Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region and Penn National Insurance Partner to Launch Beyond School Walls Youth Mentorship Program
Beyond School Walls program expansion provides workforce development skills for Harrisburg High School - SciTech Campus students through one-to-one mentoring relationships with area professionals.

Harrisburg, PA (October 9, 2024) – Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region (BBBSCR) is partnering with Penn National Insurance to expand their workforce development program, Beyond School Walls, to provide professional mentoring to Harrisburg School District students.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America established Beyond School Walls in 2008 to address workforce development needs and job readiness skills. The curriculum-based program works with local businesses to introduce students to workplace cultures, team collaboration, and the soft skills needed to build a foundation for success.

“We present real world challenges to our students,” says BBBSCR VP of Programs Amanda Dunn. “Students learn to draft innovative business proposals, craft elevator pitches, assess career opportunities and deliver team presentations.”

Launched locally in 2016, BBBSCR’s multi-year Beyond School Walls program currently connects area students with mentors at Capital Blue Cross, Deloitte, Mid Penn Bank, The GIANT Company, and soon launching with UGI.

“We are excited to collaborate with Penn National Insurance, to provide our students with a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at a regional employer and equip them with the necessary skills to become enrolled, enlisted or employed after graduation,” says Dunn.

Volunteer mentors from Penn National Insurance will be matched one-on-one with 11 students from Harrisburg High School – SciTech Campus. The students will explore career opportunities, cultivate essential workplace skills and learn how to foster professional relationships.

“We are excited to expand our support of BBBSCR to include the Beyond School Walls program and we extend a warm welcome to our students from SciTech,” said Bob Brandon, President and CEO of Penn National Insurance. “As a leading employer and community supporter in and around Harrisburg, Beyond School Walls is another opportunity for our employees to support our mission of making life better by mentoring high school students and preparing them for a successful future.”

“The Harrisburg School District and Harrisburg High School, SciTech Campus are thankful for the generosity of Penn National Insurance (PNI) and the BBBS Beyond School Walls Program,” says Dr. Marcia Stokes, Acting Superintendent, Harrisburg School District. “PNI mentors have no idea how much they can positively influence the lives of our scholars by providing not just real-world career advice and workforce development opportunities, but by being a safe landing space for our scholars to grow, and share creative ideas, educational goals, and career aspirations.”

Thanks to a deepened partnership, Penn National Insurance and BBBSCR aim to make a lasting impact in the lives of Harrisburg SD youth by fostering positive relationships and opportunities for growth.

BBBSCR is a DCED-approved education improvement organization, allowing companies to make a gift via the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) to fund this program.

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About Big Brothers Big Sisters                                      

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region (BBBSCR) creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. For more than 40 years, BBBSCR has kept its promise by expertly crafting and maintaining compatible mentoring matches between Littles (at-risk youth) and Bigs (mature volunteers) in the Capital Region. Our commitment includes using evidence-based best practices to achieve personalized outcomes and supporting matches throughout their life (one to ten years). Contributions in all forms are vital to fulfilling the agency’s mission. BBBSCR is a 501(c)(3) charity, registered with the PA Bureau of Charities, and an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. For more information, visit the BBBSCR website at www.capbigs.org.

About Penn National Insurance                                      

Penn National Insurance (www.pennnationalinsurance.com), founded in 1919, in Harrisburg, Pa., helps people feel secure and makes life better when bad things happen. The company provides property-casualty insurance in 12 states, through a network of more than 1,200 independent agency operations. In 2023, the company wrote $942 million in direct premiums, had $2.1 billion in total assets, maintained a $824 million policyholder surplus, and had an A.M. Best Financial Rating of A. As a mutual insurance carrier, the company operates solely in the best interest of its policyholders and received a Superior Rating for Personal Lines Claims Customer Experience from Ward’s for five consecutive years.