our programs

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Fishing Rod Foundation Co. combines the power of mentoring with the sport of fishing to help kids develop the skills needed for personal growth and success. Fishing Rod Foundation Co. works with students, teachers, and coaches throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area, many of whom live in under-resourced communities. Students overcome life obstacles more effectively when they have a positive adult influence to talk with and learn from. Our Mentors emphasize the values of Integrity, Leadership, Accountability, Confidence, Self-Respect and Honesty to help students to improve outcomes for at-risk and less fortunate students.

Fishing Rod Foundation Co.’s Youth Vocational Program provides job readiness training to at-risk and less fortunate youth. FRFC addresses employment and training disparities for area youth who face barriers to employment due to poverty, lack of access to resources and racial inequity. FRFC combines hard skills such as resume writing with soft skills  to give students the necessary tools to acquire and retain employment for the first time.  Upon completion of this 90 day program,  students will feel confident in their abilities to enter the work force and compete at a higher level.

The pandemic has brought urgency for creating wellness programs for kids and teens. Fishing Rod Foundation Co.’s Fish and Fitness program provides health and well-being classes for disadvantaged youth combined with the sport of fishing to help youth to develop physical exercise and wellness habits that promote healthy lifestyles for them and their families. FRFC uses the sport of fishing to promote nutrition, mental health and physical activity. Our goal is to reduce childhood obesity and instill healthy habits through after school and summer programs by providing students with pertinent nutrition information, mental health support, physical activity and wellness habits. Through this program we strive to enable students to translate the information they learn into tangible skills so that can make healthy eating and increased physical activity a habit 

Teaching skills critical to the development of youth and their development of independent living skills. Fishing Rod Foundation Co. provides evidence-based life skills enrichment programming for area youth which features training handbooks containing group discussions and activities that are facilitated by a Fishing Rod Foundation mentor, adult or teacher. Designed by business leaders, educators, parents and students, the Life Skills program will be facilitated in partnership with an area high school and is intended to help put students and young adults on the right track both personally and professionally which dealing with subjects such as Preparing for adulthood and Interpersonal and Communication Skills.