Construction begins for innovative Twin Rivers project designed to improve community

MCKEESPORT, Pa. — Laptops are open and pencils are going as the days are numbered until school is out for the summer, but these students will return in the fall with a reimagined school called United at Twin Rivers.

“We will have the Tigers Den which will be a full-service menu with a laundry facility, a shower if needed, a children’s play area, a meeting space, just being able to provide everything to the community,” said Brandy Daye, who is the principal for the new United at Twin Rivers.

Construction is underway to change the blueprint of the building. The idea comes from Lebron James’ iPromise School in Akron where the doors are open to the community to help not just the students, but their families with basic needs.

“We have to break down the barriers to understand that and shift everything - equalities, anything, like parents think the school shouldn’t know, like we should know so we can help you whether it be struggling to feed your kids or your lights were cut off,” Daye said.

It’s not just physical changes; the hub will offer county services to help with employment or mental health. Then on the education side, students will have a food and clothing pantry to help them be their best to learn.

“There really is something for everyone in this situation. It’s just a matter of trying to support and engage as many families and students as possible,” said Dr. Mark Holtzman,  who is the McKeesport Superintendent.

The entire project and idea comes from a partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods.

“The school district didn’t need rescued, Twin Rivers didn’t need rescued, but it needs support. It needed some resources, some TLC,” Holtzman said.

While the Pittsburgh-based sports company didn’t put a dollar amount on the investment, it said this is just the beginning.

“There is not a person that cannot and will not benefit from the resources here at school,” Holtzman said.

Dr. Holtzman said they are hopeful to have a majority of the projects up and running in the fall, but they are also planning for some delays with supply chain issues.

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