Huntington & Auberle: Providing pre-employment & financial literacy training
Auberle is dedicated to creating positive outcomes for all children and families
Innovation isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind when you think of nonprofit organizations, says John Lydon, CEO of Auberle. “Yet Pittsburgh Business Times named us as one of the most innovative organizations in the region last year,” he says.
Auberle has also made the list as one of the top places to work in Western Pennsylvania for five years in a row – quite an accomplishment when you consider that its 200-plus employees are the ones who landed it there. Founded in the early 1900s as a home for orphans, today Auberle is dedicated to positive outcomes for all children and families, offering services and programming that enrich lives and provide opportunity. Last year, Auberle worked with more than 3,800 young people in eight counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
“We help at-risk youth who are aging out of the foster system,” Lydon says. “We operate more than 16 different program areas, trying to impact these families any way we can.” One of Auberle's newest and largest programs is 412 Youth Zone. Auberle received the Innovation Award for this program. 412 Youth Zone provides a music studio where youth can learn about the music business and is also a place to give them a positive outlet and a voice. Other innovations include development of a video game that teaches life skills for pre-employment, and a way to earn meaningful pre-employment badges that help candidates prepare for careers.
Auberle's mission is to build solid pipelines to housing and stable jobs. Lydon says, “We do whatever our clients need to help them become employable and create bright futures.”
According to Lydon, research indicates if someone keeps a job for six months, that person will stay employed, and “it’s not just about placing people in career positions; we also have to keep them on track."
Huntington is helping Auberle with more than just its banking. The bank also presents financial literacy classes, has sponsored the organization’s annual Voices Carry fundraiser for the past 13 years, participates in the Day of Caring in which employees work on site with young people to beautify their communities and has employees who serve on the advisory board.
For more information, visit auberle.org.
About the organization
- Name: Auberle
- Website: https://www.auberle.org/
- City: Pittsburgh
- Phone: (412) 673-5800
Mission:
To help troubled children and families heal themselves
How you can help
Visit the website to make a monetary donation or volunteer your time. You can also sign up to participate in the Day of Caring, become a member, or join the NEXT group, composed of emerging leaders interested in the mission of helping at-risk children and families.
