WorkBridge
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2840 Liberty Avenue, Suite 300
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
(412) 201-4160
Fax: (412) 227-3688
Email Mary Beth Sembrot for more program information »
Email Thomas Arntz for employment inquiries »
Client Profile/Admissions Criteria
- Male and female juvenile offenders ages 10 to 21 referred by the Juvenile Court of Allegheny County.
- Must be a resident of Allegheny County.
Key Services
- The Community Service component provides clients ages 10 to 21 with the opportunity to perform court ordered community service through placement at various sites.
- The Stipend Program permits clients ages 10 to 15 (too young for employment due to Child Labor Laws) to perform community service in exchange for a stipend which pays their restitution.
- The Community Repair Crew component provides clients ages 15 to 21 with court ordered community service with competency development through training in six areas of minor repair and construction and provides victims of vandalism, burglary and other crimes with immediate and tangible work assistance. In addition, victim awareness and victim impact classes are provided.
- The Employment Initiative component provides job training workshops to clients ages 16 to 21 and then assists them with finding meaningful, paid employment opportunities in the community. Employment counselors work with the youth and the court by collecting restitution payments.
WorkBridge is a community-based treatment program located in the Strip District area of Pittsburgh, PA. This four-component program provides services to 700-800 clients on a daily basis. WorkBridge serves Allegheny County Juvenile Court by providing juvenile offenders with opportunities for community service or paid employment in accordance with principles of Balanced and Restorative Justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is community service important?
Community service provides youth the opportunity to compensate for damages as well as the
opportunity to modify their behavior. In addition, it instills a sense of investment in the
community.
What is the average length of service for each program?
Community Service: 4 months, Stipend Program: 3 months, Community Repair Crew: 5 months,
Employment Initiative: 6 months
How many community service sites does WorkBridge have and what are they?
WorkBridge has over 2,500 active sites which include: churches, nursing homes, libraries,
YMCAs, police stations, hospitals and many other community organizations.
Who determines how much restitution I owe?
The Juvenile Court determines restitution amounts based on the victim's loss and/or damages.
How much time do I have to pay my restitution?
Restitution must be paid in full before a client's case can be closed and discharged from
probation, which means that the client could be on probation until age 21 if the obligation is not
paid.
Will you help me get a job?
Yes. After completing the employment workshops, clients are assigned to an
employment counselor to assist them with job placement.
What will my employment counselor do?
Employment counselors help clients with job development, resumes, interviews, obtaining
required work documents and collecting restitution.
What types of employment opportunities are available in the Employment Initiative Program?
Employment opportunities are available in many fields including hospitals, grocery stores, retail
stores, fast food restaurants and construction sites.
Does the money I earn in the Employment Initiative Program come straight to me?
Yes. Clients' money goes directly to them, but they are responsible for paying their restitution
on a schedule.
What are the six areas of instruction in the Community Repair Crew Program?
The six areas include: Basic Tools and Safety, Interior Wall Repair, Window Replacement,
Painting, Carpentry and Plumbing.
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