service Partner – Tax, EY Pittsburgh
Matt Smith | CGO, Allegheny Conference
Paul Siefken | President & CEO, Fred Rogers Productions
Rob Vescio | Partner, C & G Strategies
Anna Adams-Sarthou & Kevin Washo | Principal, A.S. Communications & Senior Vice Chancellor for External Affairs, University of Pittsburgh
Senator Lindsey Williams | PA State Senator
Jake Witherell | COO, Schell Games

30th Annual Celebration of Early Childhood Educators Dinner

The Dinner will immediately follow the VIP Reception with hors d’oeuvres, food stations, music, register-to-win opportunities, photo booths, and more.

The Dinner will be held from 5:45 – 9:00 p.m. (registration opens at 5:30) in the Event Center.

Educator Ticket: $30
Not-for-Profit Partner Ticket: $75
General Admission Ticket: $150

NOTE: Educators will be asked to provide the name of their early learning program during registration to be eligible for the educator ticket rate. All registrants must provide a unique first name, last name, and email address for their guests. Placeholder information can be used temporarily at the time of registration for unconfirmed guests but must be by Thursday, April 16, 2026. Guests under 21 must have a designated chaperone and be able to provide their information at the time of registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What information is required for registration?
A: All registrants must provide a unique first name, last name, and email address for their guests. However, placeholder information can be used temporarily at the time of registration for unconfirmed guests, and registrants must update all guest information through their confirmation email by Thursday, April 16 at 5 p.m. Additionally, educators will be required to indicate their early learning program, and guests under 21 must provide a designated chaperone at the time of registration. Please refer to our registration guide for support.

Q: What payment methods are accepted when registering?
A: The TicketStripe platform accepts Credit/Debit Card; Apple Pay and Google Pay (when enabled on devices); and ACH payments through Stripe. If your program would prefer to be invoiced, please contact Gabby Lisella at gabby@tryingtogether.org and she can assist you with registration.

Q: Is there an minimum age requirement for this event?
A: Yes. Adults 18 and over are welcome. However, anyone under 21 must be accompanied by a designated chaperone who is 21 and over. Anyone younger than 21 must enter the Casino through The Landing Hotel entrance with their designated chaperone. When parking in the garage, guests under 21 and their chaperone will need to exit the casino and enter through the hotel entrance. Signage will be provided, and staff available for assistance. All guests should be prepared to show ID upon entry.

Q: Will there be reserved seating?
A: VIP Reception guests who are attending the Dinner will have reserved seating in the Event Center. Dinner registrants who have at least 10 confirmed guests (by April 16 at 5 p.m.) will be contacted before the event and provided with a designated table number to share with their guests. A seating chart will be available for reference the day of the event. All other available seating will be on a first come, first served basis.

Q: Will parking be available?
A: Yes! Free parking will be available in the Rivers Casino parking garage. Valet parking is also available for a $12 fee.

Q: Is there a dress code?
A: It is recommended that VIP Reception guests dress in cocktail attire. While we have never had a formal dress code for the Dinner, many have used it as an opportunity to dress up. We recognize that many people will be coming from work directly to the event. Please dress in what is most comfortable and convenient for you!

Q: Can my dietary restrictions be accommodated?
A: Yes! Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options will be available. Certified kosher meals can be made available upon request at the time of registration.

Q: What accommodations are available for accessibility needs?
A: Rivers Casino is ADA compliant. Language interpretation and audio/visual assistance can be provided upon request when indicated at the time of registration. VIP Reception and Dinner seating will be reserved for those who indicate accessibility needs at the time of registration.

Q: What is your refund policy?
A: Celebrating Together is a fundraising event to support Trying Together. No refunds will be provided after VIP Reception or Dinner registration is confirmed, or in the event of a no-show. If the event is cancelled, only VIP Reception ticket holders will receive a refund of the fair market value of their ticket ($250 dollars).

Questions?

For questions, contact Gabby Lisella, special events manager at gabby@tryingtogether.org or 412.204.6415.

Donations

The fair market values of Celebrating Together tickets are $250 ($350), and $150 for the VIP Reception and Dinner respectively. To keep the event accessible for all, and to honor early childhood educators, a $30 ticket is available to educators who designate their early learning program at the time of registration. The $100 “donation”, and $120 “donation” generated from VIP Reception and Dinner general admission tickets respectively assists Trying Together with covering costs associated with hosting this event. Trying Together welcomes donations of any amount that you are able to make in order to make both this event, and the work of Trying Together a success!

