ABOUT | Three Rivers Youth

ABOUT THREE RIVERS YOUTH

OUR MISSION

Cropped shot of an unrecognisable group of people sitting together and stacking their hands in the middle

Three Rivers Youth accelerates the recovery of children, adults, and families from abuse, substance use, and mental health disorders.

OUR VISION

To be a leader in innovative and model programs, providing excellent, comprehensive services for at-risk youth and their families.

African American Young Loving Single Mother piggybacking sleepy cute little black Son in front of green wall

OUR HISTORY

In 1880, the foundation of Three Rivers Youth emerged as a pioneering institution, giving hope to homeless and orphaned African American children in a nation grappling with reunification. The poignant discovery of Nellie Grant, a young girl wandering the streets of Allegheny City [now Pittsburgh’s North Side], set off a series of interventions led by Reverend J.M. Fulton, the esteemed pastor of Fourth United Presbyterian Church, and Julia Blair, a compassionate civic leader and humanitarian originally from northern Ireland. With unwavering support from the Women’s Christian Association, their collaborative efforts culminated in the establishment of Pittsburgh’s Home for Colored Children.

Amidst the challenges of the early years, thirty-six ‘inmates’ [as the orphaned children were called] were welcomed into the Home during its inaugural year, yet six children succumbed to illnesses like whooping cough and pneumonia. That year, Blair’s meticulous annual report illuminated the resilience of the Home’s inhabitants, detailing successful reintegration efforts for some children into their familial or adoptive settings. A dedicated team, including a matron, teacher, nurse, cook, and laundress, along with the invaluable assistance of older children, ensured the Home’s daily operations.

By 1890, the Home for Colored Children flourished with the generous support of benefactors like Jane Holmes and Mary Hogg Brunot, esteemed members of the Women’s Christian Association. Their contributions, alongside those of other notable donors such as Mrs. James H. McKee, George K. Stevenson’s Specialty Grocery, Mrs. C.C. Courtney, and Mrs. S.E. Aiken sustained the Home’s vital mission. In 1891, the Colored Orphan Asylum on Termon Avenue saw its population peak at 71 inmates, reflecting the growing demand for its services. In response to this need, a new building was procured at 2051 Termon Avenue in 1893, providing expanded facilities to accommodate the Home’s burgeoning clientele.

By 1946, the Community Chest of Allegheny County, precursor to today’s United Way of Allegheny County, emerged as a pivotal force in centralizing fundraising efforts and bolstering philanthropic endeavors. This organizational consolidation paved the way for the proposed merger between the Home for Colored Children and the Girls Service Club in the 1960s, as recommended by the Child Welfare League of America.

The merger process, though fraught with challenges, culminated in the official amalgamation of the two organizations on May 27, 1970. Jane Freeland [known as ‘Pittsburgh Jane’], a dedicated board member of the Termon Avenue Home, assumed the chairmanship of the rebranded entity, Three Rivers Youth. Supported by a core of courageous and compassionate women, including Elizabeth Dickey, Cecile Springer, Louise Ford, and Ginny Thornburgh, Three Rivers Youth embarked on a new chapter of service, steadfast in its commitment to providing equitable access to quality care and programming for at-risk youth populations.

As custodians of the legacy forged by their predecessors, Three Rivers Youth continues to pioneer the path of compassion and resilience, a tribute to an enduring focus on community and service. Through their unwavering dedication, they ensure that the flame of hope ignited in 1880 continues to burn brightly, illuminating the lives of countless individuals and families for generations to come.

OUR COMMITMENT

TRY proudly advances a comprehensive commitment to aid vulnerable youth, boasting a distinguished record of leadership with achievements acknowledged at local, state, and national levels. TRY boasts client success rates that exceed national and regional benchmarks with school attendance at 97%, truancy abatement at 71%, and a 100% high school graduation rate that has held since 2013. Over 70% of the children in care eventually return to their family of origin or a less restrictive setting.

The organization’s longevity is a fitting tribute to the valiant efforts and tenacity of several generations of devoted patrons, directors, and staff, most of them women. Excellence in management and service delivery is further evidenced by an extensive portfolio of contracts with city, county, state, and federal agencies. We are one of only 12 agencies in Allegheny County [Pennsylvania] accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Services to Children and Families [COA], operating as a COA-accredited agency since 2001 and as a Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare-licensed organization since 1951. For more than half a century, we have distinguished our organization as a United Way high-performing partner agency, exemplifying the United Way’s commitment to financial integrity and operational accountability.

In 2005, celebrating its 125th anniversary, TRY launched its inaugural signature fundraising event, the Nellie Leadership Awards—an annual event recognizing noteworthy institutional and individual contributions to community engagement, education, advocacy, and healthcare on behalf of vulnerable at-risk youth in the Greater Pittsburgh region. A scholarship fund for at-risk youth was established with support from Duquesne Light Company. That same year, the multimedia exhibition and partner publication From Colored Orphans to Youth Development, was curated and presented by the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Public Affairs at the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. TRY’s archive of papers, photographs, and artifacts featured in the exhibition were donated to the History Center, where the collection is partially catalogued and available for scholarly research.

On September 25, 2013, TRY was among eight child welfare organizations honored by Allegheny County [Pennsylvania] in a Celebration of Milestones, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the placement of responsibility for child protection under the auspices of the county executive, separate from the county’s juvenile court system, where jurisdiction has fallen prior. This same year, TRY also celebrated the 75th anniversary of the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work offering a child welfare degree specialization. The event was a key component to opening a special anniversary week, during which a yearlong celebration commemorating the 225th anniversary of Allegheny County and the 125th anniversary of the County Courthouse were launched. In 2025, TRY celebrated its 145th anniversary.

Please contact Tara Beichner at 412.441.5020 or tara.beichner@threeriversyouth.org for a copy of Three Rivers Youth’s current Annual Report.

OUR LEADERSHIP

Peggy Brower Harris, MPA

THREE RIVERS YOUTH PRESIDENT | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Peggy Brower Harris has served as our president and CEO since 2000. She has been instrumental in leading our organization.

Mrs. Harris has created a legacy of leadership and service that has touched countless lives, fortified our organization, and lifted up the communities we serve. Her ability to navigate complex challenges with grace and determination has been instrumental in leading us steadfastly toward continued growth and success.

Mrs. Harris received the 2012 Distinguished Alumna Award from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, and the esteemed 2013 Allerton Lifetime Achievement Award from YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh. These accolades underscore Mrs. Harris’ distinguished career, marked by many honors and accomplishments.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers