Dr. Phillip Birdine
Learning Center
The Dr. Phillip Birdine Learning Center will bring a multitude of services to the Sheraden community and the city of Pittsburgh. The 60,000 square foot Learning Center includes a day program for special needs adults and an afterschool program for youth in grades K-12.
The Learning Center also houses the Jerome Bettis Gym which seats 220 spectators to be utilized for activities including volleyball, wrestling, corn-hole, table tennis, yoga, and much more. The state-of-the-art kitchen will provide freshly prepared meals and snacks to all who attend its programs.
The Mission of the Learning Center
The Dr. Phillip Birdine Learning Center is a client-centered, family-oriented facility designed to foster academic, social, and physical growth in the Sheraden community and the city of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Birdine was a pioneer and made groundbreaking efforts in education. A veteran of the United States Army, Dr. Birdine would later become the 5th President of Western Oklahoma State College. He was the first and only African American President of a college or university in the entire state of Oklahoma, (excluding an HBCU). After 40 years of dedicated service, Dr. Phillip Birdine retired as President of Western Oklahoma State College in 2018.
Programs
The programs offered at The Dr. Phillip Birdine Learning Center are fun-filled growth experiences for K-12 youth throughout the year. They will build on the strengths of the youth, focus on their needs, and give them opportunities to develop leadership, decision-making skills, and strong, positive relationships with peers and adults. The program areas of focus are:
Using both traditional and interactive methods, our goal is to positively influence academic performance. In our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Lab, youth can look forward to hands-on learning opportunities that challenge critical thinking. In our state-of-the-art computer lab, coding and other applications will be mastered.
Community Service projects provide an enriching experience for youth that connects them to their community and instill feelings of empowerment.
Life Skills training will include personal hygiene, cooking, managing a home, financial literacy & budgeting. In “The Hangout,” our youth-centered lounge, young people can put those social skills to good use as they enjoy socializing with one another.
Our focus will be on improving self-esteem, social skills, and leadership skills. At the Learning Center, the youth will be engaged in mentoring, both guided and peer.
The nutrition program is in a unique position to improve youth health outcomes, as we serve a population most at risk for making poor nutritional choices. Our commercially equipped kitchen will provide freshly prepared meals and snacks to all who attend our programs.
The Jerome Bettis Gym and stage area will be used to promote and increase self-confidence, and emotional and physical well-being. The gym will also be utilized for many activities including volleyball, basketball, and yoga.
“We believe that families can thrive when provided opportunities and appropriate services. We strive to provide innovative programs and experiences in a safe, secure, and nurturing environment.”