Our community members bring a wealth of knowledge and skills, and in order to live out their potential, they need access to opportunities for growth through communication. Our classes include individual and group learning settings, on a sliding fee scale to Westmoreland County residents.

Youth and adults deserve to know that it is never too early, or too late, to learn about local options for educational and career development, including community college, internships, jobs, and mentorship.

• Education assessments (co-created with students)
• Career guidance and planning (through qualitative interview process)
• Life skills, including budgeting, time management, study skills
• Job search, resume/cover letter writing, interview coaching, social media and networking for employment
• Keyboarding, Google Suite, online learning
• Assistance with FAFSA (Pell Grant), VASA, and community college applications
• Assistance with applications for other types of aid to low-income individuals and families
• Referrals to relevant community service organizations

As a casa do povo, or house of the people, our Institute is run by and for our community. That means that anyone, starting at age 10, can become a part of the staff of JDPI. Our volunteers are known as stewards, because they are invested in the long-term health of our Institute site. Our Junior Stewards, ages 10-13, are our youngest volunteers; they are learning, growing, and exploring every minute they are with us. Junior Stewards are only on-site when their guardians, the Director, or other Senior Stewards are around to ensure their safety. Our Youth Stewards, ages 14-20, are able to carry out many of the functions of a Senior Steward, and are acting as apprentices, assistants, and group leaders, when appropriate. Youth Stewards are only on-site when their guardians, the Director, or other Senior Stewards are around to ensure their safety. Our Senior Stewards, ages 21 and beyond, are able to run our gift shop, open and lock up for visitors, and mentor Junior and Youth Stewards. The goal of the JDPI Stewardship program is to nurture meaningful relationships, distribute investment in our Institute among diverse members of our local community, and grow local leaders for the Institute, one of whom may wish to step into the Director role when the current Director retires.

Benefits of serving as a JDPI Steward: serving as a mentor or mentee to another steward, receiving free JDPI merchandise every 20 hours of service, receiving a stipend at graduation after completing Steward training and 20 service hours each year, lifetime letters of recommendation from the Director, use of Institute resources, leadership development, and a voice in planning on the JDPI Board.

JDPI Steward Responsibilities: completing full Junior, Youth, or Senior Steward training; serving 20 hours; working collaboratively with other Stewards, visitors, and community members.