Top Stories

Major initiative announced for children in Allegheny Co.

PITTSBURGH — City and county leaders say it's a powerful initiative and a game changer.

They stressed it will hopefully pave a road to success for children and families throughout Allegheny County.

"This initiative is a powerful one! It can change the way a child sees his future," state representative Ed Gainey said.

"This is a road to her success I believe not only that, but for Christmas and birthdays we go to the bank and she deposits it in her account and knows how to talk to the teller," said Yvette Giles, whose daughter attends Propel.

TRENDING NOW:

It's about teaching children to save and invest and planting a seed to spur growth for the future.

Local leaders announced a major move for a local program. In front of a packed room, officials introduced the countywide expansion of the Fund My Future program.

Initially the program was only available to Propel Schools students. Now the program is open to all kids in Allegheny County from birth to 18.

The purpose of it is to help families to save for college and the future.

Incentives are a huge part of the success of Fund My Future -- and leaders say the program stands out because it doesn't rely on government support, but rather grants from foundations. 

"It is hard to finds another place in America where you have city council, the mayor, the county executive, your state leaders, your federal leaders, public, private, business, labor all rowing the same direction and when you do magic like this can happen," city councilman Dan Gilman said.

The website is already up and running.