Philadelphia Youth Network

Founded in 1999, the Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) has played a pivotal role in the development and empowerment of Philadelphia's youth. At its core, PYN was established to be a collaborative effort to address the multifaceted challenges faced by young individuals in the city.

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Starting as a small non-profit organization, PYN has grown into an independent, citywide entity, putting more than 250,000 youth to work in internships, training programs, and out-of-school time programs, infusing more than $51 million into the local economy through wages paid to youth, launching seven industry pipeline programs to enhance education in high-growth and high-earning careers, and coordinating services for over 140 youth-serving organizations.

Our Approach

PYN works to prepare young people for career success by supporting programs that directly serve them and the evolving needs of employers. Through this dual approach, we hope to tackle systemic issues, increase equality in the workforce, and eliminate poverty in Philadelphia.

Driving Data For Change

To improve outcomes for teens and young adults in Philadelphia, PYN has worked with partners to build data sets focused on better understanding Philadelphia's youth population, their connection to career and academic opportunities, and their needs. Our data-based initiatives are driven by chartering research, fielding surveys, and hosting interviews to inform our work and make a maximum impact.

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Over the last several years, PYN has worked closely with the Aspen Institute, to track and quantify local opportunity youth (ages 16-24 and disconnected from school/work) and set target goals for re-engagement.