If you are interested in purchasing tickets to donate to an early educator, please contact Gabby Lisella at gabby@tryingtogether.org.

Advertising & Sponsorship Opportunities

Businesses, organizations, and individuals can purchase full-color advertisements to appear in the 2026 Celebrating Together program book. Want to honor an early childhood educator? Add their name to the Recognition List in the program book! See program book ad information to learn more.

For more information on how to sponsor the VIP Reception. please see our VIP Reception Sponsor Sheet. To sponsor the Celebration Dinner, see our Celebration Dinner Sponsor Sheet.

For questions, contact Maria Pisano, director of community relations, at maria@tryingtogether.org or 412.206.1053.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Premier
Duolingo
ELRC Region 5

Supporting
PNC
The Grable Foundation
The Heinz Endowments
University of Pittsburgh
UPMC
AT&T
Highmark Health

Advocate
Carlow University
Early Childhood Funders Alliance

Champion
Allegheny Conference

News

March 28, 2019

Work Together Wednesday’s

Join the Carnegie Science Center every Wednesday during the Month of the Young Child (April) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for a series of collaborative building activities inside of their Little Learner Clubhouse. All Little Learner Clubhouse activities are included with the purchase of general admission.

Children under the age of 2 receive free admission.

About the Little Learner Clubhouse

Aspiring scientists age 6 and under and their families are invited to explore this nature-inspired hub for free-play and hands-on activities! Located on the fourth floor of the Science Center, Little Learner Clubhouse is a colorful gallery featuring a variety of interactive exhibits designed to foster scientific curiosity, including:

The Clubhouse
The Learning Tree
The Water Table
The Tomato Stand
The Book Cove
The Baby Garden
The Button Wall

Buy Tickets and Learn More

Individuals interested in purchasing tickets online, learning more about the Little Learner Clubhouse, or viewing available ticket discounts can do so by visiting the Carnegie Science Center website. Discounts are available for Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cardholders, active military members, veterans, and more. Discounts require specific verification. Please see their website for details.

Ticket Costs:

General Admission Adult: $19.95
General Admission Adult 65+: $14.95
General Admission Child: $11.95
General Admission Child Under 2: Free
Carnegie Science Center Membership Holders: Free

News

March 19, 2019

Tech Tuesday: Food Science!

Join the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh to delve into the science of sprouting food scraps! Did you know you can “force” carrot tops, sprout avocado pits, and regrow celery? Look closely and learn about science experiments to try at home. This program is drop-in, so guests may come and go as they please! This program is designed for our youngest learners (0-5) but is suitable for all ages.

For more information, visit the event page!

News

March 1, 2019

Annual Celebration Dinner

Join Trying Together and early childhood colleagues at the Annual Celebration Dinner to celebrate the work you do for young children. Enjoy dinner, a photo booth, and prizes.

Details

Thursday, April 4, 2019
5:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Carnegie Museum of Art
4400 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Registration Is Now Closed

Individual Ticket: $12.00
Director’s Table (10 Tickets): $100

A buffet meal will be served. Please indicate at time of purchase if you require gluten-or dairy-free options or a kosher meal. Limited quantities will be available.

If you are still interested in a ticket, Trying Together may be able to accommodate the request. Please contact Sharon Seitam at 412.421.3889 or sharon@tryingtogether.org for more details.

Emcee

Charles “Chuck” Herring, EdD

Keynote Speaker

Illah R. Nourbakhsh
K&L Gates Professor of Ethics and Computational Technologies
Director CREATE Lab
Carnegie Mellon University

Honoring

PNC Grow Up Great 15th Anniversary

Questions?

Sharon Seitam, Operations Manager
412.421.3889
sharon@tryingtogether.org

News

April 2, 2018

April is Month of The Young Child

Throughout April, Trying Together will host the Month of The Young Child to focus public attention on the needs and rights of young children, their families, and the adults who interact with them.

MONTH OF THE YOUNG CHILD

In the Pittsburgh-area, Trying Together observes the Month of The Young Child by providing advocacy, resources, and events that support high-quality early learning experiences for young children.

“We look forward to recognizing the Month of The Young Child every year,” said Cara Ciminillo, Trying Together Executive Director. “During the month we take a moment to pause and reflect not only on where the early childhood field is and where we want it to go, but on the individuals who care for and educate young children each day.”

ANNUAL CELEBRATION DINNER

The Annual Celebration Dinner for early care and education professionals will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Museum of Art and host keynote speaker William (Bill) E. Strickland, Jr. of Manchester Bidwell Corporation.

“Those in the early childhood field are often underpaid and undervalued,” said Ciminillo. “I hope the opportunity to hear from someone like Mr. Strickland whose life’s work was inspired by an educator is particularly meaningful for those in attendance.”

Trying Together will also honor early childhood advocate and professional Patricia (Pat) Cobbs (posthumously) at the Dinner.

“Miss Pat used to say, ‘It’s all about the kids!”, said Ciminillo. “Whether she was advocating on behalf of young children, or managing JLC Daycare which she owned in Swissvale, Pennsylvania, her mission was always to make sure we were doing what’s best for children.”

Later in the week, Ms. Cobbs’ family will accept The Pennsylvania Association for The Education of Young Children (PennAEYC) 2018 VOICE for Children Award on her behalf on Friday, April 13 in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Ciminillo says the Dinner will be very celebratory as Trying Together completed its rebrand and released its five-year strategic plan earlier this year.

“Our board, partners, and staff invested a great deal of energy, expertise, and time into the rebrand and strategic planning process. With our refreshed look and name, and a clear path for the future, I’m looking forward to celebrating together with them and thanking those involved at the Dinner.”

Guests will enjoy a buffet dinner, photo booth, prizes, and more. This year’s dinner is now at capacity and has sold-out.

CAPITOL VISIBILITY DAY IN HARRISBURG

Trying Together staff and advocates will travel to the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg to bring attention to the unmet needs of young children statewide. Currently, 106,000 pre-k eligible 3 and 4-year-olds lack access to publicly funded programs throughout the Commonwealth. On Wednesday, April 18, 2018 staff and advocates will visit with State Legislators and ask visitors to decorate paper stacking blocks in the Rotunda.

“Everyone has an early care or education story to tell,” says Ciminillo. “As principal members of the Pre-K for PA Campaign, we are committed to bringing those stories to policymakers’ attention to ensure every child attends a high-quality pre-k program and enters kindergarten ready to succeed.”

Participants will be able to add Polaroids, draw pictures, write their stories, and decorate with stickers on the blocks. The blocks will then be stacked to visually represent the expansive impact early childhood programs have on constituents. Those interested in joining in this or other legislative visits should submit a form at tryingtogether.org.

THE HOMEWOOD BLOCK PARTY

The Homewood Block Party will be held on Saturday, April 28, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Kelly Street in front of The Homewood Early Learning Hub, a community resource of Trying Together.

“This event enables us to celebrate and connect with the children and families served through programming at the Hub and at Homewood-Brushton Family Support Center where we are the lead organization,” said Ciminillo.

The Block Party is FREE and features activities, food, performances, and resources for young children. Registration is not required. Interested vendors are asked to contact Cynthia Battle at 412-421-3889 or cynthia@tryingtogether.org.

Full details on the Month of The Young Child.

News

January 9, 2018

Month of the Young Child

First established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in 1971, the Week of the Young Child (WOYC) is an opportunity to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families, and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

Over the years, with growing interest and focus, Trying Together designated the entire month of April as the Month of the Young Child (MOYC,) a time during which the dedicated work of early educators can be promoted for the essential role that it plays in our society. The events of the last few years have demonstrated just how important it is to fund, support, and elevate the work of child care.

Trying Together has assembled a month full of opportunities to engage the children, families, and educators in early childhood settings during MOYC. Check back for additional information soon!

Events & Opportunities

Join Us In Celebrating Together

On Thursday, April 30, 2026, join us for Celebrating Together, an evening of formal events including a NEW VIP Reception to present the inaugural Governor Josh Shapiro Keystone Award for Early Childhood Advocacy followed by the 30th Annual Celebration of Early Childhood Educators Dinner with support from PNC Grow Up Great.

Thursday, April 30, 2026
VIP Reception | 4:45 – 6:00 p.m. | Bridges Ballroom
Dinner | 5:45 – 9:00 p.m. | Event Center

Rivers Casino
777 Casino Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, signature cocktails/mocktails, and networking at the VIP Reception while supporting the work of early childhood educators. The Dinner will immediately follow with register-to-win opportunities, photo booths and more. Guests may choose to attend one or both events.

Registration is now open! Get your tickets by April 16, 2026.

To sponsor the VIP Reception and/or Dinner, or to place an ad in the program book, please see our MOYC Sponsor Sheet and program book ad PDFs for more information. For questions, contact Maria Pisano, director of community relations, at maria@tryingtogether.org.

Participate in The NAEYC Week of the Young Child (WOYC)

NAEYC has announced that the WOYC will run from April 11 -17, 2026. Check back on this page soon for information on The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center’s WOYC events during WOYC.

To learn more about WOYC, daily themes, and activity resources, visit NAEYC’s WOYC webpage.

The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center will host daily activities for the Week of the Young Child

Musical Monday: Open House
April 13 from 4 pm-6:30 pm
Families are invited to an open house at the Homewood Hub & Family Center featuring musical activities courtesy of Playnotes Pgh. Food, refreshments, and fun for the whole family! Come and learn about the Center and have some fun!
Tasty Tuesday, Storytime at the Hub
April 14th from 10:30 am-11:15 am
Join our weekly Storytime at the Hub for a special, fun, food-themed Dinosaur Experience! Raaawr!
Work Together Wednesday: Drop-In Play
April 15th: 11 am-1 pm
The Hub is teaming up with special guest Holy Cross Homewood & Reading is Fundamental(RIF) Storymobile for a joint storytime and activity during drop-in play hours. After the activity, families are welcome to Stay and play!
Family Collage Thursday
April 16th at either 10 am-12 pm or 3 pm-5 pm to add to the collage!
Join the Hub & Family Center Staff to help create a special Center collage featuring artistic creations and family photos! Feel free to bring printed photos of your family! The finished collage will be displayed inside the Center!
Family Fun Night Friday: Line Dancing w/ Attack Theatre
April 17th from 6 pm-7:30 pm
Enjoy an evening of fun, food, and line dancing featuring special guest Attack Theatre as we close out the Week of the Young Child in style with a movement-based Family Fun Night! Registration is required – register here

Submit Your MOYC-in-a-Box Requests

Trying Together is now accepting requests from child care programs to receive a box of Month of the Young Child (MOYC) materials. Boxes will be mailed or delivered to programs by their Quality Coach before April 1, 2026. The request form is now closed.

Attend the Student Affiliate Dinner

The Annual Student Affiliate Dinner will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Westmoreland County Community College in collaboration with Carlow University. Registration is now open.

Attend the PennAEYC VOICE for Children Celebration

Join PennAEYC (the Pennsylvania affiliate for NAEYC) for their annual 2026 Voice for Children Awards taking place on Friday, April 10, 2026 at the Hershey Lodge from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Early bird and regular registration will open in January 2026. Save the date, and check PennAEYC’s website for additional event details.

Indiana County’s Week of the Young Child

The Week of the Young Child will kick off on Saturday, April 11 with a proclamation at the Indiana County Courthouse. This will be followed by a walk to the Indiana Free Library. Children’s activities – including storytime, crafts, and a STEAM Play Day – will be offered at the event, which begins at 10 a.m. For more information on the event, check out this flyer from the Children’s Advisory Commission of Indiana County.

Butler County Week of the Young Child: Early Learning is Dino-Mite!

Butler County will celebrate the Week of the Young Child with Early Learning is Dino-Mite!, which will run from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 at The Monarch Training Institute, located at 100 Brugh Avenue in Butler.

The free event, which is aimed at children from birth to grade school, will include four live programs, music therapy, dinosaur yoga, storytime, free books, prizes, snacks, and a photo opportunity with a dinosaur. Every family that attends will receive a copy of Ame Dyckman’s “Don’t Blow Your Top.”

For more information, check out the event’s flyer.

Share Your Celebrations With Us

Follow Trying Together on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn! If you’re hosting a Month of the Young Child or Week of the Young Child celebration, tag us on social media with the hashtags #TryingTogether and #MOYC2026.

Community College of Allegheny County Career Fair

The Community College of Allegheny County will hold a career fair from noon to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29 in the gym of its Allegheny campus.

Employers that will attend the fair include Aflac, Allegheny County, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, City of Pittsburgh, Concordia Visiting Nurses, Dollar Bank, Giant Eagle, JCC of Greater Pittsburgh, Metro One LPSG, Nordstrom, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Sheetz, St. Clair Health, Trying Together, United States Army, WQED, and others.

Students can register for the fair and view the full list of employers by logging into their Handshake account by using their CCAC username and password.

Share Your Part of NAEYC’s Story

NAEYC is celebrating its centennial this year and marking the milestone by collecting the stories that have shaped early childhood education. During 2026, NAEYC will celebrate the Year of Reflections, which will give educators an invitation to share their memories and the moments that made them who they are as an educator as well as their dreams for the next generation. Those interested in participating can share their story online.